February 2016

New Clients

Delta Media Inc – closed by AnnaLisa

Air

United Airlines

New Economy class "Flexible Fares" are now available for travel between the continental U.S. 48 states and Las Vegas, New Orleans and Florida. Fares offer customers greater flexibility in their travel itinerary, with benefits such as:
  • Fares are refundable, with $0 change and cancel fees.
  • Fares can be sold by United and any authorized agents and are available in the GDS. Manual pricing is not permitted.
  • New fares display using the TIM passenger type and/or FLX3 ticket designator.
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New, first class nonstop fares for domestic U.S. travel are now published and display with the first character of the fare basis code being in United Economy - similar to previous published Y/H/Q/V UP fares.
  • Fares are based off the majority of existing economy fares with an additional dollar add-on.
  • Discounts can be taken on tickets; there is no ticket designator.
  • Fares are available in GDS and can be sold by any authorized agents as well as United. Manual pricing is not permitted.
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United has launched a new product United Signature Service - a meet and assist service providing customers a concierge level experience throughout their airport journey. Dedicated concierges coordinate the entire airport experience and provide a seamless level of service, tailored to what an individual customer may want or need.
Chicago (ORD) and New York/Newark (EWR) are the first airports to offer the new service, with rapid airport expansion planned in 2016 and beyond.
  • Customers can choose concierge services to help them every step of the way or at specific points within their trip, whether it be drop-off to departure gate, from one flight to another, or from arrival to exit.
  • VIP, private concierge services
    include language assistance,
    priority check-in and security and
    additional tailored services by request.

  • United Signature Service can be booked anytime outside of the 24 hour travel window via the website. Services are available on trips with flights marketed and operated by United or United Express® only.
  • United Signature Service is priced on a per person, per greet basis. For complete information, visit United Signature Services .
Westjet
TA resource site – training videos
Did you miss one of our training webinars? We now publish the links to the WestJet and WestJet Vacations training webinars on the TA resource site. These links can be found on the Resource page under Training.
For more details, visit westjet.com/agentresource.

Air Canada launches the only twice daily non-stop flights between Hamilton, Ontario and Montreal

The new non-stop, daily flights reestablish Air Canada's presence in Hamilton by providing the only service between these two cities as well as offering a schedule that meets the needs of both local and connecting passengers.

Flights are timed to offer convenient connections to/from Atlantic Canada including Halifax and St. John's, and to Europe including Rome, Geneva, Barcelona, Paris, and Lyon.

Daily Montreal-Hamilton Air Canada Express service will begin on May 24, 2016 and will be operated by Jazz Aviation LP 50-seat Bombardier CRJ jets. The schedule for these flights is:

FLIGHT NUMBER / ROUTE / DEPARTS / ARRIVES / DAY OF THE WEEK
AC 8819 / YUL-YHM / 06:30 / 07:40 / Sunday-Friday
AC 8818 / YHM-YUL / 08:10 / 09:21 / Sunday-Friday
AC 8821 / YUL-YHM / 16:55 / 18:07 / Daily
AC 8820 / YHM-YUL / 18:40 / 19:50 / Daily

AIR CANADA OFFERS WI-FI ON ITS ENTIRE NARROW-BODY FLEET!

Effective immediately, Air Canada now offers Wi-Fi access right to your customers' seat on all of our narrow-body aircrafts within North America!

Not only is Air Canada the first Canadian airline to offer Wi-Fi access but is also proud to provide more Wi-Fi enabled planes than any other Canadian airline. Customers will also find power outlets and USB ports within easy reach, ensuring customers can stay connected. For more details click here.

FLEX FARES: THE CHOICE FOR VALUE

Did you know that when you select a Flex fare, you are selecting a fare with the best value for your customers?

With a Flex fare, you can reserve your customer's complimentary standard seat any time prior to departure, earn 100% Aeroplan Miles and benefit from lower change fees in case their plans change.

Will your customers ask you to do any one of the following for their next flight:

  • Make a change to their flight
  • Select a seat in advance
  • How they can earn even more Aeroplan® Miles
  • Check a bag for free*
  • Access to the Maple Leaf Lounge™**

HAVE YOUR BAGS SENT BETWEEN

YOUR HOME AND DESTINATION

For your upcoming trip, Air Canada is pleased to help you eliminate the hassles

of travelling with your bags by having ‘Luggage Forward’ pick them up at your

home and deliver them directly to your destination. Upon departure, your bags

are sent right back to your home. With a best price assurance and a full money

back plus $500 on-time guarantee per bag, Luggage Forward is the trusted luggage

shipping choice for passengers flying with Air Canada.

• Customers referred by Air Canada to Luggage Forward will benefit from a 15%

discount on Luggage Forward’s published rates

• Pack as much as you want and choose from up to five shipping speeds.

