10388-FOCUS 2 2017-FlipBook_3

focusVolume 2 • 2017on business & technology



focusVolume 2 • 2017on business & technology in this issue   6 TWIN 8   Hotel Update 10 Airline News 13 Transportation 14 Hotel NewsTech Takes to the Skies:Electronic Passports and BiometricsSpeed the Boarding ProcessBy Daniel McCarthyReady or not, it might be time to prepare to ditch that paper passport and embracenew electronic ones.More than half of all United Nations member states already Despite security concerns about electronic passports,are issuing electronic passports, according to the the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said a majorInternational Civil Aviation Organization, and more will join benefit is that they “more securely identify the traveler,the trend in the coming year. provide protection against identity theft, protect privacy (continued on page 3)YOUR SOURCE FOR BUSINESS TRAVEL MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS

The right spot for business travelers is an IHG Crowne Plaza® hotel. The right spot for your business travelers is IHG’s Crowne Plaza.®Your clients deserve a business hotel.The ideal stay for your business travelers would feature things like free, fast Wi-Fi and abusiness center with secure wireless printing to keep them productive. It would also have afitness center to help them power up and quiet, modern rooms with Sleep Advantage® tohelp them relax and recharge. Better yet, all these things would be packaged in an upscale,cost-effective hotel that people would love. Fortunately, our hotels are just like that.For reservations, please use our chain code: CP and book the TSA rate code.© 2017 IHG. All rights reserved. Most hotels are independently owned and/or operated.

(continued from cover) FeatureTech Takes to the Skies: Electronic Passports and BiometricsSpeed the Boarding Process and make it difficult to alter a document for use in gaining admission to the United States.” All electronic passports must have “security features to prevent the unauthorized reading or ‘skimming’ of data stored on the e-Passport chip,” so travelers can carry and use them worry-free. The U.S. now requires that all passports have electronic passport capabilities, including an electronic chip that stores the traveler’s name, date of birth and digital photograph. Australia is next up in moving toward making the traditional paper passport a thing of the past. Airports across Australia, including those in Sydney and Melbourne, are taking part in the Seamless Traveler Project — a $94 million initiative that employs self-service kiosks that recognize travelers’ faces, irises and fingerprints, so they can bypass human agents altogether. The head of border security of Australia’s Strategic Policy Institute said the hope is that people flying into Australia will be able to “literally just walk out like at a domestic airport” without having to wait in line. The country hopes that 90% of travelers into Australia will be processed by the technology by 2020. Eurostar Technology is not just coming to airports, either. Europe’s high-speed rail service Eurostar also installed facial recognition technology at its terminals at Gare du Nord station in Paris last month, giving guests the option to use electronic passports. The gates, which were also installed in London’s St. Pancras station in 2016, direct travelers to scan their tickets; scanners then match the passport picture with an image taken by a camera. Eurostar said more than a half of a million people have used the London terminals since they were installed. Now it hopes to install the technology at Brussels Midi train station, another European hub. Clear Who needs a passport or a Real ID? Clear, the “verified- traveler service,” lets travelers speed through security with just a fingerprint — and it is expanding across the country. This month it opened its own expedited screening lanes at NY’s JFK International and LaGuardia Airports. Clear is not the same as TSA PreCheck; rather than heading to expedited security lanes manned by TSA agents, Clear customers skip the line altogether, instead (continued on page 5) Volume 2 • 2017  3



