Cornell Travel Office  Travel Services for Cornell

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News Archive

 

 

June 23, 2008 -  Arranging Air Travel Using Cornell's New Service

Dear Cornell travelers and travel arrangers,

Here is additional helpful information about how to book Cornell travel using the new services provided by American Express Business Travel.
 
Whether you wish to make reservations by telephone or online, the steps are:
 
1. Set up an account  in AXIOM®, American Express’s new online reservation tool, so that you can populate a profile with your travel preferences. 

  • If you are a new user, go to http://www.travel.cornell.edu   and select “new users” in order to see the security code for Cornell users, and the hyperlink to the account set-up form.
  • If you had an account in the previous tool, go to http://www.travel.cornell.edu and select “online reservations for current users.”  If you are unable to log-in, select “forgot password” to try to connect to your account.

 
2. Create a profile in AXIOM.   You will be asked to set a profile pin number;  we recommend using a telephone number (home or cell).   If you place reservations by telephone, you’ll be asked to enter your pin number so that the agent can see your travel preferences.
 

3. To make a reservation, have your profile pin number and payment information handy. 

  • By phone:   You’ll be prompted to enter your profile pin number.   When the agent asks for your form of billing, provide a credit card number or the first 3 or 7 digits of your department’s accounting code for travel.
  • Online:   Log in to your account, search for flights and make your selection.  You may pay by credit card, or by entering the first 3 or 7 digits of your department’s accounting code for travel.   If you will pay by credit card, please enter 000 (three zeros) in the "department billing" box.


Note:   To arrange travel for someone else, or to designate someone else to arrange travel for you, within your profile use the “delegates” section to   make the assignments.   Note that travel arrangers will also   need to know the profile pin number and payment method for the travelers.
 
After you make your reservation a software product called Pre-Trip Accounting   (PTA) - which is separate from AXIOM (the on-line booking tool) - will send email   to your department's designated account administrator alerting them that there   is a trip requisition to complete.   You will receive a copy of this   email.
 
The account administrator will link from the email to a web site where they will   enter the complete account code for your airfare.  The trip will be confirmed   and an electronic ticket will be issued.    You will receive an   email advising you of such.   IMPORTANT:  If you don't receive   email indicating your ticket was issued, there may have been a gap in the database   linking your reservation to the appropriate account administrators at Cornell.   You   will need to contact your Business Service Center for assistance.
 
More instructions and training are available on the Cornell travel web site,   under the “About AXIOM” section:
http://www.travel.cornell.edu/about_axiom.html
 
 
Thank you for your support,
 
The Office of Supply Management Services
Phone:  607-255-3804
Web site for travel information:    http://www.travel.cornell.edu

 

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June 9, 2008 -- Cornell Travel Bookings Transitions in Place Today

Dear Cornell travelers and travel arrangers,

This is a reminder that American Express is now providing all of the travel booking services for Cornell, both online and by telephone.

Effective immediately, you can set up an account and profile in the new online reservation service, named American Express Intelligent Online Marketplace (AXIOM®), and book travel through the site.  If you had established a profile in the previous tool, you should have received email on May 28 with instructions about logging in and verifying that your profile information copied over.   See http://www.travel.cornell.edu  for all links and instructions.

Even if you plan to arrange air travel by telephone, please create an account and profile in AXIOM so that all your preferences can be utilized by the agents assisting you by phone.

New telephone number:  1-888-656-0432   (accessible 24/7)

Direct billing is still available whether you book by telephone or online.    The process will be slightly different than in the past:

You will need to know the first 3-digits or 7-digits of your account code and provide these when making a reservation.   This is the way your reservation will be linked to the appropriate person who will finalize the accounting process so that your tickets can be issued promptly.

There is a software product called Pre-Trip Accounting (PTA) - which is separate from AXIOM (the on-line booking tool) - that will send email to your department's designated account administrator alerting them that there
is a trip requisition to complete.   You will receive a copy of this email.

The account administrator will link from the email to a web site where they will enter the complete account code for your airfare.

The trip will be confirmed and an electronic ticket will be issued.    You will receive an email advising you of such.

IMPORTANT:    If you don't receive email indicating your ticket was issued, there may have been a gap in the database linking your reservation to the appropriate account administrators at Cornell.   You will need to contact your Business Service Center for assistance.

Note:   American Express's Pre-Trip Accounting emails use language about "authorizers" and "approvals," but at Cornell this process is used just to complete the accounting information, not to approve the travel.

We are preparing training on the AXIOM tool and pre-trip accounting
process.  Several guides are already available at
http://www.travel.cornell.edu.

With questions about reservations that were made with the Cornell Travel
Office staff prior to June 9,  please contact American Express.