• Door-to-door service eliminates the hassle of carrying and checking your bags, sports

or business equipment

For more information, please visit

E-PASSPORT (BIOMETRIC) REQUIREMENT FOR VISA WAIVER PROGRAM TO THE USA

Beginning April 1, 2016, all Visa Waiver Program (VWP) passengers

travelling to the United States must have an e-Passport or risk being

denied entry upon arrival into the United States. Passports that have been issued in

recent years have chips incorporated, however, up until 2013 passport

issuance, the electronic chip was not required. Additional information may be

found on the Visa Waiver Program Requirements page on the website

of the US Department of Homeland Security.

ELECTRONIC TRAVELAUTHORIZATION (eTA) FOR TRAVEL TO CANADA

Effective March 15, 2016, visaexempt foreign nationals must obtain an Electronic Travel

Authorization (eTA) before they can board a flight to Canada. This new entry requirement applies to visa exempt foreign nationals travelling to or transiting Canada by air.

Among those exempted from this new requirement are U.S. citizens and travellers with a valid visa.

Entry requirements for travellers arriving by land or sea have not changed.

To see if you need an eTA or to apply for one, visit the Government of Canada’s Electronic Travel Authorization website.

Registered travelers UK United Kingdom now operates an expedited entry program called Registered Traveller.

Registered Traveller is a new service launched by the UK Border Force to give faster and more convenient entry to the UK for eligible nationals from the United States and Canada. Membership of Registered Traveller costs £70 in the first year and £50 per year thereafter.

Complete details of Registered Traveller eligibility and availability can be found online at www.gov.uk/registered-traveller.

Membership of Registered Traveller includes the following benefits:

 Access to ePassport gates at participating airports across the country

 Use of the UK / EEA queue at participating airports across the country

 Not needing to complete a landing card on arrival to the UK

 No credibility interview with a Border Force officer.

Travelers to and from Europe who experience lengthy delays may be entitled to compensation excluding extraordinary circumstances for example due to bad weather

Rail

Rail Europe Product Updates for 2016

European train travel just got more flexible! Rail Europe is excited to announce that the entire Eurail product line, German Rail Pass and France Rail Pass have extended their validity requirement to 11 months (from six months). This means that the traveler has 11 months from the date of purchase to validate and start using their rail pass.
Usually rail is one of the last FIT products to book, but now you can take advantage of promotions and sales even if your clients won’t be traveling for a while. It’s also perfect for the student traveler who wants to plan well ahead for their back-packing adventures or study abroad semesters.
You’ll also notice a revamp in Eurail product names and country combinations. While many of the Eurail 1-Country Passes still stand, the 2-Country passes have been eliminated. Now the Eurail Select Pass offers 2/3/4-Country options.
This year you can also look forward to deployment of new Swiss luggage delivery services and the Zurich & Swiss Alp Rail and Hotel Package.
Due to the UEFA Euro Cup in France this summer, the French Railways has extended the booking horizon to nine months for select domestic and international TGV trains to/from cities hosting various matches throughout France. More on this point can be found below.

The Inside Track

All New Promotions
France Rail Pass Savings: 20% Off
Enjoy 20% savings for your clients on any France Rail Pass. Encourage your clients to experience travel on trains offering fast, comfortable, eco-friendly, city-center connections throughout France. Offer must be booked by March 31, 2016.
20% Off German Rail Pass
Clients can save 20% when you book them a 7-day consecutive or 7-day within one-month German Rail Pass Promo Pass. Offer must be booked by March 30, 2016. Valid for travel by May 31, 2016.
Eurail Select Pass Deal: A Free Day to Explore More
Travelers get an extra day of train travel free with a booking of the Eurail Two, Three, or Four Country Select Pass Free Day Promo. Must be booked by April 29, 2016.
Eurail Global Pass Free Days Promotion
Free extra days! Travelers will get 2 extra days with a 15-day, 3 extra days with a 22-day and 5 extra days with a 1-month consecutive pass. One extra free day is also available on the 5-day or 7-day within 1-month pass, and 2 extra days with a 10-day or 15-day within 2-month pass. Must be booked by April 29, 2016.
Eurail Deal: A Free Day to Explore More
Clients will enjoy an additional day of train travel absolutely free with a booking of the Eurail One Country Pass Free Day Promo. Get them to explore more of Europe! Must be booked by April 29, 2016.
UEFA Euro 2016 & Booking TGV Trains in France
The Euro Soccer Cup will be played in France from June 10 - July 20, 2016. In anticipation of high demand of getting to/from the French cities where these matches will be held, advance access to reservations on TGV trains have been opened up to some domestic TGV trains servicing the following cities: Paris, Strasbourg, Bordeaux, Lyon, Rennes, Nantes, Colmar, Beziers, Marseille, Lille, Perpignan, Callais, Bourlogne, Arachon, Dunkerque and more.
Rail Europe Agent Site – URL Update
Previously, agents in the US, Canada and Mexico were able to use agent.raileurope.com to enter our travel agent website. Due to a recent upgrade, this is no longer possible. If you are a travel agent in the US and Mexico, please use agent.raileurope.com. If you are an agent in Canada, please use agent.raileurope.ca. Should you require further assistance please contact Sales Support via email at:
US –
Canada –
Mexico –
Rail Europe On Demand Training Webinars
Check out Rail Europe’s Travel Agent Resources and view four On Demand Training Webinars: Eurostar 101, France-Spain High-Speed 101, Rail Europe 101 in English and in Spanish. You can locate them on the Home page under the Plan icon.
Don't forget about our live online training opportunities that are available each week. For full details, be sure to check out the Train U section below!

