“American Express Business Travel's Hotel Rate Trax is Awarded Patent - StreetInsider.com” plus 4 more

American Express Business Travel's Hotel Rate Trax is Awarded Patent - StreetInsider.com
Tours4Fun Announces "Best of Summer" Travel Photo Contest Los Angeles ... - PR Inside
Introducing JetBlue's All-You-Can-Jet Pass! One Month of Unlimited ... - StreetInsider.com
Tours4Fun Announces "Best of Summer" Travel Photo Contest - Market Wire
NASA Tries To Make Travel Affordable - Click2Houston.com

American Express Business Travel's Hotel Rate Trax is Awarded Patent - StreetInsider.com

Posted: 12 Aug 2009 08:17 AM PDT

August 12, 2009 11:22 AM EDT

Identifies Discrepancies Between Negotiated Corporate Discounts and GDS-Loaded Hotel Rates

Ticket TRAX Also Awarded Patent

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- American Express Business Travel today announced it has been awarded a patent on Hotel Rate TRAX solidifying the company's exclusive rights to use the automated auditing tool. Launched in 2004, Hotel Rate TRAX compares a company's negotiated hotel rates with those listed in the Global Distribution System (GDS) to identify discrepancies and capture potential lost savings due to inaccurately loaded rates.

According to American Express Business Travel, companies that do not have a thorough rate auditing tool can lose an average of seven dollars on each room night, which can add up quickly. Additionally, it is estimated that nearly 35 percent of hotel rates are loaded incorrectly into the GDS.

"With hotel spend on the chopping block, this innovation brings greater transparency to corporate negotiated rates and helps our clients get the most out of their hotel programs," said Lisa Durocher, Senior Vice President, Global Marketing, American Express Business Travel. "The patent enables us to offer this already popular solution exclusively to our clients in order to avoid inconvenient and costly rate loading inconsistencies."

Hotel Rate TRAX completes an audit of each program highlighting any differences between the negotiated rate and the actual rate found in the GDSs. Hotel Rate TRAX allows companies to share the data with hotels, which are then able to make any necessary corrections and address pricing inconsistencies.

"The hotel rate audit is a critical piece of the sourcing process," said Jeff Lawrence, U.S. Travel Manager, Cummins Business Services. "Hotel Rate TRAX creates consistency between the rate travelers expect to see when booking and the rate they actually pay. The rate audit closes that loop and also identifies opportunities for travel managers to pursue reductions or refunds from hotels that don't load rates timely or correctly."

In addition to Hotel Rate TRAX, the Company also announced it has been awarded a patent for its automated Ticket TRAX tool. Ticket TRAX applies a company's refundable tickets procured within the previous 60 days to eligible trips and notifies travelers and travel managers of outstanding tickets that are eligible for name changes within the parameters of a company's contracts. This solution reduces unused ticket liability while making it possible for all travel dollars to be captured.

"Ticket TRAX allows us greater traveler flexibility while minimizing the liability of unused tickets on the back end," said Tamara Gordon, Global Travel and Meetings Manager, UnitedHealth Group. "Ticket TRAX continues to add value to our corporate travel program. Since the beginning of the year, the company has saved more than $700,000 as a result of Ticket TRAX."

About American Express Business Travel

American Express Business Travel (www.americanexpress.com/businesstravel), a division of American Express Company, is committed to helping its clients maximize the greatest return on their travel investment through increased cost savings, world-class customer service and greater spending control. Ranging from small businesses to multinational corporations, American Express Business Travel provides a combination of industry-leading technology, travel management consulting, strategic sourcing and supplier negotiation support, alongside global customer service available online and offline. The Company also provides a dynamic online community (www.BusinessTravelConneXion.com) harnessing the collective intelligence of those in the business travel industry offering a variety of perspectives, best practices, current research and industry news.

