09/23/2009

Book Trips Through Outlook

Most small business owners have to plan and book their own business trips. But now there's a tool that allows you to schedule a business meeting and seamlessly book the travel related to that meeting at the same time: Tripware Outbook. This free plug-in works with your existing Microsoft Outlook software to simplify business travel. In just minutes, you can compare prices and book flights, hotels, and rental cars. And your personal OutBook account helps keep things organized by storing your personal travel preferences, managing your travel rewards programs, and tracking travel costs for expense reports. --Brian Luskey, Associate Editor

07/01/2009

Coast not so Clear

Verified Identity Pass has shut down its Clear program, an operation that allowed travelers to bypass lengthy airport security lines for a $199 annual fee. The shutdown notice on Clear's Web site came just weeks after the program reported more than 260,000 registrants, most of whom were business and frequent travelers. The company is reportedly not giving refunds. However, other registered flier programs, such as Fast Lane Option (FLO), continue to operate in certain markets. Another one, the Preferred Traveler program, has already pledged to continue accepting Clear cards. --Brian Luskey, Associate Editor

04/06/2009

Hotel Rates Down Nationwide

The latest stats on hotel room rates are in from Smith Travel Research, the big lodging-industry research firm, and let's just say if you're booking a business trip, feel free to negotiate hard. The national average daily room rate dropped 8.8 per cent in late March year over year to $99.77, but the New York market took a hit of 28.2%, to $192.85. Other large decreases: Miami down 19.8% to $183.70, Phoenix down 17% to $136.17 and Oahu down 16.5% to $155.25. Three markets scored small upticks in room rates: Nashville, New Orleans and the winner, Washington, DC, up 3.8 percent to $157.75 - all those auto executives in town looking for bailouts, maybe? --Jeff B. Copeland, Content Product Manager

03/11/2009

Business Travel Industry Fights Back

Businesses of all breeds are being virtually vilified these days for spending a dime on travel -- especially travel to cushy destinations, travel meant to reward employee performance, or various meetings and conferences deemed non-essential. The U.S. Travel Association is fed up with it all, and is pushing back with a special PR campaign targeting what it calls "the demonization of business meetings and events." U.S. Travel's "Meetings Mean Business" campaign aims to get out the facts about the importance of business travel -- and get politicians to tone down the anti-business rhetoric. -- Daniel Kehrer, Editor of Business.com

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Book Trips Through Outlook

Coast not so Clear

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Business Travel Industry Fights Back

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