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DELTA DOWNSIZES NY-DC ROUTE
(source: USA Today)
Next month, Delta Air Lines will begin switching to small jets that will seat about half as many passengers each flight. By March, the Delta Shuttle's 15 daily round-trip flights between New York's LaGuardia and Washington's Reagan National airport will be on 76-seat Embraer jets instead of 148-seat MD-88 jets used now.
Delta will continue to fly MD-88s on the New York-Boston shuttle route. It also offers 15 daily round trips there. The change will leave US Airways as the only airline still flying large jets on the historic New York-Washington "shuttle" route that has catered to political and financial power brokers for nearly 50 years.
Delta spokeswoman Betsy Talton said the shift to the smaller E-175s will better match the carrier's capacity with demand. Though not as long as Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s, E-175s' fuselages are nearly as large around as those single-aisle jets, and provide comparable levels of comfort.
NY AUCTIONS - A NO GO
(source: Global Traveler Magazine)
A three-judge panel in the U.S. Court of Appeals has blocked the plan to auction landing slots at the three New York airports. The plan was strongly opposed by airlines and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, both of which claimed the plan was illegal and would raise costs for passengers. The plan was an attempt to decrease flight delays at LaGuardia, Kennedy and Newark. It would have required airlines to surrender up to 10% of their airport slots over the next five years. The court granted a stay that suspends all plans for auctions pending a court review.
NORTHEAST HIGH-SPEED RAIL LINE FACES HURDLES
(source: Crain’s New York Business)
High-speed rail won’t be coming to Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor in the foreseeable future, if ever. At Penn Station on Monday, December 15, Mayor Michael Bloomberg was joined by U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters and John Mica, the ranking member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, to announce a request for proposals for fast rail from New York to Washington, D.C.
But sources say any such proposals will wind up on a dead-end track because key congressional Democrats see it as a privatization effort, as does organized labor. Currently, operating profits from Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor help subsidize the rest of the national rail network. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-Manhattan, supports the effort as a necessary first step if high-speed rail is ever to be achieved here. “It’s important to start this process,” she said.
Amtrak’s Acela train reaches Washington from Penn Station—the site of Monday’s scheduled announcement—in about 2 hours, 45 minutes. For a train to be considered “high-speed” by industry standards, it would have to cut the trip to less than two hours. But doing so would be expensive and difficult, transportation experts say. High-speed trains in Europe and Japan reach speeds of 180 miles per hour or more. The Acela tops out at 83 miles per hour.
OVATION PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
CHARLES HOTEL
1 Bennett Street
Cambridge
 A most original luxury hotel, the newly renovated Charles Hotel combines classic New England design and sophisticated service. One can see the character in signature quilts, bountiful regional cuisine, and thoughtful planning. Located in the heart of Harvard Square, just minutes from downtown Boston, Massachusetts, The Charles Hotel has become the home away from home for internationally renowned business leaders, government officials, entertainment executives and leisure travelers.
The Charles Hotel, a AAA Four Diamond Hotel, offers among the finest, most distinctive guest accommodations in the Boston area with 294 spacious guestrooms, including 45 suites that combine Shaker-inspired aesthetic with modern touches. The renovated guest rooms include custom designed pieces, such as spacious cherry-wood desks, oversized clocks, and hand-crafted quilts. Throughout the rooms are unique touches that celebrate The Charles' reputation as "Cambridge's most intellectual property."
With flawless service, original accommodations and creative, award-winning cuisine, it is no wonder that the Boston hotel review in the New England Travel Guide has designated The Charles hotel Cambridge as the best hotel to "stay put in" when visiting Boston, Massachusetts.
The Ovation Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at The Charles is $405 (compared to a corporate rate of $499).
OVATION PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
W
181 Third Street
San Francisco
 In the heart of the SoMa district, the city is in reach. Neighbors with the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, W San Francisco faces the beautiful Yerba Buena gardens and is a short walk to Union Square's shops, Financial District & the Waterfront.
Panoramic views of the Bay Bridge and the city skyline fill each of the 410 guest rooms. Take in the view from the SoMa district's newly renovated W San Francisco combining whimsical Asian influences like Chinese checkers and origami butterflies with the cloud-like comfort of the W signature bed.
