Menu
Log in

Business Travel update from Grant Bevin

01 Oct 2018 3:55 PM | Rebecca Caroe

Along with key sponsor United Airlines we’re involved in two simultaneously run conferences in Auckland 17 & 18 October. The CAPA Corporate Travel Summit as well as the CAPA Aviation Summit are run in tandem with each other. A high calibre of industry experts speak and participate in panels. The event organiser is the renowned research institute CAPA (Centre for Aviation) which brings these events to different parts of the world. They are a one time opportunity to update yourself with trends and to network with your counterparts in other companies. Business World Travel can arrange your complementary invitation for qualified corporate procurement managers,  CFO’s, HR Managers,  Travel Bookers/Arrangers within companies….anyone who is involved with the travel process and policy within a company. Amongst a range of industry updates you’ll hear about:   

  • Supply and demand forecast for hotels
  • Digitisation, personalisation and mobilisation of travel
  • Balancing the needs of the modern business traveller with program objectives and policies
  • Role of travel as a procurement category

If you would like more information please contact Chantal Malyon, Client relationship Executive here at BWT (09 5293700 chantal.malyon@atpi.com) or to learn more about CAPA.

Airline Update:

  • Welcome back AA/UA! The seasonal flight by American Airlines between Auckland and Los Angeles re-starts 30 October (Departs AKL 1520hrs Arrives LAX 0630hrs) and United Airlines re-commences Auckland to San Francisco on 29 October (departs AKL 1430hrs Arrives LAX 0640hrs). The UA flight will then operate year-round featuring a reduced schedule in the NZ winter of three flights weekly. United code-shares with Air NZ. Our connecting clients really enjoyed these two flights with their early arrival into SFO or LAX – they both connect with an enormous bank of connecting flights – putting you into many eastern US destinations for cocktail hour and then a full night’s sleep before hitting the ground running the next morning.  
  • United Airlines is launching  Premium Economy – to be branded as United Premium Plus – the new seat features on some aircraft already but sales, promotion and the full service won’t commence until a formal product launch in the near future. United Premium Plus will feature upgraded dining options, complimentary beverages and Saks Fifth Avenue bedding.  
  • In other news from United Airlines, they advise their new collaboration with Private Suite at Los Angeles’ LAX. Private Suite passengers don’t wait, don’t queue, have their own TSA screening room, private customs and border protection and direct planeside transportation.  You check in at the exclusive Private Suite which is located along California Street on the southern airport border at LAX. On departure of your United flight, you check in at Private Suite and eight Private Suite team members then get involved with you. Employee 1 greets you; employee 2 escorts you into the United Suite; employees 3 & 4 manage special service requests and arrange restaurants, showers and conference rooms; employee 5 escorts you through the private TSA screening; employee 6 chauffeurs you to the aircraft steps; employee 7 handles your luggage; employee 8 awaits you on the jet bridge. Ask about the annual subscription for this unique service.      
  • Air New Zealand’s new Auckland to Chicago non-stop flight launches on 30 November – operating 3x weekly (Wednesday Friday and Sunday) northbound the flight offers delivery into the significant United Airlines’ Chicago O’Hare hub. This is a particularly useful connection point to  Eastern Canada - Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa.  
  • Hawaiian Airlines’ newest mainland destination is Boston. This follows the recent launch of Long Beach. 
  • Japan Airlines is boosting its trans- Pacific route network with another route to the US West Coast. JAL will link Tokyo Narita and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport starting on 31 March 2019. It becomes JAL's sixth West Coast route between Japan and North America. Linking with OneWorld partners Qantas and American Airlines this new route could create a very economical ‘Circle Pacific’ business trip airfare.  
  • We’re delighted to see a US airline finally making the ‘best of the best’ list in the Conde Nast Travel Readers Awards 2018. American Airlines has joined the ranks of the worlds top airlines’ for their very good Business Class, albeit just sliding into the Top Ten , at No.10! Top Business Class goes to Emirates with runner up Singapore Airlines.  Likewise for the world’s top airports, Atlanta’s Hartfield-Jackson, Delta Airlines hub was voted in the world top ten, once again at No.10! 
  • IATA’s list of the top five airlines ranked by total scheduled passenger kilometres flown in 2017 are: 1. American Airlines (with 324 million); 2. Delta Air Lines (316.3 million); 3. United Airlines (311 million); 4. Emirates (289 million); and 5. Southwest Airlines (207.7 million).
  • Air New Zealand has advised that the US Customs User Fee (YC) will increase from USD$5.65 to USD$5.77, effective 01 October 2018.
Hotel update: 

