Volume 6  -  Spring 2009

Welcome to the Spring edition of Yale Travel Services News:

Orbitz for Business adds 171 foreign points of origin! 

A broader range of options for foreign points of origin are now available for OFB air searches. For a foreign point of origin, the traveler/travel arranger can enter an airport or city in that country in the From box when searching for flights. For example you can now book flights from Beijing, Johannesburg, Moscow, etc. to the US.” Read more ...

Arrival and Departure Manifests

Let’s face it, booking ground transportation for your inbound guests has never been an easy task. Now if you book your groups through the Orbitz for Business tool, Travel Services can show you a way to use the “Traveler Locator” tool on OFB to create arrival and departure manifests in an Excel spreadsheet. By grouping your guests by arrival and departure times, you may be able to negotiate reduced rates with ground transportation companies, and simply submit your spreadsheet to them to make the reservations.

If you are interested in learning more, please call Marcia Kaplan at 432-9011 for further details.

Making use of “company locations”

Do you have a location that your travelers visit frequently? If you let Travel Services know, we can add it to our list of “company locations”.

Currently, most US colleges and universities are stored, as well as many New Haven hotels. Now car and hotel searches are a breeze. If you are booking a private car service simply type in New Haven in the search box, and choose the hotel where your guest needs to be picked up, or dropped off.

Do you need a hotel close to where you will be visiting? Type in the city and select “company location”

Orbitz for Business will return a map, plotting the location, and availability of nearby hotels. Run your cursor over the number, and OFB will return the hotel name, and rates.

New Rules for Travelers

This year, a series of new rules kicks in that could affect your travel plans. Here is what you need to know for 2009:

1. Passports are mandatory for all border crossings.
On June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). That means that most* U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry must either have a passport, passport card or WHTI-compliant document. It's a major change from the current rules, under which you can cross the border with either a passport, passport card or a government-issued photo ID, along with proof of citizenship.

* Exceptions will be:
CHILDREN: U.S. citizen children under the age of 16 will be able to present the original or copy of their birth certificate, or other proof of U.S. citizenship such as a naturalization certificate or citizenship card.

Groups of U.S. citizen children ages 16 through 18, when traveling with a school or religious group, social organization, or sports team, will be able to enter under adult supervision with originals or copies of their birth certificates or other proof of citizenship. See the Department of Homeland Security's GetYouHome.gov for more information on the changing travel requirements.

2. Visas go electronic.
The Department of Homeland Security's new Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) became mandatory January 12. It's a fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. (The Visa Waiver Program allows nationals of 27 countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without a visa.)

Click here for more information

CIBT gets new look

The new CIBT website will retain all of the same functionality as the previous version but through a simplified home page that has less text and more links to the content that matters the most to you. The layout has been cleaned up, and the navigation simplified so that you can quickly and easily get the information that you need. 
By entering from the “Passports and Visas” link on our web page (www.yale.edu/travel), you will automatically be connected to the Yale account (40634) page, giving you access to our deeply discounted rates, and a priority help desk reserved for a small segment of CIBT’s clientele.

CIBT Website Resources
CIBT’s Top 10 Helpful Things to Remember
Key Points to Consider when choosing a visa and passport provider

And the winner is……

Travel Services is pleased to announce the results of Yale's quarterly travel survey, and the winner of a $25 Gift Certificate to Carmen Anthony’s Steakhouse.

Congratulations to Angela Consorte of Internal Medicine at VA whose name was drawn from all those who completed the survey!

Thank you to all who took the time to participate. Survey results are below.

December 2008 Survey Results

How would you describe yourself?
	Orbitz for Business survey conducted October 2008; sent to 600 users with 75 responses, 13% response rate.
The reservation agents at Orbitz for Business are knowledgeable, courteous and professional when I need to call for assistance.
	38% of the respondents do not call OFB for assistance but of those that do, 94% responded that their expectations are generally met, with 9% responding that OFB agents exceed their expectations.
Orbitz for Business generally offers low air fares and competitive rates.
	92% of the respondents feel that OFB offers competitive air fares, compared to 95% last quarter.
Overall, I feel using Orbitz for Business is a positive experience.
	92% of the respondents feel that using OFB is a positive experience, compared to 95% last quarter.