AIRLINE BAG FEES FOR INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS The big U.S. airlines are charging baggage fees on some international flights, generally coach tickets between Europe and the U.S. or Canada. What you should know: American Airlines: $50 to check a second bag on flights to, through, or from India, Belgium, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain and Switzerland. Continental Airlines: $50 to check a second bag to or from Europe. Continental also charges $25 to check a second bag between the U.S. and Mexico and Central and South America, except Brazil. Delta Air Lines: $50 for flights to Europe. Delta is also charging $30 to check a second bag for flights to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America except Brazil. United Airlines: $50 for flights from North America to Europe or India, and 35 euros from most European airports for the trip to the U.S. The charge is 31 pounds for flights from the U.K. United also charges $27 for a second bag from the U.S. or Canada to Mexico or the Caribbean. US Airways: $55 to check a second bag between the U.S. and all trans-Atlantic destinations beginning with tickets bought Aug. 26 for travel starting Nov. 4. Notes: Prices are for checking a bag at the airport. US Airways, Continental and United all charge $5 less if you pay your baggage charge online instead of at the airport. An exception is Continental's $25 fee for a second bag to Latin America, which is the same no matter where you pay. The airlines have several exemptions from the fees, generally including high-level frequent fliers, full-fare coach passengers and active military personnel. BOTTOM LINES ARE IMPROVED BY BUSINESS TRAVEL According to studies published by the U.S. Travel Association and the National Business Travel Association, every dollar invested in business travel results in $12 to $15 in increased revenue, as much as a third of which goes straight to the bottom line. Increased business travel could also lead the country out of recession. "Business travel is economic stimulus," said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, which commissioned a study by Oxford Economics. "In order to grow, businesses have to invest. This research shows that face-to-face meetings and incentive awards to top performers are among the smartest investments companies can make." Adam Sacks, managing director of Oxford Economics, said that the goal of the study was "to move the needle a little bit and to make the case to companies, particularly publicly traded companies, that part of their fiduciary responsibility is to look beyond the short-term benefits of cutting these costs." According to the Oxford Economics study commissioned by U.S. Travel, businesses earn an average $12.50 in extra revenue and $3.80 in extra profit for every dollar invested in business travel. Oxford Economics surveyed 300 executives and 500 business travelers from a variety of companies around the country. Their opinions backed its findings. "Seventy-five percent of executives stated that if their company increased business travel while their competition reduced it, they would build market share," Sacks said. The Oxford Economics survey also showed: • Executives and business travelers estimated that 28% of current business would be lost without in-person meetings. • Executives and business travelers estimated that roughly 40% of prospective customers are converted to new customers with an in-person meeting, compared with a 16% conversion rate without meeting. • More than half of business travelers stated that 5% to 20% of their company's new customers were acquired as the result of trade show participation. AIRLINES ADD $10 SURCHARGE OVER THE HOLIDAYS American and United airlines have added $10 surcharges for most of their tickets for travel on three busy days around Thanksgiving and New Year's holidays. Both carriers added the charge — technically, a fuel surcharge — for most of their fares for travel on Nov. 29, the Sunday after Thanksgiving, as well as Jan. 2 and 3. Sunday after Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel days of the year, and the two dates in January are heavily traveled as well. CONTINENTAL LEAVING SKYTEAM; ELITE STATUS Continental is leaving the SkyTeam alliance on October 24, 2009. After that date, Continental Elite members will no longer earn bonus miles and Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) when flying Delta. Continental announced the launch of a new program to help retain the business of travelers that are part of the Continental frequent flyer program in the wake of the airline's exit from SkyTeam. This offer is open to any Continental Elite traveler. - Elite Status Match Program- This new Continental Elite Status Match program, is effective from now until December 31, 2009, and is intended to convert Continental Presidents Club Elite members to becoming Delta SkyMiles Medallion members by matching the President's Club Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels in the SkyMiles Medallion program. All matched status will be good through February 28, 2011*. In order to take advantage of this great offer, participants must be a valid SkyMiles member. Non-SkyMiles members would need to first enroll at www.delta.com/enroll *Note: Status valid until 2/29/11. However, after Feb 29, 2011, to retain elite status, the traveler must have qualified per the regular program rules. For more information on SkyMiles Medallion status and the benefits of each level, please visit http://www.delta.com/skymiles/about_skymiles/new_skymiles_program.jsp.
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The DuPont Hotel: Moving in the best circles Taking pride of place at the heart of Washington DC's most desirable and cosmopolitan neighborhood is the newly-refurbished DuPont Hotel. Overlooking DuPont Circle and neighboring leafy, European-style avenues with embassies, cafés and bookshops, The DuPont Hotel is set to become an icon of understated luxury and style among Washington DC hotels. The warm, contemporary redesign has transformed every corner of this Washington hotel, from the 327 bedrooms and suites to the meeting rooms, catering facilities and conference suites. Guests at this Washington hotel feel elegantly indulged everywhere they go, from their table in the hotel's Café Dupont restaurant to the stunning new Bar DuPont, to their bedroom. Finally, the hotel the Circle has waited for. The Ovation Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at the DuPont Hotel is $249 (compared to a corporate rate of $324).* *All rates are subject to availability. Ovation Corporate Travel |
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