In  This  Issue

 Article Of Interest

Fares Rising: 5 Tips On What To Do

A Passport Is The Easy Part

The Battle Overhead

Delta Eliminates SkyMiles Expiration

Delta Kicks Off Expansion at World's Top Business Airports

Delta Offers More Domestic First Class Seating

Important Reminder For Hyatt Guests

Start-Up Room 77 Lets You See Your Hotel-Room View Before You Arrive

Avis Budget Puts Brakes On No-Show Fees

Worth it? Extras To Speed Through Security
Fares Rising: 5 Tips On What To Do
Source: The Boston Globe
Airlines have raised domestic ticket prices five times this year in response to climbing fuel costs, which have recently spiked due to Mideast unrest. Click Here to continue.

A Passport Is The Easy Part
Source: The New York Times
Most business travelers head to places that are politically stable. Even so, preparing for an overseas trip involves much more than packing a bag, leaving an out-of-office message and e-mailing itineraries to family members. Click Here to continue.

The Battle Overhead
Source: Chicago Tribune
Not long ago, the challenge of carrying bags onto airplanes pertained to size. Would you be able to stuff that teeming roll-aboard into the overhead bin? It took a deft touch and several grunts, but at least the bag was within arm's reach. Click Here to continue.
Airline News
Delta Eliminates SkyMiles Expiration
Source: Delta Air Lines
Delta announced it has eliminated the SkyMiles mileage expiration, creating a new industry-leading benefit for all members. This program change is effective for all SkyMiles accounts as of Jan. 1, 2011, and makes Delta the only major U.S. carrier without mileage expiration.

Previously, miles expired 24 months after a member's last qualifying mileage activity, which required a member to earn or redeem miles within that period.

Delta Kicks Off Expansion At World's Top Business Airports
Source: Delta Air Lines
Delta is preparing to expand service to two key international business airports – Haneda Airport in Tokyo and Heathrow Airport in London – as it continues its focus on key markets for strategic growth in 2011. Click Here to continue.

Delta Offers More Domestic First Class Seating
Source: Delta Air Lines
Delta offers more First Class seating than any other U.S. airline, with 11 percent of the carrier's total domestic seats in First or Business Class on its two-class aircraft. Delta is also the only U.S. carrier to offer a First Class cabin on every domestic flight longer than 750 miles (approximately 2.5 hours)

By summer 2013, Delta will have nearly 2,000 more First Class seats on its domestic fleet. For SkyMiles members, the expansion means one million more opportunities to upgrade to First Class every year.
 
 Hotel News
IMPORTANT REMINDER FOR HYATT GUESTS
Source: A & I Travel
 Many full-service Hyatt Hotels charge an early departure fee if you check out of the hotel prior to your scheduled departure date. This charge begins at $50 and can be as much as the cost of your one night stay! Because this policy is so prevalent no special remarks are noted by the hotel. This is very much a case where the buyer, or in this case hotel guest, should be aware of this policy before confirming a hotel choice.

Certainly other chains may do this as well but most of our anecdotal information comes from Hyatt guests.

Start-Up Room 77 Lets You See Your Hotel-Room View Before You Arrive
 Source: USA Today
Travelers: Ever walk into your hotel room and let out a sigh of extreme sadness when you saw the view of an ugly concrete parking garage? Click Here to continue.
Car News
Avis Budget Puts Brakes On No-Show Fees
Source: Business Travel News
Avis Budget Group chairman and CEO Ronald Nelson on Thursday said the company does not plan to aggressively push no-show fees for U.S. car rentals in the near future and instead will rely on other tactics for fleet optimization, such as pre-payment. Click Here to continue.
Did You Know?
Worth it? Extras To Speed Through Security
Special laptop bags, hotel baggage checks and other amenities to consider
Source: AP
Laptop bags that may not require removal of your computer. Luggage concierge services that enable you to check your bags before you arrive at the airport. PDAs to display your mobile boarding pass. Click Here to continue. 
 

Leisure Travel Department News

After 58 years of excellence in selling leisure travel, A & I Travel is closing its leisure department. A & I’s business mix has moved steadily into corporate travel management and this decision is a reflection of that reality.

The very good news is that Rhonda McDowell is not leaving the travel business. She will be an Independent Contractor with A & I, still sending travelers all over the world. The leisure office officially closed this week and the transition will occur over the next month.
 

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