News Archive

Delta Airline News
Enterprise Rent a Car
Travel Services Opens New Online Booking Service
New Club Memberships
Welcome to the New Delta!
TSA likely to ease restrictions on liquids in 2009
NWA Expands E-Boarding Passes to Detroit Worldgateway Hub
Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines Combine
Air Tran and Air Tran U
Important Car Rental Information
Corporate Cards
$3.1 Million Overhaul
NWA Custom Service Enhancements
Enterprise Rent-a-Car
Red Roof
Stay at Club Quarters and Save
TSA Announces Refinements
National Car Rental
TSA Withdraws Proposed
Congress Passes Bill
Services Fees

Delta Airlines News
Check-out some of the new and exciting changes with Delta Airlines.

-Merger and service updates: Delta-Northwest merger updates
-Delta and Midwest expand alliance: Alliance agreement
-New Brazil flights: Expanded service
-Triple your Skymiles: Updated info on current promotion
-Delta See Green: Learn how Delta is going Green
-Bye, bye boarding pass: Changes coming soon
-KLM News

Merger milestones

March 30 marked a significant milestone in the Delta-Northwest merger integration process as thousands of pre-merger Northwest employees arrived for work wearing Delta uniforms, and Delta began to harmonize onboard products and services. As part of this process, Delta has added First Class meals on flights greater than 900 miles. In addition, Delta now offers its EATS menu and complimentary snacks – peanuts and Biscoff cookies – on Northwest flights. As a complement, Delta’s alcoholic beverage selection, including Rande Gerber’s signature cocktails, has become standard on all flights. And Delta’s redesigned SKY magazine debuted onboard, online, and on newsstands on April 1. “Delta customers across the U.S., regardless of the flight and aircraft type they’re on, have begun experiencing a new Delta standard of onboard products, services and policies that truly represent the best offerings of both pre-merger Delta and Northwest,” said Joanne Smith, senior vice president – In-Flight Service.

  

Delta and Midwest Airlines expand alliance

Delta and Midwest Airlines recently announced a multi-faceted alliance agreement that will include reciprocity between the two airlines’ frequent flyer programs, new joint marketing efforts and expanded access to airport lounges throughout North America. The agreement extends Midwest’s long-standing marketing agreement with Northwest to the new Delta. Under the new agreement, Midwest and Delta frequent flyers will be able to earn or redeem miles on either airline’s network through the Delta SkyMiles®, Northwest WorldPerks® and Midwest Miles programs. The new codeshare arrangement is expected to go into effect in June 2009, while the frequent flyer portion of the agreement will launch later this year. As part of the agreement, both airlines will engage in expanded marketing and advertising campaigns to promote the new alliance. It will also expand the existing Midwest-Northwest airport club membership agreement to include Delta Sky Clubs. “Expanding our alliance relationships to include Midwest Airlines is another customer benefit created by Delta’s merger with Northwest Airlines,” said Richard Anderson, Delta’s chief executive officer. “Delta and Midwest make natural alliance partners given both airlines’ focus on delivering excellent service and a quality product. Midwest customers are known as some of the most loyal in the industry, and we look forward to welcoming them and earning their trust onboard Delta flights from Milwaukee to Madrid to Manila.”?Midwest’s existing codeshare agreement with Northwest Airlines will be phased out and replaced with the new Delta agreement. Both Delta and Northwest will be using the Midwest code on flights they operate on mutually agreed flights and city pairs. The Delta and Northwest codes will not be available for use by Midwest on the flights it operates.

  

Olá, Brazil

After Delta begins nonstop service between Atlanta and Brasilia, Brazil on Dec. 17, 2009,* it will be the only U.S. airline to fly nonstop to Brasilia, Brazil’s capital city. New service to Brasilia increases the number of cities served by Delta in the country to six. Delta has offered service between Atlanta and Sao Paulo for more than ten years, and has continued expanding throughout the years with nonstop flights between Atlanta and Rio de Janeiro, New York City-JFK and Sao Paulo, Atlanta and Manaus, and a direct one-stop flight connecting Atlanta to Recife and Fortaleza. On May 21, Delta also plans to begin nonstop service between Los Angeles and Sao Paulo. The new Atlanta-Brasilia flight will be operated with a Boeing 757-200ER, with 158 seats in Economy Class and 16 seats in BusinessElite®, Delta’s award-winning premium service.
*Subject to foreign government approval.

  

Timeline and triple miles: SkyMiles updates

Delta is working to align the SkyMiles and WorldPerks programs to create the world's largest and best airline loyalty program. To communicate coming program changes, Delta has launched an online integration timeline that includes the latest news and an overview of what’s happening in 2009 and beyond. The timeline provides a broad schedule by month, and includes key communications milestones. It will be updated regularly to provide the most current information. Right now, members can earn up to triple miles** for elite status on every Delta and Northwest flight that is booked and flown between March 23 and June 15, 2009.

  

Delta sees green

In order to fully develop the company’s environmental strategy and goals, Delta has formed an Executive Environmental Leadership Council (EELC). The council, which recently met in Atlanta, is made up of key leaders from various departments that determine the company’s positions on environmental sustainability as well as departments affected by those positions. “The EELC wants to position Delta in a role to build coalitions that will influence U.S. and international legislation and policies,” said Tim McGraw, director-Safety and Environmental Health. “It’s important that we remain aware of evolving global climate-change requirements. Part of this year’s efforts also will be to engage all employees in our environmental programs and to create marketing plans with environmental aspects.”Delta has an existing partnership with The Conservation Fund, which enables customers who book flights on delta.com to contribute to The Conservation Fund’s Go Zero program to plant trees to offset the carbon emissions resulting from each flight.And customers can calculate their estimated annual emissions from airline miles and their personal carbon footprints online via Delta’s online Carbon Calculator. Already Delta and its customers have raised enough funds to plant nearly 100,000 trees. In addition, Delta and Northwest flight attendants, cabin service teams and catering crews took part in an onboard recycling program in 2008 and collected a total of 632 tons of aluminum cans, plastics, newspapers and magazines, which were diverted from landfills in 29 US cities.

