I n  T h i s  I s s u e


Greetings Travelers,

Thank you for reading our newsletter. There is a lot happening in the world of travel so we hope this months edition is concise, informative and helpful. Please send your comments or suggestions to ashley@aitvl.com.


Competition at Memphis International Heats Up

Northwest/KLM Baggage Policy Changes

NWA Offers Double Miles Between Memphis & Denver, Las Vegas or Orlando

American Airlines Unveils A New And Easy Way To Book AAdvantage Award Travel

American Airlines Update

Continental Airlines Installs New Audio/Video On Demand Entertainment

National Car Rental Introduces New Rental Kiosk

The Westin Memphis Beale Street Opening Soon

Is Personal Info On Your Hotel Keycard?

Leisure Travel Offer
 

Articles of Interest
Competition at Memphis International Airport Heats Up
Source: Memphis Business Journal
by Einat Paz-Frankel

Northwest Airlines Corp. this summer will offer additional non-stop flights from Memphis to Las Vegas and Orlando, Fla., as well as increase capacity on its flights to Denver.

This announcement comes less than a week after Denver-based Frontier Airlines entered the Memphis market with non-stop flights to the same destinations.

Following Frontier's announcement, Atlanta-based AirTran added a non-stop flight from Memphis to Orlando.

NWA will now operate a total of two daily flights to Las Vegas and four to Orlando. The airline will operate larger aircraft on its three daily flights to Denver.

 
Airline News
Northwest/KLM Baggage Policy Changes
Source:  NWA

Effective for tickets issued on/after March 1, 2007, Northwest/KLM implemented the following changes to its baggage policy: Click Here to continue.

NWA Offers Double Miles Between Memphis & Denver, Las Vegas or Orlando
Northwest Airlines is expanding service from Memphis by adding additional flights to Las Vegas and Orlando starting on May 2, 2007. By June 7, all flights between Memphis and Denver will be operated by the roomy Airbus 319 / 320 aircraft featuring 16 First Class seats. To celebrate, Northwest is rewarding you with Double Miles when you travel between Memphis and Denver, Las Vegas or Orlando between May 2 and June 15, 2007. Purchase a roundtrip ticket by June 14 and earn Double Miles for each qualifying trip on a Northwest Airlines paid fare. Registration is required prior to travel. Click Here for complete details and registration.

American Airlines Unveils A New And Easy Way To Book AAdvantage Award Travel
Source:  American Airlines
American Airlines unveiled an exciting new and easy way to plan and book AAdvantage award travel on AA.com, giving customers more information and more choices when it’s time to reserve their award travel on American, American Eagle, or AmericanConnection. Click Here to continue.

American Airlines Update
The Nashville Admirals Club will reopen Spring 2007! Visit www.AA.com for membership information

Continental Airlines Installs New Audio/Video On Demand Entertainment
CO has announced that it has completed the installation of Audio/Video on Demand (AVOD) in the BusinessFirst cabins of its entire fleet of 41 Boeing 757 aircraft used primarily on transatlantic flights to/from its New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport. AVOD systems will be installed in the economy cabins of these aircraft beginning summer 2007.

 

Exceptional Customer Service


Just Call her Fred

Mary,

I wanted to tell you that you were mentioned in our company-wide staff meeting today.

Primacy has started a company-wide study of a book called The Fred Factor, which talks about providing excellence in customer service, modeling the example of the author's mailman (named Fred). Silvia Meloni asked for someone from each regional office to tell the group about an example of a "Fred" (meaning someone who has gone above & beyond the call of duty). Paula Rohl & Beth Dietz from our Omaha office shared what a sensational job you do for them on a daily basis.
Incidentally, you were the only "Fred" mentioned who is not a Primacy employee.

Although I wasn't able to get to the microphone to echo their sentiments in the meeting, I wanted to let you know that I completely agree with them--you are the epitome of a "Fred". I genuinely appreciate all the hard work you do for Primacy, our Clients, and our Transferees. And most particularly, I appreciate how you have helped me with travel budget development for our new hire trainees over the past couple of weeks. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Thank you,
Amy Buckman, CRP
Training Specialist - SME, Operations

   

 

 


 

Car Rental News
National Car Rental Introduces New Rental Kiosk
Introducing the new rental kiosk for occasional business renters. Enjoy bypassing the counter by completing your transaction at the kiosk and proceed to your car with keys. Click Here to continue.
 
