CONNEXXUS TRAVEL
IN THIS ISSUE
News from the
Central Travel Office
Airlines introduce
Basic Economy
Fares, Profile,
Webinars & Raffle
Winners
1
Rail Partner
Renewed
agreement with
Amtrak
3
Travel Agency News
Southwest Direct
Connect & FindIt
Process
4
Airline Partners
New agreement
with Turkish Airlines
and Alaska Airlines
5
Hotel Partners
Marriott and
Starwood are linked
6
Car Rental Partners
Enterprise
Commercial Truck
Program
7
Winter 2017
Top news for University travel.
NEWS FROM THE CENTRAL TRAVEL OFFICE
Our collaboration at the campus level has given us the
opportunity to reach more users who can leverage UC
-
negotiated deals and benefits NOT found when booking
travel outside Connexxus.
In this newsletter you will find important information on
airline carriers introducing basic economy fares. These
fares offer lowest available pricing but come with certain
restrictions. Be sure to visit each airline’s site for detailed
information on basic economy tickets.
We are excited to announce a new partnership
with
Turkish Airlines and Alaska Airlines. We would also like to
take this time to announce a renewed agreement with
Amtrak (booking link coming soon)!
As a result of your feedback, BCD Travel and Balboa Travel
(for UCSD) have integrated a solution into their online
booking tools that will show all Southwest fares, allow
passing of Rapid Rewards numbers and better track
ing of
ticket credits. More details can be found under
Agency
N
ews.
We hope that we can develop our partnership in this
positive manner and
will make ourselves available to you
whenever needed.
We look forward to working together
with you in the New Year.
Safe
travels!
CONNEXXUS TRAVEL NEWSLETTER
WINTER 2017
2
AIRLINES INTRODUCE BASIC ECONOMY FARES
Last year, Delta Airlines introduced a basic economy “no frills” airfare where travelers get the lowest price, but
do not get certain perks such as picking a seat or the flexibility to change/cancel their flight. In 2017, both
United Airlines and American Airlines will introduce their versions of a basic economy airfare, which are meant
to compete directly with discount airlines such as Frontier, Spirit Air and Allegiant.
What do these fares mean to UC travelers?
At its core, these fares are meant to provide pricing options for travelers on a tight budget. However, with no
option to pick a seat (even for a fee); travelers will also have to accept assigned seating in what are sometimes
the worst seats on a plane. United’s version of these fares will also limit access to overhead bins for carry-on
luggage. Travelers will board last and anyone with a bag too big to fit under the seat will be charged $25 to
check the bag. Campus rules on whether or not to reimburse these types fees vary.
The online booking tool (Concur) offered by BCD and Balboa Travel have a way of calling out such fares to
help guide you if one is selected:
While UC has negotiated rates with Delta, United and American, travelers are still subject to all airline rules and
regulations. We will hold a 30-minute webinar to go over these fares Thursday, February 9
th
1130AM and we
encourage you to register today.
CONNEXXUS WEBINARS
The Central Travel Office continues its efforts to educate and inform UC travelers on the benefits of booking
within the systemwide program and scheduled webinars are updated regularly. Additionally, we post full
recordings and FAQs of previously run webinars in the Video and Document Library of the Connexxus portal
and we encourage you to explore them.
Following are some upcoming webinars, click on the title to register for the sessions of your choice:
Southwest Booking Options – February 2nd at 1130AM
Our webinar on Southwest Booking Options will appeal to all who travel Southwest as we are about to release
new programming that will allow travelers to book ALL Southwest fares (including the ability to book mixed fares
on one ticket) online with BCD Travel and Balboa Travel.
Basic Economy Tickets – February 9th at 1130AM
How do you make sure that the airfare you choose is right for you, your traveler, and your budget? Recognize
types of economy fares and explore other special fares exclusive to UC.
Fly America v. Open Skies – February 16th at Noon
Using a Federal grant for travel? Trying to understand the many nuances of funding lingo? Our special guest,
Jeff Pennington from UC Berkeley’s Slavic Department will provide a basic breakdown on this complicated
topic.
Per Diem Rates – March 2nd, at 1130AM
Confused as to what the reimbursement rate is for hotels or international travel? Join our special guest, John
Barrett, who will explain the concept behind the policy.
If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions on these, please email us [email protected].
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CONNEXXUS TRAVEL NEWSLETTER
WINTER 2017
3
ANNUAL SURVEY FOR UC'S TRAVEL PROGRAM AND CONNEXXUS
It’s that time of year again and we would like your help in assessing the systemwide travel program and the
preferred agencies.
In appreciation of your time, we will hold a raffle and the Grand Prize will be TWO (2) Delta Airline economy
tickets for travel anywhere in the United States and FIFTEEN (15) Southwest Airlines "A Status" upgrades. Please
complete the survey by February 17th, 2017 to be eligible for this raffle. Only UC faculty, staff and students with
a valid campus email are eligible to enter the raffle. Full Terms & Conditions can be found within the survey link.
