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Message from Global Membership Services

by Patti Free, Vice President of Global Membership Services

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Net Rate Advantage Goes Abroad
Liz Badras, Manager, Global Membership Services

Itinerary Italy October 2007

In the summer vacation season, how can you increase your commissions beyond the Net Rates that allows a mark-up of up to 100%?  Try booking an entire tour in multiple cities, using Net Rates in each hotel.  What’s better than a Net Rate booking, several Net Rate bookings of course.

We created a sample scenario for our European vacationers, the Jones. The clients are fictitious, but the hotel bookings located on CCRAtravel.com are real.  Our “Jones” are seeking a romantic tour through Italy visiting all the popular locations.

John and Mary Jones decided to celebrate their 40th Anniversary and Jim’s early retirement (good investing) by taking a trip to Italy.  They wanted to make the very most out their trip and tour all the popular destinations before setting sail on a Greek Island cruise on Royal Caribbean.  The cruise’s scheduled departure from Venice is on November 3, 2007. They called a travel agent to set up an ideal itinerary.

Checking out hotels on CCRAtravel.com revealed a lot of options and Net Rates in each city.  What a find!  Using CCRAtravel.com allowed the travel agent to compare rates from:

• GDS resources, such as Amadeus
• Internet Discount (where clients often look before calling an agent)
• Net Rates, which allow the agent to mark a commission up to 100%

Here is the resulting itinerary for a trip through Rome, Florence and Venice.

Rome  - Arrival Oct 20 for 4-night stay.
The Grand Hotel Palace (4-5 star hotel) is located just 500 meters from the Spanish Steps and Via Condoti.  Great location.

Internet Discount rate for 4 nights = $2,068.28 7% commission = $128.13

Net Rate = $1,830.09 before mark up, with breakfast included.  Marking up the Net Rate gave the agent a 10% commission of $183.00 Net Rate after mark-up still beat the Internet Discount by $55

Florence – Arrival Oct 24 for 7-night stay.
Hotel Regency, located in the historic Santa Croce district just outside the city center.  From the hotel it is a short walk to the Duomo and other city attractions.  The Jones planned a longer stay in Florence to drive through Tuscany and visit wineries in the area. 

Internet Discount rate = $3,693.48  for 7 nights Commission at 7% = $228.81

Net Rate = $3,106.61 prior to mark up, with breakfast included.  Marking up the rate gave the agent a 15% commission of $465.99 Net Rate after mark-up still beat the Internet Discount by $121.00

Venice - Arrival Oct 31 for 3-night stay
Santa Chiara, is in the Piazzele Roma area, renovated in 2005, and located one kilometer from the Rialto Bridge and famous San Marco Square. 

Internet Discount = 7% commission of $46.

Net Rate = 13% commission of $85. Net Rate after mark-up still beat Internet Discount by $25.

• Total commission using Internet Discount rates at 7% would be $404.81. 
• Total commission with Net Rates is $734.51. 
• Amount of increased commission: $329.70

Good news: Net rate total sell price beat the Internet price by over $200!  Plus, the total Net Rate commission of $734.51 will be mailed to the agent within TWO WEEKS of the date of booking!  Not bad for a day’s work.

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Buzz About the Portal

We are always pleased to hear about your portal booking success stories, and we are even more proud to share them.  Here are the latest comments from the field. 

	"The CCRA consolidated booking portal is the only game in town. Other providers of hotel programs may offer a booking tool tied to the GDS system, however the CCRA tool is stand-alone.  Agents can access this one portal, and shop for rate options and more inventory. This is a long time coming, and I admire the perseverance it has taken to develop." Don Gould President, IT Group and Owner, GTM Travel
	"As a CLIA-only agency, booking commissionable Marriott stays has been challenging. We needed two rooms at the Panama Marriott for clients who were considering moving to Panama. Wanting commission on the week’s stay, we opted to try CCRA for the first time. Imagine my surprise when I opened your envelope and found a $753 commission check for a FOUR WEEK stay because our clients extended their trip! Kudos to CCRA and the Panama Marriott for standing by agents." Connie George, CTC Connie George Travel Associates Glenolden, PA
	"The CCRA Travel booking portal is the one and only place I go now to search and book accommodations. It so easy to find what I need. And best of all, on Net Rates I can add my own commission. The third time I used CCRA to book a hotel for a client, the competition was quoting my client just over a thousand dollars. I found a CCRA Net Rate for the same hotel at almost half the price. I was able to add a 40% commission and still beat the competition by hundreds of dollars. The client was extremely happy, and so was I." Lance Clark Joystar Aliso Viejo, CA
	"The Net Rates do help me to be competitive! I’m a big fan of the Net Rates.  Thanks to CCRA for offering them to us."  Susie Baziuk Incentive Connection Travel Vancouver, BC, Canada
"I feel you have a product that's not comparable! The feedback I got from the agents at your training session was fantastic too. Would you like to do another session?" Darrell Sinnen In Association with MontroseTravel "I attended today’s training session on the CCRA Travel Portal.  I love the service provided and find I do most of my primary inventory searches on your portal.  Thank you so much for the product and the valuable trainings.  I also am appreciative of the Starbucks Card – it helps me finish those late night bookings!" Christopher Robertson Center Stage Travel Agency In association with Montrose Travel

