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As airlines move to unbundle services, travelers can minimize any costs by packing and checking the least number of bags as possible. For longer business trips, the cost of dry cleaning may be cheaper than checking extra luggage for additional shirts and pants. Overnight delivery and luggage forwarding services are also an option if travelers have a lot of materials or samples to bring on a business trip. They should check their paperwork to make sure their passport is current and that they have any necessary visas for their trip in advance. Expired or missing paperwork can delay their trip and add costly charges for expedited applications. Most travel management companies can provide visa/ passport support before they travel. For travel to or from an area with multiple airports, travelers should have their travel counselors to search alternate airports or use this option in their online booking tool. For example, in New York City, fares may be less expensive enough at JFK to offset the incremental taxi fare difference for a trip to LaGuardia. Millions of tickets go unused, even though most non-refundable fares are valid for travel for up to a year. While there may be change fees, travelers can still save money by not letting these unused tickets go to waste. There are various products available, like TicketTRAX for example, which can help travelers keep track of and re-use these tickets. Some companies are instituting room-sharing policies for co-workers traveling together. Along the same lines, sharing car service or taxis to and from the airport is an easy way to save. If they're on different flights, co-workers can meet at an airport lounge and travel to the hotel together, instead of meeting at the hotel. Complex international itineraries can offer opportunities for significant savings. Having travel counselors plan these trips for business travelers saves time (which travelers can use to focus on your business) and allows you to take advantage of their knowledge on the best airlines, fare classes, specials and more to ensure you get the lowest fare. The earlier travelers book air tickets and hotel rooms, the more likely it is that they'll find a lower rate. Many airlines and hotels will offer a lower rate if the price for your trip falls after it is booked. Encourage clients to play trips as early as possible and ask your supplier for a discount if rates drop. With the resurgence of "minimum stay requirements," postponing a return trip from a Friday until a Sunday or Monday can create additional savings. The classic savings opportunities still exist for travelers, and some are even more common now with higher airline loads. Whenever possible, travelers should look for opportunities to get "bumped" for a free voucher, select destinations that are "off-season" and be flexible with travel dates. For more information, visit http://www.americanexpress.com/businesstravel Oct 16, 2008 Hotel Allegro, Hotel Burnham, Hotel Monaco Chicago, Chicago Kimpton Hotel Allegro, Hotel Burnham and Hotel Monaco Chicago, the Chicago Kimpton boutique hotels, received Green Seal certification this week at a ceremony with Mayor Richard M. Daley and the Chicago Department of Environment, becoming three of the first five hotels in Chicago and Illinois to receive this designation. The InterContinental Chicago and Talbott Hotel also received certification. An independent not-for-profit organization, Green Seal certifies lodging properties meeting stringent environmental requirements in waste minimization, energy efficiency, water conservation, waste water management, and environmentally responsible procurement. Green Seal's certification process involves review of the hotels' purchasing records, processes and procedures, as well as an on-site audit of the property. Certification grants the hotel license to use the Green Seal mark for one year, after which the hotel is audited for continued compliance. "Having our EarthCare initiatives validated by such an important organization like Green Seal acknowledges that we are doing the right things for the environment and our business," said Nabil Moubayed, general manager of Hotel Monaco and lead for Kimpton Chicago's EarthCare Committee, a team of five employees who oversee the hotels' eco practices. "We are extremely proud to be associated with Green Seal and look forward to continually helping raise the bar on environmental consciousness." The Chicago Kimpton hotels began their pursuit of Green Seal certification in 2007 as part of the City of Chicago's Climate Action Plan and the Green Hotels Initiative, a collaborative effort to secure Green Seal certifications for more hotels in Chicago than any other city in the nation. Since then, Hotel