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UNITED AND CONTINENTAL COMPLETE $3.2 BILLION MERGER
(source: Travel Weekly)
As anticipated, United and Continental completed their $3.2 billion merger on Friday, creating the world's largest airline.
Eventually, the combined carrier will operate under the United name. In the near term, customers can expect to interact with each carrier as they usually do.
Customers flying on Continental will continue to check in at the airline's website or at Continental kiosks and ticket counters, and the same goes for United. Customers will continue to earn and redeem frequent-flyer miles through the respective loyalty programs of Continental and United until those programs are combined.
United and Continental foresee a more unified product in the spring of 2011, as the carriers integrate customer service and marketing activities.
The two airlines are now subsidiaries of United Continental Holdings, which began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol UAL on Friday.
The new company's corporate and operational headquarters will be in Chicago, with a significant presence in Houston, the company's largest hub.
Based on results for the 12 months ended June 30, the combined carrier has annual revenue of $31.4 billion. The airlines expect that the merger will deliver $1 billion to $1.2 billion in net annual synergies by 2013, including between $800 million and $900 million of incremental annual revenue.
Incremental revenue will come from "expanded customer options resulting from the greater scope and scale of the network, fleet optimization and expanded service enabled by the broader network of the combined carrier," said United and Continental.
United CEO Glenn Tilton and Continental CEO Jeff Smisek are the nonexecutive chairman and CEO of the combined carrier, respectively.
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STATE DEPT. ALERT DOESN'T FAZE AMERICANS ABROAD
(Source: MSNBC.com, featuring Michael Steiner, Executive Vice President of Ovation Corporate Travel, sister company of The Lawyers' Travel Service)
A U.S. State Department terror alert issued Sunday warns of heightened potential for a terrorist attack in Europe, but many Americans believe such worries are overblown.
The actual threat "is unbelievably minuscule" said Bruce McIndoe, president of iJET Intelligent Risk Systems. "If you look at all the things that can happen when you travel, it would be a very long list," he said, adding that people are 1,000 times more likely to die in an auto accident, or more likely to die by a lightning strike, than by a terrorist attack. "People have to be more pragmatic from a statistics standpoint," he said.
The alert, he said, was issued most likely because various governments may be picking up messages about different operations, but he was somewhat skeptical.
"There are at any given time many, many threats," McIndoe said. But "this is not a clear and public danger."
Steve Lott, a spokesman for the International Air Transport Association, a trade group, said the State Department issues alerts on a regular basis for a variety of issues that are usually specific, but what is unusual about this alert is "it's extremely broad. It's a blanketed alert for all of Europe that covers all modes of transportation and covers a very long time frame." But he said the association and its member airlines were not overly concerned.
"It's a helpful refresher to keep eyes open and remain vigilant," but the airlines have been operating under an accelerated alert for close to 10 years, he said, adding, "We don't think this should lead to any cancellations." The airlines have not reported any dramatic changes in traffic activity, such as bookings, cancellations or refunds. "For airlines, it's business as usual," Lott said.
Michael Steiner, executive vice president of Ovation Corporate Travel (sister company of The Lawyers' Travel Service), said there have been no ramifications for his corporate clients.
"There's no question there is concern. People want to find out the details as best they can," he said. "But we haven't seen cancellations and we haven't seen any changes to corporate policies."
He said the fact that it was such a broad geographical area was a worry, but that it was a fluid situation. Companies are waiting to see what will happen and what additional information will be released in the next 24 to 48 hours. But so far, "there have been no clients who have advised their employees not to travel."
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TRAVEL ALERT IN EUROPE
(source: The Lawyers' Travel Service News Alert)
On Sunday, October 3 the U.S. Department of State issued a travel alert for Europe, especially Britain, France and Germany. The alert was issued in the wake of warnings by officials that vigilance is warranted.
For additional information, we would like to provide the following resources:
Travel alert announcement: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_europe.html
Bureau of Consular Affairs website: http://travel.state.gov/
Travel registration website: https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/
Safety tips travelling abroad: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/tips_1232.html
Related Advice: https://wcdirect1.ijet.com/direct/DisplayIoContent.public?ioId=16992
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AMERICAN AIRLINES SAYS SEPTEMBER TRAFFIC UP 5.6 PERCENT
(source: Business Week)
American Airlines said Tuesday that September traffic rose 5.6 percent over a year ago, with international traffic jumping by double-digit percentages.
American said paying passengers flew 10.05 billion miles last month, up from 9.52 billion miles in September 2009. International flights accounted for about 40 percent of the airline's business, and traffic on those rose 12.2 percent. Domestic traffic increased 1.6 percent.
American parent AMR Corp., which is now the No. 3 U.S. airline operator behind the new United Continental Holdings Inc. and Delta Air Lines Inc., is pinning much of its hopes for growth on expanded international flying with partners including British Airways and Japan Airlines.
In September, American increased its passenger-carrying capacity by 4.8 percent, to 12.55 billion available seat miles, a measure of one seat flown one mile. It boosted international capacity by 10.1 percent from the same time last year, compared with just a 1.5 percent increase in domestic capacity.
The average flight last month was 80.1 percent full, up from 79.4 percent a year earlier.
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UPDATE: DOLLAR THRIFTY SHAREHOLDERS REJECT HERTZ BID
(source: USA TODAY)
Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group shareholders rejected a buyout offer from Hertz (HTZ) on Thursday against the recommendation of the company's board.