(continued from page 3)MILLIONTech Takes to the Skies: Electronic Passports and Biometrics FeatureSpeed the Boarding Processusing an electronic kiosk to verify their identity with a scan Clear customers skip the lineof their boarding pass and the touch of their finger. Once altogether, instead using anthey complete the process at a kiosk, passengers move electronic kiosk to verify theirahead of everyone in the regular and Pre-Check queues to identity with a scan of theirphysical screening. boarding pass and the touch of their finger. Twenty-two U.S. airports have Clear lanes, and thecoming months will bring them to Atlanta Hartsfield- Passengers who are enrolled in both Clear andJackson, Los Angeles International and Minneapolis- PreCheck can still take advantage of both services —St. Paul airport. they’ll be moved through Clear lanes pre-screening and then they’ll be able to move through security without taking The addition of JFK and LaGuardia “marks a major off their shoes, belts or light jackets, or removing laptopsmilestone for us and where we are as a company,” Clear and 3-1-1 compliant bags from their carry-ons.CEO Caryn Seidman Becker said, and a step closer to theultimate goal of “fundamentally [changing] and [improving]the travel experience throughout the country.” Passengers can enroll in Clear for $179 per year at anyClear airport kiosk. U.S. Passports Issued in the Past 15 Years Source: U.S. Passport Service.19181716151413121110 9 8 7 YEAR Volume 2 • 2017  5

TWIN TWIN Exhibits at Europe’s Largest Business Travel and Technology Show TRAVELSAVERS Worldwide Ontro Travel Group & Sky Club. L to R: Louis Di Finizio, Manager, Nigel Cleur, Sales Independent Network (TWIN) Travel Director & Bobby Sangha, CEO Management Companies (TMC’s) throughout EMEA exhibited and met with hosted buyers, procurement, and global travel managers February 21 to 23, 2017 at the Olympia London. Hosted buyers make scheduled appointments with suppliers at their stands. Attendees have over 60 seminars for the most experienced and for those just starting their careers. Launchpad showcases 14 young businesses with game- changing business travel products and services. Attendees have over 60 seminars for the most experienced and for those just starting their careers. TWIN and TMC member CTI Ltd. hosted and TWIN Sponsored the CTI Ltd Seminar/Panel. The Commercial Journey — Joining the moderated “The Connected Journey — Joining Dots of Your Travel Program. L to R: Daniel Price, Commercial Director, Cabfind; Carolyn the Dots of your Travel Program.” Melanie Quinn, Pearson, CEO, Maiden Voyage; Chris Baker, MD Enterprise, Concur; Paul Spelman, Commercial Director, CTI, moderated a panel of Head of UK Partnerships AirPlus and Melanie Quinn, Commercial Director, CTI Ltd suppliers from Concur, AirPlus, Maiden Voyage, AirRefund, and Cabfind. Franc Jeffrey, CEO, EQ Travel Management, stated, “This year’s show was a high quality of buyers and suppliers. TMCs like the ‘two shows in one’ — Business Travel and Travel Technology Europe.” FUEGO Travel, Aylin Ozsavas, President6  Volume 2 • 2017



Hotel Update Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM Country Inns & Suites By HOME ISN’T JUST A PLACE. CarlsonSM is part of Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, a privately- IT’S A FEELING. owned, leading hotel company with more than 1,370 hotels • Complimentary, hot breakfast in operation and under • Free high-speed internet development in over 110 • Comfortable, spacious rooms countries and territories • Business and Fitness Center worldwide. Country Inns & Suites is headquartered in Minneapolis, BOOK WITH THE CHAIN CODE “CX” Minnesota, and is one of seven brands within the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group portfolio. A leader in the upper midscale hotel segment, Country Inns & Suites locations feature residential architecture and welcoming interiors to give you the feeling of home. Each location features décor that is warm, welcoming, modern and friendly. When guests stay with us, we want them to feel at home. So we provide amenities to make their stay as productive and comfortable as possible, like free high-speed Internet, fitness centers, swimming pools, complimentary cookies, and much more, including: • Be Our Guest Service • Complimentary Be Our Guest Breakfast • Read It & Return Lending LibrarySM Travel Agent Booking Information: For GDS reservations use Country Inns & Suites Chain Code CX and book using TRAVELSAVERS rate code TSA.8  Volume 2 • 2017

It’s like found money.Look To Book® has been rewarding travel agents like you for more than /LookToBook20 years. It’s so easy to earn points by booking Carlson Rezidor hotelsworldwide. Redeem points for a great selection of rewards like Prepaid Cards,Retail Gift Cards from popular brands, free hotel nights and airline miles.*Join today at looktobook.com.*Rewards vary by region. See looktobook.com for details and full terms and conditions.

