2007 BCD Travel Hotel Program... Another Benefit for Atlas Customers

The BCD Travel Hotel Program is designed to provide the best value at quality properties; not only in key business markets, but in secondary and tertiary markets as well, where specific client negotiated hotel rates traditionally do not exist. This program complements client negotiated programs by providing quality and substance; helping to keep your travelers satisfied and your travel expenses within budget.

The BCD Travel Hotel Program offers a comprehensive selection of more than 17,000 properties spanning 139 countries and 5 continents, with over 80 percent of the properties now offering Best Available Rate (BAR) pricing. Hotels participating in the BCD Travel Hotel Program are obligated to offer the BCD rate code at parity (equal to or less than any other travel management group or channel). The BCD Travel negotiated rates are guaranteed for last-room availability and sets the maximum amount your organization will spend when market demand pushes room rates higher.

In addition to discounted rates, many of the program participants include value-added features or amenities, allowing your organization to realize savings off the total travel expense. Features may include complimentary breakfasts, high-speed internet access, telephone usage and airport transfers to name a few.

The safety of our travelers is of utmost concern to BCD Travel. All hotels accepted into the BCD Travel Hotel Program must meet country, state and local fire and safety laws to be included.

BCD Travel makes program selections based upon a number of criteria; taking into consideration past performance, hotel location, market saturation, and a varied cross-section of properties to accommodate the needs of our clients' budgets. Invitations to submit RFPs are first chosen based upon our extensive knowledge and history with hotel suppliers. In addition, we enlist input from our local offices; providing them with a list of hotels in our current program, and requesting feedback as to whether or not these properties should be included in next year's program. We also ask that they submit recommendations of properties for future consideration.

Minimum program standards required for participation include:

•  Hotel must comply with all country, state and local fire laws

•  Hotel must be operational for at least six months

•  Hotel must offer consortia rates which must be lower than or at parity with other travel agency, consortium, third party Internet site or hotel company's Internet site.

•  Blackout dates limited to 20 per year (not to exceed 10 blackout periods).

•  Mandatory last room availability

BCD Online Hotel Directory

The 2007 BCD Travel Online Hotel Directory is available to view online at https://bcdhotels.bcdtravel.com . To view, please use the following login credentials:

User Name: Client

Password: Hotels

The online hotel directory is currently published in English only. Future development includes publication in a variety of languages; however, this feature is not anticipated to be available until late 2007. This site is for information only and is not an online booking tool. Reservations may be made utilizing your organizations online corporate booking tool or by contacting your BCD Travel counselor for assistance.

BCD Travel conducts quarterly GDS audits to ensure that the negotiated rates have been properly loaded into the GDS systems and are available with limited blackout periods throughout the year. Discrepancies are immediately reported and resolved. This is an extensive process, but one BCD Travel believes is essential for the benefit of our customers.

Blocked Space Program

A portion of our hotel partners participate in our Blocked Space Program.  The Blocked Space program is intended to secure lodging in high-demand, sold out situations only. All hotels are invited to participate in the Blocked Space program; however, participation is voluntary, and not a pre-requisite for entry into the BCD Travel hotel program.

In 2007, BCD Travel has secured blocked space agreements with 274 properties across 34 countries. Major markets include New York, San Francisco, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Montreal, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Madrid, Zurich, Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Mexico City, Santiago, Hong Kong, Sydney, Tokyo, and Bangkok, to name a few.

Rooms are managed through the Blocked Space Desk in Atlanta during normal business hours, excluding holidays as recognized by BCD Travel within the U.S*.; 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM (EST), Monday-Friday. Requests are accepted from BCD Travel consultants only. The Blocked Space desk will acknowledge receipt of the request within 24 business hours and will respond with a confirmation or denial reason within 48 business hours. Blocked space rooms are released back to the property 24 - 48 hours in advance, and maximum room rates (BCD negotiated rates) cannot be guaranteed.

* - 2007 Blocked Space Program - U.S. observed holidays:

01 January - New Year's Day
03 September - Labor Day
 28 May - Memorial Day
22 & 23 November - Thanksgiving		 04 July - Independence Day
25 December - Christmas