March passenger traffic on U.S. airlines fell by 10 percent, while the overall cost to fly one mile fell by 13 percent. Declines extended beyond the mainland United States to transatlantic, transpacific and Latin markets. (Source: Air Transport Association press release).

Airlines Cut Fares
JetBlue Airways trimmed $100 off some of its nonrefundable fares. Air France introduced a lower priced business “leisure” fare for the summer and Continental Airlines cut BusinessFirst fares to Asia. JetBlue dropped nonrefundable fares from $599 to $499 on 24 of its transcontinental routes.

Air France is offering a 60-day advance purchase business fare to 25 popular destinations in Europe and the Middle East. Sample roundtrip fares: New York-Paris, $2,222, Houston-Madrid, $2,622 and Chicago-Zurich, $2,458. Continental is now offering fares from the New York area to Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong and Tokyo starting at $3,076. (Source: Air France, Continental, JetBlue press releases).

Delta, Northwest Merge Frequent Flyer Programs in SkyMiles Card

American Express has launched a marketing campaign to build awareness for the SkyMiles cards in key Delta hubs that were formerly Northwest hubs within the U.S. including Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Memphis.

The Northwest WorldPerks and Delta SkyMiles frequent flyer programs are merging, but Northwest members will have to apply for a Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express to continue earning miles both from credit card purchases and from flying. American Express is expanding benefits in the program, so that card members can earn and redeem miles in more ways and places, including the ability to earn double miles on all Delta and Northwest operated flights.

Gold and Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit card members and Delta Reserve card members, who now earn Double Miles on virtually every dollar of spend with Delta, can also earn Double Miles on all purchases made with Delta’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Northwest.

The Pay with Miles feature, which currently allows Gold, Platinum and Reserve card members to book Delta flights with no black-out dates or inventory restrictions on delta.com, will also be expanded to all Northwest-operated flights. (Source: American Express press release).

Corporate America Curtails Travel to Mexico
Forty-seven percent of members of the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) responding to a survey of the impact of the swine flu on their company’s travel said that their companies have restricted business travel to Mexico.

Three percent have restricted travel to the U.S. and Mexico, while 7 percent are restricting travel to any country with reported cases of H1N1 swine influenza. One percent reported restricting travel to the U.S. only. Forty-two percent are claiming no travel restrictions at all. Excluding travel to Mexico, only 11 percent of respondents cited travel restrictions.

Meanwhile, the International Air Transport Association said airlines were prepared for dealing with swine flu, saying IATA has worked with WHO to prepare guidance materials for front-line staff at airlines, including cabin crew, maintenance workers, cleaners, passenger agents and cargo/baggage handlers. WHO advises there should be no restriction of regular travel or closure of borders.

It is considered prudent for people who are ill to delay international travel and for people developing symptoms following international travel to seek medical attention, in line with guidance from national authorities. (Source: ACTE, IATA press releases).

Security

Customs Deactivates Older NEXUS Cards
U.S. Customs and Border Protection canceled old NEXUS cards for current NEXUS members on May 1. CBP has been mailing new NEXUS cards, a card that simplifies border crossing for pre-approved, low-risk travelers, to all members since November. The new cards have enhanced security features and allow U.S. and Canadian citizen cardholders to comply with the documentary requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.

All members must activate their new cards within 30 days, verify and update their U.S. mailing address by going to https://goes-app.cbp.dhs.gov/.
NEXUS members should destroy their old cards after activating their new ones.
(Source: Customs press release).

 
North American rates fell the most, down 12 percent in the fourth quarter of  2008.
(Source: HPI, STR Global press releases).

Omni Hotels Offers Triple Miles with American, United
 Omni Hotels is offering members of its Select Guest program the opportunity to earn unlimited triple miles in the American AAdvantage and United Mileage Plus programs.

Guest Select members also get complimentary Wi-Fi, morning beverages, pressing,  newspapers and online check-in and express checkout. To take advantage of the triple miles offer, visit SelectGuestProgram/ .
(Source: Omni Hotels).

Car Rental

Hertz Offers Summer Specials
 Hertz is offering 50 percent off weekend rentals through June 30 at participating airports in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. It’s also offering a Weekender, that includes an attractive rate, free child’s seat, no drop-off fee for one-way rentals and up to three days of Hertz NeverLost service. (Source: Hertz).

