What's New

Expedia Introduces the Expedia Corporate Travel Flight Price Guarantee

The Expedia Corporate Travel Flight Price Guarantee ensures you are getting the best price in air travel. If you should find a better price online for the exact same flight within 24 hours of booking, Expedia Corporate Travel agents will book the cheaper flight for you–and waive the transaction fee to make the change, or if they are unable to find that flight, they will give you a credit for the difference. (The difference in airfares must be more than $10. Other restrictions apply. For complete terms and conditions visit: http://www.expediacorporate.com/daily/brochure/promise_terms.asp)

BCD Adds New e-mail Addresses for Feedback

As part of our on-going effort to improve customer satisfaction with BCD, we have created two new e-mail addresses:

Customer Feedback:  Harvard.custsvc@bcdtravel.com

This new e-mail address has been established to allow a Harvard customer to provide both positive and negative feedback on services provided by his/her travel counselor. A Supervisor will respond within 4 business hours of receipt of the e-mail.

 “Second Opinion”:  Harvard.airfares@bcdtravel.com

Occasionally, a traveler or arranger may think he/she has not been provided with the lowest applicable airfare by a BCD travel counselor.  The “Second Opinion” e-mail offers an opportunity to have a BCD Supervisor research and review the itinerary (prior to ticketing.)  The Supervisor will then provide an explanation of the fare or offer a lower one, if available.  The Harvard customer will need to provide: the date(s) of travel, destination(s), class of service, and price quoted. A response will be received within 4 business hours of receipt of the email.

Reports will be provided to Harvard by BCD that will include feedback and any follow-up action taken. The information generated will be used to enhance future training and improve communication with BCD employees responsible for the Harvard account.

JetBlue and AirTran can now be booked directly on-line with Expedia Corporate Travel!

Below are some brief points about booking with these two carriers. 

Reservations:
JetBlue:
Book directly online with Expedia Corporate Travel
AirTran:
Book directly online with Expedia Corporate Travel

Online Seat Selection Options:
JetBlue:
- Use the Web check-in link on the itinerary 24 hours in advance to select a seat.
- Call an agent at the time of booking. (Standard agent-assisted-booking (AAB) fees apply.)
- Visit JetBlue's Web site to select a seat
AirTran:
- Use the Web check-in link on the itinerary 24 hours in advance to select a seat.
- Call an agent at the time of booking for Business Class or full coach fares (Y/B/M) (Standard agent-assisted-booking (AAB) fees apply.)
- Seats for discounted fares (Q/L/H) can be assigned at the time of check in (at most 24 hours in advance)

Frequent Flyer Miles:
JetBlue:
Expedia Corporate Travel will add JetBlue TrueBlue frequent flyer numbers to a reservation; however, the reservation will not be eligible for double points.
AirTran:
Travelers must add AirTran frequent flyer information via the Web check-in link on the itinerary after booking.

Cancellations and changes:
JetBlue:
Travelers must call an Expedia Corporate Travel agent to change or cancel a reservation. Standard agent assisted fees and carrier change fees apply.
AirTran:
Travelers must call an Expedia Corporate Travel agent to change or cancel a reservation. Standard agent assisted fees and carrier change fees apply.

GE Corporate Card Application Now Online

All GE Corporate Card applications will now be completed online.  This means that no personal or sensitive information will be sent via fax or mail.  The secure site uses encrypted data, and two levels of approvers.  The applicant will receive notification that the application has been processed, and a time frame for receiving the new card.  For more information, and instructions on using the new format, please go to:
http://vpf-web.harvard.edu/ofs/travel/security/ge_cardapp.shtml

New Procedures for enrolling in the US Airways Kiosk Program…

US Airways has completed their reservation system migration, which was one of the final steps to completing the merger between US Airways and America West. As a result, US Airways has changed their procedures for purchasing tickets at the airport at the Shuttle Ticket counter and kiosk.  Please visit the following site for enrollment details: US Airways Shuttle PDF

Harvard Employees now receive a 15% discount from PlanetTran…

PlanetTran offers a clean, safe, environmentally friendly alternative to car services and taxis.

To receive the discount, use the following website http://harvard.planettran.com.  Once you register you can make reservations, get a quote, and access many other features.

Please note:  PlanetTran is not an incorporated vendor.  This means that the University has a tax reporting obligation to the IRS for any payments to PlanetTran. Therefore, please make sure to use one of the following payment methods:

1. Pay with your GE Corporate card. The GE Corporate card system provides sufficient data to track payments to vendors, and Harvard can capture this information in a report at calendar year end for tax purposes.  You can register at http://harvard.planettran.com and enter your payment info.

2. Set up an account for invoice.  In this case you will need to fill out the following form and fax it to PlanetTran. PlanetTran Account Form

Once they receive the form they will set up an online account for you and send you a monthly bill.

Harvard has Expanded its agreement with Enterprise Rent-a-Car...

• Rates are now good for all Enterprise US locations
• With use of Harvard's Customer number NA10A14, rates include full Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and provide a million dollars in Supplemental Liability Protection (SLP)
• Free pick up or delivery from Enterprise's closest office
• Enterprise is now on-site at over 225 Airport Locations
• Cars can be reserved through any of our preferred agencies or by calling Enterprise direct at 1-800-593-0505 
• Visit our Preferred Car Rentals page for rate information

Academic Ambassadors

Academic Ambassadors is a service specifically created to provide discounted hotel rates for academic travelers.  Once you register you will have access to discounted hotel rates in 35 cities throughout the country.

For discounts in cities where Harvard does not have preferred hotels, please visit the Academic Ambassadors site at:
http://www.academicambassadors.com/main.html