March 2009
In this issue...

• MacNair Travel Clients Saved Up to 44 Percent on Airfare in 2008
• Did You Know...? GetThere Powers MacNairport Online Booking Tool, MacNair Travel Wins GetThere Luminary Award
• MacNair Uses Travel Industry's #1 Lowest Fare Search Technology
• Bypass Customs and Border Protection When Returning to United States
• More Airlines Go Cash-Free, US Airways No Longer Charging for Non-Alcoholic Beverages
• Delta Enables Mileage Transfers Between Sky Miles, WorldPerks
• Lisa Rollo: Providing Service Excellence Since 2004
• April Webinar: "The Secrets to Travel Management Data and Reporting"
• MacNair Travel in the News: Planning Your Honeymoon
  

MACNAIR TRAVEL CLIENTS SAVED UP TO 44 PERCENT ON AIRFARE IN 2008

Clients of MacNair Travel saved a combined average of 44 percent compared to year-end 2008 travel data from Topaz International. These savings consist of an average of 17 percent on domestic tickets ($89 per ticket on average) and 46 percent on international airfare ($1,573 per ticket on average) in 2008. These average airfare figures are benchmarked against Topaz International, an organization that tracks airline ticket costs nationally. For 2008, Topaz reports that the average domestic ticket price was $521.75, and $3,440.66 for international airfares. The combined average ticket price for 2008 was $1,160.12. By contrast, MacNair Travel's year end results for 2008 are an average of $432.85 for a domestic airfare ticket and an average of $1,867.94 for an international airfare ticket. This translates to a combined average ticket price of $645.31 or an average savings of $514.81 per transaction.

MacNair Travel's President & CEO Michael MacNair says, "By offering our customers more fares on more airlines than any other source and by helping them define an enforceable travel management policy, our service oriented consultants and customized online travel booking system deliver this unbelievable value in the procurement of these significant costs. We are actually very busy right now helping a growing number of customers further tighten their travel management systems and helping them develop a better way to manage this second largest controllable cost in a company's budget."

Taking time to implement proven steps that result in savings has never been more important than in this current economic turmoil. To realize travel savings, MacNair recommends defining to your travelers the value expectations of your organization by defining when they should consider an alternate airport, connection, low-cost airline, advance purchase, refundable versus non-refundable fare, or Saturday night stay.
To see more tips click here.

DID YOU KNOW...? GETTHERE POWERS MACNAIRPORT ONLINE BOOKING TOOL, MACNAIR WINS GETTHERE LUMINARY AWARD

The technology behind our online tool MacNairport is called GetThere. We were just awarded our third consecutive Luminary Award from GetThere for our expertise, creativity and support for this product, which is used for corporate travel by MacNair. As a GetThere Premium Partner, MacNair Travel is being recognized for our successes in providing our clients with increased travel savings by the use of an integrated travel procurement system. MacNair Travel is one of GetThere's largest resellers. (Source: Travel Pulse February 27, 2009)

Click here for a product introduction and let us know if you would like to get on board with this money and time saving travel management tool.

MACNAIR USES TRAVEL INDUSTRY'S #1 LOWEST FARE SEARCH TECHNOLOGY

Topaz International, the industry's leading provider of airfare analysis and benchmarking data, determined that Sabre found the lowest fare four times more often than its competitors and provided an average savings of 10 percent on ticket sales. Sabre is one of the important tools that MacNair's Travel Consultants use to help our clients find the best value whether it's for airfare, rail, hotels, or cars. It also powers GetThere. Sabre is an essential tool we use to manage your travel effectively. (Source: Sabre press release)

BYPASS CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION WHEN RETURNING TO UNITED STATES

Global Entry is a new pilot program managed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) which allows pre-approved, low-risk travelers faster entry upon arrival in the United States. Once approved, travelers will enter the country using automated kiosks at the following airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport, Washington-Dulles International Airport, George Bush International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport, Chicago O'Hare International Airport, and Miami International Airport. The new program allows participants to present their machine-readable U.S. passport or permanent resident card, submit their fingerprints for biometric verification, and make a customs declaration at the kiosk's touch-screen. Upon successful completion of the Global Entry process at the kiosk, the traveler is given a receipt and sent to baggage claim and the exit. To participate in the pilot program, the traveler must be pre-approved and pay a $100 non-refundable application fee. For more information, click here. (Source: ASTA Dateline Weekly)

