Welcome to Eton Travels new and exciting 'Quarterly' newsletter!

Newsletter January 2010

Keep up to date with all the latest travel information, updates, competitions and funnies.

Previous Competition Winner!

Congratulations to Brenda Martin for winning the Virgin Atlantic Luggage Competition.

Well done......Enjoy!

Thank you to all those who entered.

This December we have a case of delicious Canadian wine to give away...a lovely start to the New Year! Enter the competition below for your chance to win!


Eton Travel News	British Airways
BMI	Star Alliance
Swiss	Canadian Airlines & Competition
Virgin	Travel Tips
Funnies

Eton Travel News

Getonline with Eton Travel:

Eton Travel is able to offer Corporate's a choice of online booking systems to suit their business needs.

No matter how large or small we have a solution for all.

We know that keeping pace with business travel requires a quick step and the right tools. That's why online self-booking platforms are fast becoming a key element of the industry, and the technology in use is making a difference in the business travel world. Which is why we have embraced two self booking tools, KDS a simple easy to use solution suited to most small to medium Corporate's and for the larger organisations, Cliqbook, which also has a fully integrated expense management solution, Concur.

Self booking can generate significant cost savings through the enforcement of travel policies and the reduction in service fees.

Eton Travel is unique that as a TMC you integrate with all moving parts of the end-to-end process. Our systems being aligned to Concur allows a fluid transactional process (on & off line) through from the purchase of the travel itinerary through the process of end of trip expenses and consequential reporting including VAT reclaims.

Concur© Travel & Expense

Concur© Travel & Expenses eliminates manual, disjointed processes by seamlessly combining travel bookings and expense reporting into one powerful and easy-to-use service. Leveraging Smart Expenses™ to match itinerary, corporate card and e-receipt data, Concur virtually eliminates the traditional expense report. Concur Travel & Expense helps companies lower operational costs, while reducing the occurrence of fraud and increasing control and visibility.

Please contact your dedicated Account Manager or the Sales office on 01753 671 757 or email sales@eton-travel.co.uk for further information.

Refurbished Edinburgh Lounge is open

Inspired by the 'Galleries' concept of our flagship lounges at Heathrow, the new lounge at Edinburgh gives our customers more space and seats, a new business suite with WiFi and six computers, and complimentary drinks and snacks.

Edinburgh Terraces Lounge Jan 2006

New London City to New York JFK Service

Club World London City benefits include:

The first transatlantic flight from London City Airport to New York JFK
All business Class service with just 32 flat bed seats on board
Check-in just 15 minutes before departure with hand baggage only and 20 minutes before with hold baggage
Send & receive email's and texts and browse the web with OnAir connectivity
Clear US customs and Immigration in Shannon, to arrive in New York as a domestic passenger and avoid airport queues
Direct sleeper service on return from New York to maximise your sleep time
Complimentary Arrivals facilities provided by the London Marriott West India Quay
Twice-daily flights during weekdays
Galleries styled lounge seating area at Gate 24 at London City
Kerbside check-in at London City Airport

Secure Flight USA

The USA Department of Homeland Security is introducing the "Secure Flight" programme. It requires airlines to collect passenger name, date of birth and gender in a customer's booking at least 72 hours prior to departure. Secure Flight enables the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to pre-screen passenger information against Federal Government watch lists.

British Airways is currently working closely with the Transportation Security Administration to ensure compliance with the Secure Flight programme requirements. British Airways plans to introduce the Secure Flight programme into our operation from Spring 2010.

New York JFK Lounge Access

Gold and Silver Executive Club Members and Emerald and Sapphire oneworld members have the opportunity to purchase lounge access into the Terraces Lounge at New York JFK for up to four additional guests until 31st March 2010.

In Addition World Traveller Plus customers will also have the opportunity to purchase lounge access to the Terraces Lounge when they fly from New York JFK until November 30, 2010.