  

Bye, bye boarding pass

IDelta has placed even greater convenience in the hands of its customers by partnering with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to launch paperless check in for domestic travel on nonstop Delta, Northwest and Delta Connection® flights departing from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. “Delta is taking another step to eliminate lines from airports by putting more time-saving technology in the hands of our customers,” said Josh Weiss, Delta’s managing director – delta.com and Self Service. “With the introduction of paperless check-in at our largest hub, Atlanta-departing customers can now quickly check in and receive a boarding pass 24 hours in advance of their flight literally from anywhere with no paper required.”Here’s how it works: -Customers traveling in the United States and checking in for a nonstop flight from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport may simply download their boarding pass to their mobile devices via delta.com or nwa.com and proceed directly to the airport security screening area. -Customers checking bags should drop their bags at the baggage drop counter location prior to proceeding to the security checkpoint. -At the security checkpoint, TSA will scan the electronic boarding pass, check the customer’s ID and process the customer through security. -Customers can then proceed to their departure gate, present their electronic boarding pass to the gate agent at boarding time and board with their designated zone. -Other airports currently offering mobile check-in to Delta and Northwest customers include: Las Vegas, Memphis and Minneapolis-St. Paul; Detroit and Indianapolis (Northwest only); and New York-LaGuardia (Delta only).

  

KLM news

Air France-KLM completes the acquisition of a 25 % stake in Alitalia? Following Air France-KLM's announcement on January 12, 2009, and the approval of the competition authorities, the Air France-KLM Group has completed its acquisition of a 25% stake in Alitalia through the subscription to a reserved capital increase for an amount of some €323 million. This strengthened partnership cemented by Air France-KLM's minority stake in Alitalia gives Air France-KLM greater access to the Italian market thanks to Alitalia which, following its acquisition of Air One, has reinforced its position on the domestic market. ??KLM First to Launch Emission-Free Airport Vehicle Pilot Project Air France and KLM lead the pack as the first airlines to test the revolutionary AirPod, a zero-emission, compressed-air-driven vehicle. In May 2009, a pilot project kicks off using seven of the environmentally-friendly rides. Air France and KLM will be using these zero-emission vehicles over a six-month period to transport passengers and light cargo at Paris Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam Schiphol (East). Diesel vehicles are currently still in use at these airports. KLM captures the spirit of Africa KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will capture the spirit of Africa in April and May with this year’s onboard food and wine festival called the Africa Experience. In addition, KLM will be spotlighting a conservation project in Kenya. The inflight meals are traditionally the highlight of the festival, but this year, KLM is taking a broader approach than previous themes. The check-in desks at Schiphol will feature a touch of Africa and the festival will also be celebrated in KLM lounges. “We have chosen Africa as a theme because the continent is so inspirational. This is exemplified by the immense cultural diversity and the many different types of cuisine, as well as the excellent wines for which South Africa is renowned,” explains Bart Vos, executive vice president of KLM Inflight Services. “Furthermore, Africa is an important market within the KLM network.”For more information, see the Africa Experience website.

  

Travel Services is pleased to announce the addition of Enterprise Rent a Car as an authorized car rental company under the current National Car Rental agreement

PSU travelers my now choose Enterprise or National when booking business and personal travel. The addition of Enterprise, which is owned by National, will provide the Big Ten with great value and unmatched service.

Enterprise will offer a standard Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) coverage and Supplemental Liability (SLI), similar to what has been provided by National. When arranging your travel, be careful to utilize the appropriate corporate ID codes below.

National Car Rental – 5160279
Enterprise Rent a Car – XZ15N09

In the near future our site will be updated with a direct link to the Enterprise site. The Enterprise and the National website will be crossed linked. If one service is out of cars, the user will redirected to the other service for availability.

Policy states that National or Enterprise should be your first choice for business rentals and documentation should be obtained in the rare case that both would be out of cars and you need to rent from a non-contracted vendor.

For current rates and additional details, click here

  

Travel Services Opens New Online Booking Service

Penn State books thousands of hotel room nights every year for University business travel. For Travel Services, it is a challenge to find large volumes of room nights at one city or hotel. This is because much of Penn State’s travel is for conferences and it is difficult to negotiate meaningful discounts at any one hotel.

Travel Services has entered into an agreement to provide a new hotel-booking tool that is separate from its present booking program, Travelport. Penn State Hotels Reservation Program powered by hotels.com allows Penn State to take advantage of worldwide volume pricing.

PSU-Hotels.com

• Searches over 70,000 hotels worldwide
• Allows hotel bookings to be changed or cancelled without
  penalty and provides a full refund
• Can be used for business or leisure travel
• Can be used with the Penn State Purchasing Card for business travel or any major credit card
• No service fees

The full cost of the hotel room is charged to the credit card at the time of booking as with many online sites. As noted, the booking is fully refundable if the reservation is cancelled.

As with Travelport, PSU-Hotels.com is provided as another option for booking hotels and is the latest step in an effort to make Travel Services’ homepage a one-stop shopping site for all travel needs.

PSU-Hotels.com can only be accessed by visiting www.travel.psu.edu. Customers can log into PSU-Hotels.com by using their Penn State user ID and password.

For more information, contact Travel Services at 814-865-0395 or email cls53@psu.edu.

  

New Club Memberships

Traveling in today’s environment can be stressful and unpredictable. Weather and airline issues can cause delays and cancellations. Travel Services has identified what we feel to be a good value for club memberships at airports. Airport club memberships allow travelers to enter a lounge that provides comfortable seating, complementary snacks and refreshments, Internet Wi-Fi access, workstations, telephones, fax machine, television, newspapers, and magazines. Airport lounges are provided by the various airlines serving the airport. If you wish to utilize the club membership, you need to fly that airline. Each airline’s club membership has an annual fee that costs $200-800 annually. For those who travel less frequently, the cost per trip for access to the airline’s lounge can be very expensive.

Another option is Priority Pass™, the world’s largest independent airport lounge access program that provides a menu of pricing to fit every traveler’s needs. In most cases, it is significantly less costly than the traditional airline club membership and clearly more flexible. Travelers have the flexibility to work or relax in over 500 airport VIP lounges worldwide regardless of airline flown or the booking class of the airline reservation. There are three membership plans, with pricing starting at $99 annually for the occasional traveler to $399 for the frequent traveler.

