TRAVEL WEEKLY | JAN 14, 2014
Christopherson Andavo acquires Alabama agency
Month: January 2014
There are now eight airlines participating in TSA’s Pre-Check program. Southwest Airlines’ frequent travelers can now earn pre-approved status and enjoy the benefits and expedited services of the TSA Pre-Check program.
The other major carriers participating in the program are Alaska, American, Delta, Hawaiian, Untied, US Airways, and Virgin America. All major airports offer this service, but not all terminals offer TSA Pre-Check lines and some terminals have limited hours of service, so be sure to check this information before you decide that it’s safe to run late for your flight. Remember also that TSA Pre-Check is airline specific so if you earn TSA Pre-Check on Delta you won’t qualify for TSA Pre-Check when you travel other airlines.
TSA plans to begin an open enrollment program for the general population later this year. This program will allow qualified citizens and lawful permanent residents to enroll after submitting for a background check. The cost of this program will be $85.00. If you travel internationally the best program for you will be the Global Entry program managed by Customs Boarder Patrol and costs $100.00 for five years.
At participating airports with both TSA Pre-Check and Global Entry you will not be required to remove your shoes, belts, light jackets/outerwear and you can leave your laptop computers in their cases and your 3 ounce bottles of liquids and gels in your carry-on bags.
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One key item in planning international travel is obtaining a US Passport. (And, as of 2009, you now need a passport for Mexico and Canada travel.) But remember–plan ahead. Getting a passport can be a fairly lengthy process, and involves compiling documents, and filling out an application.
Form DS-11
Form DS-11 is the official application for a U.S. passport, and must be filled out before a passport can be issued. The application is required for all first-time passport applicants, adults who were issued a passport before the age of 16 or have not renewed their passport for 15 years or more. The application can be filled out and submitted online through the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, or you can print it out and complete it by hand.
Proof of Citizenship
To acquire a U.S. passport, you must be a citizen of the United States and submit proof of your citizenship when you submit your application. There are several acceptable documents, including a certified U.S. birth certificate, a previously issued U.S. passport, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a naturalization certificate, or a certificate of citizenship.
Identification
Proper identification is required. Acceptable forms of identification include a naturalization certificate, a previously issued U.S. passport, a valid driver’s license, a current government identification card, or a current military identification card. You must have the identification with you, as well as a photocopy of the front and back of your identification when you apply.
Passport Photo
Your passport will contain a photo. You can get your passport photo taken by virtually any professional photo service, but the photo must be two inches by two inches and in full color taken in front of a white background. Your head should be 25 to 35 millimeters from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head. The photo should also be no more than six months old and taken directly from the front. The Bureau of Consular Affairs offers a complete list of passport photo requirements on its website.
In a rush? There are services that will expedite your passport request. Like any rushed service you will pay a hefty fee, but for business travelers who procrastinate, it sometimes in the only option.
And keep in mind that Christopherson Business Travel has highly seasoned international agents who will ensure your international trip goes flawlessly.
Christopherson Business Travel has been a preferred partner with Concur Travel and Expense for nearly 10 years. We appreciate our relationship with Concur and are excited about recent commitments we have made to enhance our mutually beneficial partnership.
Christopherson is one of the first travel management companies in the nation to develop advanced travel technology which integrates with Concur’s TripLink. TripLink gives corporations the ability to capture business travel reservations made outside of the designated booking model. Christopherson immediately accepts the reservations from TripLink and integrates them into our proprietary travel management technology, AirPortal 360, which provides our customers with a complete view of their travel program.
In addition to being a market leader with TripLink, Christopherson is pleased to be a premium sponsor of the Concur Fusion Exchange events that will be happening throughout the United States in 2014. For details on locations and dates, please visit Concur.com. And if you happen to be at one of these events, we invite you to stop by the Christopherson booth.
As we look back on 2013, Christopherson Business Travel had a great year with lots of change, major investments, and lots of growth.
We Made Big Changes:
- We implemented the Agresso ERP accounting & business information system.
- We updated and implemented our travel management technology platform, AirPortal®.
- We moved, expanded, or remodeled our offices in Marin County, Salt Lake City, and Denver.
We Made Big Investments:
- We invested in our proprietary technology platform (as mentioned above), which included adding AirPortal 360™ Mobile, the first comprehensive travel management mobile app.
- We made major investments in new office furniture, computer servers, back-up systems, and other software and hardware.
- We bought All Seasons Travel in Birmingham & Montgomery, Alabama.
We Experienced Big Growth:
- We implemented 96 new corporate clients, plus we added 170 new clients in Alabama.
- We added 75 new team members (27 new employees/agents and 48 new employees in Alabama).
- We added about $50 Million in sales.
Twenty-thirteen was a year filled with change, investment, and growth. And as we look forward to 2014, we have set the stage for even more growth. We are looking forward to another amazing year.
Mike Cameron, CEO
Christopherson Business Travel
THE BEAT | JAN 7, 2014
Looking East, Christopherson Acquires Alabama TMC On Path To Half-Billion Sales Target