Consultant’s Corner 2011.pdfToday more than 85% of our client base is utilizing the Concur online booking tool either directly from Concur, ADP with the expense product or from TravelFocus

As I write this month’s column, I have just returned from Salt Lake City - skiing at Solitude with family and friends and on my way to Miami for our global partnership meeting of TSI. If you have the chance, I highly recommend Solitude - great runs and no lines even during spring break. Also, you must try the Silver Fork Lodge for breakfast or dinner.

This month I wanted to highlight a team of folks that are always there but you may not hear about them until you need them, our online support team. These are the folks that support every facet of the online booking tools - Concur (formerly Cliqbook), GetThere and RESX.

Today more than 85% of our client base is utilizing the Concur online booking tool either directly from Concur, ADP with the expense product or from TravelFocus. We are a Premier preferred partner with Concur and one of the first agencies to do fulfillment for them when they were known as Outask.

Our team of online support specialists are available M-F 7am to 6pm CST and can be reached via email at [email protected] or prompt number 4 on your dedicated phone line.

Our team captain is Jenni Marshall, Manger of Implementations & Online Support. The support team consists of Freddie George, Sr. Support Specialist, Tom Sonnier, Support Specialist and Debbie Jansema, Support Specialist.

Freddie GeorgeHe brings over 15 years of travel agency experience and technical expertise to the online support team. He is a father of two and holds a Bachelors Degree in Business Management and a Masters degree in Information Systems (MIS), both from University of Texas in Dallas. His personal interests include mentoring young people and encouraging them to reach their potentials. Each year he takes his vacation and additional personal time to spend in India to further his personal interests on behalf of his church. He handles all facets of support from building and configuring new sites to custom solutions to solve clients needs. He also conducts monthly training sessions for new users- check your portal for scheduled times. His passion and customer service allow him to make the online experience a pleasant one no matter what the issue may be.

n e w s l e t t e rfocus

- Consultant’s Corner...- Rising Oil Prices Prompt Airline Capacity Cuts, Fare Hikes...- Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport receives approval...- Portraits of Southern France Getaway ...- Hertz signs deal to rent electric cars in Europe...- Ooh la la! Top 10 fashion hotels...- United (Continental) makes Stuttgart its fifth German destination....- Avoid Jet Lag with our Top 10 Tips...- TSA orders re-test of radiation levels on airport body scanners...

Contents:

April 2011 Newsletter

Consultant’s Corner

David Gorecki Chief Operating Officer

INfocusfocus

Tom Sonnier Tom has over 17 years experience in the travel industry specializing in corporate travel with some leisure experience sprinkled in too. He is born and bred in Texas. He is a devoted father of a teenage son that he adores. He has a lot of varied interests from playing golf, camping and Texas Hold’em. He also says that he holds a Masters in useless information better known as Trivia. Tom is that friendly cool, calm and collected voice you hear when you call for support that reassures you that everything is okay and we just need a minor tweak to fix the problem.

Debbie JansemaDebbie has over 20 years in the travel industry in a variety of positions with most of it related to ticketing and online booking tools.

She is born and raised in sunny Southern California and of course loves the beach as well as biking and camping. She and her husband have a daughter and love to go on road trips as a family. This is where her love for travel began by taking drives and seeing what new places they could discover. Debbie is that friendly voice on the phone late in the day since she is based on the west coast. If you do talk to her late in the day, ask her about the sunset as she loves them.

As you can see, we have a very talented team waiting to support you for any of your needs related to online booking tools and their setup.

Next month, we will introduce you to some more of our consultants on our team Chicago.

Safe Travels!

Dtg

David GoreckiChief Operating OfficerTravelFocus


Continued Consultant’s Corner

American Airlines, United-Continental Airlines and Frontier Airlines this month revised downward their 2011 capacity growth plans as crude oil traded above $100 per barrel. The carriers follow Delta Air Lines, which in early February was the first major U.S. airline to curtail 2011 growth plans. Analysts expect further cuts unless fuel costs abate.

Meanwhile, the recent run-up in crude oil prices has helped airlines make the case for higher fares. J.P. Morgan analyst Jamie Baker in a research note this week, for example, wrote that Southwest Airlines this past weekend “pushed the entirety of its domestic fare structure higher by $5 one-way, marking its fifth broad-based increase since early December.”

Citing “the recent increase in fuel prices,” United Continental Holdings this week announced plans to reduce frequencies postpone flight launches “to certain markets” and cut unprofitable flying, culminating in year-over-year capacity declines of 1 percent for its summer schedule and 4 percent for its fall schedule. The company expects full-year 2011 capacity to be flat, compared with previously expected growth of up to 2 percent, with domestic capacity down as much as 2.5 percent this year and international capacity up by no more than 3.5 percent.