Travel Back Lash

Concerned by public perception of meetings and events as frivolous, some corporations are opting to meet in places that may look like a bargain but actually cost more.

An Association of Corporate Travel Executives survey of business managers found companies are factoring political correctness into their calculations.

1. Sixty percent would avoid a “resort” destination like Las Vegas even if the resort city were a better deal than a non-leisure destination.
2. Thirty-eight percent said public perception is now a key factor in choosing a meeting site.
3. Sixty-two percent said it would take a dramatic increase in their own business or an increase in projects that required meetings for them to increase the number of meetings and conferences they attend.

Source: Association of Corporate Travel Executives press release.

Secure Flight is a program that was developed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in response to a key 9/11 Commission recommendation: uniform watch list matching by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

The mission of the Secure Flight Program is to enhance the security of domestic and international commercial air travel through the use of improved watch list matching.

Secure Flight will conduct uniform prescreening of passenger information against federal government watch lists for domestic and international flights. TSA will take over this responsibility from aircraft operators who, up until now, have been responsible for checking passengers against government watch lists.

Secure Flight will match the name, date of birth and gender information for each passenger against government watch lists to:

After matching passenger information against government watch lists, Secure Flight will transmit the matching results back to airlines.

Williamsburg Travel-American Express must collect the required information from all travelers:

• Name as it appears on your government-issued photo ID that you use to pass through airport security.
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Redress Number (If Applicable)

The information will be stored permanently in profiles so that you do not need to provide the information every time that you travel. This information is required before an airline will issue a boarding pass for travel.

Passengers who decline to provide this information to the airlines in advance of their travel plans will face - at a minimum - additional screening and delays at the airport, likely to include being denied boarding.

For some travelers this may be different than the way your name appears on frequent flyer accounts. You will need to change the frequent flyer accounts.

Additional Information about Secure Flight Program.

1. May 15th all names must exactly match your government issued I.D.
2. August 15th you must also provide gender, date of birth, etc.

If you are a Williamsburg-American Express Client

For those travelers using the Rearden Personal Assistant or Trip Manager online booking product, please update your profiles with required information online.

Please complete our online Secure Flight Information.

If you are a new client please complete our Confidential Traveler Profile.

Enjoyed talking to you about your business travel. Please let us know if we maybe of help.

Here is a list of our business services:
willtrav.com/business/

Meeting & Events:
willtrav.com/business/meeting-events/

Please feel free to take advantage of
our coupon for a free day of parking:
www.willtrav.com/free-parking.html

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Thank you again,

Jack Kennard
Web Designer & Sales Coordinator
Williamsburg-American Express
http://willtrav.com
770 261-8617
800 952-9922

North American Carriers Are Single Bright Spot in Dismal Global Aviation Market
The International Air Transport Association revised its outlook for global aviation last month, forecasting $4.7 billion loss for 2009, a bigger loss than the $2.5 billion it projected in December. But it said that North American carriers were doing the best and forecasting a $100 million combined profit for the year for them.

IATA said they had matched a 7.5 percent fall in demand with 7.5 percent in capacity cuts. It also said they benefited management and lower spot fuel prices. The current economic turmoil is hitting Asia Pacific carriers the hardest.

The Middle East is the only region to see demand grow, and capacity grew more.  European carriers are expected to lose $1 billion. An expected 2.9 percent drop in the Europe’s GDP probably will cause demand to drop 6.5 percent. (Source: IATA press release).

Delta Phases Out Northwest Signs
Delta Air Lines absorption of Northwest has moved to the frontline. Nearly 40,000 flight attendants, pilots, airport lounge  representatives, ticket counter and gate agents now are wearing Delta livery.

New Delta signs are now up at more than 400 ticket counters, gates and baggage claim areas at three hub airports in Detroit, Memphis and Minneapolis-St. Paul. Delta has already rebranded 119 other airports worldwide.

By the end of next year, all Northwest planes will be painted Delta colors.
The two carriers have already synchronized flight schedules and route maps. (Source: Delta press release).

Delta Offers Up To Triple Miles through June 15
Delta Air Lines is offering SkyMiles and Northwest WorldPerks members up to triple flown miles toward elite status on select fares purchased for travel through June 15.

Travelers will earn triple miles on first, business and premium economy fares; double miles on discounted economy fares. Travelers will earn actual miles on deeply discounted fares.

The bonus applies only to miles counting towards Medallion or Elite status.  Medallion and Elite Qualification Segments—another way to qualify for elite status—are not included.

