- Courtesy of The Lawyers' Travel Service May 14, 2008 In This Issue...
	ON MY MIND: PAUL METSELAAR
	NEARLY 30% OF FLIGHTS IN MARCH WERE LATE OR CANCELED
	YOU’RE CHARGING ME FOR WHAT?! AIRLINE FEES WAY UP IN 2008
	OVATION CLUB E-NEWSLETTER WEEKLY SURVEY
	THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
	- THREADNEEDLES, London
	- DRISKILL HOTEL, Austin
	- HUNTINGTON HOTEL & NOB HILL SPA, San Francisco
	- ZAZA, Houston

ON MY MIND: PAUL METSELAAR
(source: Global Hotel Network)

The Lawyers’ Travel Service’s Chairman and CEO, Paul Metselaar was recently a featured columnist for GHN’s “On My Mind” column.

Hotel Programs More Important Than Ever

There are travel management trends and then there are travel management staples… and client-specific negotiated hotel programs fall under both categories. Generally, trends start out as a new, desirable service offering, like risk management was several years back, or like “green” travel was just a year or so ago, and then very often those trends shape the norm of what’s expected in the industry. Today, a travel management company wouldn’t be a travel “management” company without offering traveler tracking and risk management services to its clients. And likewise, hotels that don’t have some kind of eco-responsibility initiative in place may look very outdated and potentially even undesirable pretty soon as more and more corporate travel policies are encouraging or even mandating the use of “green” properties for corporate travelers.

So what are the trends-turning-to-staples in travel management these days and how will those trends affect client-specific hotel programs?

The article, which discusses industry trends and the growing importance of hotel programs, ran in GHN’s May 5th “On My Mind” column and can be viewed by clicking on the following link:

http://www.globalhotelnetwork.com/mod.php?mod=userpage&menu=87&page_id=3222

NEARLY 30% OF FLIGHTS IN MARCH WERE LATE OR CANCELED
(source: BusinessWeek)

More than 28% of commercial flights in the U.S. arrived late, were canceled or diverted in March, according to Transportation Department data released May 7, 2008. It was the worst March on record and second-worst opening quarter for a year since comparable data began being collected in 1995.

Still, March's results were slightly better than February's when more than 31% of flights arrived late, were canceled or diverted.

One reason for the continued period of historically poor performance is that airlines are replacing big planes with smaller ones to fly with fewer empty seats. But that crowds the skies and gates, analysts say.

Weather also remains a problem. In March, more than 41% of late flights were delayed by weather, up from about 38% in the year-ago period.

But the industry is struggling to deal with jet fuel costs that have risen more than 60% in the last year, contributing to a handful of small airlines declaring bankruptcy, and two larger ones -- Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines -- announcing plans to combine.

YOU’RE CHARGING ME FOR WHAT?! AIRLINE FEES WAY UP IN 2008
(source: SmarterTravel.com)

Since January 1, passengers have been treated to a non-stop roller coaster ride of airline bankruptcies and mergers, fuel surcharges, and imaginative new ways of charging for "perks" that were once free.

Here's a rundown of some of the new fees assessed since the calendar turned to 2008:

Air Canada: $25 each way for a second checked bag starting May 15.

AirTran: $10 each way for a second checked bag starting May 15.

American Airlines: $25 each way for a second checked bag started May 12; $3 for snacks, $5 for "fresh light meals" on domestic flights (sandwiches or wraps, no vegetarian options).

Continental: $25 each way for a second checked bag started May 5.

Delta: $25 each way for a second checked bag started May 5; airline provides complimentary snacks, but some snacks and meals cost an extra $1 to $8, depending on the item.

United: $25 each way for a second checked bag; $5 for snack boxes, with sandwiches and salads available at varying prices; increased ticket change fee; Saturday night stays are now required for tickets in 65% of the markets it serves.

US Airways: $25 each way for a second checked bag; charging between $5 and $30 each way for aisle and window seats started May 7.

OVATION CLUB E-NEWSLETTER WEEKLY SURVEY

The Ovation Club E-Newsletter Weekly Survey gives you the opportunity to weigh in by voting your opinion on hot topics in business travel. You will also have the option to post comments online on the topic of the week.

Question of the Week: Now that many airlines are charging for second bags, will this affect the way you pack for business?

To cast your vote go to: https://ovationtravel.com/enewssurvey/

THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
THREADNEEDLES
5 Threadneedle Street
London

Threadneedles: a luxury boutique hotel in the City's Square Mile.

