Travel Agencies

In 2007, American Express disclosed its global corporate travel sales. It reported $20.5 billion in global corporate travel sales, an 11 percent increase over $18.5 billion in 2006. Unfortunately, Amex declined to authorize how many transactions that dollar figure represents. The Business Travel News estimates the dollar figure represents 15.3 million transactions. Amex is the only major travel company that did not disclose transaction numbers. Below are the top ten travel companies according to the number of transactions processed. Although not included, it is assumed Amex would be at the top of the list.

1. Carlson Wagonlit Travel 11,001,156
2. Omega Travel 962,553
3. Travel and Transport 738,854
4. Tzell Travel Group 648,940
5. World Travel 564,768
6. Ovation Travel Group 397,212
7. Adelman Travel Group 361,496
8. The Travel Authority 351,534
9. Garber/FCm Travel 329,446
10. Directravel 325,435

Wyndham Acquiring Microtel, Hawthorn

Wyndham Worldwide expects by the end of July to close the acquisition of U.S. Franchise Systems' 292 economy Microtel Inns & Suites properties and 91 extended stay Hawthorn Suites properties-Wyndham's first entry in that tier-from Global Hyatt Corp. Financial terms were not disclosed.

As Corporate Director of Sales of a hotel management company that owns a Microtel Inn & Suites, I'm looking forward to this acquisition by Wyndham. Besides Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, Wyndham owns Ramada, Days Inn, Super 8, Wingate, Baymont, Howard Johnson, Travelodge, Knights Inn, and Amerihost brands.

Microtel has suffered from name recognition since its conception. Being part of the Wyndham family of hotels will make the Microtel brand more visible to the loyal guests of the brands above. Wyndham also has one of the best loyalty programs in the hospitality industry. Wyndham REWARDS, formally triprewards, has over 6000 hotels/resorts worldwide. When was the last time you traveled to a city that did not have one of the hotel brands above? With the addition of Microtel and Hawthorn, Wyndham REWARDS has become a better loyalty program that it was before.

Hidden Hotel Charges

Click here for an interesting article by Andrea Bennett titled How to Avoid Hidden Hotel Charges.


In reality, its impossible not to pay for hidden fees at hotels. Many travelers feel that these "hidden" or "extra" fees can only be found at higher price hotel and spas. However, think about the last time you stayed at a moderate priced hotel such as a Holiday Inn Express. If the room charge was $100 plus tax...are you paying for amenities that you did not use? Did you use the pool? Did you use the exercise room? Did you take advantage for the airport shuttle? Did you have your fill of the complementary breakfast? All of these items are included in your rate regardless if you take advantage of them or not.


The more amenities a hotel has, the more expensive the hotel will be. The best way to save money on hotel stays is to define what amenities are important for that particular hotel stay and choose a hotel that best fits those requirements.

Survey Results #4: Pillows

When traveling, do you bring your own pillow with you? 64 persons responded

always/most of the time 10
never 29
sometimes/once in awhile 19
seldom, but I always ask the host/desk for extra pillow(s) 6