Reservation portal launched to better coordinate travel and reduce costs
Princeton NJ -- The treasurer's office has developed a central reservation portal with some Princeton-specific pricing for individuals traveling to or from Princeton on University business. This new program offers tools to decrease costs and provide the widest range of flexibility and choice. "This new travel program is administered by Campus Travel Management, a travel consulting and data management company, and builds on a growing consortium of colleges and universities, including Princeton, Columbia, Temple, Baylor, Tulane, Colgate, Case Western Reserve, Smith, Williams, American and Washington and Lee, and the universities of Arkansas, Missouri, Arizona, Nevada and Illinois, to name a few," said Brian Rounsavill, associate director of purchasing. "The site integrates the benefits of the latest Internet travel reservation tools in conjunction with a core group of participating travel agencies." Portal users have convenient access to reduced travel agency fees, reduced airfares, favorable travel terms and a variety of booking options. In addition, this portal offers University departments a central location for travel history and savings documentation. Reservations can be made in any of the following ways using departmental Visa cards: • Travel agencies A multi-authorized network of seven committed travel agencies has been established, many of which are already widely used on campus, to enable departments to continue using the agency of their choice. • Internet travel reservation sites Orbitz, Travelocity, Cheap Tickets and Expedia links are provided to enable departments to shop online across the widest variety of Internet sites. • Specific carriers With many carrier options available, direct arrangements with Air Tran, America West, Southwest and Amtrak have been strategically contracted because their low prices and favorable cancellation, change and standby terms provide substantial benefits over other carriers. Additional airline carriers are actively being solicited for their participation. • International flight consolidators Online access to discounted international flight consolidator fares is provided for access to airline fares not normally available to travelers. These fares may be booked directly or through a travel agency of choice. • Hotel and car reservations Links to several online hotel and hostel reservation sites are provided, in addition to the University's list of preferred Princeton-area hotels and car rental agencies. The new travel program was pilot-tested by a number of departments over several months last year and received a positive response. An orientation to familiarize department heads and office managers with the program took place earlier this year. Individual departmental follow-up training sessions are being scheduled by the purchasing department as necessary. The portal is available on the Web at: <Web site>. Those with questions may contact Rounsavill at 258-3402 or <brouns@princeton.edu>. |
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