May 18, 2012
T&E Module Training
The final series of scheduled training sessions for CWRU's new Peoplesoft Financials Travel and Expense Module will begin Monday May 21st at the Kelvin Smith Library. Some 22 hands-on and demonstration trainings were given to over 600 faculty and staff since the beginning of April.
Those interested in registering for the 90-minute course can visit the T&E Module page of the CWRU Travel Services website. The new T&E Module will be the sole method for requesting employee and student reimbursements beginning June 1st, 2012.
It's a best audit practice that faculty and staff travelers enter their own reimbursement requests. The new module also permits a "team" approach to entry. A traveler enters certain expense details, saves the request, and their designated entry person can add additional data before submitting for approval. This team of travelers, entry assistants, and approvers can be located in different physical locations, yet still create and approve reimbursement requests.
Contact travel@case.edu with any questions.
January 20, 2012
CWRU Travel Digest
Fuel Pressure
Airlines spent 37% more on jet fuel in 2011 than in 2010, but still turned a profit. This was due to the industry's success in passing along higher costs as surcharges and outright airfare increases. A recent Continental/United RT from Cleveland to London Heathrow via Newark is an example. The itinerary was advertised at $580, but when taxes, fees, and surcharges were added, the price tag reached $870. Airfares themselves were up 15-20% in 2011.
Low-Cost Destinations
Inexpensive destinations from Cleveland still include Baltimore-Washington (BWI) and Chicago-O'Hare (ORD). Roundtrips to these airports can be as low as $130 including tax. Florida destinations also are bargains. Pre-tax RT fares on Continental-United to Orlando (MCO)begin at $218. Fort Lauderdale (FLL), an alternate destination to the Miami airport, has some February-March flights starting at $228 plus taxes and fees.
Changing Changes
There was a time when airlines adjusted schedules and equipment once per quarter. Now changes occur more frequently. For example, the Cleveland-San Francisco (SFO) route on weekdays is adjusting from one 125-passenger 737-700 aircraft per day to two 124-passenger A319s to two larger 737s all in the span of just two months. Also, watch for daily frequency changes on the popular Cleveland - Chicago-O'Hare route. Frequency goes from a maximum of 11 weekday flights to as few as two per day on the weekends.
-Michael Kurutz
November 29, 2011
The Season for Car Rental Savings
High-demand holiday and warm weather vacation destinations such as Florida and Arizona play havoc with personal and business travel budgets. It's a relief to know CWRU preferred vendor car rental contracts can help.
I was reminded of the value of our National Car Rental contract when recently booking a February trip to south Florida. The CWRU rate code saved over $300 on a weekly minivan rental in Fort Lauderdale! Even better, most discount coupons found on the National website can now be added to our CWRU corporate rate for even greater savings.
For those preferring an option to National or Enterprise Car Rental, Avis is offering CWRU travelers 30% off standard rates with the Avis CWRU discount code.
View all preferred car rental discount codes here on the CWRU Travel Services website.
September 14, 2011
CWRU Travel Digest
New Hotel Neighbor
The Doubletree Tudor Arms Hotel has opened its doors on Carnegie and East 107th. Over $15 million was spent renovating the historic property that features 170 modern guest rooms, beautifully restored ballrooms, and a Mediterranean-themed restaurant. The Case preferred rate for business and leisure visitors is $99/night plus tax.
Airlines Trim, Hopkins Escapes Cutbacks
Cleveland was spared in the latest round of domestic airline cuts. Denver and Washington Dulles (IAD) received the heaviest trims losing up to 17 percent of scheduled Continental-United capacity. CLE is the smallest of 10 hubs in the newly formed airline with more than 150 daily departures. Delta has heavily reduced its Cincinnati and Memphis operations, while making smaller decreases at their western Salt Lake City hub. Scheduled October passenger volumes at CVG have now fallen below CLE (11,946 vs. 16,175/day). USAir operations in Las Vegas will be cut to just 21 total flights per day. USAir operated 300 daily departures there as recently as 2006.
Better Rental Car Options
If you're renting a car for CWRU business or just a personal vacation, there's no need to pay high weekday rates. As preferred vendors, National Car Rental and Enterprise Rental Car offer CWRU some of the best academic rates in the U.S. National and Enterprise also offer Emerald Club Service at many airport locations where you can pick your own vehicle.
For those preferring an alternative, CWRU now enjoys discounts from Avis. Visit the CWRU Travel Site for CWRU rental car discount codes.
First In The Sky
Continental-United will be the first U.S. carrier to roll out the new twin-aisle Boeing 787 in 2012. Major parts of the 260-passenger aircraft are constructed from high-strength composite materials that enable increased cabin pressure, more humidity, and 30% larger windows to improve passenger comfort. Continental-United has a total of 50 787 variants on order.
September 07, 2011
New Look, More Info for CWRU Travel Site
Travel Services is pleased to announce the completion of its website upgrade. The site provides a wealth of useful information to CWRU travelers, guests, and administrative staff ranging from direct-bill agency approval forms to special rates for car rentals and local hotels. It now has easier navigation, enhanced content, and improved access to travel documentation.
A new feature of the site provides flight status updates by flight number, route, and airport. Another feature delivers graphical updates on U.S. airport delays and weather.
Useful international travel links provide advisories from the U.S. Department of State, as well as updates from the U.S. Center for Disease Control. Major weather, public health, and other news impacting university travel is regularly displayed on the homepage.
CWRU visitors will benefit from enhanced information on Cleveland-area transportation options and airport services. In addition, hotels offering preferred CWRU rates are listed by proximity and displayed on a map grid.
The site remains a convenient place to review CWRU Travel Policy, study frequently-asked questions, and apply for American Express Travel and Expense cards. "We're offering more information on a greater variety of subjects in an easier-to-read format" says Travel Services Manager Michael Kurutz. "The upgrade has transformed our site into a better resource for the entire CWRU travel community."
July 22, 2011
Hot New Rates For Car Rentals
Renting a car for an upcoming conference or personal vacation? New discounted rates for CWRU faculty and staff will provide some relief!
Personal and business bookings with both National and Enterprise Rental Car from July 1st will save 5-15% compared to the former 2011 CWRU daily rates. Just use the university Corporate Contract ID when making your online reservation.
Here are sample daily rates for a Sunday through Wednesday mid-August booking (pre-tax and fee; four-door Ford Fusion or equivalent vehicle):
Cleveland $31.33
Los Angeles $41.33
Washington, DC $41.33
Seattle $36.33
Orlando $31.33
Baltimore-Washington $31.33
July 01, 2011
IRS Increases Mileage Rates
The IRS has announced standard business mileage rates for transportation expenses incurred beginning July 1, 2011 will increase to 55.5 cents per mile (see release). Relevant CWRU reimbursement requests for travel taking place beginning July 1, 2011 should employ this rate.
CWRU personal vehicle travel for the period January 1, 2011 through June 30th, 2011 will be reimbursed at 51 cents per mile. Travelers using rental cars will be reimbursed for actual rental and gasoline expenses and not provided mileage allowances.