Williamsburg-American Express» News Letters

Importance of wifi & Loyalty programs

Jack Kennard — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:02:11 +0000

Hotel Guests Love Free Wi-Fi, Don’t Care About Turn-Down Service
Two recent surveys show that wifi is what counts for travelers. A Hotels.com survey found that free wifi is a major factor when choosing a room. And a Trip Advisor survey found that wifi and breakfast included in the rate are the top two amenities guests look for when choosing a room.

Guest loyalty plans were a third factor. Loyalty programs are very important for those who travel 25 times a year or more, according to a Starwood Preferred Guest survey. Nearly three-quarters of these travelers said that they have taken extra trips to maintain their status in such programs. Losing their status scares more of them (65%) than the thought of losing their luggage (12%) or missing a flight (11%). (Source: press releases)

Car Rental and Rail

Business Travel Group Lobbies against Unfair Car Rental Taxes
So-called inhospitality taxes continue to rankle business travelers and the head of the Global Business Travel Association recently testified before a House Judiciary hearing in support of a bill that would end discriminatory taxes on rental cars.

The bill says that excise taxes on car rental consumers are unwarranted and would enforce a permanent halt on any new taxes. Michael McCormick, the GBTA’s executive director and COO, said that such taxes impose a burden on travel services that are more than a general sales tax. Congress has enacted similar protections against such taxes on airlines, trains and buses. (Source: GBTA press release)

Business Travel: Major Economic Driver

Business travel appears poised to continue to grow despite economic uncertainty, according to the latest Business Travel Quarterly Outlook for the United States from the Global Business Travel Association. The report found that business travel was stronger than expected last year, and that growth should continue.

Trip volume was up 3.1%; travel spending was up 8.3% for the quarter.
For the year, total person trips will hit 445 million; total spending will hit $252 billion, 2.1% and 7.6% increases, respectively
The GBTA is forecasting that business travel spending will increase 4.6% this year, although person-trips will decline by .8%.
Prices will increase more slowly this year than last year. Travel price inflation should be 2.2% in 2012, compared to 4.3% last year.

(Source: GBTA press release)

July Travel News Airline traffic is up & Hotels doing better

Jack Kennard — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 18:16:23 +0000

Williamsburg-American Express

$FIRSTNAME$,

All of us here at Williamsburg wish you a very pleasant summer. It is a great time of year with the children out of school and many of our clients enjoying their mid summer family vacation.

After a very difficult first quarter with spikes in fuel costs, numerous cancellations due to bad weather, and a slow economy, things in the travel industry have improved significantly.

US Airline Traffic & Passenger Revenues Are Up
Once again, major U.S. airlines saw their passenger revenues increase, 14.4% in May, the 17th consecutive month they're seen an increase, according to the Air Traffic Association.

Because of North American airlines’ cautious capacity management, carriers continued to trim capacity in April and May and traffic was up over year.

Hotels Doing Better at Keeping Customers Happy
Starwood’s The Luxury Collection had the highest satisfaction score, and Ritz-Carlton was a close second.

InterContinental Hotels Group conducted a pilot test on mobile room key and is evaluating the results.

How it works: On the day you’re scheduled to arrive, the room number and the digital hotel room key is sent to your mobile phone.

Hotel room rates are rising as demand for business travel increases, according to the latest American Express Business Travel Monitor.

If you are planning fall meetings and corporate events, we are pleased to assist with items such as destination and hotel site selection, on-line registration, and group air travel programs.

The cruise industry, in particular, has great values for holding meetings at sea, with all meals, meeting space, and audio visual included in the cruise price.

It has been a record breaking year for us here at Williamsburg-American Express. We greatly appreciate your business, your partnership with us, and your friendship.

Terry W. Brennan
President
Williamsburg-American Express

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November Business Travel News Updates

Jack Kennard — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 14:57:46 +0000

Williamsburg-American Express

Business Travel News Updates

Airlines

Secure Flight information is now official: Make sure your airline has your full name as it is on your government ID, as well as your address, date of birth, gender and, if applicable, your redress number.

More information on the TSA Secure Flight Program
To update your profile…please visit Secure Flight Updates.

International passenger traffic was up 10% year over year in September, according to the International Air Transport Association.

Domestic airfares are up to an average of $341, a 3.8% increase for the second quarter, the fourth quarter in a row that they’ve increased, according to the Department of Transportation.