American Airlines indicated that consolidated capacity would be “1 percent lower than the previously communicated 2011 levels,” according to a presentation last week by vice president of corporate development and treasurer Beverly Goulet at a J.P. Morgan investment conference. American previously had anticipated consolidated capacity this year would be up 4 percent.

After previously planning growth of 1.5 percent to 2.5 percent for the second quarter, Frontier this week announced second-quarter capacity would be flat year over year “due to the uncertainty of future oil prices.”Recent capacity moves should help airlines maintain pricing power and support “efforts to maximize

profitability amid higher fuel prices,” according to a research note issued this week by Morgan Stanley aviation analyst William Greene.

“Managements are responding to higher fuel by pulling the capacity lever,” wrote UBS aviation analyst Kevin Crissey this week in a research note. “We expect more cuts to come should fuel prices remain high.”

Delta was first to pull the lever. President Ed Bastian in February claimed the carrier’s quarterly capacity already had been reduced by 2 percentage points, though he attributed some supply reductions to winter weather complications.

INfocusfocusApril 2011 Newsletter

Rising Oil Prices Prompt Airline Capacity Cuts, Fare Hikes

“My expectation is, you will see us take more capacity out on a full-year basis,” Bastian said during a Raymond James conference, adding that he expected full-year capacity to increase at the low end of Delta’s 1 percent to 3 percent growth plan.

Though US Airways has yet to join its largest competitors in adjusting capacity, CFO Derek Kerr during the carrier’s fourth-quarter earnings call in late January noted that “as we move into the fall schedule, we would much more likely reduce capacity.” US Airways expects 2011 mainline capacity to grow 2 percent from last year.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil has hovered above $100 a barrel this month and today traded above $105 on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

INfocusfocus

Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport receives approval to begin Charter Flights to Cuba

The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) received approval from the Department of Homeland Security, U. S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to provide passenger air service between Chicago and Cuba at O’Hare International Airport.

The CBP has determined that O’Hare is suitable to accommodate flights traveling between the U.S. and Cuba and should be added to the authorized list of airports.

“We are pleased to receive approval from CBP to offer charter service to Cuba,” said Commissioner Rosemarie S. Andolino. “We continue to aggressively pursue new service offerings to Chicago’s market, attracting new business and the potential for additional passengers and visitors to our city.”

While the CDA welcomes service to Cuba, an airline would have to express interest and ability to provide a charter flight service.

According to CBP, eight airports have been given permission to schedule charter flights to and from Cuba including Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and international airports in Baltimore, Dallas/Fort Worth, New Orleans, Pittsburgh, Tampa, Atlanta and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Previously, flights had only been permitted from Los Angeles, Miami and New York.For additional information on this announcement or U.S. Customs and Border Protection, please visit www.cbp.gov.


Continued Rising Oil Prices Prompt Airline Capacity Cuts, Fare Hikes


Hi Everyone,

Here is a golden opportunity that you will not be able to resist.

I have held group space on Celebrity Cruise’s Equinox, launched in 2009. It is a 10 night cruise of the eastern Mediterranean. Check with your friends and family members who might also be looking for an exciting getaway to join you on October 10, 2011.

The ship sails round trip from Rome. On the right is the itinerary.I have held 4 category 08 ocean view cabins and 20 category 2B balcony cabins (all double occupancy). They do have concierge class cabins that must be booked separately and moved into the group. That rate begins at $1940.00 per person plus the port charges and taxes.

The deposit is $450.00 per person. Early deposit will guarantee the best available location of the cabin.

The rates are cruise only. It is too early to check for the air prices. If you are lucky enough to have air miles perhaps that is a great way to get to Europe again. Usually you can book those 330 days in advance. You might want to check with any airline that you have mileage with to see when you can book the trip.

It is exciting to see a new part of the world. Also, if you have not been to Rome before, it would be a perfect place to spend a few nights before or after the cruise.

My information is below. Please call me even if you are unable to cruise. I would love to hear from you.

Elaine WalshWork: (972)331-4249Home: (972)[email protected]

Greek Isle Cruise - 10 Nights

Oct. 10, 2011 Rome:Departs at 5P.M.

Oct. 11, 2011 Sicily:Arrive at 10A.M., Depart at 7P.M.

Oct 12, 2011: At Sea

Oct 13, 2011 Athens: Arrive at 7A.M., Depart at 6P.M.

Oct. 14, 2011 Ephesus:Arrive at 7A.M., Depart at 6P.M.

Oct. 15, 2011 Mykonos: Arrive at 7A.M., Depart at 6P.M.

Oct. 16, 2011 Rhodes:Arrive at 8A.M., Depart at 6P.M.

Oct. 17, 2011 Santorini:Arrive at 7A.M., Depart at 6P.M.