MORE AIRLINES GO CASH-FREE, US AIRWAYS NO LONGER CHARGING FOR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

United Airlines and American Airlines are phasing out cash in flight and, after a transition period, will only accept major credit cards and debit cards. United is introducing EasyPurchase March 23rd. After a brief transition, United will only accept credit cards on flights within the United States, including Hawaii, and on flights to and from Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. United 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. Beginning March 1, 2009, US Airways has resumed providing complimentary beverages on all US Airways and US Airways Express flights. The airline introduced a beverage purchase program last year as part of US Airways' new a la carte business model. Since its implementation, no other major carrier followed a similar policy, putting the airline at a competitive disadvantage and causing irritation among its customers. The airline will continue to charge for alcoholic beverages, checked baggage, preferred seats, pillows and blankets.
(Source: ASTA Dateline Weekly, United, American, US Airways press releases)

DELTA ENABLES MILEAGE TRANSFERS BETWEEN SKY MILES, WORLDPERKS

Delta Airlines announced that Delta SkyMiles and Northwest WorldPerks members can now 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)

LISA ROLLO: PROVIDING SERVICE EXCELLENCE SINCE 2004

This month we would like to highlight one of our Travel & Logistics Consultants. Lisa Rollo is one of the brightest young travel counselors in the region. For five years, she has been earning accolades from many VIP customers for her skill and high touch customer service. Prior to joining the team at MacNair, she earned a degree in Travel and Tourism Operations at Central Pennsylvania College, where she also worked in the full-service travel agency on campus. Lisa served as the lead consultant for the McCain-Palin 2008 Presidential Campaign from December 2006 until after the 2008 election. She worked on-site at the campaign's headquarters and worked around the clock to provide efficient, cost-effective, and reliable service to campaign travelers around the country. Lisa put in long hours during the last six months of the campaign season, but managed to always provide friendly and personalized service. Lisa is the lead consultant on several accounts and enjoys working in the travel industry where each day brings new challenges and opportunities. Call MacNair Travel now at 703-650-5300 and Lisa or one of our other excellent Travel Consultants will provide you with the customized travel management you expect.

APRIL WEBINAR: "THE SECRETS TO TRAVEL MANAGEMENT DATA AND REPORTING"

MacNair Travel's President and CEO Michael MacNair will once again be delivering virtual webinars in 2009 on key topics identified by our valued customers to enhance travel management value, quality and savings. We hope you will be able to attend. Please feel free to share our invitation with others who can benefit from this information.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009, 12noon-1:00pm. "The Secrets to Travel Management Data and Reporting"
Please click here to register.
You may also contact Rian Watson at 703-650-5256 or rwatson@macnairtravel.com to register. Dial-in information will be emailed out to participants two days prior to the webinar.

MACNAIR TRAVEL IN THE NEWS: PLANNING YOUR HONEYMOON

MacNair Travel was featured in the Washington Post's online travel "Now That You Ask" column on February 1, 2009.
"According to the 12th annual study by Modern Bride magazine, announced in 2008, the top five honeymoon spots are Italy, Hawaii, Tahiti, Mexico and Greece. Mexico, Las Vegas and the Dominican Republic were named the most affordable in 2007. While traditional hotels and resorts in these locations remain popular, more couples are searching for that perfect eco-lodge in Costa Rica or out-of-the-way pensione in the Italian Alps."
"This is one of those trips that calls out for a travel agent. Local agencies specializing in honeymoons include MacNair Travel & Cruises/ American Express in Alexandria, Va. (800-833-4382, http://www.macnairtravel.com)."
Click here to read the rest of the article.
(Source: Washington Post: "Now That You Ask")

Please feel free to send comments or suggestions to our editor, Tony Torres, at ttorres@macnairtravel.com.