Travel Services recently entered into an agreement with United Airlines for discounted pricing. This agreement, effective Sept. 1, is valid until Aug. 31, 2000, and provides for a 10-percent discount for all University-funded airline tickets purchased on United Airlines' domestic and international flights.
In addition, this discount will be applicable for one traveling companion, provided the employee is traveling on University business. This saving is in addition to the guaranteed lowest available fare, which includes the senior citizen fares (already discounted 10 percent).
The travel agencies that contract with the University have been advised of Penn State's agreement with United Airlines and have started offering the discounted pricing on their flights. United Airlines and Atlantic Coast Airlines, operating United Express flights at University Park, have made a commitment to increase flights in and out of University Park. If the market for those flights increases, the airlines will upgrade aircraft operating those flights.
The University is geographically located in an area where there is little airline competition. It is hoped that as University travelers take advantage of the new discounting from United Airlines, Penn State will have additional opportunities to negotiate further cost savings for air travel.
Currently, the University's travel program guarantees travelers the lowest available fare when purchasing airline tickets through Penn State's contract travel agencies. Each transaction is reviewed before ticketing. This continual review guarantees that if a fare reduction occurs, the traveler will be charged the lower fare if the reservation meets the guidelines of that fare.
Anyone with questions should contact Marguerite Fink or any of the contract travel agencies, or visit the Travel Services Web site at http://guru.sp.psu.edu/central/travel/home.html.