Articles of Interest   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Airlines' 'million milers' get quiet perks
Neil Armstrong has nothing on Glen Hamel. It would take seven round trips to the moon to equal the number of miles the Texas health care executive has earned in American Airlines' frequent-flier program.

Some might call him the ultimate road warrior, but Hamel, who recently passed 3.3 million miles, is part of a select group of business travelers who go by another name. They're called "million milers," a status that brings lofty treatment from some airlines. Click Here to continue.

EMIRATES BULLISH ON INTERNATIONAL AIRLINE INDUSTRY
 Vice Chairman Maurice Flanagan Tells Industry Dire Picture of Financial Woe is Distorted
Maurice Flanagan, Emirates’ Vice Chairman and Group President, announced today that the Dubai-based airline will take delivery next month of the first of 30 Boeing 777-300ERs on its order book, and said that the widespread, dire picture of airline woes has been oversimplified and distorted.

Speaking to an audience of aviation industry executives at the Wings Club here, Mr. Flanagan said: “Industry-wide losses since 2001 now amount to around $35 billion, but the estimated global airline loss of around $5 billion for last year was distorted by losses of $9 billion made by very large US carriers. They were beset by socio-economic crises that have not troubled the rest of the world to anything like the same extent.” Click Here to continue.

  
  A & I Community Service  

 

 

 

A & I Travel Supports MCS Reading Initiative
 Please keep an eye out and an ear open for the TV ad highlighting A & I Travel’s partnership with Memphis City Schools in their MCS Reads literacy campaign. A & I Travel and a select group of other Memphis businesses including the Memphis Redbirds, the Memphis Grizzlies, and Methodist Le Bonheur have joined forces to promote reading in our city schools. As Rebecca Martin, A & I Travel’s president, says in the ad, “Better schools - a better Memphis!”.

We are very proud to be a part of this great project, so watch for the ads on WMC-TV 5 and select cable stations. Click Here for more details about the MCS Reads literacy campaign.

  
  Airline News  


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Carriers Matching Northwest Fare Hike
An airfare hike initiated by Northwest Airlines appears to be sticking as both American and Delta have enacted competitive matches, according to officials at those carriers. The price increase is either $5 or $10 each way, depending on distance, and also has been selectively matched by certain low-cost carriers, according to J.P. Morgan Securities analyst Jamie Baker. Click Here to continue.
 Platinum Elite Upgrades – Guaranteed
Guaranteed first class upgrade promotion for Platinum Elite members! In 2005, Northwest will guarantee First class upgrades on Northwest Airlines domestic flights. If Northwest is unable to honor this guarantee to a Platinum Elite, Northwest will credit the member’s account with 1,000 Bonus Miles. Click Here to continue.

Northwest to Standardize Domestic Coach Class Meal Service Beginning March 1, 2005.
On March 1, Northwest will begin to phase in an expanded version of its buy-on-board program, replacing complimentary meals for Coach Class domestic customers. The decision to expand the buy-on-board program is due in part to the feedback from customers regarding the current buy-on-board test meal program. Customers have indicated they want more choice, convenience, consistency and control when it comes to onboard meal services. Click Here to continue.

Northwest Moves to Terminal 2E at Paris
Charles de Gaulle on March 1
Beginning March 1, 2005, Northwest Airlines will move operations at Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to Terminal 2E. The move complements the KLM / Air France facility re-alignment at Charles de Gaulle at Terminal 2F and provides customers with new check-in facilities and convenient access to KLM / Air France connecting flights.
Source: Northwest Airlines

American threatens to build hub at Love Field
American Airlines is prepared to build a full-fledged hub at Love Field if flight restrictions are lifted from the Dallas airport, even though the move would harm the carrier and the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, American's chief executive said.

Gerard Arpey, American's chairman and chief executive, said the world's largest carrier would have little choice but to split its North Texas operations to remain competitive if the Wright Amendment were repealed. Click Here to continue.

AMERICAN AIRLINES UPDATE
American Airlines continued the development of its international services at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport by announcing that it will introduce a second nonstop flight between DFW and Sao Paulo, Brazil, effective June 9.
Source: American Airlines

 American tosses pillows off most domestic flight
Flying is about to get a bit harder. Literally. Airline pillows are soon coming off most of American Airlines' domestic flights to cut costs. Estimated savings: $375,000 a year. The world's largest airline, American said that pillows will be removed from first-class and coach cabins on all domestic flights except transcontinental trips and flights to Hawaii starting Feb. 15. Pillows will disappear from all Boeing 737s and 757s and Airbus A300s, spokesman Tim Wagner says. Click Here to continue.