Partnering with Airlines and independent lounge operators including Alaska Airlines, American, Continental, Delta, Northwest, United, and USAirways. International partners are Aeromexico, Air China, Avianca, Kuwait, Korean, LAN, Mexicana, and TACA airlines, as well as Servisair, PacificClub, and Club Premier. Not all lounges are included in the program. Travelers must consult the Priority Pass director, prior to traveling, for up to date lounge information.

Priority Pass, partnering with the above airlines, utilizes the designated partner airline’s lounge at the respective airport. Many airports have multiple lounge options, such as Philadelphia where you can use USAirways, United, and Delta lounges with your Priority Pass card. Use of the lounge in any particular airport is not dependent on the traveler flying on that airline. Airport Lounge Directory

Penn State’s travel policy does not allow for reimbursement of airport lounge member fees. The Purchasing card cannot be used to pay for this membership. This offer is being presented to our travelers as an economical way to obtain access to lounges at airports at the traveler’s own expense.

Priority Pass Membership Plans

*Penn State is being offered a 10% discount off the annual fee listed above

If you are interested in obtaining one of these memberships, please complete the application and forward to Travel Services at 104 Procurement Services Building via campus mail for processing. Priority Pass Membership Application

If you have questions, please contact Travel Services at 814-865-0395
or cls53@psu.edu.

  

Welcome to the New Delta!

After much anticipation, today Delta Air Lines has merged with Northwest Airlines, creating the premier global airline with a leading presence in nearly all of the world’s major travel markets.

With the completion of the merger, Northwest Airlines is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta.  Together, we will provide access to more worldwide destinations than any other airline, with nonstop access between our hubs in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York-JFK, Salt Lake City and Tokyo, and more than 375 destinations in 66 countries. We will employ approximately 75,000 people worldwide.

The integration process is already under way but will take 12-24 months to complete.  In the meantime, from the customer’s point of view, it’s business as usual. 

Travelers should continue to interact with the airline operating your flight: if they are flying on Delta, they should continue to check in and check baggage with Delta. If they are flying on Northwest, they should continue to check in and check baggage with Northwest. During the integration process, Delta will continue operation of the airlines’ separate Web sites, www.delta.com and www.nwa.com, as well as the two airlines’ reservations systems and loyalty programs.  We will be working expeditiously to integrate programs throughout 2009. Northwest currently represents KLM Royal Dutch Airlines within North America, and this will not change.  The new Delta will continue to represent KLM going forward. Travelers SkyMiles® and/or WorldPerks® frequent flyer miles are safe and their status is secure.  During this integration period they will continue to:

Earn and redeem miles on Delta, Northwest and our partners, as usual. Enjoy airport lounge reciprocity, with Delta Crown Room Members having full access to Northwest WorldClubs at airports worldwide, and vice versa. Delta is also expanding code share benefits to immediately offer members of both Delta and Northwest’s loyalty programs full elite reciprocity for upgrades based on their status in either program on flights operated by either airline. 

You will continue to hear more good news from Delta as we move forward in integrating our airlines.  You are a valued business partner, and we thank you for your support.  We will continue to further enhance our customers’ travel experience, and look forward to welcoming you aboard many future Delta flights.

Thank you for your continued loyalty and support.

Richard Anderson

Chief Executive Officer                                      

Delta Air Lines

  

TSA likely to ease restrictions on liquids in 2009

By Thomas Frank, USA TODAY WASHINGTON — Airline passengers will likely be able to carry large bottles of liquids on airplanes some time next year, the Transportation Security Administration says.  The TSA expects by next fall to lift restrictions that limit passengers to carrying 3-ounce bottles of liquids, gels and aerosols in airplane cabins, agency chief Kip Hawley said on the agency's website. Passengers would still have to remove liquids from carry-on bags at airport checkpoints and put them through X-ray machines separately.

"That's a major milestone for security," TSA spokesman Christopher White said Monday. "We're confident it's going to happen in 2009."

By the end of 2010, passengers should be able to keep liquids as they go through checkpoints, Hawley wrote in his blog, posted on Friday.

The restrictions are also likely to be eased in airports of other countries that adopted similar liquid restrictions two years ago after authorities disrupted an alleged plot to bomb trans-Atlantic flights with liquid-based explosives, Hawley wrote.  The changes are expected because better technology will enable checkpoint X-ray machines to spot dangerous liquids. X-ray machines currently can't tell the difference between harmless fluids and explosives. That forces the TSA to limit passengers to 3 ounces of liquid or less — an amount that, even if explosive, would not be enough to bring down an airplane.  Business fliers will be relieved to carry toothpaste tubes larger than 3 ounces, said Bill Connors, executive director of the National Business Travel Association. "It's just a little baby step toward slightly more convenience," he said.  Easing the restrictions could also speed up security lines, said Kevin Mitchell, chairman of the Business Travel Coalition.

  

NWA Expands E-Boarding Passes to Detroit Worldgateway Hub

(October 30, 2008) – Northwest Airlines, a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta, announced the expansion of its paperless boarding pass, effective October 29, 2008, to its Detroit WorldGateway hub. This comes after a successful test program in Indianapolis, Indiana. E-Boarding Passes allow customers to use their mobile phones and other handheld devices to clear security and board the airplane. For more information, log on to www.nwa.com/check-in/eboarding/.

Northwest now offers E-Boarding Passes to customers traveling non-stop from Detroit to cities within the U.S when checking in at nwa.com, using a PC or a handheld mobile device. Customers traveling non-stop from Indianapolis can continue to also use E-Boarding Passes.

"The growth of richer and more powerful mobile devices is facilitating the growth of electronic boarding passes and customer acceptance of this process," said Al Lenza, vice president distribution and e-commerce. "Expansion to Detroit is a big step in expanding E-Boarding Passes throughout the Northwest system and improving customer convenience."

The E-Boarding Pass incorporates passenger travel details on an industry standard mobile barcode that is sent directly to hundreds of handheld devices and mobile phones in the form of an e-mail, WAP push/link or MMS message.