Lounge access will be available for a limited period, when customers check-in for their flight at a cost of $50 per guest, per visit. This will be offered proactively at check-in by the airport team and will be subject to capacity.

Updated Baggage Policy

Customers travelling in World Traveller on flights to and from the Americas* (except Brazil) have a free allowance of one bag weighing no more than 23kgs. This means that the World Traveller allowance is the same for the majority of British Airways routes.
World Traveller customers travelling to Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria and connecting flight between India and the USA, Canada, Bermuda retain a two-bag allowance up to 23kgs per bag.
Customers travelling to and from Brazil and First, Club World and Club Europe customers on all routes are entitled to a 32kgs free checked baggage allowance at no additional charge.
Gold and Silver Executive Club members are entitled to two pieces of luggage up to 32kgs on all routes when they travel in World Traveller, Euro Traveller and Domestic.
If you are travelling to or from Algiers or Tripoli you will be charged the international rate for extra bags over your free checked allowance.
There is an online discount of at least 20% when you pay for your extra baggage online before you check in.
From 10th November 2009 the online charge to check in a second extra bag above your free allowance will increase to £72 ($112) or the local equivalent.
The cost of extra bags on UK domestic routes is the same as shorthaul European services at £35 per bag.
Heavy bag charge has increased from £25 to £30 for bags weighing between 23kgs and 32kgs. The special bag charge for items that exceed the maximum dimension no longer applies.

* Americas routes affected: USA, Canada, Bermuda, Argentina, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Paid Seating Update

Paid for seating update - Preferred exit row seat booking available online

From 19th January, customers wishing to request and pay for Preferred Exit Row seating will be able to do so online at ba.com without contacting the call centres. (This date is subject to any last minute disruption, should this date change you will be advised in a further update.)

Customers should only phone the call centre to amend or upgrade an existing Paid Seating booking, all other Paid Seating bookings and queries can now be made online.

Benefits of selecting and paying for preferred Exit Row seating online include:

Extra space and legroom available to traveller
There is no requirement to make a call to the BA contact centres
Much faster process - instant selection of seating
Easier payment with fewer restrictions (please note that some online payments will be subject to additional verification by the credit card companies - i.e. "Verified by Visa" and "Secured Mastercard" checks. This is determined by the card issuer and is outside of BA's control)
More points of sale and currencies are supported online

A one-way free upgrade to First when you fly Business

Start the new year in style with a one-way upgrade to First when you book an eligible fully flexible published Club World return flight between 14th January and 31st March 2010.

There is no limit to the number of times you can enjoy the upgrade during this period and your traveller can choose whether to take the upgrade on the outbound or return flight.

Upgrade is subject to availability and is only eligible specific fare basis codes (fare basis J2BA, J2BAD and J2BALCY only).

Diamond Club Re-Launch

BMI has re-launched it's popular loyalty scheme, Diamond Club for frequent flyers. New features being introduced to the scheme will include family membership, the conversion of miles into upgrades and complimentary pre-bookable upgrades for Gold Card holders. In addition the re-launch sees new airline and hotel partners as well as great treats from high end brands.

New partners joining the loyalty programme include airlines Continental Airlines, Brussels Airlines and TAM. Two new hotel partners are Missoni Hotels (from 1st December 2009) and Wyndham Hotels (early 2010). There's a new range of indulgent and stylish treats too, from brands such as perfumer Miller Harris, Hunters Accessories, Pure digital radio and Thorntons.

As part of the relaunch customers will see their membership cards change as a new stylish design rolls out, as well as a new look membership pack.

Join Diamond Club and enjoy a complimentary lounge pass

Join Diamond Club today and we'll reward you with a complimentary BMI lounge pass as a welcome bonus valid until 30th April 2010.

Route Cancellations

BMI has announced 5 route cancellations:

Heathrow - Brussels from 9th January 2010*

Heathrow - Amsterdam from 27th March 2010

Heathrow - Tel Aviv from 9th January 2010

Heathrow - Aleppo from 9th January 2010

Heathrow - Kiev from 10th January 2010

*BMI will, however, continue to offer services from London to Brussels through a codeshare arrangement with Brussels Airline.

