Designed for frequent international travelers, the Global Entry Trusted Traveler Program is operational in 20 U.S. airports, including Seattle.  Pre-approved travelers  expedite entry and by-pass the usual immigration/passport control lines using a 4-question kiosk check-in and taking the machine-produced receipt directly to the expedited customs exits.  The average time at the kiosk is under one minute.

U.S. Citizens may apply online at www.globalentry.gov.  Once U.S. Customs and Border Protection has reviewed the application, an in-person interview is required for photo and fingerprinting.  A valid passport and one other form of identification are also required. The interview concludes with a demonstration on using the automated entry kiosk.

Cost:  $100 non-refundable processing fee, valid for 5 years.

Timing:  Approximately 2 weeks total time from online application to interview.

Group interview is available:  For corporations with 15 or more international travelers enrolling in Global Entry, CBP staff will arrange to conduct the in-person interview and processing at the corporation’s location.

Stellar Travel Co-President Susan Bluhm recently viewed the system and kiosk demonstration.  Questions may be directed to her at susan@stellartravel.com or www.globalentry.gov

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One Way Awards now available on United

• One-Way Awards are available for both Saver Awards (fewer miles) and Standard Awards (more miles and more flexibility).

• You can use these awards to fly United- or United Express-operated flights only. Sorry, these awards cannot currently be used with our airline partners.

• You must fly the most direct route from origin to destination. That means no stopovers. You can, however, make connections. Tip: If you want to visit multiple cities, you can use multiple One-Way Awards to create your itinerary.

• Complete One-Way Awards rules

Did your flight depart late but arrive early?

Airlines are padding their schedules by adding minutes to the flight duration to ensure that more flights arrive on time and boost their “on-time” performance ratings.   It used to be that if your flight left late, you knew you would arrive late.  But now, travelers are beginning to notice that you can leave late and arrive early.

According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, it analyzed 50 different domestic flight times and learned they are about 10% longer in March 2010 than March 1996.  Airlines say they have to build in congested airports and air-traffic control delays.  In addition, planes are flying about 2% slower to save fuel costs.  Airlines use historical data to estimate schedules and aim for about 65% of flights getting to the gate exactly at the scheduled arrival time.  The DOT gives a 15-minute cushion to rate “on-time”.

Northwest Airlines is no more

Delta has completed their integration of Northwest Airlines and January 30th saw the last flights operating as Northwest.  Any future flights that were ticketed as Northwest were automatically converted to Delta flight numbers over the past weekend.

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According to a rental car consulting firm, the average weekly published rate in 2009 for a compact car was $335.05, up 51% from 2008.  They are predicting rates will continue to rise in 2010.

Fleet sizes have been reduced by all rental companies, falling by an average of 25% in 2009 and they are down 50% from just a few years ago.  Since demand has fallen about 20% across the county, companies have been able to raise rates. Rental car companies are planning to increase fleet sizes in 2010 as demand increases, but it is expected to be slow since they will try to maintain pricing power.

Stellar Travel assists its corporate clients with securing discounted car rental rate agreements, including company and traveler benefits.  Contact Susan Bluhm – susan@stellartravel.com.

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On December 20, 2009 Argentina began collecting a $131 entry fee from U.S. visitors.  The Argentine government set this entry fee to an equal amount that Argentine citizens must pay when requesting a visa to travel to the United States.

The payment of this fee IS NOT a visa since Argentina does not require a visa for U.S. citizens.  The fee will only be collected at the Buenos Aires Ezeiza Airport and is valid for multiple entries into Argentina for 10 years.

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Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is providing FREE WiFi throughout the facility, compliments of Google!  The special holiday promotion runs through Jan. 15, 2010. And, the Port of Seattle is preparing for the airport to continue providing free WiFi for passengers, tenants, and guests after Jan 15.

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Avis and Budget car rental companies announced effective October 1, smoking is banned from their rental cars in their entire North American fleet.  Renters will receive a cleaning fee of up to $250 if they smoke in the cars.

“The number one request we get is for a smoke-free car” according to a spokesperson of Avis Budget Group, the parent company.    The cars will undergo a new inspection when returned.

Other car rental companies, including Hertz, allow customers to request a smoke-free car, but don’t guarantee it.

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British Airways sponsored a report by Harvard Business Review Analytic Services to review the effect of business travel economic reductions and business effectiveness.

2,211 business executives said face-to-face meetings remain a critical part of selling new business as well as building key partnerships.  79% view in-person meetings as a highly effective way to meet new clients to sell business.  87% agree such face-to-face meetings are the key to success in building long-term relationships.

52% of those surveyed said restrictions on the numbers of flights they take for business would hurt their business.  69% reported a reduction in their travel budgets over the last six months.

Across the board, face-to-face meetings were seen as the most effective method for conducting business with key stakeholders, compared with videoconferences, teleconferences and webinars.  Specifically, face-to-face meetings are seen as most effective for negotiations on important contracts, interviewing for key positions, listening to important customers and bridging cultural gaps.

Edited from Harvard Business Review Analytic Services, 7/16/2009 preliminary results; full report will be published August 2009.

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A new partnership with Seattle’s MasterPark will provide Stellar Travel customers with discounted airport parking rates at their choice of four convenient airport lots. MasterPark recently opened a multi-story garage parking facility (with slightly higher rates than the three original lots) offering completely covered car parking and extra services.  Stellar Travel will provide discount coupons inserted into vacation travel documents, and for business travelers, they may choose between a coupon printed from the Stellar Travel website, or pre-printed discount coupons or a plastic frequent user card.

“Our customers now have access to discounted rates at what many travelers consider the best parking option at Sea-Tac”, according to Susan Bluhm, Stellar Travel Co-President.  “Our rates are the lowest available and match any online promotions.  With the Port of Seattle Airport garage parking rates at $26 per day, our discount rate of $13.50 offers significant savings to all our customers.”

Click here for parking coupons.

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Alaska Airlines has begun charging $15 for the first checked bag.  You previously were allowed 1 free bag. MVP and MVP Gold members are exempt.

Southwest is having a 48 hours sale.  No one way fare is greater than $90 (plus taxes). Travel September 9 – November 18, any day except Friday or Sunday.  Purchase tickets my end of day July 8th.

Lufthansa will halt Portland, OR – Frankfurt service on Sep 12, 2009.

After more than 40 years of service, July 31st will be the last day for SAS flights between Seattle and Copenhagen.  They will be missed!

Delta has completed the integration of Northwest Airlines at SEA-TAC.  All ticket and gate counters are now branded with the Delta name.  All Delta flights have moved from the A concourse to the South satellite gates used by Northwest.

Virgin Atlantic will suspend London-Chicago service for the winter due to low demand.

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Expect some tough going today if you are flying United to/from/through Chicago O’Hare.  The check-in system is not operating and United is doing manual check in for flights.  You can imagine the mess.  This could also cause delays throughout the United system so patience will be required today.

From United’s website as of 7am PDT:

We are currently experiencing some delays and cancellations due to an airport check-in system issue at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. We advise customers to check in on united.com, confirm the latest information on their flights, and allow extra time at the airport. We apologize for any inconvenience, and we are working to fix the issue as quickly as possible.

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