Pro-X-Travel

Key Information for Travelers Concerned with H1N1

Travel Guard Supplements New H1N1 Guide with Key Information for Travelers Concerned with Virus’ Impact on Winter Travel

Travel Guard is providing consumers with key facts on travel insurance coverage related to H1N1 following the U.S. Department of Health’s recent release of an official response guide designed to educate Americans about the H1N1 virus and seasonal flu precautions. Specifically, Travel Guard is advising travelers to take precautionary measures to minimize H1N1’s potential impact on their winter travel plans.

Travel Guard is supplementing the information featured in the new Department of Health guide titled “H1N1 Flu: A Guide for Community and Faith-Based Organizations” (available at http://flu.gov/professional/community/cfboguidance.html) by advising clients to take appropriate precautions when traveling to areas affected by H1N1, and responding to client questions regarding travel insurance coverage and H1N1 as the winter travel season begins.

Below are commonly asked questions and answers regarding Travel Guard’s retail travel insurance plans and H1N1:

Q: If I were to contract the H1N1 virus, would I be covered for trip cancellation?

A: Most plans provide trip cancellation coverage as long as the plan was purchased before the traveler contracted H1N1, and the traveler selected a plan that includes coverage due to unforeseen illness.

Q: If I were to contract H1N1 on my trip, would I have coverage for medical expenses?

A: Most plans can provide medical coverage as long as the virus was contracted while on the trip. 

Q: Would I have coverage if I am quarantined for health related reasons while traveling? 

A: Yes, some plans can reimburse the insured for additional expenses incurred if the insured is quarantined due to H1N1 or other covered reasons, up to the maximum limits of the coverage.

Q: If I am afraid to travel to a specific area because the H1N1 virus has been detected, will I have coverage for trip cancellation?

A: Like most in the industry, Travel Guard plans do not offer coverage for fear of traveling to a specific region. However, travelers who purchase a Travel Guard plan that includes the “Cancel for Any Reason” coverage option can be covered for up to 75% of trip cost for trip cancellation in this instance.

Q: Would I have coverage for trip cancellation if the government issues a travel warning covering the area I am scheduled to travel to? 

A: Generally, travel insurance plans do not provide trip cancellation coverage due to government warnings.

“Our worldwide travel assistance division continues to monitor developments related to H1N1 and its impact on winter travelers,” said Dan McGinnity, Vice President of Travel Guard. “We encourage travelers to contact us for updates, health warnings, prevention and treatment tips, along with all other information regarding H1N1 and travel.”

SOURCE: Travel Guard

The Dog (and Cat) Days of Summer! JetBlue Airways Offers PETCO Customers a 50 Percent Discount on Travel Fees for Pets that Jet this September

Pet furiendly JetBlue Airways is pleased to announce a special 50 percent discount (a) on the airline's standard JetPaws pet fee of $100 each way for PETCO's jet setting, four-legged customers this September. To receive the discount, flights must be booked between Aug 1, 2009 and Aug 31, 2009 for travel between Sept 1, 2009 and Sept 30, 2009 by calling 800-JETBLUE (538-2583) (a). The special promotional code can be obtained at any of PETCO's more than 950 stores across the country or by visiting www.petco.com/letsgo.

Additionally, New York's hometown carrier is also the official airline of PETCO's Fifth Annual National Chihuahua Races taking place this month. Seven regional race winners from across the country, along with their faithful pet parents, will jet in style and comfort courtesy of JetBlue to New York City to attend the championship races held on August 29, where one tiny speedster will be crowned America's Fastest Chihuahua.

JetPaws(TM) is JetBlue's exclusive in-cabin program designed to provide pet owners with helpful Travel Pettiquette guidelines, which outline the social graces of jetting with small dogs and cats. As part of the program, customers also receive two bonus award points for each flight through JetBlue's TrueBlue customer loyalty program, helping two-legged customers earn free travel faster when traveling with Fido or Fluffy.

As part of this new relationship, PETCO will also sell JetBlue's unique, custom-made pet carrier co-designed by Cindy Adams, celebrated New York Post columnist, ASPCA board member and founder of Jazzy Park Avenue Dog products. The JetPaws Pet Carrier will be available in more than 950 PETCO stores across the country and will continue to be available online at jetblue.com. More information about the carrier and JetPaws program can be found at www.jetblue.com/jetpaws.