Passengers choosing E-Boarding Pass no longer require a printer or kiosk to print their boarding pass. They can receive their E-Boarding Pass on the move and precede directly to airport security checkpoints.

  

Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines Combine

ATLANTA, Georgia and EAGAN, Minnesota – April 14, 2008 – Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE: DAL) and Northwest Airlines Corporation (NYSE: NWA) today announced an agreement in which the two carriers will combine in an all-stock transaction with a combined enterprise value of $17.7 billion, creating America’s premier global airline. The new airline, which will be called Delta, will provide employees with greater job security, an equity stake in the combined airline, and a more stable platform for future growth in the face of significant economic pressures from rising fuel costs and intense competition. Small communities throughout the United States will enjoy enhanced access to more destinations worldwide. Customers also will benefit from the combined carriers’ complementary route networks, which together will offer people greater choice, competitive fares and a superior travel experience to more cities than any other airline. In addition, combining Delta and Northwest will create a global U.S. flag carrier strongly positioned to compete with foreign airlines that are continuing to increase service to the United States.

Delta CEO Richard Anderson will be chief executive officer of the combined company. Delta Chairman of the Board Daniel Carp will become chairman of the new Board of Directors and Northwest Chairman Roy Bostock will become vice chairman. Ed Bastian will be president and chief financial officer. The Board of Directors will be made up of 13 members, seven of whom will come from Delta’s board, including Anderson, and five of whom will come from Northwest’s board, including Bostock and Doug Steenland, the current Northwest CEO. One director will come from the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA).

Delta will have executive offices in Atlanta, Minneapolis/St. Paul and New York, and international executive offices in Amsterdam, Paris and Tokyo. The company’s world headquarters will be in Atlanta. Delta is committed to retaining significant jobs, operations and facilities in Minnesota.

Combined, the company and its regional partners will provide access to more than 390 destinations in 67 countries. Delta and Northwest, together, will have more than $35 billion in aggregate annual revenues, operate a mainline fleet of nearly 800 aircraft and employ approximately 75,000 people worldwide.

In an industry where the U.S. network carriers have shed more than 150,000 jobs and lost more than $29 billion since 2001, the combination of Delta and Northwest creates a company with a more resilient business model that is better able to withstand volatile fuel prices than either can on a standalone basis. Merging Delta and Northwest is the most effective way to offset higher fuel prices and improve efficiencies, increase international presence and fund long-term investment in the business.

The transaction is expected to generate more than $1 billion in annual revenue and cost synergies from more effective aircraft utilization, a more comprehensive and diversified route system and cost synergies from reduced overhead and improved operational efficiency. The company expects to incur one-time cash costs to not exceed $1 billion to integrate the two airlines. The combined company will have a stronger, more durable financial base and one of the strongest balance sheets in the industry, with expected liquidity of nearly $7 billion at closing.

Under the terms of the transaction, Northwest shareholders will receive 1.25 Delta shares for each Northwest share they own. This exchange ratio represents a premium to Northwest shareholders of 16.8 percent based on April 14 closing prices. The transaction is expected to be accretive to current Delta shareholders in year one excluding one-time costs. The merger is subject to the approval of Delta and Northwest shareholders and regulatory approvals. It is expected that the regulatory review period will be completed later this year.

Richard Anderson, Delta CEO, stated: “We said we would only enter into a consolidation transaction if it was right for all of our constituencies; Delta and Northwest are a perfect fit. Today, we’re announcing a transaction that is about addition, not subtraction, and combines end-to-end networks that open a world of opportunities for our customers and employees. We believe by partnering with our employees, including providing equity to U.S.-based employees of Delta and Northwest, this combination is off to the right start. Together, we are creating America’s leading airline – an airline that is financially secure, able to invest in our employees and our customers, and built to thrive in an increasingly competitive marketplace.”

Doug Steenland, Northwest CEO, said: “Today’s announcement is exciting for Northwest and its employees. The new carrier will offer superior route diversity across the U.S., Latin America, Europe and Asia and will be better able to overcome the industry’s boom-and-bust cycles. The airline will also be better able to match the right planes with the right routes, making transportation more efficient across our entire network. In short, combining the Northwest and Delta networks will allow the strengthened airline to realize its full global potential and invest in its future.”

Customers, communities to benefit from expanded global route system, more competitive, financially secure airline

The Delta and Northwest merger will offer customers and communities direct service between the United States and the world's major business centers. Specific benefits include:

Customers will be able to fly to more destinations, have more schedule options and more opportunities to earn and redeem frequent flyer miles in what will become the world’s largest frequent flyer program. The merged airline will maintain all hubs at Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York-JFK, Salt Lake City, Amsterdam and Tokyo-Narita – each of which will benefit from improved global connectivity. Delta customers will benefit from Northwest’s extensive service to Asian markets and Northwest’s customers will have access to Delta’s strengths across the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Both airlines’ customers will benefit from a strengthened SkyTeam alliance that more closely aligns the combined airline with its respective trans-Atlantic partners Air France and KLM.

Customers also will benefit from the combined carrier’s financial stability. The merger creates one of the strongest balance sheets among major U.S. airlines, permitting the combined airline to invest in its fleet and services to enhance the customer experience. For instance:

The combination will accelerate the upgrading of existing international aircraft with lie-flat seats and personal on-demand entertainment. The combined company will have the opportunity to exercise options for delivery of up to 20 widebody jets between 2010 and 2013 to provide more international service than ever before. The combined company also will be able to improve customers’ travel experience through new products and services, including enhanced self-service tools, better bag-tracking technology, new seats and refurbished cabin interiors.

No hub closures; improved international access to benefit small communities

This combination will expand Delta’s international and domestic reach, and there will be no reductions in the number of hubs. In addition, building on both airlines’ proud, decades-long history of serving small communities, Delta will improve worldwide connections to small towns and cities across the U.S., enhancing their access to the global marketplace. Following the merger, Delta will serve more than 140 small communities in the United States – more than any other airline.

