May 2010
In this issue...

• MacNair Travel Launches AssociationTravelManagement.com
• July Webinar: Travel Management Solutions for Association Staff, Committees and Members
• Volcanic Ash Continues to Ground Flights as Europe Considers FAA Guidelines
• British Court Halts British Airways Strike
• United-Continental Merger Would Form World's Largest Airline
• The Ten Worst Travel Rip-offs and How to Avoid Them
• Mike MacNair Shares Six Tips to Achieving Work-Life Balance
• U.S. Carriers Report Double-Digit Increases in March Passenger Revenue
• Major Hotel Chains Look to Europe as the Next Battleground
• DOT: Airlines Earned Billions on Ancillary Fees in 2009
• Travelers Say Luggage Fees, Rude Staff are the Biggest Complaints
• Hotel Industry Makes Substantial Progress in Going Green
• CFOs Say Companies are Loosening Travel Spending Limits, Survey Finds
• Vacation Hotspots by Diana Greer, Personal Travel Division Consultant
  

MACNAIR TRAVEL LAUNCHES ASSOCIATIONTRAVELMANAGEMENT.COM

MacNair Travel is a proven player in the travel management field, has a team of association specialists, and is active in the association community. For more than 20 years, MacNair Travel has been a travel management partner for associations managing staff and non-staff travel, providing air travel to convention attendees, and helping meeting managers with logistics. All this generating travel savings of 10 to 20 percent compared against national averages, productivity enhancements, control, and support. MacNair Travel has more than 50 association customers and recently announced a separate product for its association customers that will be marketed under AssociationTravelManagement.com. Associations are different than companies when it comes to travel management. There are individual staff trips, small meetings for committees and boards that are paid for by the association, and even convention air for members. "Insightful online and call-in systems to control and reduce these costs while also maximizing supplier leverage and support is desired by these customers and we have best practices, technologies and solutions," adds Michael MacNair, President and CEO of MacNair Travel. "We are excited to launch this new brand for these organizations that are the leaders of their respective industries." For more on MacNair's Association Travel Management, please click here.

JULY WEBINAR: TRAVEL MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS FOR ASSOCIATION STAFF, COMMITTEES AND MEMBERS

MacNair Travel's next webinar titled "Travel Management Solutions for Association Staff, Committees and Members" is scheduled for Thursday, July 22nd at 12pm EST.
President and CEO of MacNair Travel, Michael MacNair, says one of the focuses for the July webinar will be on supplier leverage for associations. "Non dues revenue can come from consolidating staff travel, non staff travel paid for by the association, and convention travel, and this opportunity is often overlooked," MacNair explains. "There are some secrets to developing systems to enhance leverage with suppliers while improving the control, data, and systems to maximize these opportunities." Small business programs and meeting agreements exist for most of MacNair's association clients and depending on the airlines they partner with and their volume they earn free tickets, complimentary upgrades, lounge passes, and other traveler amenities. Finally, participants will learn how to gain control when managing travel and meetings during the association webinar. "With concise data on spending you can negotiate with suppliers, process expenditures more effectively, enhance support with traveler tracking in a world that has shown us the 'underwear bomber', blizzards, volcanoes, earthquakes, floods and more unpredictable travel elements just this year," he adds.
To register for the free webinar on Thursday, July 22nd from 12:00 - 1:00pm EST, RSVP by July 21st to Rian Watson at rwatson@macnairtravel.com or 703-650-5256 and instructions will follow.

VOLCANIC ASH CONTINUES TO GROUND FLIGHTS AS EUROPE CONSIDERS FAA GUIDELINES

Many travel agents proved how valuable their services are during the volcanic-ash crisis. Many agents have provided their advice and services to stranded clients around the clock during the past month. The Icelandic volcano's fallout continues as the shutdown of Europe's air space has triggered new calls for a unified airspace authority for the continent. Interested parties, including aviation experts, air-traffic controllers and government officials, are calling for policies and procedures to be better defined. Daniel Hoeltgen, a representative of the European Aviation Safety Agency, said officials in Europe are considering adopting the Federal Aviation Administration's guidelines for airplanes flying near volcanic ash. "The advantage would be a uniform solution for all of Europe," Hoeltgen said. "There would be less discussion of national differences." Volcanic ash continues to periodically disrupt travel in Europe. MacNair Travel is monitoring the situation and will advise our clients if ash affects their flights. If you have any questions about your flight, please contact your MacNair Travel Consultant before you travel. ( Source: Los Angeles Times/The Associated Press, The Wall Street Journal, Travel Weekly)

BRITISH COURT HALTS BRITISH AIRWAYS STRIKE

A British High Court judge has blocked the planned 20-day strike by British Airways cabin crews hours before the strike was due to begin. While the strike has been halted, disruptions are still likely as the airline had already begun accommodating travelers on other flights. MacNair Travel is monitoring the situation and will contact travelers who are affected. If you are unsure about your flight, please contact your MacNair Travel Consultant. (Source: USA Today)

UNITED-CONTINENTAL MERGER WOULD FORM WORLD'S LARGEST AIRLINE

United Airlines parent company UAL says it will merge with Continental Airlines to form the largest carrier in the world. The move would reconnect corporate bloodlines dating back to the 1920s and '30s. "They're essentially merging back into themselves and bringing it full circle. It's a true coming together again for companies separated for almost a century," said Henry Holden, an aviation historian and author.
(Source: Reuters, Bloomberg, Businessweek)

THE TEN WORST TRAVEL RIP-OFFS AND HOW TO AVOID THEM

In a recent column for USA Today and SmarterTravel.com, Sarah Pascarella discusses the ten worst travel rip-offs and how to avoid them. Among the worst are carry-on and checked baggage fees, fees to choose your seat in advance, charges for pillows, blankets, and headsets, and fees to redeem your frequent-flier miles. Throw in hotel Wi-Fi charges, rental car insurance, and add-on fees that should be added to the base price for honorable mention. Click here to view the entire column. (Source: USA Today)