JetBlue accepts up to four small cats or dogs in the cabin of the aircraft on both domestic and international flights. The combined weight of the pet and carrier may not exceed 20 pounds. Only one pet is allowed per customer and the pet carrier does count as one personal carry-on item. For the safety and comfort of all customers, pets must remain in a closed carrier at the airport and in-flight for the entire duration of the trip. To book a pet, customers must call our reservations team at 1-800-JETBLUE.

Offer ends 8/31/09. Promo Code is valid for a discount of 50% off the standard pet travel fee of $100. Flights must be booked between 8/1-8/31/09, for travel between 9/1/09-9/30/09. Promo Code is only valid for bookings made through JetBlue by calling 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583). The phone booking fee of $15 will be waived for travel booked with this Promo Code. Promo Code may not be applied to previously booked travel. If travel is cancelled or changed to be outside the eligible window of 9/1/09 to 9/30/09, the Promo Code discount will be forfeited and you will be responsible for the full pet travel fee. All travel with pets is subject to JetBlue's pet travel policies, available at http://www.jetblue.com/jetpaws/. Promo Code may not be combined with other special offers and is not redeemable for cash. Void where prohibited by law. Other restrictions may apply. 2009 JetBlue Airways.

Free app that points to nearby Show Your Card & Save locations reaches 500,000 downloads

A sign that saving money is more important than ever, AAA's free Apple iPhone "app," AAA Discounts, has surpassed one-half-million downloads in only three months. The free, GPS-based app displays Show Your Card & Save partners near user locations. Users can easily find their way to AAA member savings and have viewed more than one million offers since late April. There are more than 110,000 AAA Show Your Card & Save locations and more than 51 million AAA members in North America.

The AAA Discounts iPhone app acquires the user's location automatically, displays nearby AAA Show Your Card & Save locations and allows users to pan and zoom on a regional map. It also displays key information including the name, address, phone, distance from location and a summary of the discount details. Users can filter listings by category and have one click access to a route map and narrative directions. The AAA Discounts app works on the iPod Touch as well when the user has access to WiFi.

"At a time when saving money is a top priority, this free application is just one more way AAA is helping members save," said Gail Acebes, director, AAA Partnership Programs. "We are pleased so many are taking advantage of an easy way to find discounts."

First in a series of AAA applications planned for the iPhone, AAA Discounts can be obtained in two ways: via an iPhone by clicking on the App Store icon and searching "AAA Discounts" or by downloading iTunes on your computer and searching "AAA Discounts" in the App Store. The application uses components of AAA's TripTik(R) Travel Planner in combination with iPhone GPS capabilities.

While all users can view locations offering discounts, only members can take advantage of savings and access RESPONSE-based AAA roadside assistance. When members use the iPhone to place a call to AAA, their GPS location is transmitted along with the call. More than 2,000 roadside assistance requests have been made since the app was launched. Non-members also can apply for membership via the AAA Discounts app.

AAA's Show Your Card & Save program is the largest member discount program in the world offering more than 164,000 locations for savings worldwide including 110,000 retail locations in North America and popular online retailers including Target.com, FTD.com, The UPS Store, BlueNile.com, Lens Crafters and more. Visit www.AAA.com/discounts for a complete list of retailers and offers.

As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 51 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

UPDATE: American Express Unveils Flagship Travel Service Office in Cambridge, Mass.

Recent images of the American Express flagship Service Office in Harvard Square / Cambridge, Mass.

American Express Unveils Flagship Travel Service Office in Cambridge, Mass.

Featuring New Services including Cardmember Lounge and Concierge Services, Innovative Technology, Special Offers and Events

American Express opened its flagship Travel Service Office in Cambridge, Massachusetts offering visitors new travel services including a Cardmember lounge, concierge services, unique virtual technology, and special travel offers and events, in addition to service from American Express' travel agents. Located in the heart of historic Harvard Square, the Cambridge Travel office features a lounge-inspired environment that takes leisure travel to a new level.

"The new Cambridge office is the travel agency of the future, a destination that's welcoming, interactive and encourages visitors to linger and discover all the features and services that American Express Travel offers," said Ellen Bettridge, vice president of the American Express Retail Travel Network. "Our goal is to make the vacation planning and exploration process easy, convenient and meaningful; and to invite consumers who haven't used a travel agent before to discover the benefits."