Airline NewsDelta Air Lines and Aeromexico New ServiceVirgin Atlantic in 2017The Wall Street Journal’s “Middle Seat” Airline Scorecard for • A Calgary (YYC) to Mexico City (MEX) Effective June 01,2016 ranks airlines according to seven different categories: 2017 Daily – loaded in GDSon-time arrivals, canceled flights, extreme delays, two-hourtarmac delays, mishandled baggage, involuntary bumping, and • Detroit (DTW) to Mexico City (MEX) Effective April 01,complaints. In all seven categories, Delta outranks their U.S. 2017 Daily – loaded in GDSGlobal peers. • Detroit (DTW) to Monterrey (MTY) Effective May 01, LAX – Delta is relocating to Terminals 2 and 3 (T2 and T3) 2017 Daily – loaded in GDSin May 2017, as part of a $1.9 billion investment in Los AngelesInternational Airport (LAX). For information on Group and MICE service please contact 1-800-800-9999 or e-mail to amgroups@aeromexico. The massive project will relocate Delta’s operations from com Open Mon-Fri 9A-7P CST.Terminals 5 and 6 (T5 and T6) to T2 and T3 and provide asecure connector to the north side of the Tom Bradley For sales support please contact the TMC’sInternational Terminal (TBIT), enabling seamless connectivity Help Desk at 1-877-834-9459 or e-mail toalongside Delta’s airline partners. [email protected] Open Mon - Fri 9A-7P CST/Sat 10A-7P As of January 31st, 2017, Delta temporarily relocated someof its operations in T5 to T6. During this time, Delta will increase Customer Relations: [email protected] in T6 to include San Francisco (Shuttle), Seattle(Shuttle), Portland, and Denver, while still maintaining an activepresence in T5. Delta and Alaska Airlines have agreed to terminate theircodeshare effective May 1, 2017. Delta’s growth in the Seattlemarket has created more choices for Pacific Northwestcustomers. The mutual decision is a positive milestone for bothairlines allowing Alaska to focus on its merger with VirginAmerica and Delta to focus on serving customers at its Seattle-Tacoma International Airport hub. The carriers will retain aninterline agreement, allowing them to continue offeringcustomers ticketing and baggage connectivity.10  Volume 2 • 2017

Airline Newstraveltix Aer Lingus Lax Commission Update —travel tix continues to offer double digit commissions to Earn 7% Commissionits members. Current promotions include: Effective immediately, Aer Lingus agrees to extend to• 1 8% commission on Air Canada from the USA to TRAVELSAVERS member’s 7% economy commission all Asia, Japan, South Pacific & Australia (J, C, D, P, & Z economy fares for Los Angeles (LAX) originating itineraries. classes through 6/30/17) Ticket Sales period: Now through June 30th 2017. All travel• 15% commission on Air India from NYC & CHI to must be completed by July 15, 2017. India (F, A, C, D, J fares through 3/31/17) Applicable: to Round-trip and One-way fares• 10% commission on All Nippon from DEN, IAG, IAH & For more information contact [email protected] SFO to Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and more. (B, C, D, F, G, H, J, M, U, Y classes through 3/31/17) Focus on Business & Technology Newsletter• 16% commission from LAX, SEA, ORD, SFO, HNL & JFK to Korea & beyond. (F, A, C, D, Z classes through n  Editor-In-Chief:  Cynthia Kropp n  Creative Director:  Sean Ayling 3/15/17. n  Design:  Alissa Schelp n  Production Manager:  Kevin Cornelius n  Writer, Hotel News:  Nancy Bolle n  Editor:  Matthew Schroeder• 1 6% commission on Qantas from the USA and Canada to Australia and New Zealand. (J, C & D class For questions or comments about the newsletter, please contact your Business through 6/30/17) Analyst or call 1-800-366-9895.• 18% commission on United Airlines from the USA Travelsavers Corporate Services is a trade service of Travelsavers, Inc. and Canada to Rio de Janerio and Sao Paulo. (B, C, D, All rights reserved. Photocopying or electronic redistribution is strictly prohibited E, F, G, H, J, M, U, Y classes through 3/31/17) without the express written permission of the Editor-In-Chief.For more information on joining travel tix, contact us [email protected] Volume 2 • 2017  11

