INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Calling Spain in Vain? If you’ve been trying to call a number in Spain without luck it is probably because the country has added a "9" before every city code. For example: to call Madrid from the U.S., the prefix is now 011-34-91, instead of 011-34-1.

GIVE CUSTOMS A HAND

The Immigration and Naturalization Service’s (INS) solution to one of the biggest hassles for international travelers is now well underway at five international airports. Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, New York (John F. Kennedy) and Toronto airports all use the INSPASS technology to speed up the custom clearing process for frequent international travelers – those with a minimum of three trips abroad a year.

INSPASS (Immigration and Naturalization Service Passenger Accelerated Service System) offers qualifying travelers the opportunity to register their fingerprints and a biometric measure of their hands so that when entering the United States they can go directly to a designated gate, bypassing the endless immigration lines. There, they simply insert their INSPASS card into an automatic reader, grasp a hand reader, key in their flight number and pass through customs. A passport is still required.

International business travelers interested in the program can find enrollment forms at the INS website at www.usdoj.gov/ins/forms. Currently the program is open to U.S. citizens and those of at least 24 other countries.

DOMESTIC NEWS

On the Road and Sick? It can happen to anyone. If you come down with the flu or a fever while away from home, here is how to get help in the United States when and where you need it. Call HotelDocs, toll-free at 1-800-468-3537, describe your symptoms, and a physician arrives on average within 35 minutes, often with needed medicine in hand. HotelDocs will dispatch a doctor to your room at any time of day or night, anywhere in the country. The price: $150-$195, plus the cost of medicine. (Source: Working Mother)

TRENDS

The Cost of Travel Will Soar another 5 to 6% next year, according to American Express' new 1999 Trends & Forecasts Preview for the Business Travel Industry. A high demand for a limited number of airline seats and business hotel rooms will likely push air fares up 4 to 5% and corporate hotel rates up 7 to 10 %, the survey predicts. Rental car prices will rise 5 to 6 % due to rising surcharges in certain cities, while meal costs rise 2 to 3%. Amex said the numbers are likely to change, however, if business travel demand decreases due to economic instability overseas or stock market woes here in the United States.

Technology and government regulation will drive much of the change in the airline industry, according to a key corporate travel executive at Continental Airlines. Kelly Hart, national sales manager for the Houston-based carrier, said the increased use of the Internet, electronic ticketing and smart cards will open up new possibilities for the airline's customers, including new efficiencies and the ability to control market share. … Hart spoke on a panel during the Carlson Wagonlit Travel Southern Regional forum.

Companies should establish a team of executives to develop travel policies, according to a top corporate travel consultant. "You want to make sure travel policy will fit all of the needs of all the cultures within a corporation," said Carol Salcito, president of Stamford, Conn.-based Management Alternatives. Salcito, speaking at Carlson Wagonlit Travel's Southern Regional Travel Management Forum, cautioned that travel policy will not necessarily work equally well in different parts of the country.

Today's Road Warrior Business Traveler is working longer, sleeping less, and waiting in line for a considerable amount of time according to a new survey recently released by American Express Corporate Services. The American Express 1998 Road Warrior Technology Study, a recent online poll of 546 business travelers who take at least 10 overnight business trips per year, found that road warriors typically work an average of nearly 11 hours per day on overnight business trips compared to an average of 9.5 hours when back at the office. In fact, 78% of respondents "always or almost always" work longer hours while away. Practically everyone (98%) said they will "usually" work longer hours when on the road.

THE FAA Issued an Advisory recommending airlines make their carry-on bag policies clear to passengers, travel agents and crews. The FAA did not set industry-wide rules to limit carry-on bags, even though some aviation and consumer interests wish it would. Airlines are required to develop and enforce carry-on baggage programs that have been approved by the FAA.

Chewing Gum is a Popular Item to bring on a flight for flyers who want to keep their ears from popping during air pressure changes. But Greensboro and Orlando, Fla. Airports have become gum-free zones. The reason? Filthy carpets!

E-TICKETING

Electronic Tickets are Being Embraced by some corporate travel departments in a big way, despite continued, though fewer limitations in both their availability and capability. Travel managers not only are taking advantage of delivery cost savings from using e-tickets, they also are banking on a number of new services the electronic tickets could make available. (Aetna Director of Global Travel Teresa) McVickers estimated that Aetna already has saved (since August) $150,000 on prepaids, overnights, cancellations, reissues and general mail delivery.

Northwest Expanded its E-Ticket Service for international destinations, adding Mexico City, Cancun, Montego Bay, Grand Cayman, St. Maarten, Singapore, Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai. Sales for Mexico and the Caribbean start immediately for travel beginning Nov. 16; sales for Asia will start Nov. 16 for travel from Dec. 14. Customers using e-tickets for travel through March 15 will get 1,000 bonus WorldPerks miles. (TMD-10/13/98) United will expand e-ticketing to its globe-spanning flights Dec. 15. E-tickets for Buenos Aires go on sale Nov. 15 for travel Dec. 1; Delhi, Bangkok, Seoul and Taipei go on sale Dec. 1 for travel Dec. 15.

SELF-BOOKING

US Airways Launched "Personal TravelWorks", a book-it-yourself Internet program at www.usairways.com and the new Metrojet site www.flymetrojet.com .