American Express operates one of the world's largest travel agency networks with locations in over 140 countries worldwide. Total travel sales volume in 2008 was $29.1 billion, including proprietary volume, volume processed through joint ventures, and American Express branded volume processed through its partner network.

American Express Company (www.americanexpress.com) is a leading global payments, network and travel company founded in 1850.

 Source: American Express

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Tours4Fun Announces "Best of Summer" Travel Photo Contest Los Angeles ... - PR Inside

Posted: 12 Aug 2009 08:31 AM PDT

2009-08-12 17:31:09 -

ARCADIA, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 08/12/09 -- Los Angeles-based Tours4Fun announced that beginning today they will be taking entries for their "Best of Summer" :

travel photo contest. Photos must be originals and of landscapes, not people, and prizes include a shopping tour of Niagara Falls, a Washington, DC tour, or Grand Canyon helicopter or airplane highlights tours. The entry period begins today and voting will start on September 1st. Winners will be announced in October.

The contest is being promoted as an opportunity for travelers and tourists to submit their best photographs and share their unique views of the wonders they have seen. It is hoped that sharing these photos will not only benefit the winners but offer a chance for all to see locations they may not have visited before.

Tours4Fun is an industry leader in travel that specializes in tour packages to North American and European cities, landmarks, and national parks. Last month they introduced their "Circle Line" European tour packages : of Western, Central and Eastern Europe. Tours4Fun also offers affordable tour packages to Asia, Australia, Africa, South America and the Middle East.

The "Best of Summer" travel photo contest : is the latest in a series of incentive contests that have been offered by Tours4Fun. In order to be eligible, contestants must register and each vote will be credited to a specific email address. Only three votes per email will be allowed. The deadline for final votes to be cast will be September 30th.

"By offering North American tour packages as prizes we hope to spark a renewed interest in travel within the United States," said Maggie Lang, Co-Founder and Product Development, Tours4Fun, Webeez, Inc. "The Department of the Interior has done their part by offering fee-free admission weekends : to our national parks this summer. This is our way to keep the ball rolling into the Fall."

North American numbers are already rising with increased admissions at the Grand Canyon : , Yellowstone : , Yosemite, and the American side of Niagara Falls : . Travel to Washington, DC, San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York is also up with many Americans choosing not to stay home for vacation this year. This contest should help to keep those numbers rising.

About Tours4Fun

Tours4Fun, founded in 2006, is a thriving online travel supplier, dedicated to providing the finest online purchasing experience for all your travel needs. Tours4Fun strives to be the ultimate online travel superstore with the widest selection and best prices. www.tours4fun.com :

Add to Digg : Bookmark with del.icio.us : Add to Newsvine :

Contact:
Tia Jones
323-702-7726
Email Contact :

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Introducing JetBlue's All-You-Can-Jet Pass! One Month of Unlimited ... - StreetInsider.com

Posted: 12 Aug 2009 08:53 AM PDT

August 12, 2009 12:00 PM EDT

NEW YORK, Aug. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- What would you do with an All-You-Can-Jet pass on JetBlue Airways (Nasdaq: JBLU)? Today through August 21*, customers can purchase an unlimited travel pass for only $599(a), which will allow them to visit any of the airline's 56 international and domestic destinations as often as they like between September 8 and October 8, 2009. Pass holders will have access to every available seat on every flight with no blackout dates, and can book travel up to three days prior to departure through October 5(a). Thirty-five TrueBlue points from the airline's customer loyalty program will also be awarded with the purchase of an All-You-Can-Jet pass.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090217/NY71475LOGO-b )

"The All-You-Can-Jet pass gives jetsetters access to a bigwig lifestyle, with 56 destinations and more than 150 jets available at a moment's notice," said Robin Hayes, executive vice president and chief commercial officer for JetBlue Airways. "Get extra face time with an important client; become a groupie for your favorite band; grab a ticket to the away games; extend summer with some extra rays in the Caribbean; take a spontaneous trip to see the extended family; or grab some genuine jambalaya or clam chowder. You can do it all as often as you like in a month without emptying your pockets. It's our answer to the ultimate road trip."