The Plaza, New York Le Royal Monceau Ra es, Paris Fairmont San Francisco Swissôtel The Bosphorus, Istanbul Feel Welcome The World Over at Ra es, Fairmont and SwissôtelThree luxury hotel brands: Ra es, Fairmont, and Swissôtel, now part of AccorHotels Group. This gives you access to even more exceptional and legendary addresses with 4,100 hotels in 95 countries.For reservations, please book your TRAVELSAVERS Rate Code: TSALearn more about our brands at www.AccorHotelsForYou.com Today’s Best Western for Today’s Business Traveler.Making travelers feel at home while they’re on the road is what we do best. At Best Western® Hotels & Resorts, we know the importance of amenities that fuel productivity. From Build-Your-Own breakfast stations and free high-speed Internet, to our award-winning loyalty program where you can earn and redeem points for free nights at any of our 4,100 hotels worldwide*, finding the right hotel for business is now easier than ever. Book Chain Code “BW” and receive 10% o Best Available Rates and 10% commission with the TSA Rate Code*Numbers are approximate and can fluctuate. Best Western and Best Western marks are service marks or registered service marks of Best Western International, Inc. ©2017 Best Western International, Inc. All rights reserved. Each Best Western® branded hotel is independently owned and operated.337.1002.17_TSA_HalfPageBlackWhiteAd12-16_FINAL.indd 1 12/14/16 11:49 AM

Business Meetings Pay Off TransportationAvis Account Referral ProgramHelp us sign a new account. We’ll send you our thanks (up to $500).Start with a $200 gift card when you arrange a meeting between a new account of $25,000or more and an Avis Budget Group account manager.Then get a $300 gift card when the meeting results in an Avis account of $100,000 or more.Your travelers will thank you, too;• Electronic billing • Dedicated account services• Online interactive reporting • State-of-the-art technology• New, low rates • Business activation specialistFor more information about this program,contact: Marcela D’es [email protected], phone: 973-496-5635.Corporate Rates• Corporate discount rates (negotiated contract rates) are offered to small businesses who do not have a direct contracted rate with the individual car rental company. Corporate clients benefit from lower rates for bookings from Monday through Thursday. Most corporate rates have CD numbers that identify you as a TRAVELSAVERS affiliate. Please use them when making your reservation and when appropriate.• Association rates/government rates are also discounted.• Leisure rates vary seasonally. AVIS DOMESTIC BUDGET DOMESTIC• 10% commission in first year, 5% commission thereafter • 10% commission in first year, 5% commission thereafter • Large CORP Acct ( >$100K) • Large CORP Acct (>$100K)• Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD) already assigned • Budget Corporate Discount (BCD) already assigned • Small to Midsize CORP Acct ($<50K) • Small to Midsize CORP Acct ($<50K) • AWD assigned thru License to Sell • BCD assigned thru Budget Business Program (avis.com or avisagent.com) (budget.com or budget.com/agent) • Add’l driver waived • Add’l driver waived • Underage fee varies per contract • Unlimited Rewards (TA Loyalty Program) • Underage fee varies per contract • Avis Preferred (Customer Express Service) • Unlimited Rewards (TA Loyalty Program) • BudgetFastBreak (Customer Express Service)Please note all the above car companies offer unlimited mileage. Leisure Rates COMMISSION RATE CODE/LEISURE PROGRAM 10% AWD # T974600 AVIS DOMESTIC 16% CD # T974600 AVIS INTERNATIONAL 10% BCD # Y715800 BUDGET DOMESTIC 16% BCD # R534900 BUDGET INTERNATIONAL Volume 2 • 2017  13*AWD = Avis Worldwide Discount

