Welcome to the February 2008 Issue of Travology Today

We at Directravel continue to support Flyte Tyme Worldwide as the preferred supplier for ground transportation services. This partnership expands Directravel’s already significant offerings to its clients and provides a reliable network of cost-effective ground transportation solutions.

“We are proud to have preferred relationships with companies that hold themselves up to the same professional levels of service that we expect from our Travologists,” said Patrick Fragale, president of Directravel. “Partnerships like this one provide more value and a greater level of savings to our customers.”

Arrangements for Flyte Tyme’s services can be made through Directravel’s agent network as a stand alone service or a component of a business or leisure trip.

“Flyte Tyme has been a proud partner with Directravel for many years. The preferred vendor status underscores the value we provide to Directravel and their clientele,” added Tim Rose, president of Flyte Tyme Worldwide.

A recent survey conducted by the Association of Corporate Travel Executives has concluded that a huge segment of travel industry directors, vice presidents, and managers – responsible for the international transportation assets of companies in 52 countries – are unaware of a longstanding U.S. policy that allows laptops and other electronic devices to be searched and seized at border crossings. Sixty-two percent of respondents to a recent poll indicated they were unaware that computers and other devices, such as Blackberries, iPhones, iPods, flashdrives and cameras, can be examined, searched, and seized – without warrant or provocation – when crossing a U.S. border.

“While the incidence of laptop seizure or the confiscation of other electronic devices remains rather small when compared to the numbers of business travelers entering the country, the implications for individuals who fall into this category can be rather significant,” said Susan Gurley, ACTE Global Executive Director.

Only four of 100 respondents stated they knew of a traveler who had had a device or devices seized. One cited a laptop while two others listed laptops and other electronic devices seized. The possibility of laptop seizure applies to both US citizens and citizens from other countries.

Eighty-one percent of survey respondents were unaware that laptops and other electronic devices that were seized could be held indefinitely. During this time, the contents of the unit can be copied and made available to any number of federal agencies. This has severe implications for individuals who only have one laptop that serves as their computer for work and as a device to manage their personal lives. The loss of access to proprietary data or personal financial records can be devastating on a number of levels.

Sixty-five percent of respondents stated that their companies did have a policy restricting the amount of sensitive or proprietary data that could be carried on a laptop. These policies are not the result of seizure precautions, however, but were developed to prevent problems resulting from the potential theft of the laptop. But 56 percent also stated that their business travelers would be inclined to carry less personal information on a laptop once advised they could be subject to seizure.

For more information, click here.

As a way to offset the increased expenses associated with airline operating costs, United Airlines and US Airways have each independently made changes to their checked baggage policy.

Common between both programs:

• A $25 ($50 round trip) fee will apply to a second checked bag, per person
• Baggage check in must be done at a kiosk or airport counter

For United Airlines, the policy applies to all tickets purchased on or after February 4, 2008 for travel on or after May 5, 2008 and is for domestic travel only. Travelers who have purchased refundable, business class or first class seats and all Mileage Plus Premiere members (at time of check in) are exempt from the fee, among others.

US Airways announced it will begin assessing the fees to travel that occurs on or after May 5th for tickets purchased on or after February 26th and is for all flights within the US, to and from Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe. All Dividend Miles Preferred members and confirmed first class and Envoy passengers at time of check in will not need to pay the fee, among others.

For a complete list of frequently asked questions, including the full list of exempt travelers, click the following:

United Airlines

US Airways

Much talk has been heard recently about the pending litigation against Master Card, Visa and Diners Club’s currency conversion procedures for international transactions from February 1, 1996 to November 8, 2006. Below are the answers to some frequently asked questions found on www.ccfsettlement.com:

• What is this lawsuit about?