Allegro, Hotel Burnham and Hotel Monaco have enhanced over 40 operating practices under Kimpton's EarthCare program, which encompasses all eco initiatives at Kimpton hotels and restaurants. These practices were expanded to meet Green Seal standards, further reducing the hotels' ecological impact and improving sustainability. As part of the certification process, Chicago Kimpton hotels have also begun feasibility studies on progressive solutions such as waste composting. Hotel Allegro, Hotel Burnham and Hotel Monaco Chicago are the first hotels in the Kimpton collection to receive Green Seal certification. Other Kimpton properties are currently working towards certification. Implementation of EarthCare practices has resulted in tremendous savings at each individual hotel and across the company. For example, in 2007, Kimpton's company-wide paper reduction efforts saved 54,509 pounds of waste from landfills. In-room recycling efforts led to the recycling of 9.5 million pounds of paper products and 3.8 million pounds of plastic, glass and aluminum. The company also converted 51,070 gallons of chemicals to non-toxic cleaners. For more information, visit http://.greenseal.org. For more information on Hotel Allegro, call 312-236-0123 or visit http://.allegrochicago.com. For more information on Hotel Burnham, call 312-782-1111 or visit http://.burnhamhotel.com. For more information on Hotel Monaco, call 312-960-8500 or visit http://.monaco-chicago.com. For more information on Kimpton, call 800-KIMPTON or visit http://.kimptonhotels.com. Oct 17, 2008 InterContinental Hotels InterContinental Hotels Group launched its lifestyle Hotel Indigo brand to the Asia Pacific region. Hotel Indigo will be IHG's fifth brand in the region after InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts and Holiday Inn Express. Hotel Indigo will first make its appearance in key Asia Pacific cities including Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo to cater to guests who are looking for enriching destination experiences. No two Hotel Indigo properties will look alike. Like an individual acquiring collectables, each hotel experience in Asia Pacific will become a "collectable" experience. For more information, visit http://.hotelindigo.com. Oct 17, 2008 Outrigger Enterprises Groups Outrigger Enterprises Groups president and executive chief David Carey, said the company has been selected to develop and manage the Outrigger Qingshui Bay Resort, Sanya, China, a new 500-plus-room, five-star, full-service luxury hotel to be built as part of Qingshui Bay Resort, a multi-billion dollar mixed use development being built on the island of Hainan in the People's Republic of China. Located along 7.5 miles of beachfront property within Hainan Island's Sanya Administrative Prefecture on the South China Sea, the Qingshui Bay Resort will feature six luxury hotels, a diverse range of residential apartments and villas, multiple championship golf courses and a comprehensive mix of commercial, retail and entertainment offerings. Qingshui Bay Resort is being developed by a joint venture between funds managed by Morgan Stanley and Agile Property Holdings Limited, a Hong Kong-listed property developer specializing in large-scale, high-end, design-oriented residential and resort developments. visit http://.outriggerenterprisesgroup.com. Oct 17, 2008 Starwood Hotels Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide has announced the grand opening of Sheraton Chicago Northbrook Hotel, a newly constructed property located in Northbrook, Ill., one of Chicago's most prestigious North Shore suburbs. Northbrook community leaders and residents are expected to attend the widely anticipated unveiling on Oct. 28. Developed by Salita Development LLC and Gustin Property Group LLC, the sleek, modern hotel features 161 spacious guest rooms, personalized service and an interactive setting where guests can stay connected while on the road. Sheraton Chicago Northbrook Hotel is 14 miles from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport and a short drive to downtown Chicago. Ideal for weekend getaways and overnight business trips, the new hotel offers guests all the perks of the Windy City as well as the upscale, residential feel of the surrounding community. Sheraton Chicago Northbrook Hotel is steps from a lifestyle mall and close to other area attractions including Pinstripes, the Chicago Botanic Garden, the Glen, Northwestern University and Ravinia Festival -- a popular outdoor concert venue. Also nearby are the offices of many major corporations including Kraft Foods, Crate & Barrel, Walgreen Company and Allstate Insurance. visit http://www.starwood.com. Oct 17, 2008 ZZ AirGuide 081020	What's New? 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