Hotel NewsOffer your clients a savings of up to 30% with NH Collection with spacious rooms warm and inviting, hardwood floors, highHotels for bookings through December 31, 2017 and for stays ceilings, natural light, and onsite amenities which include a fitnessthrough March 31, 2018* center and traditional Mediterranean restaurant. Found in the bohemian Las Letras district, attractions like Plaza Mayor and theNH Collection hotels worldwide include Amsterdam, Madrid, Brussels, Prado Museum are within walking distance.Buenos Aires or Mexico City. Terms & Conditions: *Valid for bookings through December 31, 2017, for stays throughNH Collection Amsterdam Doelen March 31, 2018. Cancellation policy varies per hotel, please check individual hotelAmsterdam, Netherlands — 232 USD average per night policy. Credit card guarantee is mandatory for all reservations. iPrefer members receiveThe city’s oldest and grandest hotel has played host to royalty and free Internet, room upgrade, priority early check-in, late check-out, and points for freelegendary guests for over three centuries. Adjacent to Rembrandt nights at these hotels.Square, it’s a short walk to the city’s notable museums, shoppingand iconic sights. The newly renovated rooms are classic yet Travel Agent Booking Information: For GDS reservationscontemporary, with cream, red and gold accents adding a luxurious use Chain Code PH or Master Chain Code PV and booktouch. Choose a canal-side room to gaze over the Amstel River, or using TRAVELSAVERS rate code TSA.take in charming city views. Wyndham Hotel Group is celebrating their award-winningNH Collection Madrid Abascal Wyndham Rewards program in a whole new way in 2017!Madrid, Spain — 112 USD average per night Effective immediately, you can book any of Wyndham Hotel Group’s iconic hotel brands — like Days Inn, Ramada and Wyndham – usingClassical décor meets modern luxury here, all with Spanish flair. The NEW Master Chain Code: WR. This replaces the former TR mastercity’s business district and cultural attractions are nearby, but it’s the chain code.tapas bars, boutiques and street markets of the Chamberi neighborhoodthat give a taste of real Madrid. After exploring, sip a cocktail from the Simply search WR in the GDS, and you’ll be able to select fromcalm oasis of the hotel’s outdoor terrace. nearly 8,000 hotels in 75 countries around the world. Brand specific chain codes (like DI for Days Inn) will remain active for each brand, butNH Collection Brussels Centre the new WR chain code will allow you to search across all of WHG’sBrussels, Belgium — 114 USD average per night powerhouse brands for the perfect hotel. Your travelers may just fall in love with Wingate by Wyndham when they thought they would onlyThe hotel may be newly refurbished and sleek, but chic period features stay at Ramada!like the Art Deco façade and original 1920s staircase set it apart. It’s ashort stroll to the city’s best shopping along Rue Neuve, as well as Plus, travelers will thank you when they see just how easy life is asGrand Place, Manneken Pis, and other major attractions. The 9th floor a Wyndham Rewards member. Named the #1 hotel rewards programterrace and buffet restaurant is the best place to take in stunning views by U.S. News & World Report and the most generous hotel rewardsof the city, and enjoy breakfast alfresco when the sun is shining. program by IdeaWorks, Wyndham Rewards program offers a flat, free night redemption rate - the first of its kind for a major loyalty program.NH Collection Santa Fe Redeem a free night at any hotel across the globe, with no blackoutMexico City, Mexico — 117 USD average per night dates. No tricks, just Wyndham Rewards magic.Ultra-modern, with outstanding views over the sprawling city, the Travel Agent Booking Information: For GDS reservationsperfect home base for a business or leisure stop. Its unbeatable use WHG Master Chain Code WR and book usinglocation in the business district also offers close proximity to one of the TRAVELSAVERS rate code TSA.city’s premier gastronomic areas and Centro Santa Fe, Latin America’slargest mall. For a peaceful respite from the lively city, Desierto de losLeones National Park, is a thirty minute drive away.NH Collection Madrid Palacio de TepaMadrid, Spain — 190 USD average per nightA renovated, historic 19th century palace in the heart of the capital14  Volume 2 • 2017

