IN THIS ISSUE

1. Managing Travel in Challenging Times Webinar
2. Important Travel News
3. Leveraging Corporate and Meeting Travel
    
4. High-speed Trains Gaining Ground
      
5. Spotlight On The Joys of River Cruising

6. I.   Managing Travel in Challenging Times Webinar

Need Ideas on How To Travel More for Less in these Difficult Times? Join our Managing Travel in Challenging Times webinar.

With gas prices rising and airlines in a frenzy to recoup profit losses, traveling well at a reasonable price is becoming a lost art. According to data released by Topaz International, the average U.S. airfare ticket price has steadily increased since January. At the start of 2008, the average price was $467.57 and in June, this average price increased to $633.44, or more than 35 percent.

All these factors make it more and more difficult to get the right flightor even one at allat the best price. Organizations are too busy trying to make a profit to have to worry about travel challenges which thwart productivity and cut into revenue. So what are successful companies doing?

Join President and CEO Michael MacNair of MacNair Travel/American Express on September 25, 2008 at 12:00-1:00 p.m. Eastern for an in-depth webinar on how to Manage Travel in Challenging Times and learn how to travel more for less by:

·         Enhancing travel procurement by managing and not just buying travel

·         Balancing your organizations travel requirements with the travelers need to define expected value on all components of a trip

·         Building, expanding, driving, and monitoring a travel policy from the top down

·         Leveraging travel volume with data and control.

·         Educating travelers on best practices and useful procedures

Traveling well is not a lost art. Michael MacNair will show you why. Traveling just got easy.

Please join us for expertise on these topics and more! RSVP to Rian Watson by September 24, 2008 at: rwatson@macnairtravel.com or 703-650-5256.

II. Important Travel News

Miscellaneous Airline Charges Demystified

With so many new charges imposed by the airlines USA Today developed a comprehensive graph to demystify all these charges. It is MacNair Travels recommendation that you provide this data to your team to allow them to travel smarter. This will help you identify what is and isnt approved from a reimbursement standpoint in your travel policy. Our staff has been provided with this data to enhance the support and guidance they can supply.

For a complete list of charges, visit:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/travel/2008-08-11-rising-airline-fees_N.htm

Holiday Travel Made Easy

The Official Airline Guide (OAG) has recently reported that airlines across the globe will be reducing their capacity for the holidays by 60 million seats. Airlines throughout the United States will be most affected, with the loss of 20 million seats. The airline industry believes that this radical seat reduction will offset increasing fuel prices.

But this airline seat reduction does not have to ground your holiday travel. By booking early, you can still find reasonable rates for your preferred destination. Dont let increasing travel anarchy give you the blues. Rather, call MacNair Travel early and let us spread good cheer by booking the right trip for you. You and your loved ones deserve it.

Hotels Sweetening the Pot

The good news for travelers is that although air fares have gone up, hotels are wooing vacationers with special deals. Hotels are offering incentives such as a fourth night free or a free meal, as well as reduced rates. Discounted hotel rates are as low as $89 a night. Certain resorts are even offering credits of $100 to spend on spa treatments and golf rounds. Some of the best hotel discounts can be found in resort areas like Arizona, Florida, and Hawaii since they are the hardest hit by reduced airline capacity. So why dont you improve your golf game or get that long-overdue massage by calling MacNair Travel. Well find the right deal for you.

Americans Divided on In-flight Cell Phone Use
In-flight wireless services could presage in-flight cell phone use. Americans are divided on whether or not passengers should be able to use their cell phones in-flight, according to a study by the Department of Transportation. The younger you are, the more likely you are to favor italmost half (47.7 percent) of 18- to 34-year-olds approved of the idea. Only a quarter of those over 65 favored the move; those between 35 and 64 almost evenly divided40 percent say they should allowed, 46 percent said they should not and the rest arent sure.