  
  Hotel News  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Ensemble Travel Hotel & Resort Collection
 (A & I travel is a Member of Ensemble travel)
Join the select circle of Ensemble Travelers, and enjoy the best of travel -- every time you travel. The 2005 Ensemble Hotel and Resort Collection, a selection of some of the world's premier properties, each chosen for customized service and special features, offers VIP amenities to travelers who book their stay with Ensemble Travel member agencies. At each of these fine properties, you'll receive an Ensemble Exclusive-- whether an instant room upgrade, full breakfast, spa service, a delightful basket of fruit or chocolate assortment as well as other perks reserved for the very top-tier of guests.

To browse the Ensemble Hotel & Resort Collection online for properties, locations, updates and more information, click here.

Embassy Suites Hotels Announces Plans to Place EmbassyDirect Registration Kiosks in All Hotels
The first hotel brand to feature the multi-purpose IBM Self-Service Solution at all of Its 175 Properties. Capitalizing on a trend begun by the airline industry -- and most recently, the Hilton Family of Hotels -- to offer consumers self-service check-in capabilities, Embassy Suites Hotels announced plans today to install self-service, multi-purpose EmbassyDirect Registration Kiosks ( at all of its hotels. The automated technology will appear in 75 percent of hotels by year-end 2005, and in 100 percent of hotels by June 30, 2006.
Source: Hotel News Resource

  
  Car Rental  News  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 AVIS OFFERS Free upgrades
Hit the highway with a little help from Avis and your travel agent! Reserve an Avis Intermediate through Full Size 4-Door car in the U.S. or Canada and you can receive a one-car group upgrade at no extra charge. An Advance reservation with request for upgrade is required. Offer valid on a weekend, weekly or monthly rental. Subject to complete Terms and Conditions on back. Rental must begin on or before December 31, 2005. For information and reservations, contact your A & I Travel agent.
 
This coupon is available only through your travel agent.

 

  
  Travel Tip  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The wonderful uses of plastic when traveling!!
  • Put your shoes in plastic bags to keep them from soiling clothing and preventing them from being scratched.
  • When packing for travel, place your clothes in saved dry cleaning plastic bags to minimize wrinkling and fold lines.
  • Pack your toiletries inside sealable plastic bags to prevent spills and leaks from making a mess of your packed luggage

TSA Adds lighters to list of items prohibited beyond airport checkpoints
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Transportation Security Administration

Washington, D.C. - The transportation Security Administration (TSA) today announce that all lighters will be prohibited from sterile areas of airports and onboard aircraft. This action is in response to a provision in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, which was signed into law by the President on December 17, 2004, and requires that "butane" lighters be added to TSA's Prohibited Items List. Click Here to continue.

  
  Meeting & Incentive Management  


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You only get one shot at making a good impression!

Meetings & Incentives are time-consuming and require endless attention to detail- from site selection to contract negotiations to logistics. One small oversight can sabotage the success of your event.

From Conception to Realization, our professionals will ensure your event makes a lasting positive impression.

For your complimentary consultation please contact:
Karen Young, CTC
Meetings and Incentives Manager
Impressions Corporate Meetings & Incentives (a division of A & I Travel)
901-291-1440 or 800-467-1182
karen@aitvl.com

  
  Travel & Leisure  

 

 

 

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Disney's Magic Your Way


We've reinvented the Walt Disney World vacation so you can do Disney your way. Now you can customize a vacation to the Walt Disney World Resort to fit the way you want to play, the way you want to relax and the schedule you want to keep. With the Magic Your Way Package you can experience the magic of a Walt Disney World vacation at an affordable rate.
Tour Dates: 4/17/2005 through 12/12/2005
Book by April 30th and receive two Disney-themed watches per booking.

 

A family of four can get six nights' accommodations at a Disney Value Resort with 7-day Theme Park tickets for less than $1,500.*
And as a guest of a Disney Resort Hotel, you'll enjoy special benefits like extra time in the Theme Parks each day. So come, relax and feel free to stay a few extra days.
*Price based on two adults, one junior, one child occupying one standard room during regular and value seasons in 2005. Not available for all arrival dates. 7-day Theme Park admission must be used within 14 days of first use. Everyone in the room must be on the same package. Valid Resort ID and Theme Park ticket required.
OTHER PACKAGES ARE AVAILABLE TO FIT ALL YOUR VACATION NEEDS

Prices are quoted per adult double occupancy at one of Disney's Value Resort Hotels, Standard room. Offer is valid for travel most nights from 4/17/05 - 8/31/05. The number of packages quoted at the offered price is limited. Other resorts and additional nights are available at varying rates. Rates do not include air, air taxes, government taxes and fees. Offer is capacity controlled and may be changed and/or withdrawn without notice. Other restrictions may apply. All prices and other items are subject to change without notice.

Call your A & I Travel leisure specialists to get all the details and make your reservations!
Joan, Joye, Lourdes or Rhonda
@
901-291-1400 or 1-800-467-1182
vacation@aitvl.com

A & I Travel Service, Inc.
5124 Poplar Avenue
Suite 101
Memphis, TN  38117
www.aitvl.com

Click on the Authorized Disney Vacation Planner logo to the left for detailed park information.
 

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