“Delta and Northwest are an excellent strategic fit, with complementary and geographically distinct route systems,” said Edward Bastian, Delta president and chief financial officer. “Together, we will have a more robust platform for profitable international growth. Combining both carriers’ international and domestic strengths, with our worldwide SkyTeam partners, we are well positioned to lead the industry and deliver value to our shareholders.”

Merger helps offset record oil prices, creates stronger global airline to compete in Open Skies environment

Record fuel prices have fundamentally changed the economics of the airline industry. Fuel is the highest single expense for Delta and Northwest, significantly eroding the financial benefits of restructuring and placing the airlines’ new found strength and stability at long-term risk. At the beginning of 2007, oil prices were approximately $55 a barrel. Now, oil prices have nearly doubled. This dramatic run-up in the price of oil makes the transaction even more compelling.

Internationally, the two carriers, along with their partners at Air France and KLM, will have a broader global network similar in scope and depth to what other foreign flag carriers already possess – and a significant presence in key business centers, with improved prospects for growing corporate business globally. This presence is essential for U.S. network carriers due to Open Skies agreements that have expanded aviation markets around the world and have created a more competitive international environment.

Merger combines Delta’s strengths in the South, Mountain West, Northeast, Europe and Latin America with Northwest’s leading positions in the Midwest, Canada and Asia; competition will be preserved and enhanced as a result of complementary networks

The Delta-Northwest combination will be pro-competitive. There is little overlap in the nonstop routes the two airlines serve, with direct competitive service on only 12 of more than 1,000 nonstop city pair routes currently flown by both airlines. In fact, the merger will create a stronger, more efficient global competitor. Discount carriers, which now carry one third of domestic passengers, and other network airlines will remain competitors in the airline’s markets.

Delta pilot leadership reaches agreement on post-merger contract

Delta also today announced that it has reached agreement with the company’s pilot leadership to extend its existing collective bargaining agreement through the end of 2012. The agreement, which is subject to pilot ratification, facilitates the realization of the revenue synergies of the combined companies once the transaction is completed. It also provides the Delta pilots a 3.5 percent equity stake in the new company and other enhancements to their current contract.

Delta will use its best efforts to reach a combined Delta-Northwest pilot agreement, including resolution of pilot seniority integration, prior to the closing of the merger.

Employees to be provided seniority protection and equity in the new airline

Frontline employees of both airlines will be provided seniority protection through a fair and equitable seniority integration process, as the airlines are combined. In addition, U.S.-based non-pilot employees of both companies will be provided a 4 percent equity stake in the new airline upon closing. The company also expects no involuntary furloughs of frontline employees as a result of this transaction and the existing pension plans for both companies’ employees will be protected. Additionally, all Delta and Northwest employees will enjoy reciprocal pass privileges on both airlines, beginning as soon as possible during the regulatory review process.

“We are pleased that the people of Delta and Northwest will participate directly in the growth and future success of the combined company,” Anderson said. “Thanks to the hard work and professionalism of the more than 75,000 Delta and Northwest employees over the last few years, our new, combined company will be positioned for a bright future as a leader in the global airline industry.”

Integrated SkyTeam frequent flyer programs and partner networks enable faster integration; existing Air France, KLM joint venture partnerships strengthened

Delta and Northwest’s complementary networks and common membership in the SkyTeam alliance will ease the integration risk that has complicated some airline mergers. The carriers participate in a joint SkyTeam frequent flyer program with common customer lounges and airline partner networks. In addition, they share a common IT platform, which has already been partially integrated through the existing alliance between Delta and Northwest. Further, the combination of Delta and Northwest will enable an accelerated joint venture integration with Air France/KLM, creating the industry’s leading alliance network.

Over the course of the regulatory process, a detailed integration plan will be created by the transition committee made up of leaders from both companies. After closing of the merger, the consolidation of overlapping corporate and administrative functions will result in some job reductions or company-paid transfers. Involuntary reductions for management and administrative employees will be minimized by normal attrition.

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Air Tran and Air Tran U

Travel Services has entered into a partnership with Air Tran Airways, a low-cost carrier operating out of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and the three Washington, D.C. airports. Although not convenient for the University Park campus travelers, this carrier may be an option for some of our other campus travelers or those who are willing to drive to another airport if there is a cost savings. Air Tran offers the following benefits to its corporate accounts:

• Low one-way business fares with fewer rules and restrictions
• No Saturday night stay or roundtrip purchase requirement
• Fully refundable fares on select coach fares as long as the reservation is cancelled one hour prior to scheduled departure
• No change fees for select coach fares as long as the reservation is changed one hour prior to scheduled departure
• Advance seat assignments at time of ticketing
• Priority boarding on all flights
• Dedicated check-in lines and security entrances at select airports
• Can be booked through Travelport

Travelers who book Air Tran on Travelport or with a Travel Services agent will automatically be entitled to the above benefits of the Air Tran Program.

Air Tran U for Students Air Tran also offers an exciting program for our students: Air Tran U allows our students to stand-by for inexpensive fares to Air Tran destinations. For more information, visit www.airtranu.com.

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Important Car Rental Information   

Travel Services receives calls on a regular basis regarding various issues related to car rental. The following list of information is provided as a reminder to those booking and/or renting cars of the important points to keep in mind.

Penn State has two car rental contracts – Primary Big Ten National Car Rental (must be used first) Secondary Enterprise Rent a Car (when National is not available or at all campuses except University Park and Penn State Harrisburg as fleet replacement) Proof of unavailability required for travel support form/ERS

National can be used for both business and leisure travel.

Enterprise is only available for business travel.

Both National and Enterprise provide Collision Damage (CDW) coverage and Supplemental Liability (SLI) coverage domestically.

National provides CDW only for international reservations and the CORPORATE RATE must be booked to get this coverage.  A deductible can apply in some countries if an accident occurs.

Enterprise is for domestic rentals only.

It is most economical to refuel the rental car before returning it since the car rental company will refuel at sometimes double the cost per gallon on the open market.  Purchasing the Fuel Option at the time of rental is not always the most cost effective choice.  Consider how many miles will be driven and whether refueling a small amount of gasoline may be much cheaper than paying for a full tank up front that ends up not being used. 

