Travel News

November 9, 2009

The Hyatt Regency Cambridge is offering a special winter rate to all MIT individual travelers from Nov. 21 to Dec. 31. The rate is $119, plus tax. You may make reservations by calling 617-441-6529. More >>

October 27, 2009

• New car service agreement with PlanetTran >>
• Special consolidator flight tickets to Asia, Middle East now available from OT&T >>
• Discounts available at Marriott hotels in top 20 MIT destination cities >>
• 20 percent hotel savings offered through Starwood Preferred Guest program >>

September 28, 2009

Airlines requiring additional information from some domestic travelers

September 4, 2009

New Jet Blue partnership yields 8% savings on flights
More >>

June 22, 2009

VPF Travel renegotiates rates for Boston and Cambridge area hotels
More >>

May 19, 2009

British Airways offers new discounts to MIT passengers -- and new cities with discounted rates
More >>

May 13, 2009
Le Meridien Cambridge Hotel lowers MIT rate through Labor Day
More >>

May 7, 2009
Update on traveler screening related to H1N1 virus
More >>

April 28, 2009
MIT issues travel health warning concerning Mexico
More >>

March 25, 2009
New security rule: Name on frequent flier account must match passport
More >>

March 25, 2009
LimoLiner expands Boston-NY service to include Hartford

LimoLiner's Boston-New York service now includes a stop in Hartford, Conn., on weekdays, the company announced. LimoLiner vehicles now drop off and pick up eight times each weekday under the canopy between Hartford Hilton Hotel and the Hartford Civic Center, at the #10 Free Star Shuttle stop, corner of Church Street and Trumbull Street. The Free Star Shuttle travels throughout the Hartford business and cultural district.

Offering a usual trip time of 4 hours and 10 minutes between Boston and New York, LimoLiner advertises its vehicles as state-of-the-art business travel centers designed with the needs of the busy business traveler. Among the amenities are:

• Oversized leather recliners
• WiFi
• Satellite TV/Radio
• Unlimited high speed wireless Internet access
• Seat side power outlets
• Clear and constant cell phone reception
• Direct TV for business and news channels

LimoLiner offers very competitive discounted rates for MIT employees, and first-time travelers are automatically enrolled in its Loyalty Program.

• Reserve seats >> (Enter MIT’s Corporate Account Code: C1038 in the Promo Code box to get the MIT Corporate Rate.)
• More on LimoLiner services >>

February 23, 2009
Travel Notes: Car Rental Agreements, Lower Rate at Courtyard by Marriott Boston-Cambridge

• VPF Travel has signed contracts through 2012 for Budget as MIT's primary vendor for car rentals and Avis as the Institute's secondary vendor. See the detailed contracts ( Budget, Avis) for more information.

• The Courtyard by Marriott Boston-Cambridge changed its 2009 rate structure for MIT. The rate for the entire year, excluding a select number of blackout dates, is $149 per night for a king room. More >>

February 9, 2009
New Partner Hotel in Boston -- Taj Boston
MIT Travel has secured a new partnership with a hotel in Boston, Mass. MIT discounted rates are now available at the Taj Boston, on Arlington Street.

Taj Boston
15 Arlington Street
Boston, MA 02116
Reservations phone number: 617-598-5215
Toll free reservations: 877-482-5267
www.tajhotels.com

Ask for the MIT rate

Deluxe room Single/Double
$199 1/1-4/12/09
$249 4/13-9/7/09
$279 9/8-11/20/09
$209 11/21-12/31/09

When booking on-line, please use:

Account ID: NSS5
Rate Access Code: *NSS5$

More details >>

February 5, 2009
2009 Rates Available for Boston Marriott Cambridge
The 2009 rates are now available for the Boston Marriott Cambridge in Kendall Square. They are as follows:

Standard Room Type Single/Double:

• $199 1/1-4/26/09
• $239 4/27-9/8/09
• $249 9/9-11/29/09
• $199 11/30-12/31/09
• Government rate: $203-$256

Blackout dates:

• 5/12-5/13/09
• 6/3-6/4/09
• 6/9-6/10/09
• 10/6-10/7/09
• 10/14/09

Make sure to ask for the MIT Rate. More details >>

2009 Hotel Rates Now Available
VPF Travel has updated discount arrangements with hotels for 2009. Please see the 2009 hotel rates >>

MIT Card Services Offers Passport Photos
MIT Card Services provides a passport photo service to members of the MIT community. A sheet with two photographs, each measuring 2” x 2”, costs $7, and only takes a few minutes to print out. There is the added benefit of one-stop shopping, since the entire passport application can be dropped of down the hall from us at the USPS office. More information >>

Mileage Reimbursement Rate Decreased to $0.55 per Mile as of Jan. 1, 2009
The reimbursement rate for using personally owned vehicles for official MIT business travel will decrease from $0.58 per mile to $0.55 per mile as of January 1, 2009. For travel started prior to that date and completed after it, the higher mileage rate will be reimbursed for the entire trip.

LimoLiner Offers Special Rate to MIT Employees and Their Families

When traveling between Boston/Framingham and New York City, travel aboard LimoLiner, a custom built luxury motor coach with daily scheduled round-trip service.

LimoLiner features on-board attendant who caters to the passengers, serving light meals, beverages and snacks. LimoLiner is equipped with 28 leather reclining armchairs, WIFI, satellite TV & radio, a strong cell phone signal, and numerous video monitors. Through a special deal with LimoLiner, MIT employees and their families can save 10% off the regular LimoLiner fare. The discount will increase depending upon usage.

To reserve seats, go to www.LimoLiner.com. Enter MIT’s Corporate Account Code C1038 in the Promo Code box to get the MIT Corporate Rate.

Program Points

• Each paid trip remains eligible for our LimoMiles frequent traveler program.
• Unrestricted tickets that allow itinerary changes without penalty.
• Cancelled travel reservations will be refunded if desired.

US Airways CAPS Program Offers Quick Walk-up Purchases

US Airways allows corporations that have a contract with US Airways to purchase discounted day of departure shuttle tickets to Washington DC (DCA) or New York (LGA) at the kiosk.

• The CAPS program gives registered members the benefit of no booking fees and advance purchase requirements with quick walk-up purchases
• Tickets are purchased at the kiosks, conveniently located in BOS, DCA and LGA
• In order to participate in the CAPS program you must enroll in Dividend Miles, create a Dividend Miles profile and include a registered credit card
• Once you are registered, just go to the US Airways Kiosk, swipe your registered credit card and purchase your ticket

Cambridge Marriott Courtyard Offers Special Group Rates for January and February 2009
This 16-story hotel offers 203 guestrooms and 6,000 square feet of function space that can accommodate meetings for up to 300 people. It has several meeting packages to choose from. Complimentary shuttle service is offered throughout the local area, making it easy to access the subway. The hotel has an onsite event specialist and hosts themed events each night. The special $129 group rate includes breakfast and is available for January and February.

To inquire about group rates, call Jill Cashman at 617-715-1786 or email Jill.Cashman@marriott.com.

Marriott Courtyard
777 Memorial Drive
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-492 7777
Reservations: 866-323-4159