Business Travel Tips

Beginning January 1, 2009, the standard mileage rate used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business will be 55 cents per mile.

That means 3.5 cents less than the current rate.
The Internal Revenue Service adjusted it mid-year amid escalating fuel prices. As a consequence, the standard mileage rate for business travel was 50.5 cents per mile for the first half of 2008 and 58.5 cents for the second half.

Most businesses use standard mileage rates to calculate deductible costs for employees who use personal vehicle for business.

Effective January 1, 2009, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car, vans, pickups or panel trucks as announced by IRS will be:
- 55 cents per mile driven for business
- 24 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes
- 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations.

Just a few left to take advantage of an promotion Qantas has launched on a number of economy flights between London Heathrow and destinations in the Asia Pacific.

Booking must be done by November 30.
Below the discount airfares Qantas is offering (they are return fares; maximum stay is one year; a Sunday stay is required).

from London Heathrow to:
- Hong Kong from £442 (Nov 19 2008 to Nov 30 2009)
- Bangkok from £689 (Jan 22 2009 to Mar 28 2009)
- Perth from £744 (Apr 12 2009 to Jun 15 2009)
- Brisbane from £800 (Apr 12 2009 to Jun 15 2009)
- Adelaide from £803 (Apr 12 2009 to Jun 15 2009)
- Singapore from £693 (Jan 22 2009 to Mar 28 2009)
- Melbourne from £797 (Apr 12 2009 to Jun 15 2009)
- Sydney from £802 (Apr 12 2009 to Jun 15 2009)
- Queenstown from £832 (Apr 12 2009 to Jun 15 2009)
- Wellington from £832 (Apr 12 2009 to Jun 15 2009)
- Auckland from £842 (Apr 12 2009 to Jun 15 2009)

Frontier Airlines today announced changes to its policy regarding same-day confirmed flights.

Passengers who wish to change to a different flight on the same day of travel will be charged a flat fee of $75.

Previously they were required to pay the difference between the original fare and the current price of the new flight.
As in most cases this fare diference resulted in a fee higher than $75, the new rules should make same-day confirmed changes more accessible to any customer who needs it.

These same-day schedule changes can only be made at the airport on the scheduled day of travel. Any changes made in advance will be charged a $150 fee.

Virgin Charter, leading online marketplace and booking tool for charter air travel and GetThere, leading global online business travel procurement solution announced a partnership to offer private jets to business travel programs.

GetThere, which facilitates more than 10 million travel bookings annually by corporations and government agencies, will provide access to Virgin Charter’s online solution to users looking to find and book charter air travel. [..] By accessing the Virgin Charter Marketplace through GetThere, corporations can quickly receive multiple quotes for charter trips from hundreds of high-quality operators all over the U.S. competing to earn their business. (source)

Virgin Charter’s technology solution allows clients to submit a trip request online, receive real-time pricing, compare offers from top private jet charter operators, select the best offer and buy it online.

British Airways will offer its Club Europe passengers more comfort and privacy by removing the use of the middle seat.

Beginning February 2009, BA Club Europe cabin thanks to the new configuration will offer a guaranteed window or aisle seat, with the middle seat free.

Robert Boyle, commercial director at British Airways, said that with the middle seat unoccupied passengers will enjoy of “extra privacy and a sense of personal space”.

British Airways will still maintain the full range of onboard Club Europe services including extra legroom in a comfortable leather seat, a choice of hot and cold refreshments and a complimentary bar.