September 2009
In this issue...

• MacNair Offers New Airfare & Hotel Deals - Boston a Big Example
• MacNair Travel Introduces New Hotel Rates and Benefits
• 2nd Quarter Domestic Airfares Lowest in 5 Years - Book Now for Great Rates
• September Webinar: Developing a More Effective Travel Policy and Overcoming Objections to Travel Procurement
• Online Overload Sends Travelers Rushing Back to Agents
• Customer Spotlight: America's Promise
• Enhancements Coming in September to Traveler Portal on MacNairport
• Bill Clinton Says Government Shouldn't Criticize Business Travel
• Research Offers Evidence of Vacation Benefits
• Airlines Start Wooing Most Loyal Customers Again
• DHS to More than Double Global Entry Airports
• Book Your Holiday Travel Now
• Learn the Secrets of Alaska Travel with MacNair on September 19th
  

MACNAIR OFFERS NEW AIRFARE & HOTEL DEALS - BOSTON A BIG EXAMPLE

Tough negotiations and increased influence with our suppliers have never delivered better results for our customers! Upgrades from international full coach and business fares are extensive, more hotel deals and amenities are available, and even special low grade negotiated airfares in top domestic business markets are growing. For example, we are now able to offer a new capacity controlled, no advance purchase, fully refundable economy class flight between Washington Reagan National and Boston Logan International for just $150 each way plus taxes and fees! This fare is available from your favorite MacNair Travel Consultant and through MacNairport. This opportunity represents a savings of over 75% off of the refundable walkup fare of $729.00 each way. Get out there and take advantage of these great values to visit a key customer, attend an industry event or meet with colleagues to foster teamwork. We aim to save!

MACNAIR TRAVEL INTRODUCES NEW HOTEL RATES AND BENEFITS

As a result of MacNair's new partnerships with other American Express Representative Network agencies, new hotel rates are available. These rates, labeled as Altour in MacNairport, are similar to those we have always offered, but may include additional benefits like lower rates, late checkout, complimentary breakfast, and others. These rates are available to all MacNair customers regardless of how they choose to pay for their hotel room. AAA rates, government rates, and various other promotional rates are still available regardless of how you choose to pay for your hotel through your assigned Travel Consultant.

2ND QUARTER DOMESTIC AIRFARES LOWEST IN 5 YEARS - BOOK NOW FOR GREAT RATES

Domestic travelers in the United States paid the lowest fares in five years in the second quarter of 2009. Average fares were $212 in 2009, compared to $260 a year ago and $233 in 2004. MacNair Travel Consultants excel at finding the lowest fares. Contact your Travel Consultant today and let us help you take advantage of the best fares available. (Source: American Express)

SEPTEMBER WEBINAR: DEVELOPING A MORE EFFECTIVE TRAVEL POLICY AND OVERCOMING OBJECTIONS TO TRAVEL PROCUREMENT

Michael MacNair, President and CEO, MacNair Travel Management/ American Express will be offering a free webinar workshop for C-level employees and Travel Managers to learn the keys to an effective travel policy in this tight marketplace and overcoming objections to following reasonable travel procurement procedures. Join us on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 from 12:00pm to 1:00pm Eastern. RSVP to Rian Watson by 9/28 at rwatson@macnairtravel.com, toll free at 800-833-4382 or 703-650-5256.

ONLINE OVERLOAD SENDS TRAVELERS RUSHING BACK TO AGENTS

Travel websites feature pages upon pages of information, but finding exactly what a traveler is looking for can be an exercise in frustration. "It's a cut-and-paste experience when you're booking online. None of these sites are going to tell me what I can do with different options," said Darin Kaplan, a tech-savvy online shopper. "Travel agents know what they are talking about. It's more comforting to hand my money to someone who has the knowledge and experience." Agents are often able to offer comparable and lower prices than the online booking sites. Travel agencies have relationships with suppliers that are not available online and can cancel tickets for free in certain circumstances. Travel agents are also able to provide friendly support that is unavailable on the web. (Source: CNN)

CUSTOMER SPOTLIGHT: AMERICA'S PROMISE

MacNair Travel Management is proud of our long-standing relationship with America's Promise. America's Promise was founded in 1997 by General Colin Powell and is chaired today by Alma Powell. America's Promise is a cross-sector partnership of more than 300 corporations, non-profits, faith-based organizations and advocacy groups that are passionate about improving lives and changing outcomes for children. A top priority of America's Promise is ensuring all young people graduate from high school ready for college, work and life. America's Promise work involves raising awareness, encouraging action and engaging in advocacy to provide children the key supports they call the Five Promises: Caring Adults, Safe Places, a Healthy Start, an Effective Education and Opportunities to Help Others. To find out more about the work done by America's Promise, please visit them at www.americaspromise.org.

