This is an interesting topic for me to write about – while I do my best to keep up-to-date on applications that will be useful for our leisure traveler clients, I’m one of those people who still has an “old fashioned” cell phone without Internet access!  Yes, I still use my cell phone as just a phone and yes, my kids do shake their heads at me.  But even I must admit the thought of having instant access to all of the great information available as I travel is quite appealing.   

Some useful websites and apps Macy’s Travel often suggests to our leisure travelers include:

• ZAGAT TO GO –helps travelers locate great local restaurant options using GPS technology.
• If you’re looking for a vegan or vegetarian restaurant anywhere in the world, then use your phone to access the HappyCow Compassionate Eating Guide.
• Once you choose a restaurant, OpenTable’s mobile app can assist with making reservations and even invite friends or colleagues to join you!  
• Beyond eating, which is certainly a favorite leisure travel activity for many, Krooz-Cams offers video feeds of more than 100 cruise ships and provides views of everything from pool decks to dining rooms.
• The My TSA mobile app enables travelers to identify whether various items are allowed in their carry-on or checked baggage, and provides information on ID requirements and liquids rules, tips for packing and dressing to speed through security, and real-time operating status for U.S. airports.  The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority offers similar information via their mobile website.
• Finally, some apps just sound intriguing: SitorSquat allows travelers to type in their current location and locate the nearest public restrooms, with user ratings (although you may want to consider downloading one of the many flashlight apps available, just in case!).

Of course, the above list is just the tip of the iceberg, and frankly, these are a great reason for me to order that new phone I’ve been thinking about.  Now my kids will need to find a new reason to roll their eyes at me! While I work on that, check out the business travel apps my colleague, Becky, recommends below for more great ideas to ease your travels.

Since my post about apps on August 31, I’ve received a few requests for a longer list of good apps that your company likely won’t mind your using. Here are some of my faves.  All of them are free! 

• FlySmart and GateGuru.  These two similar apps are built to help you navigate your surroundings at the airport—easily locate the ATMs, restaurants, shops, and other services around you, and see a map of the airport. FlySmart is available directly from the iPhone apps store.
• Yelp! I like Mexican and Thai food. Real Mexican and Thai food. When I’m craving that on the road, I use the Yelp! app to very quickly find a list of appropriate restaurants within quick walking distance of my hotel.  And since most of the (numerous) reviews come from locals, I get a good idea of how authentic and reputable they are.
• Around Me. This app is one of the easiest and best for finding the nearest gas stations, coffee shops, movie theatres, banks, pharmacies, bars, and more, based on your current GPS location. It’s elegant for its simplicity.
• Google Earth for mobile. This stunning, GPS-based visual search engine brings the power of Google and GPS location to your fingertips.
• Taxi Magic. In big U.S. cities, you can not only find and order a taxi, and get text status alerts on its dispatch, but also pay for it by tapping the payment amount into the app and hitting “send.” A receipt is automatically sent to you by email. 
• World Nomads. These free online language guides feature 200+ common phrases in your choice of 23 languages, and it offers its Spanish language guide as an iPhone app.  If you want to trade up for a more robust paid version, it’s tough to beat the Oxford Translator Travel Pro guides, which cost about $10 per language.
• NYC Subway KICKMap Lite. One of many free interactive maps of the New York Subway system, this shows all of the subway lines, stops, and connections, with no Internet connection required. “App maps” of public transit systems are available for just about every metropolitan area, and almost always there’s a free version that will give you everything you need. This is available via the iPhone app store.
• Oanda Currency Converter. Get an up-to-the-minute correct conversion of one currency to another, and tap to email the conversion rate to a contact.
• FlightCaster. Tap in a flight number, and FlightCaster will give you the up-to-the-minute status. This is as handy for the people greeting the traveler as it is for the traveler!
• Hungry Shark. Ok, so this one has nothing to do with corporate travel. But while you’re killing those last few boring minutes waiting for the boarding door to close, it’s one of the most fun (warning! addictive!) games I’ve ever found. This is available via the iPhone app store.

 As a reminder, for business travel use at least, stay away from unapproved apps that let you book flights, hotels, and rental cars, because once you use them, you’re outside of corporate policy if you’re expected to book through your agency.  Your company can’t report on those bookings, which negatively impacts its ability to negotiate with suppliers and find you in an emergency, among other things.  If in doubt, ask your company’s travel manager before using a travel app for corporate purposes.

While many of the apps I’ve listed are useful for both business and leisure travelers, my colleague Cindy has some more suggested apps for vacationers in the post above. Check them out!

Kermit the Frog once said, “it’s not easy bein’ green.”  As the executive sponsor for CWT’s North American environmental policies I have become more and more aware of the impact I have (as a frequent traveler) on our environment. And there was certainly a time when it wasn’t easy to be green, but I’m here to tell you those days are over. There are numerous tools available to travelers to assess the impact of their travel and to help them make responsible decisions.

First, let’s look at pre-trip decisions. Have you ever calculated the carbon impact of a flight from New York to Boston versus the impact of using rail? Do it…you will be shocked. Rail is a great way to reduce your impact on the environment, and maybe save a headache or two by avoiding getting a full body search going through airport security.