Customers who purchase a pass can book new travel or make changes or cancellations to previous pass reservations without penalty up to three days before departure. All travel using the All-You-Can-Jet pass must be booked between Aug. 12 and Oct. 5(a). Changes or cancellations made less than three days before departure will be subject to JetBlue's $100 change/cancel fee. All pass purchases can be made by calling 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583). Customers must be TrueBlue members to take advantage of the pass. For more information about TrueBlue, or to register to become a member, visit www.jetblue.com/trueblue.

All-You-Can-Jet pass holders can book flights by calling 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583) and providing reservations crewmembers with their pass holder number, which they will receive after purchasing the pass. The pass is inclusive of taxes and fees for all domestic flights. Additional taxes and fees for Puerto Rico and international flights are not included. Customers can upgrade to Even More Legroom seats on each flight for an additional $10, $25 or $40, depending on the flight length. Other terms and conditions apply(a). Additional information is available at http://www.jetblue.com/deals/all-you-can-jet/tc.pdf.

About JetBlue Airways

New York-based JetBlue Airways has created a new airline category based on value, service and style. In 2009, the carrier ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Low-Cost Carriers in North America" by J.D. Power and Associates, a customer satisfaction recognition received for the fifth year in a row.

Known for its sincere, personal service and free TV as much as its low fares, JetBlue is now pleased to offer customers Lots of Legroom and super-spacious Even More Legroom seats. JetBlue introduced complimentary in-flight e-mail and instant messaging services on aircraft "BetaBlue," a first among U.S. domestic airlines. JetBlue is also America's first and only airline to offer its own Customer Bill of Rights, with meaningful and specific compensation for customers inconvenienced by service disruptions within JetBlue's control. Visit www.jetblue.com/promise for details. JetBlue currently serves 56 cities with 650 daily flights. New service to Baltimore begins on September 9. The airline also intends to commence service to Barbados (October 1); Saint Lucia (October 26); and Kingston, Jamaica (October 30). With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all travel is ticketless, all fares are one-way, and an overnight stay is never required. For information or reservations call 1-800-JET-BLUE (1-800-538-2583), TTY/TDD 1-800-336-5530 or visit www.jetblue.com.

*While supplies last

(a) Offer ends 8/21/09, or earlier at JetBlue's discretion. Pass includes unlimited coach class air travel for one person on JetBlue-operated flights between any cities in the JetBlue route network. Valid for travel between 9/8/09 and 10/8/09. Each flight must be booked no later than 11:59pm MDT 3 days prior to the flight's scheduled departure. Changes or cancellations of flight bookings made after 11:59pm MDT 3 days prior to the flight's scheduled departure will incur a $100 change/cancel fee. "No shows" for flights will incur a $100 fee, with Pass suspension until fee is paid. Passes may be used only to book new travel and may not be applied to existing reservations. Travel is subject to availability and seats may not be available on all flights. Passes may not be used for code share or interline flights, Getaways packages, Cruises, Gift Cards, or other products and services. Pass does not include taxes and fees applicable to international or Puerto Rico travel, including without limitation (a) Passenger Facility Charges of up to $9.00 each way, (b) September 11th Security Fees of up to $2.50 per enplanement at a U.S. originating airport, (c) Federal Segment Taxes of $3.60 per domestic segment (a segment is a takeoff and landing), (d) in the case of international travel, government fees and taxes of up to $127.60 each way, and (e) in the case of Puerto Rico travel, a US Departure Tax of $16.10 each way. All taxes and fees must be paid at the time of travel booking. Passes are non-refundable. Passes and Pass travel are non-transferrable. A second bag fee of $30 applies. Other restrictions apply; see Terms and Conditions at http://www.jetblue.com/deals/all-you-can-jet/tc.pdf for complete details.

SOURCE JetBlue Airways