Hotel News

The Westin Memphis Beale Street Opening Soon
Now accepting reservations for arrival on or after May 1, 2007. The Westin Memphis Beale Street will offer a retreat from the rigors of travel. Located just behind the world-famous Beale Street, home of the blues, you’ll be minutes away from the excitement of the city.

Designed to enhance your relaxation, all 203 beautifully appointed guest rooms and suites feature the signature Heavenly Bed, complete with a pillow top mattress and 250-thread count sheets.

If you are looking to host an event, the hotel offers nine meeting rooms totaling 6,768 square feet of space. The full-service business center allows you to take care of any last-minute details.

Click Here to view a rendering of the hotel and a guestroom overview.
Did You Know?

Is Personal Info On Your Hotel Keycard?
Source:  USA Today
I just read a mass e-mail warning consumers that hotel keycards are embedded with personal information including name, credit card number and expiration date. It says to keep the card with you at all times, and never leave it behind when you check out, or your information could be lifted by unscrupulous hotel employees. This topic has caused a stir and a debate, so to get the scoop we called Rich Siegel of Hospitality Upgrade, who's and expert on hotel technology. He says talk that hotel keycards are embedded with detailed personal information is "an urban myth".. it's just not true. (Hotels) don't embed credit card information, only a departure date." That makes a key automatically deactivate at checkout time on the day you're supposed to leave. The keycard scare also is addressed on www.snopes.com , which debunks urban myths. And the American Hotel & Lodging Association recently told The Seattle Post-Intelligencer that cards don't contain personal information (except sometimes hotel folio number or last name).
 

Travel & Leisure

1

Companion Flies Free* to Hawaii  Book roundtrip air to Hawaii, stay 7 nights at any of the fabulous properties listed here, and receive free* air — up to a $350 value. Also, you can add a Free* Compact Car Rental to this offer. Save even more when you fly and drive free* in Hawaii.
   Free* Companion Air up to $350
   Free* Car Rental $200
   SAVE UP TO = $550


Plus additional special offers at participating resorts including free nights, reduced room rates, free parking in Waikiki, complimentary dining, resort credits, and much more. Call A & I Travel Service Today. Click Here to view participating hotels.


Call an A & I Travel leisure specialist to make your reservations.
Ask for Joan, Joye, or Rhonda
901-291-1400 or 1-800-467-1182
vacation@aitvl.com

 
*TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Free Companion air offer applies to new bookings only including the following: (1) a roundtrip, trans-Pacific flight from any U.S. airport to Oahu, Maui, Hawaii or Kauai (airport codes HNL, OGG, JHM, KOA, ITO, LIH); (2) a stay of at least seven (7) consecutive nights at a participating hotel(s); and (3) the Travel Smart Plan™ or Classic Vacations, LLC’s Change & Cancellation Waiver (this must be purchased by every traveling adult, including any adult using the free credit). Offers apply to select room categories only and are combinable with select specials only. You must book between 2/13/07 - 4/20/07, with travel between 2/26/07 - 12/15/07. When you book a qualifying flight, you will receive an air credit for your travel companion in an amount of up to $350. Air credit may be used only to book a flight for your travel companion on the same itinerary as you. If the cost of the companion flight is less than the amount of the credit, the amount of the difference will be forfeited (that is, no refund will be issued, and the balance may not be used on future flights). If the cost of the companion flight exceeds the amount of the credit, you are responsible for paying the difference. Limit: one (1) air credit per booking, regardless of the number of rooms booked. Seats and accommodations are subject to availability at time of booking. Blackout dates, seasonal surcharges, taxes, resort fees (if any) and other restrictions may apply. Air credit is not redeemable for cash and is non-transferable. Combinable with free car offer in Hawaii. All rules for existing Free Car Offer apply.
 

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