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DELTA SHUTTLE OFFERS MORE CHOICES
Travelers will soon have more choices when flying Delta Shuttle®.
On December 1st, Delta Shuttle MD-88s will offer First and Economy Class service. First Class fliers will enjoy a variety of snack options, complimentary cocktails and the same superior Shuttle service they have come to expect. Both First Class and Economy passengers can take advantage of a variety of complimentary libations in flight.
Medallion® members will be eligible for complimentary upgrades. The ever-popular open-seating policy will remain the same within each class of service. And between now and December 15, 2008, earn double Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) when flying Delta Shuttle between New York (LGA) and Boston (BOS) or Washington, D.C. (DCA).
HOTELS LIKELY TO SEE OCCUPANCY RATES FALL
(source: USA Today)
Business travelers may notice quieter hotels next year. Hotel forecasters have been busy revising their expectations in light of all the economic turmoil.
PKF Consulting of Atlanta expects hotels to fill an average of 58.3% of rooms, or a 4.4% drop in the occupancy expected this year. The current lowest occupancy rate, according to Smith Travel, was 59% in 2002.
Q. What does the climate mean for business travelers besides a calmer lobby?
A. Better hotel rates.
Once hotels see occupancy levels dip, they will be more likely to cut rates to maintain occupancy levels and better cover fixed costs. Even if prices stay flat, travelers would get a break as average rates had risen steadily each year since 2004 by as much as 7.5% nationally.
ENTERPRISE TOPS J.D. POWER SURVEY
(source: BTNonline)
Travelers rated Enterprise Rent-A-Car the best among rental car suppliers for the fifth year in a row, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Rental Car Satisfaction Study, released November 11, 2008.
Enterprise received top marks from travelers in all six factors of the study: costs and fees, the pickup process, the rental car, the return process, the reservations process and shuttle bus/van services. Enterprise has been the top-rated vendor in the study for nine of the past 10 years, according to the company.
Hertz and Alamo Rent A Car, which significantly improved its scores compared with last year, were ranked second and third by travelers. National Car Rental, Avis Rent A Car and Budget Rent A Car all received about average scores in overall satisfaction, while the Dollar and Thrifty brands both received below-average scores.
J.D. Power and Associates based this year's findings on more than 13,400 evaluations from both business and leisure travelers renting a vehicle from an airport location in the past 12 months.
OVATION PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
THE JAMES
55 East Ontario
Chicago
 The James Chicago is the first in a new line of hotels that fill the niche between boutique and luxury brands by providing unique style and exceptional service in comfortable surroundings. The hotels are well thought out from the guests' point of view by providing a modern aesthetic with a classic commitment to hospitality.
The James Chicago, located in downtown Chicago, is steps off of Magnificent Mile (Michigan Avenue) and is centrally located to: The John Hancock Building, McCormick Place, Millennium Park, Navy Pier, River North and the Water Tower.
The Guestrooms and Suites feature a color palette of contrasting cool and warm tones. The minimalist layout and custom designed furniture include a streamlined dark wood platform bed, private dining niche, plasma screen TV's, and spacious slate-tiled and marbled bathrooms all created with the guests' personal needs in mind.
B.R. Guest, the company behind Chicago's Blue Water Grill, has partnered with renowned chef David Burke to bring you David Burke's Primehouse, a modern interpretation of the classic American steakhouse. David Burke continues to redefine Modern American Cuisine as he pushes the envelope of culinary creativity. The restaurant's design elements reflect the inspiration for its cuisine through warm tones such as cumin and cinnamon. David Burke's Primehouse features a contemporary steakhouse menu with meats handpicked from Creekstone Farms in Kentucky that are dry-aged on the premise in a salt-tiled aging room.
The Ovation Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at The James Chicago is $245 (compared to a corporate rate of $489).
OVATION PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
LE MÉRIDIEN
333 Battery Street
San Francisco
 Le Méridien San Francisco is a luxury hotel located in the heart of San Francisco's Financial District. The hotel is connected by a landscaped pedestrian bridge to the historic Federal Reserve Building, and the shops, entertainment, and cafés of the dynamic Embarcadero Center. Le Méridien is also steps away from San Francisco's main leisure attractions such as Chinatown and the California Street cable cars, with easy access to Fisherman's Wharf and Ghirardelli Square.