Rental cars MUST BE DRIVEN ON PAVED ROADS ONLY!  Do not take rentals on unpaved roads because any damage would be the driver’s responsibility.  Driving a rental off-road can void the insurance coverage.

If an accident occurs, the vendor and the police must be notified to meet the terms of the rental agreement.  It is highly recommended that the rented do a “walk-around” of the vehicle prior to leaving the lot and have the lot attendant note any scratches or damages on the rental agreement.

Rentals must be booked using the corporate discount numbers:

National – 5160279 Enterprise – NA40096

By referencing these discount numbers, you will receive appropriate insurance at no cost to Penn State.  Renters who elect to purchase additional Liability Coverage, Personal Affect Coverage or Roadside Assistance coverage will NOT be reimbursed for these expenses.

Renting a car with the intension of returning it to the renting city (local rental) and then dropping it in another city will incur an Unauthorized Drop charge.  This is becoming a problem in State College and is reducing our ability to rent one way cars.

When booking car rental only, you may want to go to the Travel Services homepage at www.travel.psu.edu and click on car rental to avoid any unnecessary service fee.

If booking cars only in Travelport without an air reservation, please make certain a credit card is stored with usage indicated for car rental so that the service fee can be billed.

Graduate students are only permitted to rent under the Penn State agreement for business travel and must carry a letter on Penn State letterhead indicating the rental is being reimbursed by the University.  Undergraduates are not permitted to rent cars under the Penn State contracts for any reason.

Anyone booking National should go to the Travel Services website under car rental and enroll in the Emerald Club (no fee) to insure express service by bypassing the counter, a one-car-class upgrade and guarantee of a car as long as there is a car available, regardless of size.  This service applies at all airport locations where there is an Emerald Aisle.

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Corporate Cards

Penn State offers both American Express and Citicorp Diners Club corporate cards with no annual fees and no credit limits. Both cards are limited-liability cards. The cardholder receives the monthly statement and is responsible for payment directly to the card company. When travelers use the corporate cards to pay for hotels, car rentals, and meals, we are able to reduce the need for cash advances and avoid use of the traveler’s personal credit limit while providing the convenience and added services of corporate cards.

Both cards offer a frequent traveler program that allows the cardholder to earn points that can be used toward travel or merchandise. There is an annual membership fee for both frequent traveler programs that is not a reimbursable expense.

Corporate card applications may be obtained through Travel Services.

The Diners Club Corporate Card is now co-branded with MasterCard and is accepted any place MasterCard is accepted. The card also provides Loss Damage Waiver coverage for car rental worldwide and allows the cardholder to withdraw financed cash advances at any ATM. A $6.00 transaction fee is charged for each withdrawal. The transaction fee is not reimbursable.

The American Express Corporate Card does not offer cash advances or Loss Damage Waiver coverage for car rental.

Please use the 800 number on the back of your card to contact a customer service representative or call Travel Services.

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$3.1 Million Overhaul To Start Expansion Project To Keep Facility In Line With Growth

The Centre Daily Times: Friday, August 31, 2007
Reproduced by permission.
By Anne Danahy adanahy@centredaily.com

BENNER TOWNSHIP -- Travelers slated to fly out of University Park Airport in up coming months will encounter construction work intended to lead to more elbow room in the waiting area if not on the planes.

The Centre County Airport Authority is getting ready for a renovation and expansion project that will cost an estimated $3.1 million and add 6,000 square feet to the terminal. The project includes expanding the passenger waiting lounge by 120 seats, building space to accommodate the federal Transportation Security Administration, moving the food and gift shop, and creating a centralized baggage security area. Authority Director Charles Welch said the changes should make the airport easier to navigate and more convenient for passengers. Construction could start in October and take six to eight months, depending on factors such as weather and the availability of materials.

"The simple need is we have outgrown the space we have here," Welch said.

The number of times passengers take to the skies from University Park Airport each year has more than tripled since the early 1980s. So far this year, the number of enplanements is up 4.2 percent compared with the same period last year. US Airways, United, Delta and Northwest serve the airport.

A 2004 long-term study that included projected growth determined that the airport needs a new passenger terminal that would be twice as big as the current one, as well as more space for aircraft parking. Welch said that project could cost almost $60 million.

But that much money wasn't available, so the authority pursued a smaller-scale project. Welch said the authority still hopes to have federal aviation funding to move forward with the larger expansion in eight to 10 years.

The airport is also looking to move ahead with an air-traffic control tower. Traffic is currently handled by controllers in New York. In the meantime, plans are to reconfigure parts of the airport.

The authority is accepting bids on the project, de signed by Architectural Al liance, of Minneapolis, until Sept. 13. Almost the entire cost will be covered by the Federal Aviation Administration, through a $4.50 federal passenger fee. Welch said construction will take place in phases to minimize any disruption. There won't be reductions in the number of flights.

The project will start with an expansion of a front area to make room for the relocated food and gift shop. Expanding the passenger lounge and adding space for the Transportation Security Administration, which is currently housed in mobile offices outside the main building, also will be part of the first phase.

The entrance for passengers deboarding planes will be moved to prevent arriving and departing passenger lines from becoming entangled. Space will be added to the ticket check-in counter for another airline to join at some point in the future. Passengers also will give their baggage to TSA agents at a central station rather than to the individual airlines. Welch said there are plans to add parking space too, hopefully by summer 2008.

Anne Danahy can be reached at 231-4648.

  

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NWA Customer Service Enhancements

NWA “Customer Focus” Enhancements Winter blizzards and adverse weather across the system have the potential to impact reliable operations and disrupt travel plans. When a service disruption is anticipated, or cancellations are necessary, NWA has enhanced the ability of its customers to adjust travel plans in the following ways:

1. Liberalized Exception Policy: When this policy is in effect, NWA waives all change fees associated with re-accommodating customers who have been impacted by weather delays, irregular operations, or a mechanical situation and allows rebooking options for other NWA flights.

2. Enhanced Event Notification: An Automated Messaging System proactively advises customers (by telephone or email) of a flight delay, irregular operation, or cancellation through a free service on nwa.com called “My NWA Info.” Customers are encouraged to take advantage of this service by providing the airline with email and telephone contact information.