Star Alliance

CELEBRATE THE 11TH MEMBER OF STAR ALLIANCE COMPANY PLUS

Our Star Alliance Company Plus family is getting bigger! Let's give our newest member - Brussels Airlines - a warm and festive welcome. Celebrate with us growing benefits, PlusPoints and flexibility - and receive fabulous awards.

Free Business Class Flights Longhaul
Free Business Class Flights Europe
1000 PlusPoints
750 PlusPoints
500 PlusPoints
Titan Matrix on-board Trolley Case
Camel Active Leather Bag
And many more

Swiss Airlines

New SWISS route Heathrow-Geneva 6 x Daily starting 10th January 2010 and increase of UK-Switzerland frequences to 33 flights per day

The Swiss airline has announced the launch of an additional SWISS route from the UK with a new London Heathrow to Geneva service operating 6 times per day starting 10th January 2010.

The new services between London Heathrow and Geneva will be operated by two aircraft of the Airbus A320 family. In an initial phase, one of these will be provided by bmi, their new sister airline within the Lufthansa Group. Later, however, Swiss will operate all these Geneva services with its own equipment. A further Swiss Airbus A320 will be stationed in Geneva for this purpose.

As well as meeting increased demand for travel options from Heathrow to Geneva, the route will afford travellers the benefit of recently upgraded Swiss' facilities at Geneva airport, including new infrastructure offers both a brand new Star Alliance and bmi lounge, plus a fast-track option which is helpful for the many West London-based business travellers.

Swiss to serve San Francisco from summer 2010

San Francisco is to become Swiss's latest long-haul destination. The new service, which will be introduced on 2nd June 2010, will bring one of North America's most important business and leisure destinations into the Swiss network. The new flights will be operated using existing aircraft capacity, and will be added in parallel to frequency increases on routes to India, South America and Canada.

FLAT OUT WONDERFUL: new Executive First Suites

Air Canada's newly refurbished Executive First (Business Class) is now complete!

A fully lie-flat bed is now available on all international services from Europe, including UK to Canada. Air Canada offers four daily departures to Toronto as well as frequent direct departures to Montreal, Ottawa, Halifax, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver from the UK. The revolutionary lie-flat seat transforms the transatlantic product into luxurious first class comfort and service for a business class price. The comfortable armchair and ottoman transforms into a truly lie-flat bed measuring six feet three inches (191 cm) long and up to 31 inches (79 cm) wide at the shoulders. The ultimate in convenience and comfort.

Executive Class features include

Priority check-in and boarding privileges
Personalised and dedicated Concierge services
Access to arrivals lounge at Heathrow
Access to the London lounge at Heathrow and Air Canada's Maple Leaf Lounges across Canada

Separate cabin with guaranteed aisle, front-facing seat
Laptop power port available on selected aircraft
Complimentary amenity kit
Generous baggage allowance - 3 pieces totalling no more than 69 kilos
Access to the Arrivals Lounge at Heathrow (image below)

New Technology at Air Canada

Mobile check-in - simply visit mobile.aircanada.com and select the check-in option within 24 hours of departure. Available from all international airports including London Heathrow

Air Canada Competition

Q1: How many daily departures does Air Canada have from Heathrow - Toronto?

Q2: What is the Business Class baggage allowance?

Q3: What tree are the Canadian Lounges named after?

Please email all answers to Julie at julies@eton-travel.co.uk by 31st March 2010

Good Luck!

(Please note that the competition is only open to Eton Travel Account Holders)

Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic is attempting to buck the expensive luggage add-on trend by revealing a new baggage policy.

The airline is introducing a "piece system" on all bookings made after November 25th.

Passengers in economy can check-in one bag weighing up to 23kgs on any route, while Premium customers are entitled to two bags and three bags in Upper Class.

