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NEWS YOU CAN USE!
January 2012
Ask the Editor? Have a travel question? Send your questions to us and we’ll report back to you next
month, please send your question to: AsktheEditor@HobsonTravel.com
Question: With the Continental/United merger how do I insure I don’t miss any frequent flier points?
Answer: The two programs are merging & new United Mileage Plus numbers & cards will be issued in
March & April. When you receive your new number, please visit our website & update your profile
ASAP.
Next month your management reports will look a little different as we are
rolling out a new reporting program. We are anxious for your feedback!
Air Travel News
….. More about American Airlines: They filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in
November & recently announced flight changes, including the cancellation of Chicago O’Hare to
New Delhi, India service. The last flight to leave Chicago for India will be Feb 28, 2012, while
the last return flight from India to Chicago will be March 1, 2012. AA & LAN Ecuador have
announced a codeshare agreement, with AA’s code appearing on LAN’s flights from New York
JFK to Guayaquil & on LAN routes from Miami to Guayaquil & to Quito.
….. United has launched a new web site called UnitedHub to keep customers informed about
the latest steps being taken in its merger with Continental. The site includes an FAQ area, along
with updates on the airlines’ frequent flyer programs, news on mobile & digital services for
passengers, updates on aircraft changes & a report on how the company’s main website and the
airport experience will change as the two carriers are brought together. Learn more here.
….. As the AirTran/Southwest merger moves forward, look for changes to service
configurations once the required government operating certificate is issued---estimated to happen
the first quarter of 2012. According to the merger website FAQ’s, there have been no changes to
the Customer Experience so far, but they point out that “Southwest does not assign seats.
AirTran offers assigned seats. Southwest has one class of service and AirTran offers two classes
of seating. Upon full integration, it is our intent to have a consistent product with open seating
and a single class of service.” On the upside, bags will fly free.
….. The European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) was effective January 1, and
it’s already impacting fares to/from anywhere within EU countries. What’s ETS? On January 1,
airlines flying EU routes became financially liable for carbon dioxide emissions above capped
allocations specified in the ETS law, in spite of strong objections filed by 43 countries that called
the ETS a breach of international law. Some US airlines; United-Continental, Delta and US
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2. Airways have added $3 each-way surcharges on affected flights, without acknowledgement that
the increases are directly related to the ETS ruling. Other industries in the EU have been paying
to combat global climate change for some time. Now that airlines have been added to the mix,
there will be more news about what it all means to business travelers. Watch this space.
….. US Airways has followed its competitors creating first-class cabins for 110 of its regional
aircraft. The regional carriers with a new look are PSA Airlines, Mesa Airlines & Republic.
…..Though the phrase “airline food” generally evokes memories of days gone by, an annual
survey of several North American airlines reveals that what IS offered up there has become
somewhat healthier compared to last year. Using a zero to five scale, airlines rated as follows:
Air Canada and Virgin America, 4 stars; United and Continental, 3 and 1/4 stars; US Airways, 2
and 3/4 stars; American Airlines, 2 and 1/2 stars; Delta, 2 and 1/4 stars…and beyond that….we
suggest you bring your own food.
….. Add this to the annoyance of airline fees: co-pay for an upgrade or reward ticket. The
co-pay scheme is not new, but it is spreading. US Airways, for example is restructuring upgrades
rewards in its Dividend Miles program, and beginning in February, co-pays of $25 to $150 on
domestic flights. They also charge as much as $300 one way as a co-pay on its international
upgrades awards. In another twist, redeem your United miles for a free ticket 21 days or less
before departure, and you’ll pay a “close-in fee” of $75, unless you have elite status. If you want
to share your angst about this creeping trend, join the crowd at FrequentFlier.com
….. In case you haven’t noticed, airlines are stepping up surveillance on the size of that carry-
on you’re taking to the Jetway. When a flight is full & overhead space is at a premium, they’ll
tag it at the gate & put it into the hold with heavier larger bags. Consider packing valuables in a
smaller bag within your carry-on so you can grab it and keep it with you on the flight.
….. If you’re heading to Italy this month, expect strikes in the transportation sector.
Airlines and airport workers have been striking off and on since the first of this month, and
several other strikes will affect the transportation sector during the rest of January. Truck drivers
will be on strike between January 23 and 27, which may result in some shortages in stores. A 24-
hour nationwide strike affecting the aviation sector, trains and ferry services is scheduled to
begin at 9:00 pm local time on Thursday, January 26.
Other Travel News
Figure Fees Fast A travel distribution technology firm has introduced a new online
calculator that travelers can use to determine how much they’ll have to pay for checked baggage
– no matter what it is, or which airline it’s going on. Farelogix said the new web site can handle
calculations on everything “from oversized luggage to golf clubs and guitars.” The company said
the new calculator is updated every hour, so any changes in fee policies are quickly captured,
with data from more than 300 airlines worldwide. Check it out here
Federal Per Diem Hotel Rates and an App to Find Them For those who missed this news,
travelers who follow federal per diem guidelines can spend more on hotel rooms in a few major
cities this fiscal year. Chicago allowances increased the most--to $190 a night, a 10 percent
increase, while Washington DC increased seven percent to $226 a night. Other cities posted only
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3. modest increases. The US General Services Administration (GSA) has an app (available for
iPhones, BlackBerrys if you have BlackBerry App World installed, and Android devices) that
lets you look up Federal per diem rates by city/state and zip in locations throughout the US and
its territories. Look for more information here
More Handy Apps The list of traveler apps grows daily. Here are a few you might find useful:
My TSA Mobile lets you check general airport status for delays; research permitted and
prohibited items; share information with other travelers (security checkpoint wait times, etc.);
and more. Look for information here
Smart Traveler, a US State Department app available in the iTunes store, is currently
compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad (requires iOS 4.0 or later). The official State
Department app for U.S. travelers provides access to frequently updated official country
information, travel alerts, travel warnings, maps, U.S. embassy locations, and more. For more
information including compatibility with mobile devices, look here.
TripLingo is a foreign language app that promises to tailor your language-learning
experience to your immediate needs and includes doses of local slang. Find out more here.
Need A Vacation? Did you know Hobson Travel has a fully staffed department of award winning
destination specialists to help plan your next vacation? If you are looking for an all inclusive resort, a
cruise, or an exotic trip to Australia please call us or visit our website to learn more about how our great
team can help you plan your next getaway!
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ready to help pull off your next sales meeting, incentive trip or family reunion! To learn more about
how we can save you time & money, please call or visit our website.
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1273 S Naper Boulevard · Naperville, IL 60540 · 630-983-8000 · Fax 630-983-8375
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