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Courtesy of Ovation Corporate Travel
January 21, 2009
In This Issue...
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AMERICAN OFFERS ELECTRONIC BOARDING PASS |
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MORE FLIGHT CUTS COMING, AMERICAN SAYS |
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DC METRO RIDERSHIP HITS ALL-TIME HIGH |
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HUDSON PLANE CRASH PASSENGERS GET $5,000 EACH |
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OVATION PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM |
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- ALDEN-HOUSTON, Houston |
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- CAMPTON PLACE, A TAJ HOTEL, San Francisco |
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- SOFITEL, New York City |
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- HYATT REGENCY, Denver |
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- RITZ-CARLTON, Atlanta |
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- SUNSET MARQUIS, Los Angeles |
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- CABANA HOTEL, Palo Alto |
AMERICAN OFFERS ELECTRONIC BOARDING PASS
(source: AA.com)
Passengers on American Airlines are now able to get boarding passes electronically on mobile phones or PDAs, avoiding the need for printed passes. The electronic passes were introduced on domestic flights departing from Chicago O’Hare, Los Angeles and John Wayne Orange County airports. Customers need an internet-enabled device on which they can get the barcode via email. The barcode is scanned at TSA security checkpoints and American Airlines gates.
MORE FLIGHT CUTS COMING, AMERICAN SAYS
(source: USA Today)
American Airlines says more flight cuts are coming. In its fourth-quarter earnings report, the nation's No. 2 carrier said it would take fewer new planes in 2009 than previously planned because of delays at manufacturer Boeing and will further reduce flying. AA and other U.S. carriers have cut flights, which should help them weather an expected downturn in travel, and they will return to profitability thanks to much lower fuel prices than they faced in early 2008. American grounded planes and reduced flying last fall in response to fuel prices that hit record highs in July. Although fuel prices have plunged, the capacity cuts looked prescient when the recession cut into air travel.
DC METRO RIDERSHIP HITS ALL-TIME HIGH
(source: ABC News)
Metro shattered its ridership record two days in a row thanks to Barack Obama's Inauguration, with an estimated 1.1 million rides on Tuesday, January 20 alone. Ridership peaked early in the day as crowds rushed downtown. An estimated 973,000 people boarded trains by 7 p.m., after the inaugural parade wrapped up.
While trains at Metro Center arrived about a minute apart, Metro said several stations are experiencing major crowding, causing police to limit the number of riders. Metro reportedly had logged 409,828 trips by 9:00 a.m. on Inauguration Day. Metro officials said while they did experience a few problems, mostly due to the size of the crowds, they consider Inauguration Day a success.
The travel home for many D.C. visitors continues, as the airports reportedly expect today to be their busiest day.
HUDSON PLANE CRASH PASSENGERS GET $5,000 EACH
(source: Telegraph)
US Airways has sent $5,000 to each passenger involved in the New York plane crash after admitting it could be months before they get their luggage back.
The airline has also warned passengers that some of their possessions will not be recoverable. Airline executive Kerry Hester said she was "truly sorry" for the delay and any loss of property.
The airline also reimbursed passengers for the costs of their tickets. The flight from New York's LaGuardia Airport to Charlotte, North Carolina, lost power in both engines shortly after takeoff, forcing an emergency landing on the Hudson River. All 155 people onboard survived.

OVATION PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
ALDEN-HOUSTON
1117 Prairie Street
Houston
Located in the heart of downtown Houston, Alden-Houston is a contemporary, luxury hotel featuring 97 guest rooms, including 9 suites and is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. Located just one block from the courthouse district, Alden-Houston offers legal travelers day rates as well as reduced overnight rates for deluxe accommodations with luxurious touches. Some of the amenities included are: award-winning restaurant *17, stylish a+ bar and grille, complimentary wireless high speed internet access throughout the hotel, transportation within the downtown business district and 24 hour room service. Alden-Houston offers over 3,000 sq ft of meeting space which can easily accommodate the requirements of legal "war rooms" with the utmost privacy and security. While travelers are accustomed to finding world-class hotels primarily in international gateway cities such as New York or London, Alden-Houston also offers guests an unmistakable world-class experience in the heart of downtown Houston.
The Ovation Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at Alden-Houston is $179 (compared to a corporate rate of $195).
OVATION PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
CAMPTON PLACE – A TAJ HOTEL
340 Stockton Street
San Francisco
“Warm Campton Place Welcome”
Come enjoy the temperate climate and even warmer ambiance of San Francisco in the fashionable and vital heart of the City at Union Square in Campton Place, a Taj Hotel. For the months of January, February, and March of 2009, when staying at Campton Place, guests will appreciate the benefit of a complimentary pressing of one garment during their stay. And, to celebrate a successful appearance, enjoy a drink in the Hotel's Bistro Bar with the hotel's compliments.
