A&I Travel Corporate Travel Newsletter

In This Issue

Articles of Interest

Fliers worry about higher fares

Newly Unbundled Fares Complicating Policies

Travel group warns: Corporate data at risk from laptop searches at border

Payout to bumped airline passengers to double

Airlines Accelerate Minimum-Stay Faring

Eos Airlines ceases operations

Frontier Airlines to eliminate service to five cities

Fairmont San Francisco

The Right Card Can Whisk You Through Security

The Better Option - Car Rental

China: Government imposes new visa restrictions

Escape to Playa del carmen

Fliers worry about higher fares
Source: USA Today
Already coping with rising fares and disappearing amenities, frequent fliers and corporate travel managers worry that the Delta-Northwest merger will lessen their travel options but hope that consolidated resources will lead to better service. Click Here to continue.

Newly Unbundled Fares Complicating Policies
Buyers Assess Full Cost Of Carriers' A La Carte Pricing
Source: BTN Online
From select coach seat assignments to a second checked piece of luggage, in-flight meals and the upcoming introduction of onboard Wi-Fi, fuel-battered airlines continue to find new sources of ancillary revenue—including some once included in the base fare. Click Here to continue.

Travel group warns: Corporate data at risk from laptop searches at border
Source: ComputerWorld
The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) is warning its members to limit the amount of proprietary business information they carry on laptops and other electronic devices because of fears that government agents can seize that data at U.S. border crossings. Click Here to continue.

Airline News

Payout to bumped airline passengers to double
Source: Commercial Appeal
If you're involuntarily bumped from a flight starting in May, the airlines are going to have to double what they pay for your trouble. If the delay puts you at your destination two hours later than you expected, you're due a cool $400. Anything longer and the payout jumps to $800, all part of the Department of Transportation's commitment to improving the U.S. travel experience. Click Here to continue.

U.S. Airlines Accelerate Minimum-Stay Faring
Source: Business Travel News
Major legacy carriers in April upped minimum-stay requirements on some routes in an attempt to drive more revenue and push business travelers into higher fare buckets.
Click Here to continue.

Eos Airlines ceases operations
Source: T&E Magazine
Eos Airlines, a New York-London business class-only airline, has filed for bankruptcy and ceased operations as of Monday, April 28, 2008. According to a statement by chief executive officer Jack Williams, a "challenging economic and credit environment'' forced the Purchase, N.Y.-based company to file a voluntary petition for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The airline launched in 2005.

Frontier Airlines to eliminate service to five cities
Source: T&E Magazine
As part of its restructuring bid, the company that operates Frontier Airlines will end service to five cities that were included in a regional pact with Republic Airways. Daily operations in the following cities will cease on June 1: Sioux City, Iowa; Jacksonville, Fla.; Little Rock, Ark.; Memphis, Tenn.; and Tulsa, Okla. Previously announced plans for new service to Missoula, Mont., have been canceled. Passengers who had booked reservations after June 1 are being offered refunds or alternate flights.

Airport Parking
Click Here for details on the Memphis, TN location. Click Here to view parking facilities outside of Memphis. We have a special negotiated rate available to all of our customers of $5.50 per day for self parking and $7.00 per day for valet parking at the Memphis, TN location. Taxes and airport fees included in the per day cost. Please note, you are required to show a business card or an
A & I Travel itinerary upon exiting the Memphis, TN location parking lot to receive the discounted parking rate.

Featured Hotel with A & I Travel Exclusive Extras

Fairmont San Francisco
Centrally located atop prestigious Nob Hill, The Fairmont San Francisco offers the ultimate in hospitality – following the completion of an award-winning $85-million restoration. The hotel's 591 guest rooms and suites have been luxuriously refurbished and well-appointed. Public spaces that include the spectacular lobby and the chic Laurel Court Restaurant & Bar have been returned to their 1907 splendor.

A & I Travel Extras! Breakfast for two in The Laurel Court • Upgraded room at time of check-in when available • Early check-in when available • Late check-out when available

Click Here for more details.

Did You Know?

The Right Card Can Whisk You Through Security
Dean Jackson, an Orlando, Fla., real estate consultant who travels a lot, compares security waits at the airport in his city with the line for Space Mountain, the roller coaster at Walt Disney World: both can be time-consuming. Click Here to continue.

The Better Option - Car Rental
Instead of paying for mileage companies should encourage rental cars when driving over 200 miles a day. Mileage reimbursement for using an employee car now averages about 50 cents a mile. If an employee drives 200 miles to a meeting that will cost the company $100. Compare this to renting a $45 rental car and paying for 10 gallons of gas @ $3.50/gallon results in a total cost of $80 for the car rental. We recommend that anytime an employee has to drive over 200 miles a day you should have them rent a car instead.

China: Government imposes new visa restrictions
China is continuing to tighten its visa policy in advance of the Beijing Olympic games, as new curbs on tourists and business travelers were introduced last week. Travel professionals say it's now necessary to submit copies of tickets both into and out of the country, as well as a hotel voucher, in order to get a visa application accepted. In addition, visitors from Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand no longer are allowed to apply for a visa at an embassy in Hong Kong, but must do so at a Chinese Embassy in their home countries. Multiple-entry visas were discontinued several weeks ago.

Travel & Leisure

Escape to Playa del Carmen
Fly from Memphis, TN to Cancun, take a 40 minute nonstop transfer to Playa del Carmen and welcome to paradise! Your nonstop round-trip airport to hotel transfers will deliver you to The ROYAL Playa del Carmen in style.

See more of fabulous Mexico by jumping on the Cozumel ferry that departs every hour from downtown Playa del Carmen! This makes for a great day excursion. Transfer time is a short 35 minute trip.
Click Here to see a map.

Stay at THE ROYAL Playa del Carmen

THE ROYAL in Playa del Carmen has risen on the foundation of The Royal Porto Real, one of the most successful Adults Only beachfront resorts on the Riviera Maya. Guests will discover an explosion of luxury around every corner, all provided in an atmosphere of casual elegance boasting a perfect beachfront location, mere steps from Playa del Carmen’s famed Fifth Avenue. Discover hip night spots, trendy cafes, colorful shops and local color while experiencing THE ROYAL’s flawlesss hospitality.

Vacation packages include:

Roundtrip air transportation
Choice of accommodations
Hotel taxes
Roundtrip nonstop transfers between airport and hotel (be sure and mention promo code WV7881 to your A&I agent)
Luggage handling at hotel
Maid and/or bellman gratuities
Assistance of a local host or toll-free number for assistance
Up to 2,500 WorldPerks® Bonus Miles in addition to credited flight miles

Real all-inclusive packages also include:

All meals
24-hour snacks and beverages
A wide variety of daily activities including nonmotorized watersports
Excellent entertainment and nightly shows
And more

Click Here to view the Offer terms and conditions