New Services and Technology

The Cambridge Travel Service Office features a new onsite concierge services desk that provides end-to-end travel planning for elements of a trip including dining and entertainment, daily activities and excursions, tours and transportation.

The Travel Service Office also provides an American Express Cardmember Lounge, which offers Cardmembers a place to unwind and enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi and refreshments. 

"Our Travel Service Offices around the world have always been a place our Cardmembers go when they need assistance," added Bettridge. "In launching this new flagship location, we wanted to provide an oasis for our Cardmembers and for customers and to continue to demonstrate that American Express is there for them." 

Additionally, a business lounge area is available with administrative services for conferences, guest lectures and other functions for an additional fee.

The Travel Service Office also features innovative technologies through a Microsoft Surface station designed to take visitors on new and exciting journeys. Customers have access to a touch-screen map that provides information and details on hotels, travel offers and promotions through videos and images, virtually transporting them to destinations around the world.

Special Travel Offer

From now until July 31, 2009, travelers who book a qualifying vacation package at the new Cambridge office that is valued at $3,000 or more will receive a $300 American Express Gift Card, certain restrictions apply*. 

Special Events and Benefits

The Cambridge office will host events with key American Express Travel partners that will be open to the public, including:

• "Set Sail in Harvard Square" with Royal Caribbean that will bring the cruising experience to life. Guests can sample hors d'oeuvres inspired by their onboard fare and receive exciting booking offers on June 25, 2009
• "Ireland Loves Boston" with Brendan Vacations will entice travelers to get to know and plan their next vacation to Ireland with live Irish music, Irish fare and compelling travel incentives on August 6, 2009.
• "Destination Caribbean" with American Express Vacations in partnership with a Caribbean tourism board will invite Bostonians to plan their next warm weather vacation with island music, tropical fare, special travel offers, giveaways and more. To be held in September.

In addition to the events, the Cambridge travel office offers benefits to its customers through partnerships with Lands' End and Travel + Leisure.

• As the official retail partner for the Cambridge office, Lands' End supplied the travel service office team apparel and will provide visitors a ten percent discount on apparel through a special website.
• Visitors will be able to pick up complimentary issues of Travel + Leisure magazine.

Location and Hours
The Cambridge travel office is located at 39 JFK Street in Cambridge, Massachusetts and is open Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

About American Express Travel
American Express entered the travel agency business in 1915, and today operates one of the world's largest travel agency networks in more than 140 countries worldwide.

American Express Company (www.americanexpress.com) is a leading global payments, network and travel company founded in 1850.

*To redeem, contact American Express Travel, Cambridge and mention promotion code: AERMT001. Offer valid through July 31, 2009. To receive this benefit, purchase a cruise or vacation package operator through the American Express Travel Services location in Cambridge, MA, of $3,000 or more per booking to receive a $300 American Express Gift Card. Does not include independent air, hotel or car rental reservations. Limit one per customer. Offer not combinable with other American Express offers. Gift Card will be provided to customer at time of final payment. 

Priceline.com Launches New, Enhanced Hotel Reservation Service

New hotel guest satisfaction scorecards highlight enhancements

Priceline.com announced today the launch of its new, enhanced hotel reservation service that makes it easier than ever before to find the best hotels and the best deals. The service provides a streamlined yet powerful shopping experience that provides comprehensive hotel information, multiple search options and priceline.com’s unique hotel guest scorecard/review program for hotels.

Key features of priceline.com’s new hotel reservation service include:

• New, comprehensive guest scorecards for hotels. Most hotels now feature a detailed guest scorecard. The scorecard ranks the hotel’s popularity among Priceline hotel guests and shows when a hotel is ranked among the top-rated hotels for a specific city. Also, each hotel receives a guest satisfaction score in 5 different satisfaction categories - overall quality, cleanliness, staff, location and dining. Unlike other hotel review services that allow anyone to post a review, the priceline.com scorecards are based on surveys that priceline.com hotel guests receive after they’ve completed their stay.
• Enhanced guest hotel reviews and exclusive Zagat reviews and ratings. Now, guest hotel reviews can be sorted and grouped according to 7 different traveler types - solo travelers, groups, seniors, couples, families with teens, families with young children and business travelers. This gives potential hotel guests the ability to search their hotels through the eyes and experiences of like-minded travelers. Priceline.com also offers exclusive hotel and restaurant ratings and reviews from Zagat Survey, LLC.
• Similar hotels. We’ve made narrowing your hotel choices more convenient and quicker. Now, for each hotel, priceline.com also suggests similar popular hotels you might want to consider. This allows hotel shoppers to compare hotels and choose the one that’s right for them.
• Expanded Winning Bids feature. Priceline.com’s successful Winning Bids feature just got a lot bigger and has been expanded to include hundreds of cities around the world. As visitors are shopping hotels on priceline.com, they’ll see examples of recent winning bids from Name Your Own Price® hotel guests for specific star-levels across various neighborhoods in that city. Shoppers can find the best published price hotel, or they can bid up to half-off for a room through priceline.com’s Name Your Own Price hotel service.
• 3 different ways to sort and view hotel listings.Map View. “Virtual pushpins” identify the location of hotels, along with road grids, landmarks and other geographic features. The scrollable, zoom-able map is powered by Microsoft’s Virtual Earth.