The guest rooms are spacious and many offer sweeping views of the bay as well as the city. The rooms have an attractive, contemporary décor and appointments with fine furnishings. Accommodations are 100% non-smoking and are equipped with wired and wireless High Speed Internet Access, plush robes, beds with 300-count Frette sheets, down duvets, and a Nakamichi stereo/CD player. Room service is available 24 hours a day.
A professional staff and superior facilities, including onsite catering and audiovisual resources with state-of-the-art telecommunication services, provide support for all conference needs.
Le Méridien San Francisco… the premier choice in the downtown area for executive conferences, meetings or retreats.
The Ovation Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at Le Méridien San Francisco is $279 (compared to a corporate rate of $429).
OVATION PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
THE STANDARD DOWNTOWN LA
550 South Flower Street
Los Angeles
 The grand lobby with mezzanine at The Standard Downtown LA has a rich, corporate aesthetic. Inventive design features include a 125 foot fuchsia "Omnibus" sofa by Vladimir Kagan, a billiards table, photo strip booth, Calder inspired mobile and a conceptual art installation by Jenny Holzer, offset against 50's era architectural details such as a 15 time zone clock encased in stainless steel.
With water beds, a rooftop pool and bar, a 24-hour fitness center and restaurant, and complimentary high speed Internet access, this hotel redefines standard. The hotel is pure modern luxury and excess at its finest. Located in Downtown Los Angeles, this accommodation is minutes away from local attractions. There is a 24-hour eatery, the Standard Downtown Los Angeles Restaurant ("The"), on the premises so one can have their meal there anytime without having to step out.
The Ovation Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at The Standard Downtown LA is $150 (compared to a corporate rate of $196).
OVATION PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
MONACO
1717 Champa Street
Denver
 The Hotel Monaco, a sophisticated and stylish hotel in downtown Denver, Colorado provides an eclectic luxury hotel experience that invites guests to "indulge your senses." Capturing historic Denver with the renovation of two landmark buildings into one, the Hotel Monaco, a Kimpton Hotel, is within easy walking distance of the Colorado Convention Center, the 16th Street Mall and all the urban adventures that today's downtown Denver offers. Combined with the hotel's refreshingly daring, rich and bold interiors, guests enjoy modern hotel accommodations with a lush elegance and style that are undeniably sensational.
Recently voted "Best Business Hotel" and one of the "Top 500 Best Hotels in the World" by Travel & Leisure magazine, the Hotel Monaco appeals to both the discerning traveler seeking sophisticated accommodations and the hip traveler seeking a stylish Denver luxury hotel. Adventurous guests can explore all that Denver offers from the hotel's downtown location, which puts them near enough to the mountains for a getaway to the Colorado Rockies, while staying near great shopping, fine restaurants and all the other goings-on of the Mile High City.
The luxury Hotel Monaco is located in downtown Denver Colorado, near the Colorado Convention Center and LoDo entertainment district. A boutique hotel offering eclectic charm and worldly sophistication.
The Ovation Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at Monaco is $195 (compared to a corporate rate of $385).
OVATION PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
MARQUIS REFORMA
Paseo de la Reforma 465
Mexico City
 A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, Marquis Reforma Hotel is one of the most elegant and charming hotels in Mexico City. Hotel Marquis Reforma overlooks Chapultepec Castle and Park and is within walking distance of the city's financial, cultural and shopping districts. The hotel's 83 suites and 125 art deco-inspired guest rooms offer total comfort and deluxe amenities.
The award-winning La Jolla specializes in cuisine featuring ingredients from Mexico, magnificently blended with international components. The more casual Café Royal offers both continental and Mexican dishes. Tea and evening cocktails are served in the Caviar Bar, which features live music.
The fully staffed Corporate Club extends complete services to the traveling executive, including state-of-the-art communications and computer equipment. It has recently been refurbished and has enlarged its meeting and banquet facilities for up to 2,000 people.
The Ovation Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at Marquis Reforma Hotel is $250 including early check-in, late check-out and high speed internet access.
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Ovation Corporate Travel
www.ovationtravel.com
info@ovationtravel.com
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