Business Travel News - May 5, 2008 - (Page Cover1)

MAY 5, 2008 INSIDE CWT Launches Policy Compliance Tool. . . . . 4 Carriers Expanding Minimum-Stay Fares . . . 6 Limo Cos. Lower Fuel Fees On Hybrids. . . . 10 Fuel Bills Fettering Airlines . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Marriott Exec Named Choice CEO-To-Be . . . 14 3 6 16 CORP. RETURN TO DISCRETION CONF. CENTERS ADVISED AMEX REORGS LEADERSHIP BTNonline.com Lockheed’s Wooten Tomaszeski’s new Fernando new to mandate use of Novartis policy has Amex president in upcoming facility. strong language. management reorg. Amex, Discover Reshuffle Cards BY MICHAEL B. BAKER Buyers See Downside Of Delta-NWA CITE LESS COMPETITION, SERVICE; AWAIT MORE DEALS BY JAY BOEHMER Some corporate travel buyers expect Delta Air Lines’ merger agreement with Northwest Airlines to inject a bit of health into a struggling domestic industry, but many expect it to prompt more consolidation, diminish competition, reduce declining U.S. capacity and further degrade customer service. Following months of speculation and reported false starts, Delta and Northwest on April 14 publicly proposed to create Continued on page 25 the world’s largest airline through an all-stock merger deal, valued at $17.7 billion. Contingent on shareholder and regulatory approval, the merged BUYERS ASSESS FULL COST OF CARRIERS’ A LA CARTE PRICING airline within eight months plans to begin in- Corporate travel buyers will see a narrower field of options for their travel and entertainment card programs but potentially boosted reporting capabilities and acceptance, following a pair of acquisitions in recent weeks: American Express’ acquisition of GE Money’s Corporate Payment Services and Discover Financial Services’ purchase of Diners Club International from Citigroup in an effort to expand the acceptance of both networks. American Express’ $1.1 billion deal brings more than 300 large corporate clients of Salt Lake City-based GE Newly Unbundled Fares Complicating Policies Most, Not All, Absorb New Baggage Fee BY JAY BOEHMER DELTA CEO ANDERSON Would head merged carrier. Continued on page 24 Postmaster: Newspaper Handling/Periodicals Postaage From select coach seat assignments to a second checked piece of luggage, inflight meals and the upcoming introducCompanies that will reimburse tion of onboard Wi-Fi, fuel-battered airtravelers’ second-bag fees lines continue to find new sources of ancillary revenue—including some once Yes included in the base fare. No 59.1% Travel buyers said the increase of un40.9% bundling and upselling only adds complexity to managing travel and tracking expenses, although they expect more Source: A Topaz International survey of 156 corporate travel buyers carriers to continue to expand a la carte pricing models. According to results of a poll of 156 corporate travel buyers conducted by Topaz International on behalf of Business Travel News, nearly 94 percent agreed carriers would further increase ancillary fees through unContinued on page 26 ONE-ON-ONE CARLSON HOTELS’ JAY WITZEL AND PAUL KIRWIN Carlson Eyes Asia, Corporate Growth Carlson Hotels Worldwide CEO Jay Witzel and Paul Kirwin, newly appointed president of operations in the Americas (BTNonline, Feb. 4), spoke with Business Travel News hotel editor Michael B. Baker during the company’s recent annual conference in Las Vegas about the role of corporate travel for Carlson and growth plans for its brands. Business Travel News: Despite talks of economic downturn, you’ve talked of an “unstoppable momentum” in the hotel industry. Would you explain? Jay Witzel: Historically, North America has been CEO JAY WITZEL Continued on page 8 http://BTNonline.com http://www.choicehotels.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Business Travel News - May 5, 2008

Business Travel News - May 5, 2008
Contents
Inside Track
Profile
BTN Research
Aviation
Lodging
Travel Management
Travel Management Tech
Executive Dashboard
Corporate Travel World
Destinations

Business Travel News - May 5, 2008