Good News in Tough Times top

In the current travel climate, booking through CCRAtravel.com makes good sense. In fact, it makes good dollars (and cents).

We are pleased to announce that CCRA will be changing its commission policy for bookings made on CCRAtravel.com beginning with all consumed bookings made after May 15th.

	For all Internet Discount rates, commissions will be increased to 10%
	For all Promotional GDS rates, the commission will be 8%
	For all CCRA negotiated rates, the commission will also move to 8%
	For all net rates, agents will continue to receive 100% of their markup (and we guarantee this commission)!

And don’t forget CCRA CashRewards. When you book hotels through www.ccratravel.com, you also earn an additional $1.00 in cash for every consumed room night. But wait, there’s more. Our customer service team helps you collect on commissions owed to you for any ccratravel.com bookings. Our collection rate is 92%. What’s yours?

Start increasing your earnings today! Book with CCRAtravel.com.

More Good News for Canadian Agents top

Beginning May 15th, all bookings made using CCRA's Internet Discount rates, will be displayed and transacted in CAD, thereby avoiding conversion fees altogether!  Net rates will continue to be subject to conversion fees imposed by the vendors, never by CCRA.  Amadeus rates will be charged at the time of checkout.

Thanks to all for sharing your candid feedback with us.  At CCRA, we not only value your recommendations, but we act on them as well.

Blue Star Jets Joins CCRA's Travel Partners page top

CCRA is proud to announce that Blue Star Jets has joined our exciting line-up of Travel Partners as an affiliate on the CCRA Travel Partners page. These partners have teamed with CCRA to offer CCRA agents better rates and discounts by booking through the Travel Partners page.

Blue Star Jets whose slogan is “Any Jet. Any Time. Any Place.” backs this up with access to 2,500 planes domestically and 1,500 internationally with the ability to fly in and out of 5,000 airports worldwide. Blue Star Jets maximizes the advantage of its extensive network by using systems that locate the optimal aircraft for your agency's client specific travel needs.

Blue Star Jets already succeeds by offering private jet charter for sometimes half as much as the competition, passing these savings on in the form of higher commissions for travel agents. It does so by minimizing overhead. The company is essentially a brokerage firm that purchases free space from other private jet companies.

Submit your request through CCRAtravel.com, and Blue Star Jets will return a quote to you. You have the ability to mark up the net rate quote for your commission earnings.

Visit the CCRA Travel Partners page on ccratravel.com to book Blue Star Jets or any other of our travel partner affiliates.

Swine Flu Alerts and Resources top

Please be advised that at this time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that U.S. travelers avoid all nonessential travel to Mexico. Changes to this recommendation will be posted on the CDC Web site. Please check this site frequently for updates.

Further, please be advised that Mexico has instituted swine flu screening at airports and land borders for travelers departing Mexico, according to Mexican health authorities. Passengers showing symptoms of swine influenza will be asked to submit voluntarily to physical examination and further evaluation, if needed. Entry and exit screening may cause significant delays at airports. At this time, the United States is not conducting enhanced entry screening of passengers arriving from Mexico, nor is the United States conducting exit screening of passengers departing for Mexico.

To learn more login to asta.org or visit the CDC Web Site.

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3-Day Bed and Breakfast Packages Starting at $1,110*

Blending beautifully into a promontory of land on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Terranea boasts ocean views from nearly every room, villa and casita. And the Pacific Ocean, framed by Catalina Island in the distance, provides a constantly inspiring distraction from all our world-class amenities, including: The Spa at Terranea, a 40,000 square foot oceanfront setting including decks and terraces, with 24 treatment rooms and fitness center; The Links at Terranea, a premium nine-hole par three golf course; three unique swimming pools, one with children’s play area and a 140-foot waterslide; five ocean view restaurants offering a variety of food and beverage experiences including a casual, all-day dining restaurant, a free-standing signature restaurant and a cliff-side bar with spectacular vantage points for whale watching; several miles of on-property scenic bluff-top trails that connect miles of coastal trails and a secluded beach cove that adds to the unique experiences at Terranea Resort .

Other resort features include an interactive kids’ camp ‘without walls’ as well as seasonal camps such as photography, film, fashion and arts and crafts. Many other activities are available close by, including scuba diving, horseback riding, sailing, deep sea fishing, kayaking, yoga, Pilates and hiking, all of which can be arranged through the hotel activities desk.

This earth-friendly, picturesque Mediterranean-style property boasts a 360-room hotel with 20 bungalows and 32 suites. Also available are 50 oceanfront casitas and 32 ocean view villas tailored specifically to individuals looking for more space. And for weddings, events and conferences of all types, the property features beautifully designed ocean view ballrooms and elegant meeting space.

Terranea unveils its extraordinary location and resort amenities to the public in early June and is offering special opening rates for the months of June and July.

We invite you to introduce your clients to Southern California’s newest premium ocean front resort, where they will discover a refuge to reconnect, revive and rejuvenate. Terranea is just minutes from Los Angeles and Long Beach airports.

Please use the booking code, DN in your GDS. Thank you.

*Offer good mid-week in a Resort View Room for July.

Navigating a GPS to discover desert creatures, going on a photo safari or meeting real-life explorers, the Fairmont Scottsdale is making this summer an adventure. The luxury resort in Arizona is partnering with National Geographic for the first National Geographic Explorers Camp, exclusively for its overnight guests.

From May 22 – September 7, 2009, the camp offers discovery-based activities for children ages 5-12, with half-day and full-day sessions. Campers trek on a “Desert Discovery” GPS treasure hunt, go on a “Photo Safari,” have fun at a “Geo Bowl” geography bee, and play on gigantic, highly-detailed maps of continents.