Economy travellers flying to Nairobi and Lagos will still be entitled to two bags.

The Richard Branson-owned airline claims to be the only carrier that allow passengers to check-in surf boards free of charge.

One extra bag of sporting equipment, including golf bags and diving or ski equipment, can also be checked in for free.

Customers holding Flying Club Gold Cards are entitled to take one additional bag on top of their free allowance, in any cabin.

If travelling in Upper Class, this means Gold Card passengers can check-in up to four bags.

Passengers wanting to check in extra bags will pay for each piece, with each extra bag costing £32 if paid for online. Higher charges apply at airport check-in.

Chris Birch, the airline's head of product, said: "Passengers can now benefit from one of the simplest and most generous baggage policies in the industry.

It means lower charges for passengers wishing to take additional bags and a great allowance for those going on a sporting trip."

Any passenger holding a ticket booked and ticketed before November 25th will not be entitled to Virgin Atlantic's new allowance.

Bags weighing over 32kgs will not be accepted.

Travel Tips

Save time and money....Book all your Business Travel requirements through your dedicated Eton Travel res team.

Hotels
Airport Parking
Chauffeur Parking
Limousines
Airport Hotels
Lounge Passes
Business Travel Insurance
Group Travel Insurance

Beat the winter blues and get away with Eton 'VIP' Corporate Leisure Travel.

Escape the snow and ice and contact Eton VIP. A service solely dedicated to leisure travel for our corporate clients. Whilst most agents out source this service to large call centres, our service is personal and friendly with a team of highly experienced, knowledgeable and widely travelled consultants.

So whether its sun, sea and sand, sun ski and slopes or city breaks give us a call on:

01753 801 235 for Eton or 01189 792 555 for Wokingham alternatively email vip@eton-travel.co.uk

Funnies!

A lady was on a business trip. Since she was so tense from all the meetings, she decided she would go to the roof of the hotel she was staying in and sunbathe to help her relax. She went to the top of the hotel, stripped down, and laid face down on the roof. After about an hour of sunbathing, she heard someone on the roof. It was the manager of the hotel.

He said, "Excuse me, miss, but do you mind sunbathing somewhere else?"

"Why?", asked the lady. " I'm on top of the hotel...nobody can see me!"

"True", the man replied, "But you are lying on the sunroof above the dining room".

To My Loving Wife

A couple from London decided to go to Florida for a break to thaw out during one particular icy winter. Because both had jobs, they had difficulty coordinating their travel schedules. It was decided that the husband would fly to Florida on a Thursday, and his wife would follow him the next day. Upon arriving as planned, the husband checked into the hotel. There he decided to open his laptop and send his wife an e-mail back in London. However, he accidently misspelt her address, and sent the e-mail without realising his error.

In Scotland, a widow had just returned from her husband's funeral. He was a minister of many years who had been 'called home to glory' following a heart attack. The widow checked her e-mail, expecting messages from relatives and friends. Upon reading the first message, she fainted and fell to the floor. The widow's son rushed into the room, found his mother on the floor, and saw the computer screen which read:

To: My Loving Wife

From: Your Departed Husband

Subject: I've Arrived!

I've just arrived and have checked in. I see that everything has been prepared for your arrival tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing you then! Hope your journey is as uneventful as mine was.

(P.S. Sure is hot down here!)

A woman gets onto a bus with her baby.

The bus driver says, "That's the ugliest baby that I've ever seen. Ugh!"

The woman goes to the rear of the bus and sits down, fuming. She says to a man next to her, "The driver just insulted me!"

The man says, "There's no call for that. You go right up there and tell him off. Go ahead, I'll hold your monkey for you."

Travel alerts and important information will be posted on the 'Latest News' page as and when they arrive. Therefore please remember to check out the Eton Travel website on a regular basis, add us to your favourites to stay in touch.

Many thanks for reading and we hope you enjoyed the news.

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