TRAVEL WATCHER
Insider news & notes from your business travel authority 
MAY 2016
UP IN THE AIR
Unsuspecting Travelers Who Book Online Could Pay Significantly More For Multi-Segment Air Tickets
The next time you try to buy an airline ticket with one stopover or more, you could pay twice as much as you expected.  Peter Vlitas, senior vice president of airline relations for Travel Leaders Group, one of the nation's largest travel-agency companies noted  "The three major U.S. airlines may have just provided the traveling public with the best argument for using travel agents in decades." Protravel International recommends travelers use Travel Agents who are experienced and trained to find the lowest airfares. Click here for article 

DOT Study Shows More Flights on Time
The United States Department of Transportation recently released its Air Travel Consumer Report, which showed there has been progress in more on-time flight arrivals and fewer cancellations. The report revealed that 83.6% of flights by top airlines in the United States arrived on time in February, an increase from 72.8% percent the previous February. In terms of on-time arrivals, Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines finished in the top two spots, with Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and American Airlines rounding out the top five. On the other hand, Spirit Airlines and JetBlue Airways each finished with less than 70% on-time arrivals in February.

TSA PreCheck: The Best $85 You'll Ever Spend on Travel
A TravelPulse journalist walks you through the process. TSA Pre is now accepted at 150 airports with a dozen participating airlines. There are more than 4 million people signed up for other expedited travel programs like Global Entry and NEXUS (as of February 2016). If you have those, you don't need TSA Pre. Read the full article here

How to Beat Jet Lag: The Definitive Guide
TravelPulse--Jet lag can range from a minor annoyance to a debilitating problem that can leave travelers feeling out of sorts for several days (or even longer). Most people are able to tough it out, but the disruption in your regular sleeping schedule can be inconvenient and unhealthy. Read the full article here

What are the Best Airports in the World?
The Airports Council International (ACI) revealed the winners of the 2015 Airport Service Quality Awards, determined using over 550,000 in-depth passenger surveys delivered to more than 300 airports in over 80 countries across the world. The top 5? Singapore Changi, Incheon Intl Airport, Munich Airport, Hong Kong Intl, Tokyo Intl Haneda.  See the full list here
World's Best Aircraft Interior Designs
From Boeing's Ultraviolet Fresh Lavatory concept to Zodiac Aerospace's Lifestyle Cabin, the winners of the 2016 Crystal Cabin Awards were announced in Hamburg, Germany on April 5. The Cabin Concepts award went to Etihad Airways (pictured above). "Ingenious use of space gives the company's Boeing 787 First Suite the same comfort as the Airbus A380," said the judges. Read the full article  here
HOTELNEWS
Retreat to a world of unlimited possibilities for your meetings and corporate retreats. Underneath the abundant leisure, we're all business. Perched upon 504 acres of unrivaled coastal beauty, Pelican Hill is set apart a world unto itself - offering a complete escape for the mind, body and spirit. You'll find yourself in the heart of everything Southern California has to offer, yet at the same time completely removed, and relaxed and at ease. From inspiring architecture and ambiance to exquisite accommodations, a variety of dining venues, spectacular meeting facilities, 36 holes of championship golf and a Five-Star spa, The Resort at Pelican Hill will make even the most serious business a breeze.


Conde Nast Traveler: World's hottest new hotels
We are excited to see some of Protravel's top hotel partners on this list. What this means to you: best available rates and exclusive VIP amenities when you book through your Protravel agent. The full list can be found here. Among our favorites are:
  • Amanera (Playa Grande Dominican Republic): Features sleek designs and plenty of privacy.
  • Faena Hotel Miami Beach (Florida): Kept the facade of the circa 1948 Saxony Hotel but turned the inside into an ode to modernism. 
  • Four Seasons Hotel Seoul (South Korea): Located in the north bank, the city's seat of power. The best rooms offer views of the entire Gyeongbokgung Palace.
  • Mandarin Oriental, Milan (Italy): Located down the street from the famed La Scala opera house.
  • Schloss Elmau (Bavarian Alps, Germany): Fantastic food and spa nestled in a stunning setting 
  • St Regis Istanbul: Turkish charm with an Art Deco influence 
  • Temple House: Celebrating traditional Sichuan style

 

TECHNOLOGYCORNER
More of our favorite mobile apps 
Convert currencyXE Currency can convert the currencies of more than 180 countries at up-to-the-minute rates. The app saves the last conversion just in case you may need to repeat it offline. Free; iPhone,  AndroidBlackBerryDownload here

Store and sync: The well-designed  Dropbox syncing and sharing service lets you share folders across all of your computers. The apps for Android and iPhone (a BlackBerry app is on the way) make sure that your smartphone hosts those folders too. Free;  AndroidiPhone.  Download here

Scan business cardsCamCard scans business cards and adds the data to a new phone, Gmail, or Exchange contact. $10 for  Android, $7 for  iPhone.  Download here

YOURLIFE
Paying For Purchases Abroad:
How to Be Ready for Every Scenario
Planning a trip around the world, or to go away for a weeklong vacation? That's great! However, have you thought about what you'll do about your money? I don't mean what you will spend it on (that's the easy part), but which sorts of currency you will bring along. How will you pay for things abroad? Read the full article here

9 Travel Safety Tips from a Former CIA Agent
Conde Nast Traveler--A veteran intelligence operative on how to curb risks during a hotel stay. Drew Dwyer, a Marine Corps veteran and former decade-long CIA operative, has traveled far and wide both domestically and internationally, and has participated in covert operations across five continents. Irrespective of this list, it pays to note that hotels are becoming safer by the minute. Read the list here 
THEGREATESCAPE


As the pioneer in luxury river cruising, with over four decades of experience, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection sets the standard for excellence in hospitality, culinary, and nautical practices, ensuring their guests an unsurpassed experience. In Europe, Uniworld's all-inclusive boutique river cruises deliver the perfect combination of luxury and convenience. These exceptional cruises include airport transfers; all gratuities for everyone onboard and onshore; all meals and unlimited beverages, including distinctive local wines, craft beers, and premium spirts; hosted excursions with personalization options; port charges; Wi-Fi; and more-allowing guests to simply relax as Uniworld takes of the rest.


MISSED AN ISSUE? WANT TO SUBSCRIBE? VISIT