March 26, 2012
New Preferred Travel Agency for use by Rensselaer Employees
As part of our new travel solution, Rensselaer has joined with Child/Albany Travel as our preferred travel agency to assist in all of our travel needs, and Concur to provide a travel management system. Child/Albany Travel will work in conjunction with Concur to create a streamlined automated travel solution.
Child/Albany Travel is a recognized leader in the travel industry and has been servicing the needs of business travelers since 1984. They will help Rensselaer manage travel spending and identify savings opportunities. Their business philosophy is based on the understanding that every component of each trip that Rensselaer takes plays a role in achieving our business objectives and ensuring our business’ success.
We will communicate to the community over the next few weeks as to the official start date for the new agency and the required steps to begin booking travel. We ask that all travelers begin to use the new agency to develop a sound working relationship. The first step in using the new agency is for all travelers to provide their travel preferences. This information will help the agents create your travel profile with your contact information, seating preferences, frequent flyer numbers, etc.
As we move throughout the Spring and Summer months, demonstration and testing of the Concur travel system, as well as Child/Albany Travel’s role in the process, will begin with members of the campus community. During this time, members of the community will be asked to participate in testing and provide feedback regarding the online booking and expense reporting tool. Travel Leaders will be an integral part of the testing and implementation and will take a lead role in the travel booking process to ensure that the needs of all travelers are met. The community will also be asked for feedback about the agency during the testing period so use of the agency is important to a successful implementation.