3. Automated Flight Rebooking (AFR): NWA’s computer software systems have the ability to automatically process and rebook 150 customers in less than two minutes.

4. Frequent Airport Updates: If a flight is delayed or canceled before boarding, customer service agents will promptly post the information on the gate display monitors and make announcements at the gate every 15 minutes on the status of the delay, or in the case of the canceled flight, provide instructions to customers.

5. Rebook Hotline: NWA has a dedicated, toll-free number that customers can call from an airport telephone, or their cell phones, to obtain rebooking assistance from reservations agents. These calls take precedence over other incoming customer calls.

6. Rebook Service Centers (located in Detroit and Minneapolis/St. Paul hubs): These centers allow customers to print boarding passes for their new flight once they have been rebooked by the AFR system.

7. Technology options in the airport: Airport Self Service Devices give customers added convenient rebooking options. 8. Rebooking from home or the office: Customers can go online to nwa.com in the “Manage My Reservations” section to reschedule flights with ease.

“Travel over the holidays can be challenging and we know, from experience, that peak demand and unanticipated delays can stress the system and our passengers,” said Steenland. “We encourage our customers to sign up for our notification services and provide us with a telephone number or email address, so we can let them know as quickly as possible if they need to adjust their travel plans. This allows us to provide better service to the customer and give them added travel options.”

NWA Operational Reliability Enhancements NWA’s “20 Point Plan” also provides for improved operational reliability during inclement weather and irregular operations through a variety of measures, including:

9. NWA’s Winter Operations Summit: This first annual operations strategy session brought together station personnel, flight operations, system operations control center (SOC) – along with representatives from the FAA and several airport authorities. The group will continue to establish and review best practices during irregular operations and enhance safe winter operations.

10. Taxi-way Delays: If an aircraft is delayed due to weather or air traffic issues during taxi-out for departure, and the delay reaches three hours, the captain will coordinate with NWA operations and initiate a plan for passengers to deplane. This is policy may be modified at the discretion of the captain. For inbound planes that have not reached the gate within one hour of landing, the pilot will activate an “event recovery plan” intended to arrange for passengers to deplane safely.

11. Frequent Crew Communications: During ground holds or taxi-way delays, Northwest operations will communicate frequently with crew members so they can provide ongoing updates to passengers.

12. Fewer misconnects: The last two banks of flights, during peak Holiday travel days in the Detroit Metro and Minneapolis/St. Paul airports, have been pushed back up to 20 minutes to minimize the potential for passenger misconnects.

13. Contingency planning: NWA has created a comprehensive contingency plan for aircraft routing in the event that weather conditions quickly deteriorate and diversions are necessary.

14. Added aircraft: NWA has set aside additional spare aircraft, over and above the normal spares, to accommodate passengers affected by service disruptions.

15. A new position of Vice President of Regional Operations has been filled to enhance the coordination between Northwest’s mainline operations and its regional carriers.

“The Northwest Holiday Travel Reliability program looks to minimize the impact of schedule disruptions, to the extent we can plan for them, by ensuring we have extra aircraft and crews available to take care of our customers,” said Steenland.

NWA Employee Focus / Staffing Enhancements In further anticipation of the peak Holiday travel season, Northwest Airlines has also added staff to respond more quickly to the customers’ needs. This includes:

16. Increased Pilot Staffing: NWA has increased overall reserve pilot staffing by about 30 percent. The airline also allocated its largest volume of reserve pilots during keys days surrounding Thanksgiving and December holiday periods.

17. Increased Flight Attendant Staffing: NWA has created significant flight attendant staffing surpluses during peak holiday travel days, as compared to non-holiday months.

18. More Reservations Agents: The airline has increased its capacity to answer customers' phone calls by opening a new, state-of-the-art reservations center based in Sioux City, Iowa, with about 200 new reservations agents. NWA also hired and trained over 250 additional new-hires in its five pre-existing reservations centers.

19. Better Training: NWA’s nearly 2,000 reservations agents have all had specialized training to handle irregular operations and weather-related incidents in order to provide better service to its customers.

Steenland added, “During uncontrollable weather events, safety is always our first priority. With that in mind, we will proactively cancel operations if needed to protect our passengers and crew members.”

Employee Incentives 20. A “Holiday Incentive Program” will again be instituted for employees working during the December holidays. This recognizes the sacrifice that working during the holidays requires of NWA employees and their families. NWA has offered similar holiday incentive programs for more than a decade. The program has been praised by employees and also helps the airline maintain appropriate staffing levels.

Sixteen of the 20 items included in NWA’s “20 Point” Holiday Travel Reliability Plan will remain in effect as part of Northwest Airlines’ “Customer First” Commitments. The only exceptions are holiday specific and include delaying the last two daily banks of flights by up to 20 minutes in Detroit and Minneapolis/St. Paul to reduce misconnects; the added increases to pilot and flight attendant staffing above normally anticipated reserve needs; and the Holiday Incentive Program for employees.

Steenland concluded, “These proactive customer care measures will not only improve the holiday travel experience, but most have also become part of our standard operating procedures and Northwest’s ongoing commitment to best-in-class customer care.”

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Enterprise Rent-a-Car

Enterprise Rent-a-Car is now available as a secondary car rental supplier for Penn State business travel. Although National Car Rental is the primary supplier to the Big Ten and the car rental of choice by Penn State travel policy, Enterprise is available as a back-up supplier when National Car Rental has no availability for the dates needed.

Documentation is required for inclusion with the travelers reimbursement request verifying that National was out of cars.  When travelers enroll in National's no-fee Emerald Club program and book the mid-size car, they are guaranteed a car as long as National has any type vehicle available.

Enterprise is also available as fleet replacement at all  campuses (excluding University Park and Penn State Harrisburg) where National has service and at University Park where fleet cars are provided.  When booking Enterprise, reference Corporate ID #NA40096.  Enterprise provides Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) coverage and Supplimental Liability (SLI) coverage on the Penn State contract.  This contract is strictly for business travel and does not include leisure travel.