Best of all, eight world-renowned National Geographic explorers will share stories of their adventures on select Saturdays beginning May 30. The speakers interact with youngsters at the day camp, then give a special presentation at a Saturday dinner for the whole family. (Media: more information on visiting explorers is available.)

Summer room rates for Fairmont Scottsdale begin at $199 per room, with a daily $100 dining credit, May 10 – September 20, 2009. The Explorers Camp is a la carte and prices start at $49 for a half-day session, and each camper receives a backpack. The Saturday speaker dinner is $15-$30 for kids and adults.

Families also enjoy 200-foot waterslides, “dive-in” movies, fishing, basketball, teen “Hang Out” and complimentary child amenities upon request.

Set in the Sonoran Desert, the Fairmont Scottsdale reflects the Southwest with its Spanish style architecture, 649 guest rooms, five swimming pools, Willow Stream spa and championship golf at TPC Scottsdale. The resort is operated by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and is owned by Strategic Hotels & Resorts.

The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest non-profit scientific and educational organizations, inspiring people to care about the planet through publications, TV, radio, films, live events and more. Visit nationalgeographic.com.

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The Millennium Bostonian Hotel in historic downtown Boston has put the finishing touches on its $25 million renovation. The opening of North 26 Restaurant and Bar, a progressive New England dining concept, caps off the hotel’s transformation, bringing high quality and stylish additions to all guest rooms and public areas.

Design elements such as floating ceilings and wood-stained millwork make an artful statement in line with Millennium Bostonian’s new contemporary feel. A delicious palette of medium-toned woods and leather accented with rich reds predominate in the hotel’s lobby and other public areas, setting a sophisticated yet inviting tone.

Each of Millennium Bostonian’s 201 guest rooms has been thoroughly updated with comfortable details and amenities. New additions set scenes of stylish comfort, including dressing areas with table, mirror and dressing room ottomans, linen-like wall coverings, wood-stained millwork moldings, 40-inch LCD televisions, and Sealy pillowtop bedding with Frette linens, down comforters and pillows.The exterior of Millennium Bostonian has been dressed up as well, with additions including a new fountain of uncoated copper with bronze patina finish, a driveway of paving stones, historic bollards, and an entrance of French-paneled glass surrounded by a chic black frame.

At North 26 Restaurant and Bar, trend meets tradition with an innovative new menu created by Executive Chef Brian Flagg, featuring fresh seafood, choice cuts of beef, hearty appetizers and indulgent desserts. North 26 offers a New England dining experience that blends the old world with the new, promoting natural and sustainable cooking in historic downtown Boston. The new restaurant offers a fresh take on New England’s best culinary specialties with pure and comfortable food with a twist, whether guests are looking for dinner with friends, a business lunch, a night on the town or an after-work cocktail in the heart of downtown Boston.

The new restaurant features seasonal outdoor seating as well as operable windows that open toward the bustling markets of downtown Boston, for relaxing with a signature cocktail or enjoying fresh-air dining. Meanwhile, the hotel’s former power-lunch spot, Seasons Restaurant, has been completely redesigned into Seasons Ballroom, a 3,000 square-foot event space with new bay windows and a glass ceiling for natural lighting. The ballroom can be arranged for wedding and social functions of up to 160 guests, for stand-up receptions of up to 195 guests, and for meetings of up to 200 guests. There is also 800 square feet of pre-function space assuring an exceptional destination for world-class events under direction of on-site meetings and catering staff.

GDS Access Code: MU

Millennium Bostonian Hotel | 26 North Street | Boston, MA 02109, USA

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A landmark hotel located at the gateway to Chicago’s famed Magnificent Mile, the historic Millennium Knickerbocker welcomes guests to the best destination in downtown Chicago for shopping, dining and business. Located near Water Tower Place, John Hancock Tower, Navy Pier and the Michigan Avenue business district, the hotel offers accessibility to all of the city’s landmarks and attractions to make for a memorable visit. Experience the recent debut of the hotel’s multi-million dollar guest room transformation, including opulent suites and stylish corridors. The transformed rooms feature a collection of design elements and amenities that result in a quiet haven of luxury.  The rejuvenation features a collection of design elements and amenities that result in a quiet haven of luxury. Soothing neutral colors accented with a punch of cranberry are complemented by walls finished with linen-like wall coverings, dark mahogany Sapele wood accents, chic Lucite bedside lamps and rich upholstery. Sealy pillow top bedding with 400-count Frette linens, down comforters and plush pillows offer the ultimate in comfort for a restful night’s sleep.

The spa-like bathrooms feature exclusive finishes including the Grohe rainshower system, granite countertops, and an environmentally-conscious water management system that is one element of the hotel’s eco-friendly initiatives. Additional in-room conveniences include a 40” high definition LCD television, fully stocked mini-bar, coffee maker, laptop accommodating in-room safe, dual-line cordless speaker telephones, wireless internet access, iron and ironing board, thick terry cloth bathrobes and slippers. The Millennium Knickerbocker’s intimate style and gracious service complement the smartly designed guestrooms. The hotel’s redesign brings the hotel to a heightened level of luxury befitting its grand heritage and cosmopolitan city location.

The Millennium Knickerbocker also accommodates meetings, events and social gatherings in its 18,000 square feet of flexible function space.  The hotel’s famed Crystal Ballroom features a built-in illuminated dance floor, graceful balcony, crystal chandeliers and a gold-gilded domed ceiling making each event truly memorable.  Enjoy personalized service and attention to detail while enjoying the best of Chicago.

GDS Access Code: MU

Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel | 163 E. Walton Place | Chicago, IL 60611