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Congress Passes Bill Delaying Passport Rule for Land, Sea Travel

Airport Security Update: TSA Adjusts Liquid Ban

Virgin Relaxes Laptop Restrictions

Business Airfares Soaring

Continental Revises Seat Assignment Policy

Showing Hotel Use Becoming More Critical: As Most Buyers Begin 2007 Hotel Contract Talks, Challenge Greatest At Cos. Without Mandates

Hertz Green Collection

Africa, Asia, Middle East: CDC Reports On Polio Outbreaks

Top 10 Myths About Air Travel and Airports
Articles of Interest
Congress Passes Bill Delaying Passport Rule for Land, Sea Travel
 Congress on Sept. 29 approved an amendment that would delay implementation of new passport requirements included in the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, a law requiring U.S. travelers to have passports in order to re-enter the U.S from abroad. Click Here to continue.

Airport Security Update: TSA Adjusts Liquid Ban
Source: ASTA
Effective Sept. 26, 2006, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will adjust its airport security screening procedures as follows:

1) Pre-Screening - Passengers may carry travel-size toiletries (3 ounce or less) that fit comfortably in ONE quart-size, clear plastic, zip-top bag through the security checkpoints.
2) Post-Screening - Passengers may bring items, including beverages and duty-free items, purchased in the secure gate area on-board the aircraft.
Click Here to continue.
 
Airline News
Virgin Relaxes Laptop Restrictions
(Source: timesonline.co.uk)
Virgin Atlantic has changed its policy banning the use of battery-powered Dell and Apple laptops following complaints from a Times Online reader. The airline had originally slapped an outright ban on using battery power for the laptops after the two manufacturers issued a worldwide recall for batteries.

Business Airfares Soaring
 Report by David Wilkening
Source: TravelMole
Business air fares are soaring faster than any time since 2001, reports a study by American Express Business Travel. Business travelers paid more for flights during the second quarter of 2006 than anytime since 2001. The average airfare paid by business travelers jumped 13% to $247 one way from $218 in the same period of last year.
Said Frank Schnur, vice president of consulting for American Express Business Travel:
"More travelers in the air, combined with higher fuel prices and fewer available seats and hotel rooms, have led to considerable price increases -- a trend we expect to continue."

Continental Revises Seat Assignment Policy
Source: Continental Airlines
Effective September 15, 2006, Continental Airlines will implement two policy changes in regards to seat assignments booked via Continental reservations or continental.com. The policy changes are: Seat assignments will be provided to ticketed customers only.
Exit row seats will now be assigned in advance to ticketed Platinum Elite customers only. However, Continental will continue to allow Travel Agency professionals to assign seats for all customers, regardless of ticket status, through their GDS or by calling the Executive Accounts Desk. Continental will also allow Travel Agents to call the Executive Accounts Desk to obtain exit row seats for any Elite level customer (Platinum, Gold and Silver).
 
 

Exceptional Customer Service


Deedee Crowell

Good afternoon Vicki,
 
I am sending this email to let you know how helpful Dee Dee Crowell has been to me.  I called for her yesterday not knowing that she had started working somewhere else.  I wanted to let you know what a great employee you had on your team.  I have been with the City for 1 year and when I needed to make travel arrangements, Dee Dee was always very helpful, so helpful in fact that anytime I needed to make travel arrangements I would call her specifically.  I don’t know how often clients compliment your employee’s, but I felt that Dee Dee really deserved one.  I am going to miss working with her; she has given me another name of someone that works the way that she does. Thank you for your time and I hope that you all take care of Dee Dee very well; she truly deserves to be recognized for the wonderful customer service. J  
 
Theresa N. Knox
Administrative Assistant to
Lorene L. Essex, Director of Human Resources
City of Memphis

• • • • •

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


 
Hotel News
Showing Hotel Use Becoming More Critical: As Most Buyers Begin 2007 Hotel Contract Talks, Challenge Greatest At Cos. Without Mandates
By David Eisen
Source: BTN Online
Driving traveler compliance in booking preferred hotel properties is a difficult task for corporate travel managers in companies that do not mandate traveler behavior, but even more important than usual in the current tough hotel market. In companies where employees are under stringent directives to reserve specific hotels through prescribed booking channels or risk nonreimbursement or disciplinary action, travel managers don't need to devise strategies and implement effective ways to persuade travelers to use preferred suppliers. The rest find them more essential than ever. Click Here to continue.

 
Car Rental News
Hertz Green Collection
Source: Hertz
Introducing The Hertz Green Collection. Reserve and Conserve. Fuel Efficient, Environmentally Friendly Cars Reservable By Make and Model.Now you can reserve fuel efficient, environmentally-friendly cars that are both easy on the wallet and suitable for families and small groups traveling together. Reservable by specific make and model, with an EPA highway fuel efficiency rating of 28 miles or more per gallon, the Hertz Green Collection features the four cars listed below. Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion, Buick LaCrosse, Hyundai Sonata Reservable at over 50 major airport locations in the U.S. EPA Highway Fuel Efficiency rating of 28 Miles or more per gallon
More than 35,000 cars in the Green Collection. Click here for more information on the Hertz website.
Did You Know?
Africa, Asia, Middle East: CDC Reports On Polio Outbreaks
Source: T&E
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control on Wednesday announced that, during 2006, several previously polio-free countries have experienced importations of the disease: Bangladesh, DR Congo, Namibia, Angola, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Nepal, Niger, Somalia and Yemen. The number of nations where polio is endemic has reached an all-time low, however, with only Nigeria, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan still considered endemic. Nevertheless, the agency cautioned that the risk of contracting the disease will remain until polio is eradicated worldwide and recommended that travelers and their children should be fully immunized before visiting areas in Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia or the Middle East.
 

Top 10 Myths About Air Travel and Airports
Source: About.com
So you aren't really sure about what happens if you arrive late at the airport or if the weather keeps you from flying. It's time to wade through some of the myths and confusion surrounding air travel. Top 10 myths of air travel. Click here to continue.
 
Travel & Leisure

 

 Save Up to $400 to the Sun Through 2007!
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Package Amount Save
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$1,000 - $2,699 $200
$2,700 - $4,999 $300
$5,000+ $400

You will save when you:
Purchase a qualifying air and hotel package to Hawaii, Mexico, Costa Rica, or the Caribbean, between September 24 - October 31, 2006
Use promotional code WV6733A
Travel between October 1, 2006 - December 31, 2007
 
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
 

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