Thank you for your support,

The Office of Supply Management Services
Phone:  607-255-3804
Web site for travel information:    http://www.travel.cornell.edu

 

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June 3, 2008 - All Cornell travel bookings transition June 10

Dear Cornell travelers and travel arrangers,
 
Monday June 9, 2008 will be the last day that the Cornell Travel Office staff handles any new bookings.   At that time American Express Business Travel will take on the remainder of the travel booking services which have not already transitioned to them.
 
Since March 5, 2008 American Express has been handling telephone reservations and the online reservations placed through their pre-existing website.  The Cornell Travel Office was still sending the requisition requests for accounting information, so that process will change beginning June 10.
 
Summary of changes as of June 10:
 
New online reservation tool:  The new online reservation service is called American Express Intelligent Online Marketplace (AXIOM®).  If you had established a profile in the previous tool, you should have received email on May 28 with instructions about logging in and verifying that your profile information copied over.   See http://www.travel.cornell.edu   for orientation and training on AXIOM.
 
Accounting process for direct billing moves to new software:  For direct bill air reservations, placed online or by phone, the pre-trip accounting process will be handled in American Express software.  You will need to know the first 3-digits or 7-digits of your account code before placing a reservation.   The tool will send email to your department’s designated administrator in order to complete the accounting process.
 
New telephone number for reservations:  1-888-656-0432
 
Payment method for rental cars:  Unfortunately direct billing will no longer be available for rental cars.  The traveler will need to pay by credit card and apply to Cornell University for reimbursement.
 
 
Remaining the same are the new low ticketing fees that were put in place in March:  $5.00 for reservations placed online;  $20.00 for telephone reservations.
 
We are preparing training on the AXIOM tool and pre-trip accounting process.  Several guides are already available at http://www.travel.cornell.edu.
 
With questions about reservations that were made with the Cornell Travel Office staff prior to June 10, please contact American Express.
 
We appreciate your patience with the changes, and your efforts in learning AXIOM.  American Express provides best-in-class travel services, with competitive rates.  Since the travel industry has undergone such dramatic changes in recent years, this is the best way to provide a high level of service to Cornell travelers without incurring high administrative costs.   The university also benefits from negotiated discounts on airfare, and better information tools for risk management. 
 
Thank you for your support,
 
 
The Office of Supply Management Services
Phone:  607-255-3804
Web site for travel information:    http://www.travel.cornell.edu

 

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May 21, 1008 - AXIOM opens May 27 for review,  June 10 for use

Dear Employee,

Welcome to American Express Business Travel!  We look forward to assisting you with your travel and business service needs.  As a part of your American Express program you can book your business service reservations with a travel counselor or through our new innovative online travel and business services booking tool: The American Express Intelligent Online Marketplace (AXIOM).  AXIOM will assist you in finding, purchasing and managing your travel and business service needs, including air, hotel, and car rental. 

The AXIOM tool is quick and easy to use: the intuitive user interface guides you through the booking process from start to finish with just a few simple clicks. Please see the instructions below to begin your American Express registration process and to access answers to questions you may have regarding American Express and the AXIOM tool:

Access Your Account May 27, 2008!
To begin using American Express Business Travel, please follow these easy steps:

Open the Activation Email from American Express that will be sent on May 27, 2008.  Press the “Activate Now” button to register.

Follow the prompts and enter your name and email address and then create a user name and password that you will use to access the site.  Note: You will be asked to supply a 6 – 10 digit numeric profile pin that will act as a unique identifier.  We suggest using a telephone number as it is easy to remember.

Additional information, including your business address, will also be requested.

Review/Update Your Profile Information!
Immediately following the activation process, listed above, you will be prompted to update/edit your profile information.  Please make additions and/or adjustments as necessary.  As of June 10th, you will have full access to the AXIOM tool here: https://cornelluniversity.axo20.com

AXIOM/Booking Questions
For questions regarding AXIOM and/or bookings, please reference the following:

  • For 24/7 access to American Express Travel Specialists, please call 1-888-835-5816.  For navigational support, press option 1.  To speak with a Travel Counselor, press option 2.
  • Click here to access the AXIOM tutorial:  www.axiomtoolkit.com/tutorial
  • For questions regarding the capabilities and/or functionality of the AXIOM tool  we will soon post to the Cornell University Travel website the AXIOM Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) document and the AXIOM Quick Reference Guide for questions pertaining to booking reservations, establishing tool settings, etc., please refer to the attached .


Thank you for your support on this exciting initiative. We look forward to satisfying your travel and business services needs.
 

Regards,

Cornell University Travel Office
Office for Supply Management Services
on behalf of American Express Travel Services


Cornell Travel Office, 315 East Palm Rd., 2nd Floor, Ithaca, NY 14850-2819
Phone: 607-255-4284 * Fax: 607-254-8075 * cuto@cornell.edu
Book your trip on-line, anytime at: http://www.travel.cornell.edu
Cornell Travel Office Web Site / On-Line Reservations System

 

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May 15, 2008    - Updated timeline for enhanced online reservation tool

Dear Cornell Travelers and Travel Arrangers:

We're pleased to announce that the development of the enhanced online reservation tool from American Express is ahead of schedule.   It will become available on June 10, 2008, and as previously announced we'll complete the transition of all booking services to American Express by June 30.