Oct. 18, 2011:At Sea

Oct. 19, 2011 Naples/Capri:Arrive at 7A.M., Depart at 6:30P.M.

Oct. 20, 2011 Rome:Arrive at 4:30A.M.

TravelFocus - 8111 LBJ Freeway Suite:900, Dallas, TX 75251

ITINERARY - October 10, 2011

Rates: Category 2B with Balcony beginning at $1720 per person (194sq. ft.)

Category 08 ocean view beginning at $1590 per person (175sq. ft.)

To the above rates you add: Port Charge: $259Govt. Fees and Taxes: $72.05

Ooh la la! Top 10 fashion hotels Where the stylish stay, from New York to London to Milan to Paris

The clothes, the glamour, the shows are all heavily covered in the media, but where does a fashionista stay when visiting New York, London, Milan and Paris for fashion week? Boutique hotel collection Mr. & Mrs. Smith (www.mrandmrssmith.com) rounds up 10 of the most style-sussed stays in the world’s fashion capitals:

• Paris — Hotel Keppler • Paris — Murano Resort Paris• London — Shoreditch Rooms • London — The Connaught• London — Sanderson • Milan — Maison Moschino• Milan — The Gray • Milan — Hotel Straf• New York — The Standard NY • New York — Crosby Street Hotel


Hertz signs deal to rent electric cars in EuropeCar rental company Hertz Corp. signed a letter of intent to add Renault’s electric vehicles to its European fleet.

The agreement is part of Hertz’s Global Electric Vehicle Program, which launched in December and introduces more zero-emission electric vehicles to its fleet. Hertz has said it would add 500 of Nissan’s Leaf electric car plus other electric and hybrid vehicles from General Motors Co., Toyota and Mitsubishi to its fleet. And it plans to offer the electric version of the tiny fortwo, made by the Smart division of German automaker Daimler AG.

The new Renault vehicles will be used by Hertz and car-sharing club Connect across Europe. Hertz will rent Renault’s electric Twizy, ZOE, Fluence Z.E. and Kangoo Z.E. models. Hertz is the world’s largest general-use airport car-rental company.

Most travelers try to make the most of their limited time overseas, yet fail to take into account the leap in time zones they make in a matter of hours. It can take your body’s internal clock several days to catch up to that leap, and in the meantime you’re likely to experience the disruption of your sleeping and waking cycle known as jet lag. Symptoms of jet lag include sleepiness during the day, insomnia at night, poor concentration, confusion, and hunger at inappropriate times or lack of appetite, and general malaise and irritability. Here are our top tips to fight jet lag.

1. Adjust your internal clock. Several days (at least four) before departure, gradually shift your sleeping and eating times to coincide with those at your destination. Once you arrive, adopt the local time for your daily routine.


United (Continental) makes Stuttgart its fifth German destination

Beginning June 9, United Continental subsidiary Continental will add nonstop service to Stuttgart, Germany, from its Newark Liberty hub. The carrier will fly one daily round-trip flight on Boeing 757-200 aircraft with 16 in seats Business First and 159 in coach.

Stuttgart will be the fifth German destination for Continental and merger partner United, which are in the process of moving to a single brand under the United name.

In a press release, Continental says “the new United is the leading U.S. carrier to Germany in terms of both seat capacity and number of flights. Continental already serves Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Munich from New York/Newark and Frankfurt from its Houston

hub, while United serves Frankfurt from its Chicago, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. hubs and Munich from Chicago and Washington, D.C.”

“We are excited about expanding our German route network further, and we are confident that it will be a success, even in this fuel environment, as we are providing the only non-stop link between New York and Stuttgart,” John Slater, United’s Vice President of Sales - Americas, says in the release. “This new service, supported by our trans-Atlantic joint venture partners Lufthansa and Air Canada, will give customers more flight options on both sides of the Atlantic.”

Continental says the Stuttgart flights will be timed to connect via Stuttgart “to key Star Alliance partner markets such as Vienna, Austria, and Hanover, Germany.”

Avoid Jet Lag with our Top 10 Tips


Continued Avoid Jet Lag with our Top 10 Tips2. Opt for overnight flights. You’ll have dinner at a normal time and be much more likely to sleep than on an afternoon flight. Depending on the length of the flight and the number of time zones you cross, you’ll arrive at your destination in the morning or afternoon. This is the best way to replicate your normal schedule, and it’ll be easier for you to reset your clock.

3. Curtail coffee. For 12 hours before, as well as during, your flight, avoid overeating and caffeine. Although caffeine can help keep you awake longer, it makes you wake up more often once you do fall asleep and so reduces total sleep time.

4. Stay hydrated. Drink at least 8 ounces of water for every hour you’re in the air—even if you don’t feel thirsty. If you wear contact lenses, clean them thoroughly before your flight, use eye drops in the air, and consider removing your lenses if you nap. In your carry-on pack a bottle of moisturizing lotion, lip balm, and a hydrating spray with essential oils (not just water) to spritz your face with occasionally. Just be sure all toiletries are TSA compliant.