To qualify for Medallion status, fliers must earn 25,000 qualified
miles. (Source: Delta press release).

American to Install Wi-Fi on 300 more Planes over Next Two Years
It’s getting easier to stay connected in flight. American Airlines will install  Gogo Inflight Internet on more than 300 domestic aircraft over the next two years.

It already has Wi-Fi on 15 of its 767-200s, which are primarily used on nonstops between New York’s JFK and San Francisco, Los Angeles and Miami.

It will install the service on 150 MD-80 aircraft this year and then move on to its Boeing 737-800 fleet. The cost is $12.95 for flights more than three hours, $9.95 for flights three hours or less and $7.95 for a pass for customers using a handheld device on flights of any length (Source: American press release).

Southwest Continues Adding Priority Security Access for Business Select, Rapid Rewards Customers
Southwest Airlines has introduced priority security lane access for its Business Select and Rapid Reward A-list customer at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

It’s already in place at several other Southwest airports, including Baltimore/Washington International, Dallas Love Field, Phoenix Sky Harbor International, Orange County John Wayne, Denver International, San Francisco International, and Los Angeles International. It will continue to add it as needed. (Source: Southwest press release).

Amtrak Offers Lower Acela Fares
Amtrak is offering new low fares on Acela Express trains, saving passengers up to 25 percent on previous lowest fares. Acela Business class tickets start at $99 between Washington, DC (WAS) and New York (NYP), and $79 between New York and Boston (BOS).

A 14-day advance purchase policy applies, and availability is limited. Fares are available through June 26. The tickets are one-way and nonrefundable, but can be exchanged. (Source: Amtrak press release).

Increased scrutiny of how business—any business, not just those using TARP
money—spends money means companies want to make business trips as productive as possible.

Gyms and restaurants count for little. Fast internet access is the most important  amenity;  efficient check-in is also key. The report predicts a “flight to trusted brands” and expectations of a certain level of good service no matter where you are in the world. (Source: Amadeus press release).

Hotels Make Loyalty Programs More Attractive
Hotel companies are enhancing their loyalty programs. Hilton HHonors has launched a new premium credit card, the Hilton HHonors Surpass Card from America Express, and enhanced the existing Hilton HHonors Card from American Express. Both cards let you earn points fast and offer generous awards.

The new Surpass card awards 9 points for every eligible $1 spent at Hilton Family hotels; complimentary standard membership in Priority Pass, which gives card members access to more than 500 airport lounges worldwide; and the ability to earn Hilton HHonors’ Diamond VIP status with an annual spend of $40,000, Hilton HHonors Card enhancements include upping bonus points (6 up from 5) for spending in an expanded list of double point categories, and special perks such as discounted and upgraded chauffeured car service.

Carlson Hotels Worldwide is offering its guests “3 for 3” - an additional 3,000 bonus Gold Points for members of its goldpoints plus loyalty program who stay three nights at any global Carlson Hotels from now through April 30. (Source: Hilton, Carlson press releases).

PKF Forecasts Declining Room Rates

Drawing on data that it’s collected since 1937, PKF Hospitality Research says that the U.S. has experienced 11 economic recessions since 1937; they lasted anywhere from six to 16 months. Some of the results were obvious, but there were some surprises, too.

As expected, during nine of the 11 downturns, occupancies fell, but that did not automatically mean average daily rates (ADR) fell. In fact, in eight of 11 recessions, they increased. For example, in the 1973-75 and 1980-82 recession, caused mainly by inflation, rates increased and hotels still were able to make some minor profit gains.

This time around, however,

1. PKF expects ADRs to fall. PKR forecasts that lodging demand will decline a cumulative 4.2 percent from 2007 through 2009
2. That, coupled with a 5.6 percent increase in supply, will produce 9.1 percent decline in occupancy to 57.2 percent,
3. The result: a 4.6 percent drop in ADR, continuing the discounting that began in the fourth quarter of 2008. Source: PKF press release

Demand continues to fall faster than airlines can cut capacity; capacity cuts were two percent. The decline was biggest in Asia, 8.4 percent; North America was second with 6.2 percent.

The Middle East was the only region to see traffic grow, 3.1 percent. There was one bit of good news: the fact that fuel prices remain well below last year’s levels. But IATA projects that airline revenues will drop $35 billion to $500 billion this year. (Source: IATA press release).