You will receive a welcome email on May 20, 2008 with instructions on how to register for the new tool.  Your profile information will have been brought over from Cliqbook, so this is the time to review and update your profile information only, such as: frequent flyer info; preferences for air, hotel; travel arrangers; etc.  You will then be ready to use the tool when it is available on June 10th.

Some of the many benefits of the new tool, the American Express Intelligent Online Marketplace (AXIOM®):

  • Time-savings and lower costs in booking Cornell travel
  • Can book all of your air, hotel, and rental car reservations
  • Capability to insert reservation details into your calendar and then update your calendar if your plans change
  • Notifications via phone, email, text message and/or fax if your flight is cancelled or delayed

Thank you,

Thomas W. Romantic, CCR
Senior Director
Supply Channel Management & Business Services
Cornell University
Suite 330
395 Pine Tree Road
Ithaca, NY 14850

www.cbs.cornell.edwww.purchasing.cornell.edu

Cornell Travel Office, 315 East Palm Rd., 2nd Floor, Ithaca, NY 14850-2819
Phone: 607-255-4284 * Fax: 607-254-8075 * cuto@cornell.edu
Book your trip on-line, anytime at: http://www.travel.cornell.edu
Cornell Travel Office Web Site / On-Line Reservations System

 

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April 10, 2008     Travel industry changes to e-ticket receipts and checking 2nd bag.

Dear Cornell travelers and travel arrangers,

We would like to make you aware of two very important changes announced this week, by the airline industry, that will directly impact Cornell travelers.  

Elimination of E-Ticket Receipts, Paper Tickets, Invoices and Itineraries

ARC (Airlines Reporting Corporation) and IATA (International Air Transport Association) have announced the elimination of all paper tickets. Effective Monday, April 14th, travelers can expect the following change:

  • Travelers will not receive paper passenger receipts for electronic tickets from the Travel Office (delivered by Campus Mail).   Printed invoices are also being discontinued.
  • Customers will receive links to their e-ticket receipts in e-mail notifications.  E-Ticket receipts will be accessible for 71 days after the ticket is issued. Travelers can instantly view and print these online          documents.  ( Please note that for security purposes, the credit card numbers are masked.  Only the last 4 digits are visible )


New Airline Baggage Charges

For airline tickets purchased on or after April 5, 2008 and travel commencing on or after May 5, 2008 most airlines have announced new baggage policies.  The major domestic airlines will charge $25 for the second checked bag.   Car seats, strollers, and wheelchairs are exempt for the $25 second bag fee.   For complete details, visit the web site for your airline, or go to http://www.seatguru.com/


The Cornell Travel Office
 
Email:    cuto@cornell.edu         
Web:    http://www.travel.cornell.edu
Phone:  607-255-4284

 

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March 31, 2008     Travel update.  Training for online booking tool.

Dear Cornell travelers and travel arrangers,

As you are aware, the Travel Office recently lowered its prices for online ticket booking with American Express Online Travel (also known as Cliqbook) to $5 per ticket. This online booking tool has been available to the Cornell community for over a year;  there have been no changes to its functionality or features.   However due to the newly reduced price, we have seen a substantial increase in the number of travelers who want to take advantage of this capability but need assistance.

If you would like to make a travel reservation using the online booking tool, but feel that you need training on the functionality before you can start using it, please send an e-mail to cuto@cornell.edu with the subject line "Amex online training request".    We are planning to schedule training sessions for travelers and travel planners on Cliqbook as well as to answer any questions relat! ed to the recent migration of the agent assisted booking to American Express Business travel. Your responses will help the Travel team determine the number and nature of these sessions.

Action Item:  If you would like to participate in a training session please send an e-mail to cuto@cornell.edu with the subject line "Amex online training request".

Other updates and reminders to help your travel planning be as smooth as possible:

We've created a new *Issue Reporting Tool* to provide an easy way for you to send us feedback and report any issues you might be experiencing in booking travel plans. Visit the online issue reporter http://mantis.dfa.cornell.edu . Your issues will queue to us and we commit to getting back to you within 24 hours ( during business days).

Airline tickets are issued by the Travel Office after the approval process is complete, which involves a short period of time after you work with American Express to select your flights  (i.e. tickets are not issued instantly).

Campus to Campus Bus reservations are handled by a different department (Transportation & Mail Services). Please go to http://www.c2cbus.com to make these reservations.

For charter flights please e-mail the travel office at cuto@cornell.edu (American Express cannot make these reservations for Cornell).

