december 2008 news

Around the Globe December 08

AirAsiaX to London from March 11
Perth to London from $453

Kuala Lumpur-based carrier, AirAsiaX, has announced the debut of flights between Malaysia and London on March 11, connecting with its flights to the Gold Coast, Perth and Melbourne. The services will operate five times per week using an Airbus A340 aircraft, carrying 286 passengers including 30 premium XL seats.

First tickets went on sale with lead-in prices of $261 one way from Kuala Lumpur to London Stansted Airport.

The flights link with AirAsia X`s Australian services. Special fares available in conjunction with the London launch start at $192 from Perth to KL, $302 from Melbourne to KL and $291 from the Gold Coast to KL. This means fares ex Perth to London lead in at a bargain $453 one way - including taxes and surcharges. From Melbourne to London is $563, while from the Gold Coast it`s $552.

Air Austral to France from April 14
Sydney-France for $2126

Fares on the new Air Austral services between Australia and France have gone on sale, with limited duration pricing of $2126 in economy, $4552 in premium economy and $7352 in business class.

The carrier is set to launch twice weekly flights from Sydney via Réunion in the Indian Ocean through to Paris, Lyon, Marseille or Toulouse on 14 Apr 2009, operated using new Boeing 777 equipment.

For the first time Australians will also be able to fly direct to Réunion.

Qantas Frequent Flyer Points - Act now!
Choose a direct earn option today

From 1 April 2009, there will be changes to your options for transferring points from some credit and charge card reward programs to Qantas Frequent Flyer.

To help alleviate some of the confusion around these changes, in simple terms it means that if you hold an affected card and you want to keep earning points:

• transfer your card reward points to Qantas Frequent Flyer now^, and
• opt-in or switch to a direct earn option from your card provider that automatically adds the points you earn on your everyday spending to your Qantas Frequent Flyer account~.

To check if any of your cards are affected, go to qantas.com/cards or call the Frequent Flyer Service Centre on 13 11 31.

U.S Visa Waiver Program
Mandatory registration from January 1st 2009.

United Sates Homeland Security has announced a new program which will require travellers from countries participating in the visa-waiver program to register with DHS at least three days prior to their arrival in the United States.

DHS has been attempting to tighten the visa-waiver program, which allows travellers from 27 countries to enter the U.S. without pre-screening due to concerns that terrorists could travel from those countries and bypass an important security measure.. The registration will be valid for two years. Registration will be mandatory beginning in January 1st 2009.

To access the electronic authorization system:
• Log on to www.cbp.gov/esta
•Click on to the heading “Electronic Registration Tool Now Available”
•Use the left hand column on the page for authorisation for Visa Waiver countries - click apply
• The right hand column on the page should only be used for those requiring a visa and they will primarily be any person not granted an authorisation under Visa Waiver countries

How the new system works
• The new electronic system will collect the same information that passengers are currently required to disclose upon their arrival, they will just have to provide DHS with the information earlier.
• DHS will advise travellers to register their information, including their name, date of birth, and passport number, long before they plan a trip, although there will be a way to register at the last minute in the event of an emergency.
• The registration will be valid for two years. The program is scheduled to launch in August and registration will be mandatory beginning in January.

Qantas - Important Changes to Checked Baggage Allowance

From December 1, Qantas has introduced a new checked baggage allowance that will make it easier when you travel with them. The new allowances apply to any ticket purchased from 1st December 2008, for travel from 1st March 2009 inclusive.

The Domestic and International checked baggage allowances have been aligned using a weight system. For customers travelling in economy on a Domestic or International flight with Qantas, you will now have a maximum free baggage allowance of up to 23kgs.

Australian Domestic Routes
• No piece restriction.
• Business: 32kg (70lb)
• Economy: 23kg (50lb)
• Total dimensions* of each piece must not exceed 140cm (54in)

New Zealand Domestic
• No piece restriction.
• Economy: 23kg (50lb)
• Total dimensions* of each piece must not exceed 140cm (54in)

Membership Rewards - Gift Card Promotion

During November, American Express mailed Gift Cards to cardholders with high Membership Rewards point’s balances. 70,000 Gift Cards were sent out with values of $100, $200 and $250.

To redeem your $250 Gift card offer, all you have to do is call one of our office locations and spend a minimum 100,000 points – it’s that easy!

The promotion runs from 11 November, 2008 to 31 January, 2009. Any Gift Cards presented after 31 January, 2009 will be invalid – no extensions are permitted.

Gift Cards are redeemable for any Travelcorp product (with the exception of Foreign Exchange).

Team Building in Perth

Want to get the most out of your visit to Perth? Looking for a different team activity to round out your conference or to bond your team?

Whenever you visit a city you should experience the best that place has to offer. Over here in Perth its windsurfing and kite surfing that keeps the locals occupied all summer long and has many a visitor raving about its world class conditions. This is all due to one thing ‘The Fremantle Doctor’ which is a strong and steady sea breeze that’s blows from noon nearly every day in summer.

WA Surf is a local company that specialises in the tuition and hire of equipment for these two exhilarating sports. Located in beautiful Safety Bay just 40 minutes drive from Perth and on the new Southern Railway line, the Perth Team from Travelcorp can arrange everything from a 1 hour private lesson to a full corporate day out.

Upcoming events in Perth

Dig out your bindis and saris…it’s that time of the year again…and what’s more, you can win a trip!

Once again, Travelcorp in conjunction with The Imaginative Traveller and Thai Airways International are sponsoring the now-famous Bollywood Masala Film Festival at Luna Cinemas in Perth from Thursday 26th Feb to Wednesday 11th March.

It’s Time to celebrate the most vibrant film industry in the world. Indulge and treat yourself to the exciting, diverse and colorful array of wonderful Bollywood films at Luna Cinemas in Leederville. One lucky film-goer will win a prize of a trip for two to India, including a fabulous 12 day `Classic India` tour - and we’d love for the winner to be someone we know.

The Bollywood festival is always lots of fun, and even if you don’t win the trip, you’re sure to have a great night out. Don’t miss the special Gala opening night and closing night celebrations with pulsating Bhangra beats, dazzling Bollywood dance, delicious Indian tasties and drinks to cool you off! There is even a Best-Dressed competition.
Festival tickets available shortly from Luna box office and online www.lunapalace.com.au or call on 9444 4056 for further information.

Travelcorp national sales team keeps growing

Following an outstanding past twelve months, we are delighted to announce that our National Sales Team has expanded to eight, under the management of Director of Sales, Alex Kouz.