July 2010
In this issue...

• July Webinar: Travel Management Solutions for Association Staff, Committees, and Members
• DOT Proposes Most Passenger-Friendly Regulations in 72 Years
• MacNair Travel to Close Early on Thursday, July 29th
• Global Air Traffic Exceeds Levels Seen Before Downturn
• MacNair Travel in the News: Traveling His Own Path to Success
• Denied Boarding on the Rise, but Involuntary Denied Boardings Extremely Rare
• Triple AMEX Membership Rewards Points for All Flight Purchases Made in July, August, and September
• Turkish Airlines Will Begin New Nonstop Service from Washington-Dulles to Istanbul in November
• Airlines Do Less for Stranded Passengers Making Travel Agents Essential
• A La Carte Fees Continue to Change, Cut in Line For a Fee
• Vacation Hotspots by Diana Greer, Personal Travel Consultant
  

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 Eastern. 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.
To register for the free webinar on Thursday, July 22nd from 12:00-1:00pm Eastern, RSVP by July 21st to Rian Watson at rwatson@macnairtravel.com or 703-650-5256 and instructions will follow.

DOT Proposes Most Passenger-Friendly Regulations in 72 Years

Mark Pestronk, a lawyer specializing in travel law, explains how the Department of Transportation's proposal requiring airlines to include enhanced consumer protections in their contracts of carriage will affect passengers. The requirement was not in the DOT's regulations on tarmac delays, which were adopted five months ago. "The proposed rule is potentially the most important measure that the government has taken for airline passengers in the 72 years since it first began regulating airlines," Pestronk writes. (Source: Travel Weekly)

MacNair Travel to Close Early on Thursday, July 29th

As part of our summer tradition here at MacNair Travel, we will be celebrating Thursday afternoon/evening with a company wide meeting followed by our annual summer party. Our office will close at 5:00PM (Eastern Time) on Thursday, July 29th. If you require Emergency Travel Assistance when we are closed, our After Hours Service can assist you. Additional charges apply for calls to this service. To contact our After Hours Service please refer to the number found on your itinerary or on your Road Warrior card. Our office will re-open on July 30th at 8:30AM.

Global air traffic exceeds levels seen before downturn

Air travel inched passed pre-recession levels, according to the International Air Transport Association. International scheduled traffic statistics for May showed an 11.7 percent increase in passenger traffic over May 2009. South America saw the biggest growth, 23.6 percent; Asia-Pacific saw a 13.2 percent growth. Europe saw 8.3 percent growth. The U.S. saw a 10.9 percent increase; the region's careful matching of capacity to demand has driven load factors to 82.4 percent, the highest of all regions. Hotel revenues and occupancy increased year over year in May in most markets around the world, according to data from Smith Travel Research. Hotel-room rates in New York, some Asian-Pacific markets and some South American and Central American cities surged, while hotels in Europe saw mixed results. Chicago experienced a rate decline of 5.2%.
(Source: IATA press release, BTNOnline.com)

MacNair Travel in the News: Traveling His Own Path to Success

MacNair Travel President and CEO Michael MacNair was featured in the July edition of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's magazine Free Enterprise. The article covers the history of MacNair Travel and the travel industry in the last few decades as well as including an overview of MacNair Travel's services. Click here to read the entire article.

Denied Boarding on the Rise, but Involuntary Denied Boardings Extremely Rare

The deepest capacity cuts since World War II have left U.S. airlines with relatively few available seats, and an increase in demand for air travel could push the industry's "bumping" rate to its highest level since 2001. The Transportation Department says denied boardings rose 25% in the first quarter to 220,000, though nearly 90% of those passengers volunteered to give up their seats in return for various inducements. Involuntary denied boardings are "extremely rare," a spokesman for Delta said. (Source: Bloomberg, Businessweek, Travel Weekly)

triple AMEX Membership Rewards points for all flight purchases made in July, August and September

American Express is offering triple Membership Rewards points for all flight purchases made in July, August and September. Card members must book using their card and enroll in the Membership Rewards program by September 30th. The points can be redeemed to purchase a flight or they can be redeemed for everyday items including retail, entertainment, and dining. Register here or by calling 1-800-794-1308.