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Red Roof
The Big Ten Universities have entered into a new hotel program with Red Roof - Corporate Plus. By booking your reservation utilizing the Big Ten ID #CP514137 and presenting the corporate card available by contacting Travel Services, travelers will receive the the Big Ten rate. This includes complimentary coffee, free local telephone calls, expanded cable, priority advance room requests, express check-in and complimentary late check-out.

By going to the Travel Services Homepage and clicking on Hotels on the left of the screen, travelers can find additional hotel information, including hotel listings at Penn State campuses, hotel chains that offer the government rate to all University employees regardless of funding and a listing of all rates at Big Ten campuses.

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Stay at Club Quarters and Save
Penn State employees, students, and alumni can realize significant savings by staying at Club Quarters™ when traveling for business or pleasure. Club Quarters are private, full-service hotels for the exclusive use of employees and guests of Club Quarters member organizations like Penn State, and offer club-like facilities at the lowest possible prices. (more)


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TSA Announces Refinements To Security Measures - Agency Adjusts Liquid Ban, Aviation Threat Level Remains High

Press Office
Transportation Security Administration

September 25, 2006
Media Inquiries Only - (571) 227-2829
All Other Inquiries - (866) 289-9673

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today it is adjusting its total ban on liquids, gels and aerosols effective Tuesday, September 26.  There are two significant changes: Travelers will be allowed to carry travel-size toiletries (3 ounce or less) that fit comfortably in ONE quart-size, clear plastic, zip-top bag through security checkpoints. Travelers may also bring items, including beverages, purchased in the secure, boarding area on-board the aircraft.

“After the initial, total ban, we have learned enough from the UK investigation to say with confidence that small, travel size liquids are safe to bring through security checkpoints in limited numbers,” said Assistant Secretary for TSA Kip Hawley.  “We have also taken additional security measures throughout the airport that make us comfortable allowing passengers to bring beverages and other items purchased in the secure area onboard.”

TSA will be enhancing security measures throughout the airport environment, both visible and not visible to the traveling public. Examples of these measures include: more random screening of employees, additional canine patrols, stronger air cargo security measures, more rigorous identity verification standards and deploying more trained security officers in bomb appraisal and screening by observation techniques. It is unlikely that further adjustments to the ban on liquids, gels and aerosols will be made in the near future.

The United States and United Kingdom (UK) have continued to work closely together and have shared technical and threat information with partners in Canada and the European Union (EU). These measures are being simultaneously adopted in partnership with the Canadian government. The UK and the EU are expected to consider similar changes in the coming weeks.

Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Michael Jackson said, “Today’s announcement represents a unified approach with our Canadian partners. These are sustainable, common-sense adjustments that combined with additional security measures throughout the airport will keep the traveling public safe.”

The U.S. Homeland Security threat level for aviation remains at Orange, or high, and will not change at this time. This security regime will apply to all domestic and international flights departing U.S. airports. Travelers should, however, check with transportation security authorities in their country-of-origin for flights originating at non-U.S. airports. 

Existing exemptions including larger amounts of required medications, baby formula and diabetic glucose treatments must be declared to security officers at the entrance of the checkpoint for screening. For additional information and travel tips, please read our information for travelers. Our Travelers

TSA first implemented the ban on all liquids, gels and aerosols on August 10, after U.K. officials uncovered a terrorist plot involving transatlantic flights bound for the United States.  

Video clips of these new procedures and Assistant Secretary Hawley’s statement are available. Assistant Secretary Hawley’s Statement

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National Car Rental
When booking a National rental car, you have two options that are recommended for booking:

1. Book through Travelport and the service fee is $5.70. If you are booking air and car together, there is no increased cost.


2. If you are only booking car rental or you simply want to take advantage of the direct booking savings through our National link, book through our homepage at www.travel.psu.edu under Car Rental. This link will insure the corporate ID is appended, you are getting the best rate including free insurance, a 10% additional discount when a leisure rate is returned or a $2.00/day discount if the corporate rate is returned and no service fee will be incurred.

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TSA Withdraws Proposed Registered Traveler Screener Fee
SEPTEMBER 25, 2006 -- After initial estimates of up to $100 in government-imposed charges for enrollment into Registered Traveler programs, the Transportation Security Administration today outlined recalibrated costs that bring the fee down to $30.

TSA earlier this month estimated the cost to the government of about $30 per enrollee for a background check and $70 per enrollee to supplement costs to pay TSA screeners working the lanes at airports.

The $70 fee caused the most controversy among Registered Traveler proponents, who argued that an extra screening fee should not be incurred unless a greater burden is placed on TSA screeners (BTN, Sept. 25). Last week, TSA reevaluated this fee, with input from vendors, and today showed it ultimately agreed with their assessment.

Today on its Web site, TSA said it "will not seek cost reimbursement beyond the enrollment fee, until such time that RT screening modifications impact TSA duties, responsibilities, or costs."


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Congress passes bill delaying passport rule for land, sea travel (10/02/2006)

Passports still required for air travel as of Jan. 8, 2007

By Michael Milligan

WASHINGTON -- Congress on Sept. 29 approved an amendment that would delay implementation of new passport requirements included in the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, a law requiring U.S. travelers to have passports in order to re-enter the U.S from abroad.

The last-minute revision, which was inserted into a Homeland Security Dept. appropriations bill, delays implementation until June 1, 2009 the requirement for passports for land crossings at the Canadian and Mexican borders and for cruise passengers returning to the U.S. from Mexico, the Caribbean, Canada or Bermuda through the same date. All U.S. citizens, however, will need passports for travel by air starting Jan. 8, 2007, as previously proposed.

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Service Fees
Effective September 1, the airline industry began assessing a computer access fee on all airline tickets. This fee is passed on to the customer through the booking agency.  Our contract travel agencies have advised that they can not absorb this added fee.  Therefore, the following service fee increases have been implemented:
Travel Services - Full Service
Initial Booking - $20
Change Fee - None

Travel Services Online (Travelport)
Initial Booking - $5.70 (No Increase)
Change Fee - None

Centre for Travel
Initial Booking - $31
Change Fee - $22

E-TravCo Travel
Initial Booking - $33
Change Fee - $26

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