Changes to Yale’s Amtrak program
2007 New Haven Hotel Rates for Yale Business Travel
Other Travel News
Orbitz for Business at Yale
Yale Travel Services has deployed Orbitz for Business(OFB) as the preferred travel provider for all Yale-related travel needs. OFB offers both an easy to use on line tool, and a staff of professional travel agents available 24/7, 365 to assist the Yale community. The benefits to Yale for using OFB are:
- Improved service for Yale travelers
- Lower transaction fees
- Reduced costs of travel gained through discounted rates on air, cars, hotels, limousines, and other Yale preferred suppliers
- Automated system to manage the use of unused, non-refundable tickets
- Information tool for locating Yale travelers in times of emergencies and world events
To encourage the use of our preferred vendor, Yale University will absorb the service fee for business related travel booked on-line. Travelers should feel free to call an OFB agent to make complex or international reservations, but book simple itineraries using the on line tool.
To log in for the first time, go to www.orbitzforbusiness.net. Your yale.edu email address is your Orbitz member ID. Use “travel” as your initial password. You may also call Orbitz for Business toll-free at 1-877-ORBITZ1 (672-4891), if you prefer to book with an agent.
Unused Non-refundable tickets
Did you know that Orbitz for Business will track your unused tickets and automatically remind you that you have a credit when you log on to book a future trip? To learn how, click here.
New Orbitz Travel Forms
Don't have time to book your conference attendees? Let Orbitz for Business help. Register your conference by using the "Guest/Non-employee" form below, and then have your travelers call Orbitz directly (877-672-4891) to book their travel. Orbitz agents will send you a copy of the reservations. International travelers can use the "Travel Request" form below in lieu of calling Orbitz.
What’s new at Orbitz!
ADDITIONAL PROFILE FIELDS
Orbitz for Business has added new fields which will improve your travel booking experience. New fields for "customer contacts" and "travel preferences" have been added so that customer service representatives can access the most comprehensive list of your travel preferences. This is especially helpful when they need to book travel on another's behalf. Orbitz for Business encourages travelers and travel arrangers to put as much information in their member profile fields as possible. If a call to customer service is ever required, having these fields pre-filled will shorten the duration of the call and increase the efficiency of the process. |
|
CHANGES TO MY PROFILE
The new Business Information page (accessible from the My Account or My Profile page) allows travelers to add important information to their profile. They can now store contact information for an administrative assistant, an emergency contact or additional e-mail addresses.
ONE-WAY CAR SEARCH
More flexible car search options are available with the Car Local Market One-Way enhancement. Travelers and arrangers can now designate different pick-up and drop-off locations using a variety of combinations.
Before, car rental pick-up and drop-off options were limited to one location for both the pick-up and drop-off. Now, travelers and arrangers can designate:
- An airport to a non-airport location
- A non-airport location to an airport location
- An airport to airport pick-up and drop-off
One-way non-airport location choices include:
- City
- Address
- Point of Interest
PREFERENCE PAGES
FLIGHT PREFERENCES
When booking air travel, clients can now give customer service representatives even more information regarding their booking preferences. Added information will allow them to better serve travelers who need others to book travel on their behalf, or to answer specific itinerary questions.
Currently, when selecting "Seat preference (i.e. aisle, window)"; "Meal preference (i.e. diabetic, vegetarian)"; or "Special requests (i.e. handicapped, blind)" the system will search for a flight based on this criteria.
Preferences that are set for the following will not be part of the air search criteria, but will exist in a traveler's profile:
- Side of plane (i.e. left or right)
- Area of plane the area (i.e. front, rear, wing)
- Special seats (i.e. bulkhead, exit row)
- or a text description of any other special request(s)
When providing specific preferences in a traveler profile, customer service representatives can access this information and try to book travel that will best match one's flight requirements. Flight preferences are subject to availability.
HOTEL PREFERENCES
When booking a hotel room, customers can set new room preferences - by simply choosing whether they require the following criteria, which will be built directly into their hotel search:
- Smoking or non-smoking room
- Handicapped-accessible room
Preferences that are set for bed type or any special request(s) will not be part of the hotel search criteria. When providing these new specific preferences in a profile, customer service representatives can access this information and try to book a hotel room that will best match a traveler's accommodation requirements. Hotel preferences are subject to availability.
CAR PREFERENCES
When making car reservations, customers can now set preferences that will become search criteria in the car booking system. These include preferences for:
- Transmission type (automatic or manual)
- Air conditioning
- Navigation system
- Mobile phone
Car preferences that are set for the following will not be part of the car search criteria but will exist in a traveler's profile:
- Smoking or non-smoking
- 2 or 4-door
- Car class or type
- Special request(s)
When providing specific preferences in a traveler's profile, customer service representatives can access this information and try to reserve a car that best matches the traveler's requirements. Car preferences are subject to availability.
ELECTRONIC TICKET TRACKING ENHANCEMENTS
Existing Electronic ticket tracking functionality has been improved and is now faster, more efficient and more accurate. A number of issues have been fixed and enhancements made for this release. Overall, the electronic Ticket Tracking enhancements implemented will improve accuracy with which unused and cancelled tickets are tracked online.
Return to top of page
Hear what your colleagues are saying about Orbitz for Business!
“I just wanted to pass along that I’ve been using Orbitz for Business since going live about a month ago. I think it’s really a great tool. I had no problems with making and/or changing reservations and the customer service is quite pleasant. Some of us were not born to be travel agents and this is really easy to use. Thank you.....”