And for those times when rail just won’t cut it (I’m thinking Minneapolis to Paris), consider buying a carbon offset. Many airlines allow you to make a micro-purchase at the point of sale. Similarly, many travel agencies offer the same opportunity…an ideal option because booking through the travel agency keeps you compliant with your company’s travel policy.

And once you land, you have even more opportunities to embrace sustainability! Be observant at your hotel; many promote what they are doing themselves to be green and what you can do to help. And even if they don’t, you can make decisions on your own to live responsibly. As an example, do you hang up your towel for re-use or are you that person who uses literally every towel and throws them in the tub each morning? Don’t be that guy! Would you do that at home? … Exactly! What about the lights…do you make a point to turn them off before you leave the room? When a lot of people do the little things, it all adds up to make a real difference.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of green travel tips; in fact, I’m barely scratching the surface with some of the more obvious opportunities you have as a traveler. So let’s hear your stories…what do you do or what have you done to reduce your own footprint? Help us all live a little more responsibly!

When I think of the experience of traveling, the single key element that can make or break a trip for me is service. From booking the reservation, to going through security, to checking in at the hotel, etc., each point of contact is an opportunity for a good service interaction or a not-so-good one. And when I receive exceptional service, I like to acknowledge it. Whether with a verbal “thank you,” a note of appreciation, or personal recognition on a hotel comment card, I try to call a little extra attention to the individuals who make my travel experience enjoyable.

For that reason, I was especially excited to see that CWT received a little bit of its own recognition recently by readers of The Beat, a leading online travel industry publication. In a survey conducted by The Beat, readers were asked to select a company they most admire for its policies, management style and service for business clients. And in the category of Travel Management Companies, CWT was ranked at the top!

When it comes to the service CWT provides to clients, it’s all about our people. I may be biased, but we’ve got a pretty incredible team of frontline travel counselors who take care of our travelers every day and ensure they get the level of service they deserve. For example, during the volcanic ash crisis earlier this year, our travel counselors worked day and night to help make sure our travelers got what they needed.

Most of all, we appreciate our clients for giving us the chance to serve their travel needs—we value the relationships we’ve formed with each client and each individual traveler. Providing good service is where our focus is, and will continue to be.

I’d love to hear, how do you define good service? Have any examples of excellent service you’d like to share?

Medical emergencies that occur at home are scary enough, but something as simple as the flu can seem insurmountable when traveling.  Where can you get the medicine you need?  If a doctor is needed, how do you know where to find a good one?  And how in the world does health insurance work when you are traveling abroad – that’s got to be “out of network,” right?

The good news is that most domestic and international business travel destinations, even those that seem way off the map, do have quality healthcare available.  The challenges, frustrations and dangers often arise from inadequate preparation or confusion regarding where to go or what to do.  Below are some “before you go” recommendations that will help you be prepared should something unfortunate arise while you’re on the road:

1. Make sure you are on top of your own health status and are aware of any allergies and all medications you are taking. If it’s been awhile since your last check-up and you have a trip on the horizon, I strongly recommend getting a physical. 
2. If you are traveling somewhere you’d consider a bit “exotic” compared to your home country, consider scheduling a visit with a travel medicine specialist, who is an expert on appropriate vaccinations and other destination-specific precautions.  Do this as far in advance of your trip as possible – some vaccination series require quite a bit of time between doses.
3. Know your company’s policies and procedures for medical emergencies while traveling.  In addition to the information and services available to you through your employer’s travel management provider, such as my company, many organizations elect to purchase additional safety and security products and services from specialized providers. Also, be sure to carry all emergency contact numbers on your person (wallet, purse, etc.) during your travels. 
4. Know how to find a good healthcare facility. When you’re abroad, U.S. and/or Canadian Embassies will likely have recommendations on quality hospitals and clinics in the area.  Be sure you have embassy contact information before you go, as internet access or directory services can be difficult to find or navigate in a foreign country.  Additionally, the International Society of Travel Medicine maintains a directory of reputable healthcare providers in cities all over the globe. 
5. Make sure you have any necessary medications with you.  Keep them in your carry-on and in the original bottle you received from the pharmacist.  Know the generic names of these medications (you can look them up at www.rxlist.com), as North American brand names may not be recognized abroad. 
6. Check with your insurance company or HMO regarding their emergency services.  If you find these to be lacking, there are a number of companies that deal specifically in travel medical insurance.  A reputable list of these can be found at http://www.travelinsurancereview.net/.  Also, the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers provides a number of services and membership is free.  IAMAT members have access to healthcare providers around the world that have agreed to flat rates for visits to help travelers avoid complications surrounding costs and payment.
7. Most importantly, if you feel like you need medical attention while you’re traveling, get it.  Many travel medical emergencies arise from travelers putting things off in hopes of just dealing with it when they return home. 

 Here’s hoping that none of you will ever face a medical emergency while traveling; even so, I hope you’ll find these pre-planning suggestions helpful in dealing with anything that does arise. Until next time, safe and healthy travels, all!