Campton Place, named the #1 Hotel in San Francisco by Travel + Leisure for the last three years, and included on Conde Nast’s Gold List of Best Places in the World to Stay for the same period.
The Ovation Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at Campton Place is $215 (compared to a corporate rate of $520).
OVATION PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
SOFITEL
45 West 44th Street
New York City
The ultimate in comfort and convenience, the Sofitel New York is a thirty-story building in midtown Manhattan-a contemporary statement in limestone and glass-is just a stone's throw from Fifth Avenue. The modern-day traveler will enjoy the amenities on offer at this fine establishment, set within easy reach of Manhattan's most celebrated attractions. These include Times Square, Broadway theaters, world-famous restaurants, famous boutiques, art museums and corporate headquarters. Good access to transportation links. The luxurious guest rooms provide consummate style, comfort and elegance. Elegantly decorated with Paris and New York motifs, all have a spacious marble bathroom (separate tub). Three telephones, broadband Internet access and fully stocked mini-bar.
The Ovation Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at Sofitel is $365 through March 29, 2009.
OVATION PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
HYATT REGENCY
650 15th Street
Denver
Experience the best of the Mile High City from Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center. The ideal location makes this Four-Diamond downtown Denver hotel the perfect choice, whether visiting for business or fun. Enjoy a leisurely walk on the way to meet clients, stroll through 16th Street Mall during a lunch break, or take advantage of the incredible selection of arts, entertainment and sports events nearby. Business guests at this contemporary Denver hotel will appreciate the outstanding facilities, professional team and setting adjacent to the Colorado Convention Center. Get pampered by a Spa Universaire treatment, acclaimed dining, inviting guestrooms and incomparable views throughout combine to create this most remarkable of hotels in downtown Denver.
The Ovation Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at Hyatt Regency Denver is $185 (compared to a corporate rate of $329).
OVATION PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
RITZ-CARLTON
181 Peachtree Street, NE
Atlanta
The Ladies and Gentlemen of The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta invite guests to experience the first class transformational renovation of downtown’s only AAA Five Diamond luxury hotel. The polished transitional design—with a splash of glamour—redefines the luxury experience downtown, just as the traditional interiors did when the hotel opened in 1984. The city is undergoing its own revitalization, and the renovation perfectly parallels Atlanta’s ongoing vitality and renewal.
The Ovation Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at The Ritz-Carlton Atlanta is $229 (compared to a corporate rate of $249).
OVATION PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
SUNSET MARQUIS
1200 Alta Loma Road
Los Angeles
The semi-official private sanctuary of Hollywood’s A-list and the epicenter of rock and roll history, the Sunset Marquis has served as a safe refuge for the famous, the infamous, and the nearly so. Set in almost five acres of verdant, peaceful gardens containing 4,000 plants and trees, it is more akin to a visit to a private, tropical estate. The 52 Villas and 101 Suites at the Sunset Marquis are one of the world’s best kept secret havens. Which is quite remarkable considering that this garden oasis is a mere champagne bottle’s throw from the excitement of the world famous Sunset Strip.
The Ovation Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at the Sunset Marquis is $260 (compared to a corporate rate of $405).
OVATION PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
CABANA HOTEL
4290 El Camino Real
Palo Alto
Delight in European ambiance and California charm. Style and personality starts with a spectacular entrance through the lobby, where traditional detailing pays tribute to European flavors of plaster walls, stone flooring and subdued colors. Seasonal outdoor patios and large pool deck with spa make for an enjoyable, relaxing stay.
The Cabana Hotel is one of a selected few hotels in California powered by Solar Energy while creating a "green hotel program" that provides a relief to the environment.
Steeped in history, tradition and elegance, The Cabana Hotel combines luxurious amenities of a vacation destination with high tech necessities of today's savvy business traveler.
Located close to Stanford University, HP, Goggle, SAP, Intuit, just to name a few, the 194 room Cabana Hotel meets social, business and group travel needs. Complimentary fiber optic wired and wireless Internet services are available throughout all public areas and guest rooms.
Guests can dine AL fresco in the hotel's courtyard or delight in favorable cuisine at 4290 Bistro & Bar.
The Ovation Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at the Cabana Hotel is $199 through (compared to a corporate rate of $235).
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Ovation Corporate Travel
www.ovationtravel.com
info@ovationtravel.com
800.431.1112 |
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