Train U

Rail Europe offers resources to aid travel agents in booking European rail. Become a European rail expert by taking our European TRAC® – The Rail Agent Course. Newly revised to include even more product information! Graduate with 16 points or higher and earn education credits through The Travel Institute (US) and ACTA (Canada). France TRAC® and Swiss TRAC® modules are available to you for continued education and also offer educational credits through The Travel Institute (US) and ACTA (Canada).
Ask an expert. Take a class – Rail Europe offers a multitude of live online training opportunities weekly!
Register here: Rail Europe Online Training. SECURE YOUR SEAT TODAY!
Want to know how to request a special meal on Eurostar? Interested in knowing if a train station has lockers or baggage consignment? Curious about booking horizons and seating configurations? Educational information on all product offered through Rail Europe can also be found exclusively on the Travel Agent Resources page of our travel agent website at
Need Assistance? Try Live Chat – just click on the Need Help icon!
Live Chat, when agents are available, can be found on almost every page of the Rail Europe Travel Agent Website. Live Chat agents can assist with general web navigation and product inquiries. Due to the nature of Rail Europe’s diverse product line, schedules and fares are not available through Live Chat. Bookings cannot be created or amended nor can payment be made through this communication channel.
Master TRAC®, join a live online training and review Product Fact Sheets on the Travel Agent Resources page and you will become a European Rail Expert

Travelport

Searching for solutions for error messages in ASK

  • Open ASK
  • Copy and paste your error into the search box

Click on this link in the results

  • Use CTRL+F to find the data you are looking for

  • Alternatively save the DOC id AN13905 (Where can I find a list of the most common Apollo error messages) Then use CTRL+F

Travelport Hotel Maps

  • Display availability

  • Click on the Maps icon on the right side of SP

The numbers on the map correspond with the number on the availability screen

You can zoom in or out, or move the map around with your mouse.

If you click on a specific hotel on the map SP will update the screen to show the corresponding hotel description

You can view hotel images by clicking on the address

UCQM (Uniglobe Complete Travel Manager) the name has changed to CTT (Core Travel Technologies) you will start to see the documentation, and communications changing to reflect the new name.

Does our staff offer you options and alternatives relevant to your travel needs when you make travel arrangements with us? / 5
Does our travel consultant offer you the most cost effective travel solution? / 4
Are your calls or emails responded to in a timely manner? / 5
Did you receive your electronic travel documents within an acceptable time frame? / Yes
On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 means "poor" and 5 means "excellent", how would you rate our overall service? / 5
Would you recommend our services to others? / Yes
Comments / Lise Artelle provides us with outstanding service
Name: / Philip Kelly
Company Name: / FCMI (CARILED Project)

Dwayne

Form Response: 2016-02-04 12:35:16 pm
Submitted From /
Submitter IP / 207.164.211.194
Does our staff offer you options and alternatives relevant to your travel needs when you make travel arrangements with us? / 5
Does our travel consultant offer you the most cost effective travel solution? / 5
Are your calls or emails responded to in a timely manner? / 5
Did you receive your electronic travel documents within an acceptable time frame? / Yes
On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 means "poor" and 5 means "excellent", how would you rate our overall service? / 5
Would you recommend our services to others? / Yes
Comments
Name: / Neil Heaps
Company Name: / Mother Parkers Tea and Coffee Inc.

From: Lina Gomez [mailto:
Sent: February-26-16 9:52 AM
To: Shirin Grondin [O]
Subject: Re: Ms Gomezgrajales: Time To Check In For Your Flight To Sao Paulo Departing: Friday, February 26, 2016

Thank you, Shirin! I have checked in already for my flight – leaving this evening already.

And big, big thank you for all your help with all the bookings and your patience with all the crazy last minute requests. I really like working with you!

Gracias! Lina