Hotel Carlo IV, located  in the  heart of a magic city – Prague, and just five minutes walk from the Prague State Opera, is a fascinating example of luxury and most seductive comfort. The spacious and exclusive “Roman SPA” at Hotel Carlo IV brings our guests into new intense experiences. You can leisurely indulge in the same delightful activities of well-being that the ancient Romans enjoyed with incomparable elegance; relax or energize with: massages, special beauty treatments, for the pleasure of pampering yourself. Every thought vanishes after a Turkish bath or a sauna.  There time comes to a standstill, while highly qualified staff shows guests the source of eternal youth, leading them into an enchanted world of personalised treatments. Enjoy two days of pure wellness in the most majestic of Prague's hotels: we will take care of you with pleasant experiences and exclusive beauty treatments, in the fabulous Carlo IV's wellness centre.

Package includes: - 2 nights in Classic, Superior or Deluxe room - Upgrade to the next room category (upon availability) - Late check-out at 14 p.m. (upon availability) - American Buffet Breakfast - Newspaper in room - Access to the “Roman SPA” area - Beauty Centre Treatments:** First day: Mud bath, scrub, Turkish bath, hydro-massage, body massage (1.30 hours) Second day:  Turkish bath, hydro-massage (30 minutes), body massage with warm scent oils (50 minutes)  and herbs relaxing infusion, to reach the absolute relax.

*minimum 2 nights stay required *VAT Tax included in the rate * 10% commission net of VAT
**Beauty treatments to be booked at check in time

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ADVERTORIAL
Midtown Manhattan's New Luxury Boutique Hotel

Hotel Mela is Midtown Manhattan’s newest luxury boutique hotel, located in the heart of Times Square just steps away from major business and tourist attractions, such as Broadway, Rockefeller Center, Central Park, Radio City Music Hall, MoMa, Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, Madison Square Garden, and the fashionable retail shops of Madison Avenue, Fifth Avenue and Herald Square.  The hotel provides an elegant and intimate Midtown Manhattan hotel experience, whether the traveler is visiting New York for business or leisure. 

Hotel Mela celebrates the sophistication of New York and the high-style and fine art of Italian living.  In fact, the name Mela when translated means “Apple”. The name Hotel “Mela” honors the significant role Italian culture has played in New York City’s history.  New York’s influence is apparent throughout the public spaces and includes hand-selected artwork of landmark buildings and historic districts. 

‘At Home Sophistication’ is the concept for the new 229-room Hotel Mela which opened it’s doors on January 8, 2007.  Hotel Mela defines ‘At Home Sophistication’ as the little touches and accents that provide the ultimate in comfort, style, luxury and familiarity of home.  Items such as specialty pillows, throws, fine bedding and spa amenities provide all the comforts of home and create an inviting setting in which to relax.
‘At Home Sophistication’ begins upon entering the lobby which functions both as a reception area and gathering place for guests.  The black trimmed marble flooring against Venetian plaster walls support retro yet modern seating, providing an eclectic feel that is both stylish and comfortable.

Luxury and comfort are evident in the specialty “pillow-top” mattresses, sumptuous 310-thread count Egyptian cotton duvet covers and plush pillows in all of the guestrooms and suites.  This opulence carries through to the accessories and special touches such as lush chenille throws, neck pillows and fabric covered bed benches that transcend the typical guestroom to create a chic residential bedroom.  Complimenting the decadent soft goods are custom-designed furnishings in rich mahogany and window treatments and carpeting in vibrant shades of greens and browns.

For late night reading dual reading lamps are strategically positioned on the handsome wood headboard.  In keeping with the ‘At Home Sophistication’ concept the hotel offers in its guestrooms smart technology, electronic equipment and home office amenities commonly found in most private residences.  Smart technology and home office amenities includes flat screen LCD televisions, CD alarm clock with MP3 connectivity, cordless phones with dedicated lines, mini-bar, ergonomic seating and desks designed for comfort and productivity. Among the many services, Hotel Mela offer complimentary state-of-the-art fitness facility, newspaper, Wi-Fi and HSIA.

Hotel Mela’s interior design was created by the award-winning Wilson Associates in New York.  “Hotel Mela’s philosophy is to offer the guest an experience they will never forget along with the utmost comfort.  The goal is to provide a space in which our guests can unwind and relax as they would at home.  We want them to feel as though they are at home and not in a hotel room.

To book the best rates, visit CCRAtravel.com

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Hotel Tech Trends from Microsoft

TVs that deliver music, movies—and much more. Today’s leading-edge hotels have in-room systems that do far more than allow guests to watch their favorite first-run movie. They can also control in-room music, provide gaming options, display your bill—even control the thermostat and lights. The Hotel 1000 in Seattle, Wa., for instance, has centered the room around the availability of favorite media and services on a number of widescreen plasma monitors located throughout its rooms and suites. You can control content, multi-area volume of the sound system, and interact with your profile through these devices. And because it’s a multi-use property—part residence, part hotel—the same entertainment offerings are available for their property owners.