TRAVEL BY LIL
NEWSLETTER
2/08/2009
Hi Everyone,
I would like to start out by thanking everyone for using Travel by Lil. Business has been so wonderful, thanks to you.
I would especially like to thank BNI.....Business Network International. If you live near Topanga and Oxnard, would like to meet the most dynamic, fun group of people to refer with confidence and have them refer your business.....NETWORKING AT ITS FINEST....call me about joining.
This week you can choose from:
Discover America Website info
Pre-pay to go potty in Venice
Continental loss
U S Airways loss
Cruise arrival hint
Perk in Cancun
DL/NW starting to merge freq. flyer programs
Euro on our side
US Airways pillow talk $$$$
Pesos good way to go in Mexico
Interesting Links
Check Out This Website
DiscoverAmerica.com comes from a partnership between the US Department of Commerce and Office of Travel and Tourism Industries. The web site has some 15,000 pages with content on the 50 states, popular cities and the country's five territories. You can find entry policy information, interactive mapping tools, and an activity finder. There is a section on reader reviews and you can research beach holidays, city breaks and the US Department of State. Content is supplied by Fodor's American Express, weather.com, Google Maps and the Department of State. You can also map distances between destinations.
Venice Offers Online service To Pre-pay For Access To Public Toilets
Venice wants to make it easier to use public toilets and is offering this new service to allow visitors to pre-pay online for a toilet card. The individual cost is 1 euro but sometimes you do not have that coin so this is a pretty good idea. You can pay 7 euros for 10 visits over five days in high season and 5 euros in low season. The cards will be available at bathrooms or other sites but the cost is 9 euros and 7 euros. The online day rate for two visits is 1 euro in low season and 2 euros in high season. Otherwise the card costs 1.50 euros and 3 euros respectively. The card will be available online starting February 1 as part of the city's Venice Connected card and must be purchased at least 15 days before using. City officials hope tourists will purchase the card and stop using city streets as urinals. The link for Venice Connected is http://www.veniceconnected.com/ but I'm not sure the info is online yet.
Continental Reports Full Year Loss
The airline reported a new loss of $585 million for the full year compared with a net profit of $459 million in 2007. Excluding special charges it would have posted a net loss of $351 million, $125 million of that related to fuel hedging and $52 million for pension settlements. The airline said it would exit the SkyTeam Alliance on October 24 and anticipates it will participate in the Star Alliance shortly afterwards. The airline will reduce mainline capacity 3.5% - 4.5% in 2009 that translates to a 6% to 7% domestic cut and a 1% to 2% international cut. It could make further cuts depending on demand.
US Airways Report Huge Loss
The airline reported a net loss of $2.21 billion for 2008 after reporting a net profit of $427 million in 2007. In addition to $496 million of unrealized losses on mark-to-market hedging adjustments, US recorded a $622 million noncash charge to write off goodwill created by the America West Airlines merger. President Scott Kirby said "Our forward bookings and revenue data are significantly more volatile than they have been in the past." . Reduced domestic capacity and $400-$500 million in expected revenue from a la carte pricing initiatives will help buffer 2009's expected difficulties, he said.
If Cruising This Winter Think About Getting To The Port A Day ahead
This has been a bad winter so far with plenty of snow. Those going cruising might want to consider going in a day ahead to make sure you don't miss the boat. Cruise Week Reports that agents tell them many of their clients have been missing their cruise because of weather conditions. Remember there are about 10% fewer flights this year and that translates into millions of fewer seats. Also US customs and Border Protection have issued new requirements that passengers must arrive at the pier at least 90 minutes prior to departure. This is because the cruise line has to send the completed manifest to Washington and wait 60 minutes for it to scan. Clients are resisting going in early because of the cost and most of them are booking their own air. But there is little advantage to booking through the cruise lines because you pretty much have to take what they give you and since they are not selling as much air they are not inclined to help you as in the past. Best insurance: get to the port a day early.
MEXICANA having sale until February 28th.
REASONABLE PERK IN CANCUN
Your clients will love the exclusive VIP Lounge in Cancun airport. For just $30pp (kids 12 & under are free) they can enjoy the lounge before their return flight home. Unlimited alcoholic beverages, snacks, WIFI and more! Call me for details... what a great opportunity and worth every penny.
Delta Moves Forward On Merging Frequent Flyer Programs
Flyers holding membership in either Delta's SkyMiles program or Northwest's WorldPerks program will be able to transfer unlimited miles between their accounts as Delta moves forward to merge the two programs. Those members who want to transfer miles can visit either web site to sign up. Members of either program can combine flights on both airlines to earn elite status, and elite members can get free first-class upgrades on both carriers.
EURO ON OUR SIDE
"Exchange rates in just one year have allowed US travelers to take advantage of international travel like they've never been able to before. There are various examples when comparing January 1, 2008 to January 1, 2009. Currency exchange rates have tipped back in favor of the US in several markets, with the dollar gaining 20-30 percent in buying power.
05 February, 2009
You have to pay to power nap on US Airways
If you want a pillow and blanket in coach on US Airways, it's going to cost you $7. US Airways said Thursday it will begin charging for its "Power-Nap Sack" on Feb. 16. It's following the lead of JetBlue Airways, which announced a similar policy last summer.
Airlines are adding fees on checked luggage and now pillows and blankets to raise more money as they battle a downturn in travel caused by the recession. US Airways reported that January traffic fell 6.2 percent.
Kevin Jackson, a marketing official for Tempe-based US Airways, said selling the pillows and blankets "is a natural extension of our 'pay for what you choose and use' model we began rolling out last year."
Jackson said the sleep kit was an affordable way for passengers to increase their comfort while flying.
The kits include a 34-by-60-inch fleece blanket, a neck pillow, eye shades, foam ear plugs and a $10-off coupon for items in the SkyMall catalog. They come in a fleece drawstring bag embroidered with the airline's logo.
The airline said it will stop handing out free pillows and blankets in coach on domestic flights. Customers in first class and in Envoy and Economy class on trans-Atlantic flights will continue getting complimentary pillows and blankets.
The kits won't be available on US Airways Express.
For customers who can't wait until Feb. 16 for their own US Airways-embroidered nap kit, the company said they went on sale Thursday at the airline's Web site.
Visiting Mexico this Winter - Use Pesos For Purchases
Even though the dollar is accepted everywhere understand that paying in dollars is not to your advantage as the exchange rate sellers give you is very much in their favor. Get pesos from an ATM machine and you could save 20% to 25%. I have found this to be true and I know many of you have as well so tell your clients who are going to Mexico. Read this article at Frommers.com
Hope everyone is well... take care, Lil
Interesting Links
Airbus 380
CIE Tours International
When Airlines Make the Rules
Ojai Valley Inn |