As we make our way through such extraordinary economic times, we have noticed a few travel trends that may impact your bottom line. In a previous newsletter, our travel management tip focused on companies reviewing or revising travel policies to reflect the current environment. Well, survey said: 47% of the responses claimed their company made revisions. Interestingly, we typically see about 10% actually revise policies on a regular basis. We have noticed companies paying much closer attention to their unused tickets. Today, travelers are much more willing to re-use their tickets and go through the extra step while saving a lot of money for the company. Lastly, organizations involved with Humanitarian efforts are also much more willing to utilize “Humanitarian Fares” than everyday published fares. The reduction in cost can far out-weigh any potential restrictions on the ticket.

These times have forced all of us to scrutinize our expenses and travel is truly a controllable expense. Let us help your travel program with additional cost control strategies.

Thank you for your business.

Jay Ellenby
President/CEO

Traveling internationally this year? There are new regulations and often changes, are you familiar with the requirements for the countries you plan to visit? VISA and Passport requirements are varied and all travelers need to be familiar with them; here are some helpful reminders as you are planning that next trip:

 Travel documents all need to match in Name and Date-of-Birth
 The passport must be valid for 6 months beyond your return date
 VISAS are required for many countries and the process varies by country
 VISA regulations and fees mirror those set by the US Government; how the US regulates other countries’ citizens coming to the US, the other countries reciprocate in regulations & fees
 A passport must have two blank adjoining pages for any VISA and they can not be the last two pages
 Apply for the correct type of VISA – Business vs. Visitor; if you have the incorrect type it can be very costly

Also, we recently learned that anyone visiting China beginning in September may find additional restrictions and VISA requirements. October represents the 60th anniversary of the current Chinese form of government. They may impose additional restrictions and require a new VISA for some who wish to visit this fall. If you currently hold a VISA to visit China and have plans to travel there later this year, as your travel date gets closer please check with the Chinese Consulate to determine the status of your VISA.

In our continuing effort to provide travel programs suited to the needs of any Humanitarian efforts we here at Safe Harbors Travel Group have been working with various air carriers around the world to bring you better fare savings.

We have had Humanitarian air fare programs to South Africa and East Asia. Now with our newest partners we are able to offer large savings on economy class travel to:

 South America on TAM Brazilian Airlines to:
Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraquay
 Eastern Africa provided by Ethiopian Airlines
 The Middle East via Etihad Airways

These programs offer significant savings off of retail air fares. One key feature on our program to South America is the offer to obtain economy or business class fares.

Please contact any of our qualified consultants to learn more about your options

Recently Safe Harbors Travel Group added two new partners offering best in market pricing on your next hotel stay. These savings opportunities are exclusively available when working with a member of our team or self-booking through Cliqbook.

These special price options represent our on-going success in providing best pricing options around the world.

To keep you up to date on trends in the world of travel – we are seeing hotels continue to make pricing and amenities concessions as they try to keep their hotels full.

Similar trends are popping up when negotiating with Car Rental vendors. These companies, National, Hertz and AVIS are all open to true negotiations on program pricing.

This month’s Travel Management Tip #6 is: Manage the Company’s Travel Policies - Embracing and communicating the goals of the program help to gain support from everyone in the organization.

Compliance in supporting the policy can lead to minimums of 15 to 20 percent savings in air fares and help to support any programs with suppliers you have negotiated. Support of the programs also improves the likelihood that the suppliers will renew next year.

With today’s current economy, we are often asked how companies can reduce travel costs while still being able to travel in business or first class – especially when travelling internationally. Well, here are a couple of ideas:

• Purchase Coach And Use Personal Miles For Business Class
When traveling internationally personal frequent flier points can be used for upgrading as opposed to purchasing retail business or first class tickets. This will be a tremendous savings to the company.
• Utilize Business Class Tickets From A Wholesaler
Travel Management Companies such as Safe Harbors have access to discounted or wholesale business class tickets. These tickets are typically restricted with very few opportunities to make changes but the savings can be as high as 50% per ticket.

Strategies such as these have always been around but there isn’t a better time than now to save money and arrive at your destination ready to conduct business.

I hope these tips help and as always, we thank you for your business!

Jay Ellenby
President/CEO

The Art of Frequent Flyer Management

Since the inception of the frequent-user-programs/frequent flyer programs in the travel industry, credited to American Airlines as the initiator, the air carriers have spent quite a bit of money researching various concepts to build product loyalty. They have expanded these programs to include money spent when using credit cards, hotel stays, renting a car, dinning out and a plethora of other ways you can accumulate points.

We decided we wanted to raise the question: Are you managing your frequent user programs well?

Currently, credit cards, hotel nights and car rentals, amongst other earning potential helps guide your buying decisions. Why not ensure you are maximizing your earnings.

Rate your habits: Am I on the road a lot and can be best served by multiple program memberships?
Or – Do I only travel once a month and should consider one loyalty program?
Balance your point accumulation between direct earnings in the carrier program and their partners – Credit card – Hotels and Car –

There are bargains available. Perhaps this is not the time to redeem miles for air tickets and hotel stays; but consider using the points for dinning out, theatre tickets or gifts for family and friends. Most programs offer other ways for you to use up your points, check on-line with your preferred program.

Book when available: There are no set rules on when it is best to book program points.
Insights to consider:
On legacy carriers seat inventory opens 11 months prior to departure
If it is a school vacation or holiday – available seats will be very limited
Carriers only provide limited inventory for redemption
Planning in advance is helpful, so is flexibility to travel alternate dates or checking close to departure
Consider mid-week to mid-week travel

Watch for Fees: many programs have fees for last minute redemption, transfer of points and other such tasks. Be certain to read the fine print in your member guides.

Some added thoughts to consider:

• Did you know that 1 ½ trips to Africa earns enough miles for a free domestic ticket?
• Did you know that you can earn miles on all of our missionary/humanitarian fare tickets on many of our special fare programs?
• Did you know that on the lowest booking codes British Airways and other carriers do not allow for mileage accrual, or they may only allow mileage to accrual at 25% of the mileage flown?

We invite you to add your thoughts and comments about your experiences here on our blog.

• Minimize changes
Get a better handle on your schedule. Multiple airline change fees can eventually cost more than the ticket if your trips are planned poorly. Buying non-refundable versus refundable and then making multiple changes adds up quickly.
If the fare is $450 for a non-refundable ticket and the penalty to make a change is $150, the ticket for the same trip now costs $600 (if at the same fare level); two more changes the cost is now $900.
For travel in the US it is possible to find refundable fares that are less than $900 in some markets. The value is to consider your type of travel needs. Ask yourself: Am I likely to make multiple changes to my plans; if so, perhaps buying a refundable fare makes more sense.
Our travel councilors can help you to comparatively shop based on your specific travel needs.