March 2014 Volume 6, Issue 3

Inside this issue: Rural Contract Rates vs. Published Fares

Rural Contract Rates vs. Published Fares The rural air contract rates ITB rates and published (ITB rates) are established fares may differ due to sev- Sold Out Flights by the Division of General eral factors. Services. The ITB rate may be higher Elite Benefits The ITB rates are primarily than the published fare be- used for Medicaid travel cause it is unrestricted, should ask for the lowest because of the requirement based on the federal mail Era Rebrands as Ravn available fare (refundable or of fully refundable, non- rate, and can be paid for on nonrefundable). penalty fares which allow for account. AAM 60.080 - Interruption or Deviation for multiple and frequent travel The ITB rate should be There are markets where the Traveler Convenience updates common for this booked only when it is lower ITB rate is lower than the group of travelers. than or equal to the equiva- refundable published fare lent published fare. Published fares are availa- and markets where they are ble to the public. These identical. This information will be add- fares can fluctuate multiple ed to the FAQ’s on the travel Regardless of the booking times a day as an webpage. source (E-Travel or direct to attempts to maximize reve- carrier), travel arrangers nue for a given flight.

Sold Out Flights Elite Benefits

Special Reminder for May your blessings outnumber Meeting Planners The E-Travel agent calls Alas- You can learn more about ka directly when a The shamrocks that grow, Elite Level The Division of General Services flight is sold out and the trav- benefits on their website. (DGS) established a contract to eler holds mileage status of And may trouble avoid you Here are a few top benefits: provide a variety of conference MVP or higher. and meeting coordination ser- Wherever you go.  Priority check-in and board- vices. While this may work for the ~ Irish Blessing ing vast majority of travelers, All State of Alaska governmen-  Dedicated customer ser- tal entities may, at their option, those with MVP Gold status utilize the services provided by are elite members with bene- vice (MVP / MVP Gold Visions. fits coming directly from Alas- Desk) ka Airlines and they should  Highest priority for waitlists To utilize the contract, complete call the MVP Gold desk when a Conference Project Form. (seats or upgrades) E-Travel is sold out.  Priority re-accommodations More information on Visions Travelers without Elite mile- and the services available can for flight delays, cancella- age status may request to be be found on the DGS webpage tions, etc. under Conference Coordination added to a waitlist. However, Services in Section XI of the travelers with Elite status are  Preferred seating on Alas- Contract Award Manual. prioritized. ka, American, and Delta

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION, DIVISION OF FINANCE, 333 WILLOUGHBY AVE, PO BOX 110204, JUNEAU, AK 99801-0204 E-Travel News Volume 6, Issue 3 Page 2

Travel E-Qs Era Rebrands as There will be a prize drawing held at the end of March for answers submit- ted by March 20 to the E-Travel Man- Era has been in the aviation nounced another change, staff or the locations served. ager at [email protected]. business in Alaska for over the rebranding of Era Avia- You will notice changes to 60 years and in that time tion, Hageland Aviation Ser- 1. Why might the ITB rate be the uniforms and advertis- higher than the published they have seen many chang- vices, and Frontier Flying ing. Also changing will be fare? es. Service to Ravn Alaska. the carrier name on tickets: 2. What are some of the ser- The most recent change was vices provided in the Confer-  Ravn Alaska doing busi- an acquisition in 2009 that ence Coordination contract ness as Era Aviation with Visions? formed the largest aircraft 3. Is ERA Aviation discontinuing fleet in the state providing  Ravn Connect doing busi- service? passenger and cargo service ness as Hageland Aviation to more than 100 Alaskan 4. Can a traveler volunteer to There has not been a For more information on the vacate his/her seat on an communities. outbound flight without pre- change in ownership and history of Era Alaska Brand, approval? In early January Era an- there will be no change to visit www.flyravn.com. 5. How much did the United States pay for the Alaska To the lover of wilderness, E-Travel Online Training

Territory in 1867? Alaska is one of the most wonderful countries in the world. To sign up, contact your ~ John Muir Department Travel Coordinators

March 06, 1:30 p.m. March 20, 9:30 a.m. E-Travel Office See E-Travel Online User E-Travel Management Home Page for more training Danielle Meier Seward’s Day - March 31 opportunities by USTravel. State Travel Manager (907) 465-6534 AAM 60.080 - Interruption or Deviation for Traveler Convenience Carmen Phelps Accountant IV Any interruption or deviation Any expense resulting from In addition to air travel, there (907) 465-2447 from the most direct and effi- personal deviation shall be are specific state require-

Email: [email protected] cient means of travel for trav- borne solely by the traveler. ments that must be met for Web: http://statetravel.alaska.gov eler convenience is consid- hotel and car arrangements.  Travel planners are respon- ered personal and requires sible for researching or More information can be USTravel prior approval at the agency purchasing travel that found in AAM 60.080 and the E-Travel Online Help Desk level by the appropriate su- (907) 500-4290 / 877-500-4290 meets the minimum busi- Travel FAQs under Personal pervisor. Such approvals Email: [email protected] ness itinerary (MBI). Travel. must weigh the interest of the Reservation Call Center state. The MBI must be docu- The State is responsible for (907) 500-4292 / 866-762-8728 mented in a state- costs incurred if the state FAX: (907) 500-4210  Travelers are responsible authorized fare quote at business portion of travel is Email: [email protected] for researching personal the time the trip is ap- involuntarily interrupted due travel and deviations. Research proved. to carrier delays or cancella- Email: [email protected] tions.

ARTICLES WRITTEN BY THE E-TRAVEL MANAGEMENT TEAM / NEWSLETTER DESIGN AND LAYOUT BY DANIELLE MEIER