----------------------------
“My co-workers and I have been using Orbitz before it was linked with Yale. Now that it has, we all love the fact that there is a much easier way for us to book our faculty now. Thank you!"
----------------------------
"I LOVE IT!
I had an opportunity to use it the first time yesterday and today ... booked 6 trips ... it is so easy ... so clear as to where you are in the process and how to change things. I especially love the way it holds a list of all the trips you’ve booked."
Return to top of page
New Passport Requirements effective January 23, 2007
All persons, including US citizens, will need passports to re-enter the United States by air from the Caribbean , Mexico , Bermuda or Canada beginning January 23, 2007.
The new rule, which takes effect January 23, 2007, will only affect passengers arriving by air. The expected deadline for travelers entering by land and sea is January 1, 2008 .
U.S. citizens returning from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands will not need to show passports.
Authorities expect a significant increase in passport requests due to the rule change, so travelers without valid passports are encouraged to allow plenty of time to obtain them.
It typically takes about six weeks to get a passport after applying, or two weeks for more expensive, expedited service through the Passport Services Office.
Please click on the links below to find out how to apply, and to access more information.
Why get a passport now? |
How to get your passport |
Who does the new law affect? |
The wait time – currently up to six weeks – could increase as the number of applications grows
Now there is a “rush option” for an extra fee, but high volume could affect availability
Gain travel flexibility ... the ability to visit countries worldwide |
First passport? Here’s how to apply >>
Find an office near you >>
Need to renew? See mail-in info >>
You can also call the U.S. National Passport Center at 1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778). |
U.S. citizens traveling to Canada , Mexico , the Caribbean , Bermuda and Panama
Citizens of Canada , Mexico and Bermuda , who will need a passport for U.S. entry for the first time
See details from the U.S. Department of State >> |
Return to top of page
Yale Travel Policy Changes
Business Class
Yale has amended its travel policy to allow business class reservations on flights of 5000 miles or more one way. Check with your business office to see if funds are available, and if it is appropriate for your trip.
Yale Policy now allows for business class travel on Amtrak trains. A 50% discount off the upgrade fee is available by calling Orbitz for Business.
Lodging in Private Residences
Travelers who stay in a private residence while traveling on business will be reimbursed for a reasonable token of appreciation (not to exceed $100 per trip) for the courtesy of staying with the host. Proper documentation must be provided.
Return to top of page
Changes to the Amtrak Program
Due to recent federal budget cuts, Amtrak has had to tighten their current contract discounts and upgrades. The newly negotiated contract is as follows:
- 25% off Acela fares to Washington , DC , Baltimore & New Carrollton, MD
- 50% off fee to upgrade from coach to business class
Both discounts are still applicable to business as well as personal travel, and can be obtained by calling Orbitz for Business at 1-877-672-4891.
Return to top of page
2007 New Haven Hotel Rates for Business Travel
Yale's Travel Office has negotiated the rates listed below. Rates are subject to availability.
Hotel Name and Phone |
Street Address |
Yale Rate
(subject to availability) |
Blackout Dates |
The Colony
776-1234 |
1157 Chapel |
Closed for renovations Dec.17, 2006- June 2007 |
Commencement, Parent's Weekend, Alumni Weekend |
Courtyard New Haven at Yale 777-6221 |
30 Whalley |
$119 single or double |
Commencement, Parent's Weekend, Alumni Weekend |
Fairfield Inn by Marriott
562-1111 |
400 Sargent Dr |
$91 (includes continental breakfast |
Commencement, Parent's Weekend, Alumni Weekend |
New Haven Hotel
498-3100 |
229 George Street |
$105 |
Commencement, Parent's Weekend, Alumni Weekend |
Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale 974-6817 |
155 Temple St |
$137 |
Commencement, Parent's Weekend, Alumni Weekend |
Premiere Hotels & Suites (formerly the Residence Inn) |
3 Long Wharf Drive |
$115 single or double |
Commencement, Parent's Weekend, Alumni Weekend |
Return to top of page
Other Travel News
Travel Newsletter Sign-Up
Welcome to the first edition of Yale Travel Services' quarterly newsletter! This edition is going out to Business Managers only, with the request that you pass it along to your travellers, travel arrangers, and all other interested parties. To add others to the recipient list for future issues of Travel Services News, please click here, and their name will be added to our data base. Thank you. As always, we welcome your feedback!
New Car Vendor
Yale Travel Services has added "Leros Point to Point" as a preferred vendor for car service. Leros can service your car needs nationwide, as well as in the tri-state area.
2007 rates for Yale's preferred vendors to/from New Haven including tax and gratuity:
| Company |
Phone |
Bradley |
LaGuardia |
JFK |
Manhattan |
Newark |
| EASTCOAST |
800-392-8184 |
$132.30 |
$154.90 |
$154.90 |
$180.73 |
$171.40 |
| Leros |
800-825-3767 |
$120.00 |
$149.00 |
$157.00 |
$157.00 |
$175.00 |
| HY'S |
800-560-6331 |
$130.00 |
$154.00 |
$154.00 |
$164.00 |
$170.00 |
Tweed-New Haven Airport Reminder
We urge you to support our local Tweed New Haven Airport whenever feasible! Please use the airport code HVN when searching on Orbitz for Business. All Yale employees receive free parking at Tweed when you show your Yale ID.
Yale Travel Department relocates
Yale's Travel Department moved from 2 Whitney Avenue to 55 Whitney Avenue, 4th floor, effective Tuesday, January 16, 2007. Travel documents can be picked up and dropped off at 55 Whitney, Room 445.
Return to top of page
