MORE HOTELS IRON OUT THE WRINKLES Millions of travelers arrive at hotels each year with wrinkled clothing. Many reluctantly reach for an ironing board and iron or call the front desk for the equipment. That's no longer needed at Omni Hotels. In late April, it announced that its 41 North American hotels are providing free ironing for frequent-guest-program members. Omni joins a growing number of hotels offering complimentary clothing and grooming services. Complimentary shoeshines, for instance, are increasingly common. And more hotels are letting guests use washers and dryers for free. Omni irons two items for free per stay for most members of its Select Guest frequent-stay program, which can be joined without charge at check-in. Select Guest black-level members — those who have 11 stays or spend 20 nights annually at Omni hotels — can have as many items as they wish ironed for free. Omni estimates that 8% to 10% of its guests a week use the service, according to Vice President Caryn Kboudi. Excluding repeat guests, the chain says it has ironed more than 1,000 shirts a week for free. Guests at 190 Hyatt hotels who pay a higher room rate for upgraded amenities can have one shirt or blouse ironed daily per room without an extra charge. The amenities are part of the Hyatt Business Plan available at participating Hyatt Regency, Grand Hyatt and Park Hyatt hotels. Omni announced in June that it hired a research company to survey business travelers and found that some would rather have their teeth pulled than iron clothes. Hotels' free clothing and grooming services appeal to many travelers. DELTA WOOS ELITE TRAVELERS Delta Air Lines Inc. is expected to change its frequent-flier program to let travelers roll over extra elite-qualifying miles and credits from one year to the next. By allowing customers to roll over miles and credits that aren't needed to reach a status level, the airline hopes to discourage travelers from splitting their loyalty among multiple airlines. The change could make it easier for travelers who cut back on business trips to retain their elite status with the airline, which brings coveted perks like first-class upgrades, baggage-fee waivers and priority seating. A traveler who accumulates 35,000 miles in a year, but needs only 25,000 to qualify for the lowest level of elite status, would start the following year with credit for 10,000 qualifying miles. But the unique rollover provision won't be retroactive; customers can't use 2008 credits to help with re-qualifying this year. In addition, Delta is expected to add a new top tier to its SkyMiles program for 2010, which now covers customers of Delta and Northwest Airlines, raising the stakes as airlines try to ply road warriors with perks to retain their loyalty. The new "diamond" level will offer a free airport-club membership and other perks for its best customers. Only a small percentage of platinum-level Delta customers, who must tally 75,000 "elite-qualifying" miles or fly 100 segments in one year, will qualify for the new level, which will require 125,000 elite-qualifying miles or 140 segments a year. For airlines, keeping customers in elite programs is key to engendering buying loyalty. Once travelers lose elite status, they are more likely to fly competing airlines. At the same time, airlines have to be careful not to dilute their elite programs, which reduces opportunities for upgrades and other perks because too many customers are vying for the same benefits. To segregate top-tier customers more, Delta says it will be the first airline with four published elite status levels. OVATION COLLECTING SECURE FLIGHT PASSENGER DATA The requirement to collect date of birth, gender and full name are federally mandated by the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Secure Flight Program for air travel. While disclosure of this information is voluntary, if it is not provided, travelers may be denied boarding. TSA's privacy policy, as well as additional details, can be found at tsa.gov using the keywords Secure Flight. Although the Secure Flight ruling requires airlines to provide the Secure Flight Data to TSA, Ovation is collecting this information to better serve our customers and provide a smooth travel experience at check-in. To facilitate the collection of the Secure Flight Passenger Data, Ovation Corporate Travel has created a secure, encrypted web form which travelers can use to input this information. When the information is submitted, your traveler profile will be updated. Please click on the URL directly below to complete the collection process. https://secureflight.ovationtravel.com For additional Secure Flight information go to: http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/layers/secureflight/index.shtm