One of our favourite ski in/ski out hotels in the world happens to be the only one in Vail! Though until 21 April 19 we have an exclusive offer of a bonus free night at the impeccably transformed Hotel Talisa. Completely renovated last year the hotel has its own chair lift and ticketing counter right at the back door! Enjoy a complimentary 4th night when stay three consecutive. The offer includes the usual Virtuoso amenities. Ask any of our leisure team about your Northern Hemisphere ski holiday. 

We have a great value-added offer at Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive. This boutique hotel is at the epi-centre of many of our clients’ world – those of love to shop! The Luxe is after all in the heart of Rodeo Drive. With a Club benefit rate of US$399 (plus 15.2% local tax) we include Club benefits (3x daily food tastings and pairings, comp wi-fi, beverages from 1700-2200 and 24-hour self-service espresso bar). Most useful though is the guaranteed 3.00pm check out.   

Travel better! At ATPI/Business World Travel we’re a member of the prestigious US-based Virtuoso, an invited group of the world’s leading travel agents and where we achieve benefits over and above any other travel agent or booking site for our clients. For the same as any advertised rate including on the hotel site, Bookings.com or Expedia you’ll receive:

  • Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
  • Daily Breakfast for two 
  • Food & Beverage or Spa services credit usually around US$100 
  • Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
  • Complimentary Wifi
  • Often some other kind of personalised in-room amenity
  • Take a look at www.virtuoso.com or call one of our BWT Travel Advisors

Executive Leisure and Private Clients: 

UK Conde Nast Traveller’s reader Awards 2018 has just been announced and they’ve awarded Hawaii the prize as fourth best islands in the world, noteworthy for its beaches. Hawaii was placed after Greece, the Maldives and the Balearic Islands. All are worth visiting! In the same Awards and at the other end of the temperature scale was Ski Resorts, North American Resorts Whistler, Canada sitting at 2nd best in the world, followed by  Aspen at No.7 and Vail at No. 11. No.1 is Val d’Isere. 

Crystal Cruises has given us an excellent fare on their Solo Fares programme – these are available for a 130% if the regular fare. Explore the world on your own terms doing what you want when you want! Crystal offers Michelin standard dining including Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, enrichment programmes ranging from technology to wellness, pre-paid gratuities and open bars and lounges. There are many itineraries starting or concluding in or near the US (New England, Alaska, Panama Canal). Solo Travellers are incredibly well catered for and looked after – if you want! At BWT we have cruise experts with decades of experience so call us today toc hat about your best option with Crystal.   Every Crustal sailing has a Virtuoso host on board and you’re provided with ‘cruise-within-a-cruise’ experience with us that the other guest simply don’t receive. 

General: 

The US House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation to ensure only travellers who have undergone required background and security checks are able to use TSA’s Pre-Check screening lanes. Occasionally other qualified/worthy travellers have had access to the lanes without the formality of the required checks.  Previously a number of First Class or regular US  travellers received this benefit without having to go through the advance formal checks. 

Travellers heading to the US from any airport in the world should allow 3-hours for advance check in. Passengers are randomly selected for the second check and on some flights it might be 6 passengers and others up to 100 need to go through the second screening and an interview. A reminder that your electronic items (phone, laptop, camera etc) must be charged and working.  Remember clients, Honolulu is in America and the 3-hours applies!

Powder has now joined the liquid/gels hand luggage screening ‘no-no’ list. International travellers from New Zealand and Australia  will notice changes to the way airport security screening takes place – all powders you are carrying in your hand luggage have to be separately screened. This will also apply to baby formula you might be taking on board. 


For more details and bookings contact your BWT consultant on 0800-508 580 or 09-5293700


   © American Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand Inc  •  Site by HighlandCreative.com.au