5. Avoid or limit alcohol inflight. Cabin air dehydrates passengers, and altitude changes can quicken the effects of alcohol (the rule of thumb is one drink in the air is the same as two or three on the ground). A cocktail may relax you, but it’s also apt to dry you out, and even worsen symptoms of jet lag.

6. Try to sleep on the plane. This is especially important when you’re traveling overnight or flying west to east. Travel is extremely tiring, and the more rest your body gets en route the more prepared you’ll be to deal with the stresses of jet lag. If you’re taking a very long flight—United States to Asia, for example—consider saving up enough dollars or frequent-flier miles to fly business or first class, as it’s a lot easier to sleep when your seat reclines all the way back. If you can’t avoid coach, opt for a window seat and bring enough padding (pillows or something that can act as such) to prop yourself up against the wall.

7. Use sleeping pills wisely. A pill with a short cycle may be helpful on overnight flights. Make sure, however, that you time the dosage correctly or you may be very groggy when you land. Also, an airplane is not the place to try out a pill for the first time, so only take medications you are already familiar with.

8. See if melatonin is for you. Consider taking the nonprescription drug melatonin. Research suggests that the body uses this hormone to set its time clock. Because melatonin seems to control when we go to sleep and when we wake up, a


Continued Avoid Jet Lag with our Top 10 Tips

number of scientists advocate supplements to alleviate jet lag. Some (but not all) studies suggest that taking 3 milligrams of fast-release melatonin prior to bedtime for several days after arrival in a new time zone can ease the transition.

9. Get outside. After arrival, spend a lot of time out in the sunlight, which will help your body reset its natural time clock to coincide with your new surroundings.

10. Don’t drift off too early. Unless you arrive at your destination at night, and reasonably close to a normal bedtime, don’t go to sleep as soon as you reach your hotel. Unless you’re used to taking regular short naps at home, you’re better off staying up until bedtime: If you’re really exhausted from travel, a 20-minute nap could easily become a three-hour nap, which will disrupt your sleep schedule even more—you might find yourself wide awake at 4 AM.

TSA orders re-test of radiation levels on airport body scanners

The Transportation Security Administration on Friday ordered re-testing of all radiation-emitting full-body scanners after an internal review showed calculation errors, missing data and other discrepancies on paperwork by contractors who routinely check the machines’ radiation levels.

As recently as Wednesday, the agency vouched for the safety of the machines, with Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano telling a Senate committee that independent studies concluded the machines are “more than safe.”

“The amount of radiation is approximately (the same as that received) as two minutes in the air,” Napolitano said.

The TSA reiterated that position Friday, characterizing problems as “record-keeping errors.” But Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said the TSA found problems with more than one-quarter of the reports it reviewed, “including gross errors about radiation emissions.”

“That is completely unacceptable when it comes to monitoring radiation,” Collins said. “If TSA contractors reporting on the radiation levels have done such a poor job, how can airline passengers and crew have confidence in the data used by the TSA to reassure the public?”

Janet Napolitano - Homeland Security Secretary


Continued TSA orders re-test of radiation levels on airport body scanners

The TSA said all “backscatter” full body scanners will be re-tested by the end of March, the TSA said. It will also require contractors to re-train machine testers, while increasing TSA oversight over the tests.

Further, the TSA said it would ask the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to update its 2008 report.

The announcements came as the TSA, responding to public pressure, posted raw data about radiation tests on its website. The agency also promised to post all future radiation checks on the web site for public review.

The TSA said its internal review looked at randomly selected reports generated over the last two years at 15 airports. The tests are conducted by manufacturers and contractors.

“These reports confirm that each piece of technology reviewed meets all national safety standards,” the TSA said. But, the TSA said, the reports contained “inaccuracies.” Those inaccuracies included “calculation errors not impacting safety,” no reading of background radiation levels, and missing “non-measurement related information.”

TSA spokesman Nicholas Kimball said Friday that numerous independent tests have confirmed that body scanners are safe, “but these record-keeping errors are not acceptable.”

“We’re taking a number of steps to ensure the mistakes aren’t repeated and the public will be able to see for themselves by reviewing all future reports online,” Kimball said.

Marc Rotenberg, president of a privacy rights group and a critic of the full-body scanners, said the latest development is “more evidence” that the TSA should suspend use of the machines.

A House government oversight subcommittee will hold a hearing on TSA oversight of the full-body scanners on March 16th.

Documents

Consultant’s Corner 2011.pdfToday more than 85% of our client base is utilizing the Concur online booking tool either directly from Concur, ADP with the expense product or from TravelFocus