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Visit the United Nations, Wall Street, Broadway Theater or take a stroll in the world-famous Central Park! There have been a number of famous faces visiting The Barclay New York Hotel over the years. Because of its proximity to the United Nations, nearly every major head of state has visited the hotel, including President Ronald Reagan, Francois Mitterrand and Nelson Mandela. The Barclay Hotel has also been the home away from home for such celebrities as Bette Davis, Marlon Brando and Ernest Hemingway. The hotel has 686 luxurious guest rooms and suites, all beautifully appointed with a wealth of modern amenities for a comfortable and relaxing stay. Rooms with facilities for the disabled are also available. Dining facilities offer a choice of New American cuisine at the hotel's Barclay Bar & Grill, while Room Service is available for guests wishing to dine in the privacy of their own room. Complimentary Wireless Internet Access in their Lobby and the Barclay Bar & Grill is now offered. InterContinental The Barclay New York hotel's exceptional banquet and meeting facilities include 18 elegantly appointed function rooms, which are perfect for hosting from 10 to 300 guests for business and social gatherings of every description. The in-house audio-visual department offers a comprehensive range of equipment, and the hotel has a 24-hour Business Center, which is well equipped to fulfill business requirements. The hotel's leisure facilities include the 1500-square-foot Health Club, featuring state-of-the-art fitness equipment, together with an array of massages. The Ovation Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at the InterContinental The Barclay is $233 (compared to a corporate rate of $259).*
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Situated in the stylish West End district of the nation's capital, The Westin Grand, Washington D.C. enjoys an unbeatable location. Whether one is visiting for business or leisure, the hotel is moments away from Embassy Row, the White House, and Georgetown. The staff at The Westin Grand is ready to cater to a multilingual clientele, and the hotel has been decorated with an international flair. The European-style courtyard is a relaxing place to sit and meet with friends or business partners. The hotel also offers a seasonal outdoor pool so that guests can jump in and refresh. Feel free to spread out and work from an oversized desk in one of their spacious guest rooms. The hotel has everything a traveler needs, with High Speed Internet Access and two telephone lines. Each bathroom has a separate soaking tub and Heavenly Shower®. Enjoy a peaceful night's sleep in their signature Heavenly Bed®. The Ovation Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at The Westin Grand is $229 (compared to a corporate rate of $299).* OVATION PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM The Langham London, the original 'grand hotel' Following an £80m refurbishment of this historic establishment, guests can now make their grand entrance into a realm that has been crafted and refined for over 140 years. Discover the new Langham Hotel London, which offers 380 luxurious guestrooms and suites, 15 function rooms, and the dazzling Palm Court, famed as the birthplace of the afternoon tea tradition. The Langham, London has enchanted royalty, dignitaries and celebrities since 1865, when it opened as Europe's first 'Grand Hotel'. The Langham Hotel London today continues to impress discerning travelers with its legendary 'service with poise'. Guests will be delighted by this charming Victorian London hotel and its exceptionally rich heritage. Indeed, the celebrated history and distinguished reputation of this unmistakably fine establishment sets it apart from other everyday London hotels. The Langham London is a veritable icon among London hotels, offering impeccably luxurious surroundings on Regent Street, one of the city's premier locations. The Ovation Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at the Langham London is £256 for a Grand Room (compared to a corporate rate of £335).* OVATION PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
Once the palatial home of a Texas cotton magnate, Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek has received such honors as the top U.S. hotel by Zagat and the top hotel for service in the world and top U.S. hotel restaurant by Travel + Leisure. In addition, the Mansion has been rated Mobil Five-Star since 1991 and AAA Five–Diamond since 1992. Situated in Dallas' most fashionable neighborhood, the Mansion retains the intimate ambience of a private residence while providing the highest levels of quality and service. The luxurious rooms and suites at the Mansion feature tasteful furnishings, sumptuous marble baths and French doors that open onto private balconies. Thoughtful amenities assure every need is fulfilled, from round–the–clock room service and twice–daily housekeeping. The 143 rooms including 16 suites each offer at least 450 square feet, a comfortable living area and well–designed work area. The Ovation Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek is $215 (compared to a corporate rate of $250).* *All rates are subject to availability.
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