Southwest Offers Free Wi-Fi on Four Planes
Southwest Airlines expects to have four aircraft with in-flight Wi-Fi this month –you’ll be able to tell if you’re aboard one from the placards you see upon boarding and onboard instruction sheets.

Southwest is offering the service for free during the test period. Passengers will be able to log on using Wi-Fi enabled devices such as laptops, iPhones and smart phones. Southwest is also offering an in-flight homepage with the service. It includes an in-flight homepage with a flight tracker and local news and information.

Passengers can follow the plane’s flight path and view points of interest they’re flying over. Cellular technology will not work. (Source: Southwest press release).

More Airlines Go Cash-Free
United Airlines and American Airlines are phasing out cash in flight and will only accept major credit cards and debit cards after a transition period. United is introducing EasyPurchase March 23.

After a brief transition, it will only accept credit and debit cards on flights within the United States, including Hawaii, and on flights to and from Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. It will continue to accept cash on flights to and from Europe, Asia, the Middle East and South America. On United Express, it will continue to accept cash.

American will begin its transition to credit and debit cards only this summer on flights within the United States and to and from Canada. (Source: United, American press releases).

Delta Enables Mileage Transfers Between Sky Miles, Worldperks
Delta Air Lines said that Delta SkyMiles and Northwest WorldPerks members now can link frequent flyer accounts and transfer miles between both accounts at no charge. Members who link their accounts before March 15, 2009 will earn 500 bonus miles.

This means members who have SkyMiles and WorldPerks accounts can visit delta.com or nwa.com, link their accounts and transfer any amount of miles into either account on an unlimited basis. Both accounts will remain open and functioning until late 2009 when Delta plans to merge the two programs. (Source: Delta press release).

More Accidents But Fewer Fatalities in 2008
On the bright side, aviation safety performance improved, with the total number of aviation fatalities dropping from 692 in 2007 to 502 in 2008, a 56 percent improvement in the fatality rate, according to IATA.

There were more accidents in 2008—109 compared to 100—and the number of fatal accidents increased from 20 in 2007 to 23 in 2008. There were regional differences. North Asia had zero losses.

North America, Europe and the Asia Pacific performed better than the global average; Africa’s accident rate was 2.6 times worse than the world average, but that was a vast improvement over 2005, when it was the worst in the world. Separately, the U.S. Department of Transportation said that the U.S. has seen a 65 percent reduction in the aviation fatal accident rate between 1997 and 2006.

Before the fatal crash in Buffalo last month, the DOT said that there had been no fatal commercial accidents for more than two years. (Source: IATA, DOT press releases).

Spring is upon us here in the southeast, U. S. and with it begins what the travel industry calls wave season. The term came from the cruise industry which sees a tremendous surge of reservations this time of year.

In spite of all of the bad news on the economy, the first week of wave season brought a record number of new bookings. The prime reason, I believe, is rates that we have not seen in the past 4 or 5 years. There are still great rates on peak season sailings to destinations such as Alaska.

Most of the cruise lines have reduced the deposit requirements to stimulate close in bookings. In particular, cruise lines in the luxury category have sales prices of 65% off or more. In addition, several luxury lines have added free air specials and other amenities. For example, Regent Seven Seas Cruise Line is including complimentary shore excursions on many sailings.

If you have never been on a cruise, you are not alone. Over 85% of people in the U. S. have never cruised. We badly need that long awaited vacation, and this may be a great year to give it a try.

If any of us can assist you, please do not hesitate to call.

Sincerely,

Terry W. Brennan
President

Thursday February 26th 5:00 - 8:00 pm

WOW! The Travel Deals in 2009 are incredible!!

Come join us for wine and hors d’oeuvres and learn about all the exciting destinations awaiting you. Now is the time to take advantage of the incredible savings on that vacation of your dreams!

Here’s just a few of those amazing deals….

• 2009 European Cruises: 2 for 1 cruise fare with Free airfare
• Hawaii: 4 nights starting at just $479
• Bermuda: $400.00 instant credit on a 4 night stay
• Cancun: Kids free promotion
• Disney: Pay for 4 nights and stay for 7
• Alaska Cruises: Starting at just $499.00
• Carnival Cruises: Starting at $399.00 for 7 nights
• Bahamas Atlantis: Pay 3 stay 4- Packages starting at $499

R.S.V.P. to Cyndy Woodside
770 650-5515