MIKE MACNAIR SHARES SIX TIPS TO ACHIEVING WORK-LIFE BALANCE

Mike MacNair, President and CEO of MacNair Travel, recently published a list of six steps you can take to achieve a good work-life balance. MacNair recommends setting goals and rewarding yourself by accomplishing them. His other recommendations include having a better attitude and better time management. Click here to view the entire article. (Source: StrategyDriven.com)

U.S. CARRIERS REPORT DOUBLE-DIGIT INCREASES IN MARCH PASSENGER REVENUE

Airlines, struggling with yet another crisis - the cloud of ash from Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano, which shut down European skies - did have some good news. The Air Transport Association reported that passenger revenues, based on data from nine major U.S. carriers, were up 15 percent in March, the third consecutive month of revenue growth. In international markets, passenger revenues were up 19.6 percent. The number of passengers was up slightly, 1.4 percent. Separately, the International Air Transport Association showed that international air traffic demand was up in March by 10.9 percent. (Source: ATA, IATA press releases).

MAJOR HOTEL CHAINS LOOK TO EUROPE AS THE NEXT BATTLEGROUND

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Four Seasons Hotels and other major hotel chains are looking to accelerate their expansion plans in Europe as they look beyond the U.S. market. "The U.S. hotel chains have a high penetration rate in North America," said Bernie Williams of USAA Investment Management Co. "As the sector starts to recover, Europe's very fragmented market offers far more opportunities." (Source: Bloomberg)

DOT: AIRLINES EARNED BILLIONS ON ANCILLARY FEES IN 2009

The Department of Transportation said airlines took in $7.8 billion in revenue last year from ancillary fees, a 42% jump from the previous year. The largest portion of that figure came from checked-luggage fees, which were first introduced in 2008. (Source: CNBC/The Associated Press)

TRAVELERS SAY LUGGAGE FEES, RUDE STAFF ARE THE BIGGEST COMPLAINTS

Consumer Reports surveyed 2,000 Americans, asking them to rank their complaints about airlines, hotels and rental car companies. The poll found luggage fees were the No. 1 gripe, followed by airline ticket fees and rude staff members. "Two themes emerged. One of them was added fees. That really irritated people regardless of the industry," said Mark Kotkin of Consumer Reports. "For airlines, in particular, it was the new luggage charges." The other theme was encountering rude or unhelpful employees. (Source: Reuters)

HOTEL INDUSTRY MAKES SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS IN GOING GREEN

The Westin hotel in Westminster, CO, is installing solar panels, which still are fairly rare in the hotel industry. The project is an example of how hoteliers have stuck to their commitments to make their operations more environmentally friendly. "I think there have been a couple of factors that have driven that," said Rod Millot of Deloitte. "During the good old days of 2007, perhaps it was driven a bit more by public relations, about how it was the right thing to do." But he added: "At the end of the day, it's a business. They are doing it for a business reason." (Source: Travel Weekly)

CFOS SAY COMPANIES ARE LOOSENING TRAVEL SPENDING LIMITS, SURVEY FINDS

An American Express co-sponsored survey of hundreds of financial executives conducted in February said their companies are easing up on limits on travel spending. The 2010 CFO Research/American Express Global Business and Spending Monitor found more than half of respondents will maintain or bolster their travel spending this year. "Overall, we're seeing some positive signs of stabilization and growing optimism about recovery," said Wendy Prewitt, Vice President in the global commercial card sector at American Express.
(Source: BTNOnline.com)

VACATION HOTSPOTS BY DIANA GREER, PERSONAL TRAVEL DIVISION CONSULTANT

Just a few of the many travel values available this month:

• Life is a breeze at Breezes Resorts and Spas.  Book by May 31, 2010, travel through July 20, 2010, and get every third night for free.  Breezes Resorts are all-inclusive (meals, premium cocktails and more), so bask in the sun and enjoy three nights trouble free at Breezes Runaway Bay in Jamaica for only $325* with endless beaches, golf and PADI diving.  Want more adventure? Explore the newest Breezes Resort in Panama for $455 for three nights.  Breezes Panama with a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean in front of the hotel and a jungle to explore behind it, offers something for everyone.
  * Blackout dates at Runaway Bay from 6/15/10-7/5/10.
• Perhaps a family vacation is on the agenda?  Kids stay and eat free at Iberostar hotels (Riviera Maya, Montego Bay, and Punta Cana). Some Iberostar hotels are even offering reduced rates this summer!
• Plan ahead for a luxury cruise.  Through MacNair's special relationship with Oceania Cruises, take advantage of price reductions for an early booking on their winter collection, including values such as 2-for-1 cruises, free airfare, and up to $3,000 off per guest.
• Don't feel like leaving the country?  How about visiting Scottsdale or San Francisco? For only $315, the Fairmont Scottsdale is offering 3 nights hotel, a rental car, tax and service charges.  The offer is available until May 31, 2010 with travel through September 19, 2010.  The Fairmont San Francisco is offering three nights lodging, hotel transfers, tax, and service charges for only $379 with bookings by December 31, 2010 for travel through March 31, 2011.
• Soccer fans, it's not too late!  Roadtrips is still offering World Cup packages.   You can still receive a room at a four or five star property, tickets, sightseeing, and transfers.  Packages start at $7,445.  There are no guarantees on how long this will last!
  
  Click here to check out our latest specials and deals or contact the Personal Travel Division at MacNair Travel Management at dreamtrippers@macnairtravel.com or 703-836-1101 today!

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