SURVEY
TRAVEL OPEN HOUSE RAFFLE WINNERS
The fall 2016 Travel Open House events across UC were very successful and below are the raffle winners:
GRAND PRIZE WINNER for ONE United Airlines Ticket Voucher: Debbie Fields, UCSF Fresno
Winners of the Southwest Airlines “A Status” Upgrade:
Rosa Gomez, UC Davis
Maida Miranda, UC Merced
Megan Fordon, UC Merced
Shana Slebioda, UC San Diego
Marisela Salas, UC San Diego
Bertha Pernicano, UC San Diego
Amy Donnelly, UC Santa Barbara
Kate De Blanc, UC Santa Barbara
Jocelyn Mattox, UC Office of the President
Erin Proudfoot, UC Berkeley
NEWS FROM OUR RAIL PARTNER
RENEWED AGREEMENT
The Central Travel Office is excited to announce partnering once again with Amtrak to offer a 15% discount on
California Amtrak routes!
Whether you’re traveling on business or pleasure, take the train and leave the traffic behind. Relax and enjoy
the views or move about freely and visit the Café car for tasty sandwiches, snacks and beverages. With
complimentary Wi-Fi, you can connect with family, friends and the office from the train.
The three California Amtrak routes valid for the 15% rail fare discount are:
• Pacific Surfliner: San Diego – Orange County – Los Angeles – San Luis Obispo
• San Joaquins: Los Angeles – Bakersfield – Fresno – Sacramento – Oakland/San Francisco
Note: A convenient motor coach connection between LA and Bakersfield and rail service to Oakland.
• Capitol Corridor: San Jose – Oakland – Berkeley – Sacramento – Auburn
Coming soon – visit the Connexxus portal to book reservations using UC’s link!
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CONNEXXUS TRAVEL NEWSLETTER
WINTER 2017
4
NEWS FROM PREFERRED TRAVEL AGENCIES
ALL SOUTHWEST FARES NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH BCD AND BALBOA TRAVEL
Effective February 1
st
ALL Southwest Airline fares will be available through BCD Travel and Balboa Travel with the
added convenience of billing your airfare directly to your campus funds!
Whether you are booking your trip through a BCD/Balboa travel agent or the online booking tool found in
Connexxus, all fares including the lowest Southwest “Wanna Get Away” and even international fares will now
be available to you.
Additional Benefits of this new option:
BCD/Balboa will connect directly to Southwest for real time fare and flight availability;
Easily book trips to multiple destinations, or fly into one city and out of another;
Allows for mixed class fares (depart on “Wanna Get Away”, return on “Anytime” fare);
Rapid Reward and TSA Pre-Check/Known Traveler numbers will now be sent automatically to Southwest
Please note: this option is available to UC as a result of 3
rd
party programming, called Direct Connect, who will
charge a $4 per ticket fee (regardless of direct bill payment or any another form of payment). The agency
assist transaction fee will remain the same.
We will hold a 30-minute webinar to showcase this new option on Thursday, February 2
nd
at 1130AM and we
encourage you to register today.
Review full benefits of this new option
NO ACCESS TO CONNEXXUS? TRY THIS
The Connexxus portal is accessible only to employees, but the Central Travel Office has a great alternative for
students, contractors, emeritus faculty or even alumni!
Short's Travel and their online tool, FindIt
®
, allows you to search for flights and/or
hotels at websites of your choice. Once you have selected your flight or hotel,
FindIt
®
will apply any available UC rates, provide automatic registration for
traveler insurance via UC Risk Services and confirm your travel purchase through Short’s Travel (one of UC’s
preferred Connexxus agencies). This option is available for credit card use only (no campus paid airfare).
The 4-step process uses the traveler UC email address to initiate the process, verify UC identity, and access UC-
negotiated rates via email inside of 15 minutes.
For FindIt
®
to work you will need to first download an extension to your browser. This is a one-time step and we
strongly recommend Google Chrome.
The full job aid on how to “Install for Chrome” and use FindIt
®
can be found here.
CONTRACTORS OR STUDENTS LOOKING FOR UNITED AIRFARE DEALS TO CONFERNECES?
The Central Travel Office has negotiated up to 10% discount with United Airlines for travel between January 5
and April 10, 2017 and specific to:
• Orlando, FL;
• Chicago, IL;
• Washington, DC
Full details on these fares can be found here.
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CONNEXXUS TRAVEL NEWSLETTER
WINTER 2017
5
Airline partner rates & benefits apply to tickets booked with a Connexxus preferred travel management provider (agent or online).
NEWS FROM AIRLINE PARTNERS
Partner program including Air
France, KLM, Northwest & Virgin
Atlantic
Joint-business program including
Japan Airlines, British Airways &
Iberia
NEW AND RENEWED AGREEMENTS
We have current or recently renewed agreements with all the major airlines and
even some new ones. We are pleased to have partnered with Turkish Air which
offers flights to over 100 countries!
We are also excited to share that the Virgin America agreement now offers
discounts on Alaska Airlines.
ALASKA AIRLINES / VIRGIN AMERICA ROUTE MAP
Discounts for all partnered airlines are automatically loaded and accessible
within the preferred agency booking tools.