ENHANCEMENTS COMING IN SEPTEMBER TO TRAVELER PORTAL ON MACNAIRPORT

Coming soon, travelers will be able to take advantage of a new Traveler Portal in MacNairport. The Traveler Portal provides the information travelers use most in one click or less - a two week snapshot of upcoming trips, easy access to travel preferences, profile settings, and templates. Much of this information was previously only available to travel arrangers.
Why the change? MacNair Travel is all about continuous improvement. For those of you using MacNairport, keeping your site fresh is key to maintaining adoption and maximizing traveler satisfaction.

BILL CLINTON SAYS GOVERNMENT SHOULDN'T CRITICIZE BUSINESS TRAVEL

Former President Bill Clinton spoke at the National Business Travel Association convention and defended business travel as a discretionary expense. "Companies are not in the business of throwing their money away," Clinton said. "The government shouldn't second-guess those decisions." Clinton went on to mention that he uses a travel agent. (Source: Travel Weekly)

RESEARCH OFFERS EVIDENCE OF VACATION BENEFITS

Columnist Arnie Weissmann cites a study involving lab rats in Portugal that offers scientific evidence that vacations are beneficial for de-stressing and getting out of a rut. Weissmann says the study, along with increases in voluntourism and experiential travel, made him wonder whether people actually want to unwind while on vacation. (Source: Travel Weekly)

AIRLINES START WOOING MOST LOYAL CUSTOMERS AGAIN

Airlines have been cutting back on their frequent-flier programs and boosting fees for the past several years, but now some are reversing course. "What we're seeing is a bit of a resurgence on the airlines' part in focusing on their frequent-flier programs," said Tim Winship of SmarterTravel.com. United and American Airlines have begun offering double-elite qualifying mileage. United is allowing customers to earn double-elite qualifying miles through December 15th if they fly at least 25,000 miles or 30 segments in a year. However, Winship says fliers still face challenges in terms of using their miles for free tickets. "I think award availability remains the elephant in the room. The travel slump has not resulted in any increase in award availability, and in fact, if anything my sense is that people are having a more difficult time now." (Source: The New York Times, USA Today)

DHS TO MORE THAN DOUBLE GLOBAL ENTRY AIRPORTS

Honolulu and 12 other cities participated in a major expansion of the Global Entry initiative on August 24th, which now offers pre-approved travelers streamlined entry into the U.S. Global Entry kiosks, allowing passengers to swipe a passport and then provide fingerprints to verify ID, bypassing the usual lines for Customs and Immigration. The kiosks, already in place at seven international airports, have been used for more than 51,000 times so far, according to the Department of Homeland Security. (Source: The Honolulu Advertiser)

BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY TRAVEL NOW

It's a great time to finalize your Winter 2009 and Spring 2010 travel. Special offers abound at resorts and on cruises. European hotels and Caribbean all-inclusive packages are better than ever. Remember though, that while the economy has brought some excellent travel values our way, holidays are peak season. Airfares will most likely increase as we get closer to holiday dates. Also remember, you can use American Express Membership Rewards Points to pay for all or part of your family vacation. Even if you are not an American Express cardholder, we will design your ideal vacation. MacNair Travel is committed to you! So contact your MacNair Travel Personal Travel Consultant to start planning your next vacation.

LEARN THE SECRETS OF ALASKA TRAVEL WITH MACNAIR ON SEPTEMBER 19TH

MacNair Travel will host ON STAGE ALASKA at the Lyceum in Old Town Alexandria on September 19, 2009 at 3:30pm. You are invited!
ON STAGE ALASKA is a free multimedia Alaska travel presentation created to provide a glimpse of the history, scenic grandeur, wildlife and friendliness of the people to those planning a vacation to Alaska. The program, produced by Holland America Line, features their Alaska Cruise Tour Destination Film and live performance of an entertaining duo who will share the passion of this Great Land with you. Space is limited so reservations are required. Family and friends are welcome. RSVP today to Kim Peele at 703-650-5266 or kpeele@macnairtravel.com.

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