 (Source: DOT press release)

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Staying Connected with WiFi
In-flight Delta Air Lines made the announcement first, but American Airlines was first out of the gate with in-flight WiFi. American now has in-flight WiFi on its Boeing 767-200s flying between New York and San Francisco and Los Angeles. The service costs $12.95 on flights of more than three hours; travelers simply turn on their WiFi enabled devices, including laptops, smart phones and PDAs, once they hit 10,00 feet and are connected to Aircells Gogo portal, the WiFi provider, where they sign up for the service. Delta, meanwhile, will offer WiFi on its domestic fleet of 330 mainline aircraft, also with Gogo, introducing it on its MD 88/99 aircraft this fall and rolling it out fleet wide in the first half of 2009. The service will cost $9.95 on flights or three hours or less and $12.95 on flights of three hours or more. (Source: American, Delta press releases)

TSA Gets Computer Friendly
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will now let you leave your laptop in its bag when you go through security as long as it meets new checkpoint friendly standards. These bags should have a designated laptop-only section; they must completely unfold to lie flat on the X-ray belt; no metal snaps, zippers or buckles inside, underneath or on top of the laptop-only section; no pockets on the inside or outside of the laptop-only section and packed in the laptop-only section other than the computer itself. The TSA worked with laptop bag manufacturers to come up with the new standards. (Source: TSA press release)

III. Leveraging Corporate and Meeting Travel

 The demand for corporate and meeting travel continues to rise while overall capacity remains stagnant. There are not many new hotels, airlines are cutting back on flight options, the car rental industry is smaller and they have a handle on the capacity required to keep rates highand suppliers' costs are rising. Previous predictions of increases in 2008 have gained greater credibility in recent American Express Business Travel forecasts which suggested that hotel rates will rise by 8-10%, and that a domestic transient trip including airfare, car rental, and hotel will increase 6% bringing the total trip expense to $1,100, while an international trip will increase by 7% or $205, which brings the average cost to travel abroad to $3,171.

With no relief on the horizon, organizations will continue to be challenged to keep prices low while finding the right space at the right locales and with the right suppliers. The best hope to combat these challenges is to develop clear-cut policies and procedures for both corporate and meeting travel that leverages volume, tools, procedures, and technologies to ensure the best possible value. Meeting and travel planners need to make smart, careful, and creative decisions utilizing their buying power and wisdom to make educated choices.

For the full story and more of Michael MacNairs travel wisdom, click here

IV. High-speed Trains Gaining Ground

Traveling by high-speed train has just gained ground within the United States. For decades, Europeans embraced high-speed trains to travel to various cities. With increasing gas prices, congested highways and continued reductions in airline seats, traveling by train is becoming a sound alternative. Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., has been a leading advocate of this technology. Recently, the House passed his proposal for a privately financed high-speed rail line from Washington, D.C. to New York City. The bill had bipartisan support. Many believe that this bill will pave the way for more increased use of high-speed trains as a means of travel. Currently, ridership on Amtrak is up 17 percent this year since last year. It looks like the United States is finally ready for an alternative to flying the friendly skies

V. Spotlight On The Joys of River Cruising

European River cruising is truly a great vacation!  Its not too late to book your holiday travel.

River cruising has changed dramatically over the past several years. Long enjoyed by Europeans, these wonderful adventures are now being discovered in the North American market. To meet the demands of these travelers, new ships have been built with the comforts one would expect on larger, ocean-traveling ships. The cabins are roomy, the cuisine is excellent, wine is usually included with dinners, and excursions take you into the cities, towns, and villages.

But the best thing about river cruising are the choices. Since the ships dock in the center of town, all the great sights are within walking distance, making it easy to explore.  Its such a relaxed and fun way to discover the villages and towns along Europes historic rivers. In addition, many of the ships have bicycles on board, free for passengers use. European cities are very accommodating to bicycles, and there are generally bike paths along the rivers. Its fun just to jump on a bicycle and pedal along the banks of the Mosel, with every day offering a fun and different experience.

Christmas is probably the most special time to visit Europe. The towns and villages are festive and a river cruise will give you the maximum exposure to the European Christmas traditions. If your interest is peaked just a little, then I urge you to give our vacation team at MacNair Travel a call. Lets get started panning your holiday vacation!

As always, thank you for your business,

Michael MacNair