MORE AIRLINE NEWS
Partner airlines American and United offer nonstop service from SFO/LAX to
Haneda; Delta offers nonstop LAX to Haneda: New Routes to Haneda Airport
Mean Easier Travel to Tokyo
British Airways
Beginning March 2017, will begin non-stop service from Oakland to London
Gatwick
Southwest
Free Same Day Standby – An exciting new benefit for A-List and A-List Preferred
Members
United
As
a benefit to UC employees, United offers the opportunity to match the
frequent-
flyer status of from another airline to the equivalent of United’s
MileagePlus frequent flyer program. Visit the Air section of the portal for step-by-
step instructions to submit the information online.
Joint-venture partners including Air
Canada, All Nippon Airways,
Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines,
Lufthansa & Swiss Airlines
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CONNEXXUS TRAVEL NEWSLETTER
WINTER 2017
6
NEWS FROM HOTEL PARTNERS
MARRIOTT & STARWOOD ARE LINKED
Marriott Hotels has officially expanded to include Starwood Properties, including
Sheraton, Westin, Renaissance, and others, to create the world’s largest hotel
company. Marriott now has over 5,700 properties in more than 110 countries.
Members can take advantage of linking their SPG® and Marriott Rewards
accounts or join to receive:
• Elite Status Match and benefits with Marriott Rewards for Marriott stays
• Points Transfer to discover new redemption options and destinations
Link accounts at spg.com/linkmarriott
Learn more at spg.com/marriott
CLUB QUARTERS HOTELS AVAILABLE TO UC TRAVELERS
Club Quarters are full service hotels designed for business travelers offering low fixed
rates even when the city may appear to be “sold out. The Central Travel Office has
negotiated a UC flat rate in 16 city locations. A full fare matrix by room rates, type,
and seasonality is available in the portal.
In addition to the UC-negotiated low flat rates for both long and short stays, the
following benefits will be offered to UC travelers:
• No Blackout dates
• Last room availability on all four (4) room types
• Free grab‘n go snacks during the week
• Lower rates to UC travelers on most weekend and holidays at all locations
Club Quarters offers a number of unique, value added amenities, including:
• Restricted entry for greater security
• iPads on loan for registered guest
• Complimentary exercise equipment and yoga kits delivered to guest room
upon request
• Complimentary air purifiers and ambient sound machines delivered upon
request
• Self-serve laundry facilities (most locations)
• Room service and 24-hour multi-menu delivery service
• “Guest Request Closet” containing most extra amenities a business traveler
may require
• “Sleep Better Kit” with eye mask, ear plugs, and aromatherapy available
upon request
UC rates with Club Quarters are offered exclusively through the Connexxus
preferred travel agencies: BCD Travel, Balboa Travel and UCLA Travel (agent or
online).
Include a hotel
when making air
reservations or
book the hotel
separately using
the Connexxus
agency Book
Now link and
selecting the
hotel tab.
Rates are
automatically
loaded with
Connexxus
agency booking
tools.
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CONNEXXUS TRAVEL NEWSLETTER
WINTER 2017
7
ENTERPRISE COMMERCIAL TRUCK PROGRAM
Did you know? The University’s systemwide agreement with Enterprise includes
the Enterprise Commercial Truck Program for rentals of specialized vehicles such
as:
• Light and Medium Duty Trucks
• Cargo Vans, Box Trucks Flatbeds
• Heavy Duty Pickup Trucks with Towing
For more information on this program and how to book, visit the Car section of
the portal.
DOLLAR RENT A CAR AND THRIFTY CAR RENTAL AVAILABLE ON
CONNEXXUS
Dollar and Thrifty are part of the Hertz Corporation and available to UC travelers
to offset travel costs with lower competitive rates and expedited services.
Highlights of the programs are listed below.
• Rates Include Insurance Coverage
• Guaranteed Set Rates
• No Underage or Additional Driver Fees
• No One-Day Mid-Week Surcharges
• Only One Rate Surcharge Area (New York)
• 100% Location Participation
• Free Dollar Express Rental Program
Note: Reservations with these preferred car companies available only through a
Connexxus agency and SWABIZ.
If you are not already a member of the Dollar and Thrifty Express programs, you
can find the membership links in the Car section of the portal. Each campus has
their own customized membership link that includes your campus information
and Corporate Discount Numbers.
CAR RENTAL MOBILE APPS
New Enterprise Rent-A-Car app now available in the iOS and Android app
stores lets you manage reservations on the go, get directions to a car rental
branch, reach road side assistance 24/7 and even sign in to your Enterprise
Plus® account. Emerald Club is also accepted through the Enterprise app.
Download the National Car Rental® app and tap into the power of speed
and control — all at your fingertips. New Virtual Aisle locations offer Emerald
Club members more opportunities to use your smartphone to choose an
available car in your destination city.
Download the Hertz mobile app
to reserve a car, change your reservation,
or login and update your profile. The app features an Intuitive design and
interface for ease-of-use.
NEWS FROM CAR RENTAL PARTNERS
Connect with us:
Subscribe to Connexxus Travel
Published by the Central Travel Office | University of California, Office of the President
Portal: www.travel.ucop.edu | Email: uctravel@ucop.edu
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