Business Travel Tips

2011 is the safest year for air travel, according to the aviation industry experts.
In 2011, there’s been one passenger death per 7.1 million fliers traveling on a commercial or charter flight — the previous record was one fatality per 6.4 million fliers in 2004.

Coming to air travel in the U.S., the data confirm the recent safety trend. U.S. airlines haven’t experienced a passenger death in a crash in four of the last five years.
From 2000 through 2009 U.S. airlines had 17 fatal accidents, a number showing that flying is safer than ever before; to make a comparison, 44 fatal accidents were reported throughout the 1970s.

Aviation experts say that better technology, improved training of crews and the increased amount of data — and sharing of data across the industry — are making the carriers increasingly safer.

Hilton launched its first quarter promotion, More Points.

The Hilton HHonors promotion offers 1,000 bonus points for every night plus an additional 5,000 bonus points for every weekend stay of two nights or more at participating hotels and resorts from January 1, 2012 through March 31, 2012.

Hilton HHonors says “weekend is defined as Thursday through Sunday”.
You can combine bonuses of per night and weekend bonus.

Details of Hilton HHonors More Points are available here.

Hertz customers can enjoy discounts of up to 33% on car rental for international travel to 111 countries.

The Hertz global sale runs until January 31, 2012 for rentals picked up between January 3, 2012 through June 30, 2012.

The discounts vary by country and location, ranging from 20% (Americas and Asia Pacific) to up to 33% (in Europe and the Middle East). In order to get these special discounts, customers are required to quote ‘CDP: 754910’ while making reservations direct with Hertz.

Also, in addition to this global promotion, Hertz customers residing in Europe, Middle East and Africa can benefit from the same discounts in their home country.

STR Global released hotel performance data for November 2011.
Below is a table showing the three key performance metrics by region during November 2011 (year-on-year comparisons).

The following are highlights of key market performers for November 2011 (year-on-year comparisons).

- Asia Pacific
The largest increases in occupancy were recorded in Mumbai, India, +15.6% (to 75.3%) and Shanghai, China, +14.2% (to 65.9%). The largest decrease was reported by Bangkok, Thailand, where occupancy fell 16.3% (to 55.1%).

- Americas
San Juan, Puerto Rico and San Francisco, USA, reported the largest increases with a +10.1% (to 74.0%) and a +10.0% (to 75.0%) respectively. Santiago, Chile and Sao Paulo, Brazil reported the largest decreases with a -6.2% (to 81.5%) and a -4.9% (to 72.4%) respectively.

- Europe
Budapest, Hungary recorded the largest occupancy increase, +8.0% (to 53.9%); Athens, Greece, posted the largest occupancy decrease, -13.8% (to 45.0%),

- Middle East/Africa
The largest occupancy increase was recorded by Cape Town, South Africa, with an 8.2% increase (to 71.9%).
Cairo, Egypt (-47.4% to 39.2%), and Muscat, Oman (-14.5% to 60.5%) were the market reporting the largest occupancy decreases.

The Transportation Security Administration has just launched TSA Cares, a toll free helpline number which will serve as an additional, dedicated resource for passengers with disabilities and medical conditions.

Travelers can call TSA Cares before they fly if they have questions about screening policies, procedures or what to expect when they arrive at the airport security checkpoint.
A representative from the TSA Cares helpline will answer questions about airport security and provide information that will be specific to the passenger’s disability or medical condition.

Also, TSA says: “If a caller’s concerns cannot be easily addressed, the passenger may be referred to disability experts at TSA. TSA recommends that passengers call approximately 72 hours ahead of travel so that TSA Cares has the opportunity to coordinate checkpoint support with a TSA Customer Service Manager located at the airport when necessary”.

TSA Cares Helpline: 1-855-787-2227. The line is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. EST, excluding federal holidays.