In this case (In re Currency Conversion Fee Antitrust Litigation, MDL No. 1409 (the “MDL Action”), Plaintiffs challenge the setting and disclosure of markups and fees imposed on transactions made in a foreign currency or a foreign country. Foreign transactions made on any of the following cards are included in this lawsuit: Visa- and MasterCard-branded credit cards (including charge cards) and debit/ATM cards (including stored value and payroll cards), and Diners Club-branded credit cards (including charge cards). The Visa-branded cards include Visa-, Interlink-, and Plus-branded credit and debit/ATM cards; the MasterCard-branded cards include MasterCard-, Cirrus-, and Maestro-branded credit and debit/ATM cards. The lawsuit includes the following types of transactions: purchases, cash advances, cash withdrawals and internet transactions (including internet transactions made in the U. S. but with a foreign merchant).

• What is the Plaintiffs' position in the lawsuit?

The plaintiffs challenge how the prices of credit and debit/ATM card foreign transactions were set and disclosed, including a claim that Visa, MasterCard, their member banks, and Diners Club conspired to set and conceal markups and fees, typically of 1-3%, on foreign transactions. The Plaintiffs also claim that the amount of these markups and fees and the alleged failure to adequately disclose them violated federal and state antitrust, disclosure, unfair competition, deceptive practices, and consumer protection laws, as well as common law and principles of equity.

• Who are the Defendants?

The Defendants are: Visa, MasterCard, Bank of America, Bank One/First USA, Chase, Citibank, Diners Club, HSBC/Household, MBNA and Washington Mutual/Providian, as well as certain affiliated and predecessor companies.

• What is the Defendants' position in the lawsuit?

Defendants deny the Plaintiffs' claims and contend that their markups and fees were properly established and disclosed. They have chosen to settle this case to avoid the inconvenience, expense and uncertainty of litigation.

• What transactions are eligible?

The lawsuit includes the following types of foreign transactions: purchases, cash advances, cash withdrawals and other transactions, such as internet transactions. Transactions made in a foreign currency are eligible. Transactions with foreign merchants are also eligible, even if made in U. S. dollars, so long as an additional amount was charged for the transaction by the card issuer or by Visa, MasterCard, or Diners Club. (Transactions with foreign merchants include internet transactions made in the U. S. but with a foreign merchant, as well as transactions at non-U. S. ATMs.)

• What do I need to do to ask for a refund?

You need to complete and submit a claim form prior to the deadline, either on-line at www.ccfsettlement.com/claim, or by mailing or faxing in the form.

The Court has set a deadline of May 30, 2008, to file claims for a refund.

For more information, click here.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced the launch of an interactive blog, Evolution of Security. This blog will serve as a tool for travelers to share their ideas, thoughts and concerns about aviation security. In turn, TSA will post videos, innovative concepts and other helpful tools while charting feedback. Evolution speaks to the progression of airport security since it was first introduced in the 1970s, then federalized in the wake of 9/11 with the creation of TSA, and now the need to introduce innovations to enhance security and improve process.

"We at TSA understand the 'why' of the security process and the reasoning behind it, but the public's perception of TSA is based solely on their checkpoint experience. We need to do a better job of explaining the 'why," said TSA Administrator Kip Hawley. "This blog is aimed at providing an interactive forum where people can share feedback and get answers."

Nearly 2 million travelers a day pass through checkpoints at 452 airports nationwide. To some travelers, 9/11 seems long past and they have lost patience with the many requirements of checkpoint security. It is fair to say that many passengers find transiting the security checkpoint a necessary but frustrating step in their travels. The blog is intended to forge better understanding between the public and TSA.

Hawley said TSA is, "committed to being proactive in addressing evolving threats and consistently improving security." The blog will be a forum to discuss some of the elements that travelers may notice in coming months that will enhance security while improving process.

A group of TSA employees from around the agency will contribute and moderate the blog. They include a local federal security director, a front line security officer, an intelligence analyst and an innovation team member that is exploring new and better ways to do things at the checkpoint. Their breadth of experience will provide unique perspectives on aviation security issues.