Originally a Banking Hall built in 1865, with solid oak doors and impressive marble columns, the hotel echoes its colorful past with a rich and contemporary interior.

A multitude of textures and complementary tones create a feeling of understated luxury and tranquility in the heart of the City of London.

The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at Threadneedles is £265 (compared to a corporate rate of £315).

THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
DRISKILL HOTEL
604 Brazos Street
Austin

Located in downtown Austin, Texas, The Driskill offers 189 guestrooms and suites distributed between the Historic Wing, with its soaring ceilings, elaborate woodwork and balconies, and the Traditional Wing, built in 1929 and featuring classic styling and the colors of the Texas Hill Country.

All luxury hotel accommodations include:
*Original art, oil paintings, and precious antiques
*Ornate beds designed exclusively for The Driskill
*Elegant draperies
*Complimentary, wireless or high-speed Internet access
*Cable television and in-room movies
*Plush terry robes
*Luxurious bed and bath linens
*Molten Brown of London bath amenities
*Mini-bar
*Safety deposit box/in-room safes

Guests have 24/7 access to the Executive Business Center including:
*Dell workstations
*Color laser printers
*Facsimile machines
*Office supplies
*Copiers
*Secretarial services

The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at Driskill Hotel is $219 (compared to a corporate rate of $299).

THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
HUNTINGTON HOTEL & NOB HILL SPA
1075 California Street
San Francisco

The Huntington Hotel & Nob Hill Spa has been ranked consistently as not only the most distinguished choice of San Francisco luxury hotels, but as one of the finest places to stay in the world. Withstanding more than three-quarters of a century in the heart of the community, this family-owned and operated San Francisco hotel property is regarded as one of the last bastions of the city's deep historic roots. Recent honors bestowed upon this downtown San Francisco California hotel include:

*2007 Peter Goldman Hotelier of the Year Award; John Cope, President & CEO
*2007 World Travel Award, California's Leading Spa Resort
*SpaFinder's 2007 Reader's Choice Award, top 10 urban hotel spas in the world
*UltimateHotels.com Top 50 Great Restaurants in San Francisco, Big 4 Restaurant named one of the 50 greatest restaurants in the city for 2007
*Frommer's San Francisco Day by Day, Best Spa - Nob Hill Spa
*Elite Meetings Advisory Board, Elite Meetings Excellence Award
*Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 2006 & 2007, Big 4 Restaurant voted among the most refined restaurants in San Francisco
*Travel and Leisure's 2005 Award, as one of the world's 500 greatest hotels
*Travel and Leisure's 2004 Award, 100 best hotels in North America
*Condé Nast Traveler's 2003 Gold List, as one of the best places to stay worldwide

With its breathtaking perspective of the Bay Area, this San Francisco hotel is one of few remaining places in which the fast pace of city life gives way to understated elegance and discretion. Seated on one of the city's highest hills, this San Francisco luxury hotel provides superlative views of the skyline or Huntington Park. From its unique position atop the prestigious Nob Hill, this elegant San Francisco hotel offers leisure and business travelers the perfect location.

As a full-service, four-diamond property with a strong tradition of hospitality, this San Francisco luxury hotel provides service with the grace of yesteryear – right alongside today's most modern amenities. Treat yourself to the premier choice of San Francisco hotels, where timeless charm meets contemporary style.

The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at Huntington Hotel & Nob Hill Spa is $255 (compared to a corporate rate of $315).

THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
ZAZA
5701 Main Street
Houston

Simply irresistible…

This decadent urban resort is a mix of glamour and warmth, of high style and creature comforts. With exquisite lighting and swooping drapes, it’s a theater to entice the senses and intrigue the mind.

This is Hotel ZaZa. An unexpected blend of history, business and fashion, brilliantly located in Houston’s beautiful Museum District. Hotel ZaZa is the luxury hotel of luxury hotels, welcoming you dealmakers, fun-lovers and trendsetters into a delightful world of possibilities.

With amazing attention to detail and a careful balance of work and pleasure, Hotel ZaZa will make sure your Texas stay is wonderfully unforgettable. Hotel ZaZa Houston – almost mystical, always memorable.

The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at Hotel ZaZa is $229 (compared to a corporate rate of $249).

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The Lawyers' Travel Service
www.lawyerstravel.com
info@lawyerstravel.com
800.431.1112