The rejection likely takes Hertz out of the bidding for the car-rental chain and offers an opening for rival bidder Avis Budget Group.
Dollar Thrifty (DTG) said 11.8 million votes were cast for the Hertz offer at a special shareholder meeting Thursday in Chicago, while 13.8 million shares were cast against the deal. There were 4,735 abstentions.
Dollar Thrifty's board had said it preferred Hertz's offer to one by Avis (CAR) throughout much of the months-long bidding war. Dollar Thrifty CEO Scott Thompson said the company respects the vote of its shareholders. He did not mention Avis specifically but hinted the company is still open to deals.
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SECURE FLIGHT PASSENGER DATA COLLECTION PROCESS
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that after November 1, 2010, air passenger reservations without full Secure Flight Passenger Data (SFPD) will be rejected by Secure Flight and will not be processed. This policy will apply to all passenger records regardless of source, aircraft operator, or air carrier.
Select airlines will now prohibit ticket issuance if the passenger's full name, date of birth and gender are not present in the reservation.
To facilitate the collection of the SFPD, The Lawyres' Travel Service has created a secure, encrypted web form which travelers can use to input this information. When the information is submitted, the traveler profile will be updated.
If you have not already done so, please click on the URL directly below to complete the collection process: https://secureflight.lawyerstravel.com
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THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
THE PALMER HOUSE HILTON
17 East Monroe Street
Chicago
The legendary Palmer House Hilton has a new energy that guests need to experience. This grand hotel has recently undergone a $170 million restoration, melding timeless culture with contemporary elegance, creating a comfortable and sophisticated ambiance for guests to enjoy. Centrally located in the downtown area, at the corner of State and Monroe Streets, the Palmer House is within walking distance to numerous offices in Chicago's famed Loop District.
The Palmer House team understands the needs of business travelers and is fully committed to providing guests with the tools necessary to make their home-away-from-home as comfortable as possible. The Palmer House recognizes the importance of staying connected while on the road and is pleased to offer complimentary high speed internet access for all reservations. Chic culinary offerings include award-winning Lockwood Restaurant & Bar and Potter's Lounge for cocktails and evening fare. The hotel also touts luxury spa services by Spa Chakra and a 10,000 square foot tri-level fitness center. And don't forget about having some fun after work.
The Palmer House resides in the heart of the theatre district and is only steps away from Michigan Avenue, the Art Institute, and Millennium Park. The award-winning staff promises to deliver superior service, every time. Choose to stay at the remarkable Palmer House Hilton.
The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at The Palmer House Hilton is $189 (compared to a corporate rate of $239).*
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THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
THE PENINSULA NEW YORK
700 Fifth Avenue at 55th Street
New York City
In its ongoing quest to exceed guests' expectations, The Peninsula New York continues its renovation project with the refurbishment of its guestrooms and suites. The guestrooms and suites have recently received an updated look, with new furniture, linens, carpet and drapery. Devised by The Peninsula Hotels' Hong Kong-based design team, the new decor features a color palette of soft gray, taupe, and gold, which exude a unique blend of tranquility and modernity. Crisp new bed linens by the luxury French linen house, D. Porthault, present an inviting and intimate environment. The property's spacious suites feature new furniture in the living room, with supple leather chairs, sofas that convert to full-size beds, and subtle accent colors of blue, gray, and green. All guestrooms and suites take into consideration the business traveler's needs, offering new oversized desks that are equipped with a combination printer, fax, and copier.
The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at The Peninsula New York is $760.*
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THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
HOTEL RAPHAEL
17, Avenue Kléber
Paris
The Hotel Raphael was built in 1925 on a town house site. The Raphael is remarkably well located, close to the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs Elysées, the Eiffel tower, and situated in a green and peaceful environment. The hotel has 83 very spacious rooms, including 30 suites and sumptuous apartments. The English Bar with its soft lighting and elegant décor is the perfect place to have an appointment or just a drink before dinner. Their restaurant "La Salle à Manger" is run by the Chef Philip Delahaye who selects the season's best products. The Hotel Raphael also offers conference rooms, with a capacity of 10 to 60 people. Les "Jardins Plein Ciel" on the roof top terrace is a unique place in Paris with a private garden terrace and offers a panoramic view over the capital's skyline. The fitness center is equipped with cardio machines, a hammam and a sauna.
The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at the Hotel Raphael is €335 (compared to a corporate rate of €340).*
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THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
ST. REGIS WASHINGTON, D.C.
923 16th & K Streets
Washington, D.C.
Best Benefits for Meeting Planners at the St. Regis Washington, D.C.
No matter the request the St. Regis Washington, D.C. provides flawless service and signature touches that simply cannot be found elsewhere. Book a St. Regis meeting by March 31, 2011 and consume by December 31, 2011 for the following incentives:
•Three percent credit to the master account
•Signing bonus of up to 100,000 Starpoints®
•Complimentary cocktailexperience
•Special group rates with American Airlines Group & Meeting TravelSM when the group travels by May 31, 2011
The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program negotiated rate for non-group bookings at the St. Regis Washington, D.C. is $370 (compared to a corporate rate of $425).*
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* All rates are subject to availability.
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The Lawyers' Travel Service
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