Turkish Airlines will begin new nonstop service from Washington-Dulles to Istanbul in November

Star Alliance partner Turkish Airlines will begin new nonstop service from Washington-Dulles to Istanbul on November 7th. The flight will operate five days a week with a two cabin Airbus A330-200 aircraft.  The flight is timed to make easy connections to much of Turkish Airlines worldwide network including destinations in the Middle East, Central Asia, and East Africa. (Source: The Wall Street Journal)

Airlines do less for stranded passengers Making Travel Agents Essential

In the past, airlines offered passengers stranded by canceled flights a free hotel room and food, along with a seat on the next available flight. This year, carriers have surprised passengers with how little they are willing to do for their stranded customers. They have made their contracts of carriage vague and difficult to decipher, while leaving themselves a way out in almost every circumstance. Also, travelers who previously rebuffed the idea of travel insurance are reconsidering the coverage after the flight cancellations caused by volcanic ash disrupted the plans of millions of people. Figures detailing the growing popularity of travel insurance since the Icelandic volcanic eruption are not available, but industry experts say the trend is obvious. "When events like this ... occur, most [in the industry] agree that sales at least double," said Wayne Nelson, senior manager of industry affairs for ASTA. (Source: The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal)
This is yet another reason why it is important to have a travel consultant who can assist you when the airlines will not.

A La Carte Fees Continue to Change, Cut in line for a fee

Delta Airlines has dropped its fees, which went as high as $150, for frequent flyer tickets redeemed 20 days or less before departure. Until the change, it cost $150 to book a frequent flyer ticket within three days of departure, $100 for between four and seven days and $75 to book within eight to 20 days. Tickets booked 21 days out or more had no redemption fee. Delta also instituted a first checked bag free benefit for customers with a Consumer or Business Gold, Platinum, or Reserve Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express.

Columnist Scott McCartney explains how a number of airlines are offering passengers the opportunity to move to the head of the line by paying a fee of as much as $30 per flight. From convenience to ensuring space in the overhead bins, there are a number of reasons for passengers to move to the front of the line, and many are doing just that. (Source: The Wall Street Journal, Delta press release)

VACATION HOTSPOTS BY DIANA GREER, PERSONAL TRAVEL CONSULTANT

• Beautiful Barbados - Kathleen DiMeglio just returned from Barbados on visit with the Tourist Board. Are you looking for an island that appeals to all ages, offers great beaches, affordable accommodations and friendly people? Kathleen highly recommends this Caribbean Island. During her stay on the island she visited over 10 resorts, explored the island by Jeep Safari, sailed on a catamaran and listened to great local music at the largest outdoor Fish Fry. Kathleen can offer you a vacation package with rates starting at $325.00 for five fun filled nights. You will receive one free day on a minimum three day car rental, one Barbados Gourmet card, 20% off participating restaurants, and a passport of savings (buy 1 get 2nd at 25% off or more on select ground activities). Please call Kathleen at 703-650-5262 or email her at kdimeglio@macnairtravel.com to schedule your next fun in the sun vacation.
• Europe Companion $199.00 - Thinking of taking a value vacation? MacNair Travel offers you great deals to Europe. Book an escorted tour to Europe including air and your companion flies for just $199.00 round-trip on select fall, winter and spring escorted vacations. You must book by August 13th! Please call our experts at 703-836-1101.
• Club Med WOW SALE - now available for you to experience these all-inclusive resorts. A seven-night package starts from $799.00. For children (15 years old and younger) pay $320.00. You must book by August 30, 2010 and you can travel up until February 18, 2011. Come discover what makes Club Med so unforgettable. Please call Diana at 703-650-5260 or dgreer@macnairtravel.com
• Best Sale of the Year featuring Queen Mary 2 - Travel from New York to Southampton (eastbound or westbound) with fares starting at just $895.00 for all fall sailings. Please call our experts at 703-836-1101 to learn more about this iconic passage on board this venerable flagship.

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!

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