An oasis beckons. Unwind in the heated lap pool, Zen on the cabana-ringed outdoor terrace. Melt in Bliss Spa's 5,000 square foot tension-banning oasis. Then relax with the perfect XYZ elixir & warm to Paul Piscopo's delights at XYZ Restaurant.
The Ovation Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at W San Francisco is $285 (compared to a corporate rate of $389).
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DUKES
35 St. James's Place
London
 Dukes is ideally located for London's finest restaurants, most fashionable shops, exciting galleries and fabulous theatre productions, with excellent links to the City and Canary Wharf.
The completely renovated and upgraded luxury bedrooms and suites feature smart new fabrics and carpets, improved lighting, better use of space and up-to-the-minute key features including:
*Individually controlled air conditioning
*Wireless Broadband Internet connection
*Two line telephones and voicemail
*iPod speakers (available on request)
*Private bar
*24 hour room service
*Safety deposit box
*Satellite channels
*Flat Screen TV
*Hairdryer and bathrobe
*Complimentary newspaper, bottled water and shoe shine
*Complimentary access to the Health Club and 24 hour gym
*DVD player on request
The fabulous Dukes Bar, recognized worldwide for its famous martinis, now has an even richer feel with its blue velvet chairs and portrait paintings from the Dukes collection.
The Dining Room offers classic British dishes prepared simply, while desserts feature several old favorites. A great wine list includes a special reserve selection with predominantly Old World reds.
The Ovation Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at Dukes is £288 including one complimentary Martini per guest during their stay.
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VICEROY SANTA MONICA
1819 Ocean Avenue
Los Angeles
 VICEROY SANTA MONICA RECRUITING SEASON SPECIALS
Recruits will have a unique oceanfront experience in LA, and the Viceroy Santa Monica is offering them a true VIP experience, including:
*Complimentary Upgrade to Viceroy Ocean View Room ($100 Value) based on availability
*Custom Welcome Amenity with welcome card from the organization
*Complimentary Breakfast daily
*Early and Late check out if required based on availability
Transportation:
The Viceroy Santa Monica has come up with some great offers so that recruits can get around in style, without the LA price tag:
*ITS, Viceroy’s luxury transportation partner will offer special discounted rates on Airport transfers in Luxury Sedans and SUVs, as well as transfers between the hotel and the company’s offices
*Midway Rentals, their rental car partner will offer a flat 15% discount off of all car rentals, including premium class
Special Events:
Welcome and entertain recruits in style at one of Viceroy's many Special Events Options. The Viceroy Santa Monica will offer the following specials during recruiting season:
*15% off Event Site fees including Dorset and Bristol Room
*$100 off Cabana Rentals
The Ovation Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at Viceroy Santa Monica is $329 (compared to a corporate rate of $409).
OVATION PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
AFFINIA
166 East Superior Street
Chicago
 Customized Comforts, Sophisticated Style and Creative Cuisine Meet at Chicago's New Cityscape Hotel.
The multimillion-dollar renovation of the Affinia Chicago is complete!
Located steps from the Magnificent Mile in the heart of Chicago's shopping, entertainment, culture and business districts -- the hotel features Affinia's new "Cityscape" positioning. The Cityscape hotel offers guests an urban escape centered around a sophisticated lobby that flows seamlessly into the restaurant, lounge and bar areas -- drawing unique opportunities for social interaction.
After the extensive renovation, not one corner, wall or fixture of the hotel has been left untouched. All guestrooms now feature chic, yet comfortable décor, the fabulous Affinia beds and signature 6-choice pillow menu. The lobby and meeting facilities have been transformed into beautiful, modern spaces featuring cutting-edge technology and Affinia's personalized services.
C-house, the hotel's new restaurant, was rated number one on Chicago's "Top 10 Most-Anticipated Openings" of 2008 list by CS magazine. The restaurant is the creation of the award-winning celebrity chef, Marcus Samuelsson and features modern American seafood in a casual setting. C-house will offer breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as room service and banquet catering. The restaurant will also boast a spacious bar and lounge and a year-round roof-top deck ideal for cocktails and small bites.
The Ovation Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at the Affinia Chicago is $179 (compared to a corporate rate of $385).
________________________________________________________________________
Ovation Corporate Travel
www.ovationtravel.com
info@ovationtravel.com
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