1. Map View. “Virtual pushpins” identify the location of hotels, along with road grids, landmarks and other geographic features. The scrollable, zoom-able map is powered by Microsoft’s Virtual Earth.
2. Matrix View. This popular snapshot view lets travelers quickly see what star levels are in different parts of a city and what the different price points are for each star level. One click lets travelers drill down to the full list of available hotels for an area.
3. List View. Travelers can sort hotels in a destination by most popular among priceline.com customers, lowest price and star rating. They also can find a hotel by specific name or find hotels that are close to various landmarks.

• More hotels. With the challenging economy, more and more hotels have decided to offer their rooms through priceline.com. Priceline.com also has given its hotel guests access to tens of thousands of international hotel offerings from its international hotel reservation service, Booking.com. When you add them all up, priceline.com now gives its hotel guests more than 75,000 hotels to choose from, including over 37,000 in Europe and Asia.
• Virtual hotel tours. Many priceline.com hotels now offer visual 360-degree “virtual tours” of their lobbies, public areas, rooms, spas, pool areas and more. In addition, listings feature amenities summaries and descriptions, photos, maps and guides to nearby restaurants and attractions.
• Faster checkout. Priceline.com’s hotel reservation process has been compressed. Type in your room choice and dates and you’ll be taken to a shortened checkout screen that completes your reservation in minutes.
• Name Your Own Price® hotel reservation service. Priceline.com’s hotel reservation service wouldn’t be complete without its famous Name Your Own Price® hotel service that lets customers save up to 50% compared to published rates found online. With priceline.com’s Name Your Own Price hotel reservation service, customers receive their specific hotel information after their reservation is completed.

“Priceline.com’s new hotel reservation service enhances our ability to deliver the best hotels and the best deals to our customers,” said priceline.com’s Senior Vice President, Hotels, Tim Gordon. “We have more hotels than ever before. We have more information than ever before. We have a faster, easier reservation process than ever before. What hasn’t changed are the outstanding deals customers will find through our specially negotiated rates, reduced hotel booking fees, no change/cancel fees and, of course, our famous Name Your Own Price® savings.”

About Priceline.com® Incorporated

Priceline.com Incorporated (Nasdaq: PCLN) www.priceline.com provides online travel services in 28 languages in over 78 countries in Europe, North America, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Included in the priceline.com family of companies is Booking.com, a leading international online hotel reservation service, priceline.com, a leading U.S. online travel service for value-conscious leisure travelers, and Agoda.com, an Asian online hotel reservation service. Priceline.com believes that Booking.com is Europe’s largest and fastest growing hotel reservation service, with a network of affiliated Web sites. Booking.com operates in over 70 countries in 22 languages and offers its customers access to over 66,000 participating hotels worldwide.

In the U.S., priceline.com gives customers more ways to save on their airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, vacation packages and cruises than any other Internet travel service. In addition to getting great published prices, leisure travelers can narrow their searches using priceline.com’s TripFilter advanced search technology, customize their search activity through priceline.com’s Inside Track features, create packages to save even more money, and take advantage of priceline.com’s famous Name Your Own Price® service, which can deliver the lowest prices available.

Priceline.com also operates the following travel websites: Travelweb.com, Lowestfare.com, RentalCars.com and BreezeNet.com. Priceline.com also has a personal finance service that offers home mortgages, refinancing and home equity loans through an independent licensee. Priceline.com licenses its business model to independent licensees, including priceline mortgage and certain interna

Source: Priceline.com Incorporated