Hotel NewsCrowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts SHERATON GRAND — London Park Lane, Piccadilly“The right spot for business travelers is Sheraton Grand London Park Lane, a celebrated Art Deco hotelIHG’s Crowne Plaza® hotels.” in the heart of London Mayfair.Your clients deserve a business hotel. The ideal stay for your business Having originally opened in 1927, the 303-room Sheraton Grandtravelers would feature things like free, fast Wi-Fi and a business center London Park has undergone a complete transformation of its guestwith secure wireless printing to keep them productive. It would also rooms and public spaces, combining the modern touches of a luxuryhave a fitness center to help them power up and quiet, modern rooms hotel with careful restoration to retain the original elegance and artwith Sleep Advantage® to help them relax and recharge. Better yet, all Deco glamour of this historic property.things would be packaged in an upscale, cost-effective hotel thatpeople would love. Fortunately, Crowne Plaza hotels are just like that. HOTEL AMENITIES • A ll rooms & suites are newly renovatedTravel Agent Booking Information: For GDS reservations • Complimentary high-speed Internet access throughoutuse Crowne Plaza Chain Code CP or IHG Master Chain • Sheraton Club Rooms, with exclusive access to the SheratonCode 6C and book using TRAVELSAVERS rate code TSA. Club Lounge • Smith & Whistle Bar, your Mayfair local • Italian Restaurant, Mercante, Heart of the Marketplace • S heraton Fitness Travel Agent Booking Information: For GDS reservations use Sheraton Chain Code SI and book using TRAVELSAVERS rate code TSA. Bookings must be made using the TRAVELSAVERS TSA rate access code.NEW YORK TIMES SQUARE HOTEL TSAEffortless Travel in NYCEffortless travel awaits your clients’ visits to New York City at And, it’s so easy to do.Sheraton’s Times Square hotel, located just steps from the To book the TSA rate access code on thetheater district, walking distance to Central Park and moments GDS, simply add 3 letters (TSA) to yourfrom the iconic sights, unrivaled energy, and vibrant culture ofMidtown Manhattan. GDS hotel reservation format. RESERVE A TRADITIONAL ROOM AND YOUR CLIENTS GDS RESERVATION FORMATS:RECEIVE: 20% off food and beverage and complimentaryupgrade to a Superior Room.* Worldspan: HLNYC25MAR30MAR2/PC-TSA*Valid through 12/31/17. Excludes alcohol and room upgrade is one category.Upgrade based on availability. 811 7th Ave, New York, NY 10019 Sabre: HOTATL‡TSA/1SEP-3SEP2Travel Agent Booking Information: For GDS reservationsuse Sheraton Chain Code SI and book using TRAVELSAVERS Apollo & Galileo:rate code TSA. Bookings must be made using the HOA1SEP-4SEPATL2/¤TSATRAVELSAVERS TSA rate access code. Amadeus: HADCA20JUL-21JUL/SR-TSA Volume 2 • 2017  15





71 Audrey AvenueOyster Bay, NY 11771 COgtNwloiTnFbAsoaaClrelTsen@ fTetfreWtawvceItolNisvra kveTeinrOsg.Dc,oAmY!