The Evolution of Security blog can be found at www.tsa.gov/blog.

Amtrak announced the deployment of its new specialized Amtrak Mobile Security Team to patrol stations and trains and randomly inspect passenger baggage. The Mobile Security Team supplements ongoing patrols already in place by Amtrak to enhance the safety and security of passenger rail travel. The Mobile Security Teams will ultimately be deployed nationwide.

“Keeping our customers and employees safe remains our priority,” said Alex Kummant, Amtrak president and chief executive officer. “These new procedures will strengthen Amtrak’s overall security, and they are vital in our efforts to deter, detect and prevent a terrorist incident on the rail system.”

Random baggage inspections have been found to be an effective security tool for deterring individuals who may pose a threat. Since predictable security can be exploited, this random screening and patrols will be unpredictable and will appear at varied times and stations.

These new measures are not in response to any new or particular threat and are in full coordination with the Department of Homeland Security.

Passengers will have the right to refuse inspection. However, if they do so, they will not be permitted to board the train and will be offered a ticket refund.

For more information, click here.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) began an important countdown - 100 days to 100% e-ticketing. “In 100 days the paper ticket gets put in a museum. On June 1, 2008 we will achieve 100% electronic ticketing,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

IATA began the drive to 100% e-ticketing as part of its Simplifying the Business program in June 2004 with the dual goals of making travel and shipping more convenient and more cost efficient. The program began with five projects - Bar Coded Boarding Passes (BCBP), Common Use Kiosks for Self Service (CUSS), RFID for aviation, e-ticketing and e-freight with annual industry savings of US$6.5 billion. It has since expanded to include the self-service oriented Fast Travel project and an industry Baggage Improvement Program.

When the program began in June 2004, only 18% of tickets issued globally were e-tickets. Today e-ticketing penetration is over 93%. “It is an incredible industry success story. When we began over 28 million paper tickets were issued each month. We have reduced that number to less than 3 million,” said Bisignani.

Consumers can anticipate more convenient travel in an electronic world. 100% ET eliminates lost tickets, makes itinerary changes easy and enables a wide array of self-service options.

For more information, click here.

American Airlines announced a new reciprocal frequent flyer agreement with Jet Airways ( India) Limited. The frequent flyer agreement allows members of American’s AAdvantage® program to accrue and redeem miles when traveling on any eligible Jet Airways flights. Members of the JetPrivilege program will be able to accrue and redeem miles on any eligible American Airlines, American Eagle and AmericanConnection flights…Continental Airlines announced that it has added 27 aircraft to its firm order positions at Boeing, including eight new 777 and 19 new Next-Generation 737 (737NG) aircraft…Beginning this June, Delta Air Lines will accelerate the start of New York-JFK to Lyon, France, by beginning service on June 3 instead of the initial date of July 15; Increase the frequency of New York-JFK to Malaga, Spain, from three to four times weekly, starting June 4; increase the frequency of New York-JFK to Orly, France, from four to five times weekly, starting June 2, in preparation of daily service beginning in July, among others…Eos Airlines has maintained its ranking as the top on-time performer of any commercial airline between London and New York for 21 consecutive months, according to airline statistics recently published by the U.K. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)… Beginning on June 3, US Airways will begin new nonstop service from its two largest hubs at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport and Philadelphia International Airport to California's capital city of Sacramento. US Airways will also start service from its Charlotte hub to Tucson, Ariz.

in December '07 decreased to 64.3%, down 9.1 points vs. the running 12 month average of 73.4% and down 15.7 points from November’s 80.0%. To view the USDOT's Bureau of Transportation Statistics' (BTS) Air Travel Consumer Report, click here.

The United States Government has posted recent travel advisories and warnings for Algeria, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Cote d’lvoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, East Timor, Eritrea, Haiti, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Kenya, Lebanon, Mali, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Uzbekistan, Yemen and Zimbabwe