Direct billing is available only for airfare and car rentals with Hertz.  (Hotel reservations and car rentals with other firms cannot be place on direct bill.)

Use the Eudora directory or Cornell web site directory to locate Cornell Travel Office personnel.    American Express travel agents to not have their contact information.

We're pleased to offer this additional assistance and hope you find it helpful,

 

The Cornell Travel Office
 
Email:    cuto@cornell.edu         
Web:    http://www.travel.cornell.edu
Phone:  607-255-4284

 

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March 18, 2008   Important information about travel requisitions

Dear Cornell travelers and travel arrangers,

Here are some updates and clarifications related to changes some of you have experienced since March 5th, when our partnership with American Express Business Travel for telephone reservations began.   Overall the process has gone well and we appreciate your patience with the questions that come up with any change in procedure.

1.  You will continue to receive requisition requests from the Travel Office requesting account info, signature authorization, etc. for all the reservations made via the online site, or by phone to American Express.

2.   The requisition server had been having difficulties. Those problems have all been resolved.  We apologize for the inconvenience.

 3. If you are new to using the American Express Online reservation tool, please contact Bill by email (wfw5@cornell.edu) to request a log-in. Please provide your Net ID. There is a tutorial accessible from the Travel Office home page at: 
http://www.travel.cornell.edu

 4.  Please do not call 5-4284 to obtain/request direct phone numbers for travel staff to avoid additional charges to the University.  Calls to this number should be related to travel bookings only.  If you need contact information, please use the staff directory information in Eudora, the Cornell University web site, or the telephone book.

 

Thank you again for your assistance.

 

The Cornell Travel Office

Email:    cuto@cornell.edu       
Web:    http://www.travel.cornell.edu
Phone:  607-255-4284

 

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March 2, 2008   New Cornell travel booking procedures start March 5

Dear Cornell travelers and travel arrangers,

In order to improve travel booking procedures and lower the costs associated with operating travel services, we are announcing a transition that will take place in three phases.  We are partnering with American Express Business Travel in order to take advantage of their state-of-the-art systems, while retaining all of the conveniences we’ve developed in terms of the profiles travelers have already entered and direct billing to department accounts.

The first phase involves shifting telephone bookings to American Express while we work with them to develop an enhanced online reservation system.  Since the spring semester is the busiest for Cornell University travel, this will ensure that we continue to provide uninterrupted service to the Cornell community without compromising on the quality and timeliness of the service.   As an added benefit, to encourage use of the existing online booking tool we are lowering the fee from $30.00 to $5.00.

 

Phase I     Effective Wednesday, March 5:

Online Bookings:   Fee reduction on airline tickets booked with current Travel Office Cliqbook online system from $30.00 to $5.00.  You may pay by credit card or direct bill to a department account.  Access the online booking service from
http://www.travel.cornell.edu.   You may book straightforward international travel this way, but itineraries that involve multiple destinations should be booked through Travel Office staff.

Telephone:  To ensure faster service during the transition, clients calling the main Travel Office number of 255-4284 will be automatically forwarded to an American Express reservation center.   American Express agents are trained to serve Cornell customers and will access your traveler profile.   To update your profile or create a new one, click here.  Ticket fee for phone orders through American Express will be reduced from $35.00 to $20.00.  You may pay by credit card or direct bill to a department account. 

Email:   Inquiries submitted by email (to cuto@cornell.edu or individual travel arrangers) will be handled by the Cornell Travel Office staff and normal service fees apply starting at $35.00 per ticket.  You may pay by credit card or direct bill to a department account. 

For complex international reservations or direct bill Hertz rental car reservations:  Please contact Cornell Travel Office staff by email.   Normal services fees apply.  You may pay by credit card or direct bill.

 

Phase II     Beginning July 1, 2008
All travel requests, including complex bookings and specialized requests, will be handled by American Express Business Travel.   The Cornell Travel Office’s activities in planning travel services will transition to the Office for Supply Management Services.   Travel Office staff will transition to new responsibilities.

A new enhanced online booking solution will be implemented.   It will include all the current options for paying by direct billing or credit card, with no disruptions.   It will include Cornell negotiated discounts plus American Express Business Travel contracts with major service providers.  Low ticket fee and overhead processes will bring savings to travelers and the university.

 

Phase III    From July 2008 – July 2009
We will engage the campus community in creating a proposal to address advanced travel issues and stewardship for the university including:   end-to-end process enhancements from bookings to reimbursements;    risk management; and positively impacting the carbon footprint related to Cornell travel.

 

Thank you for your assistance during the transition.

The Cornell Travel Office

Email:    cuto@cornell.edu       
Web:    http://www.travel.cornell.edu
Phone:  607-255-4284

 

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Cornell Travel Office, 315 East Palm Road, Ithaca, NY 14850
Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm