Online Travel Agency Donates to Non-Profit Organizations

In November 2017, Fareportal, the travel technology company powering CheapOair.com and OneTravel.com, launched it’s Personal Impact Program; a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative driven by the passions of its employees. Over the course of 12 months, employees nominated their most-cherished non-profit organizations for the opportunity to have a donation made on their behalf as well as to have their charity highlighted within the company’s internal communications initiatives.

“The Personal Impact Program was designed to give our employees more of a say in how we give back to the community,” said Corissa Leong, SVP of People & Culture. “We were excited to see the enthusiasm our employees’ put into their entries and are glad that we were able to make a difference to organizations that mean the most to them.”

Over the past 12 months, recipients spanned many categories including health and wellness, education, homelessness, and animal welfare. The organizations contributed to included:

• Team for Kids
• The Valerie Fund
• We Win
• LUNGevity
• National MS Society
• Coalition for the Homeless
• Inner City Scholarship Fund
• National Hemophilia Foundation
• Connor and Millie’s Dog Rescue
• Korean K9 Rescue
• Norma Pfriem Breast Center
• U.S.T.L.E.365 Inc.

“As a global company, we are involved with charity organizations all over the world,” said Sam S. Jain Founder and CEO at Fareportal. “We started the Personal Impact Program to increase employee engagement in our corporate social responsibility efforts and this year the program proved to be a great success. We are excited to continue partnering with employee-chosen non-profit organizations in the year ahead.”

Fareportal has a longstanding commitment to helping communities in need through charitable donations and volunteer work. The company is always seeking out new opportunities to get involved with charity organizations both at home and abroad. 

 

About Fareportal

Fareportal is a travel technology company powering a next generation travel concierge service. Utilizing its innovative technology and company owned and operated global contact centers, Fareportal has built strong industry partnerships providing customers access to over 450 airlines, 1 million hotels, and hundreds of car rental companies around the globe. With a portfolio of consumer travel brands including CheapOair and OneTravel, Fareportal enables consumers to book online, on mobile apps for iOS and Android, by phone, or live chat.

 

Leading Online Travel Agency Releases Tips for Thanksgiving Holiday Travel

When traveling over the holidays, travelers have come to expect that they will likely face crowds, long lines, and even delays. According to data reported by CheapOair®, the day before Thanksgiving is consistently ranked as one of the top three busiest travel days of the year. This year, the online travel agency and leading provider of cheap flights is offering some tips to help holiday travelers breeze through the airport.

Allow Extra Time

From the ride to the airport to the lines for security, passengers should plan on allowing extra time for Thanksgiving air travel. For starters, travelers should check-in online as soon as the option becomes available – typically 24 hours before departure. Next, comes ground transportation. Whether relying on family, friends, a cab, or public transit, travelers should remember that air travel isn’t the only transportation pain point during the holidays. Factors such as weather and time of day should be taken into consideration when evaluating the already congested roadways. Lastly, it is important to remember that everything at the airport takes longer on those extra busy travel days. Travelers should allot plenty of time for checking bags, clearing airport security, and getting to the gate.

Charge Up Mobile Devices in Advance

For busy travel days like Thanksgiving, travelers can expect to spend more time in the airport compared to a typical travel day. More time in the airport often means more time spent on mobile devices. Though many airports have started adding mobile-friendly amenities such as charging stations, it’s best not to count on these being available. Instead, CheapOair recommends that travelers charge up devices before heading to the airport and consider carrying a portable charging device, just in case.

Stay Ahead of Delays and Disruptions

No one likes to be delayed, especially during the holidays. Before heading to the airport, travelers should double check with their airline to make sure there haven’t been any drastic updates to their flight. To eliminate the manual work, many airlines offer travelers the ability to opt-in for SMS updates while checking-in online.  This allows updates to be automatically sent as they happen. In the case of a delay, it may be tempting to put off going to the airport. However, travelers should keep in mind that new departure times are estimates and can be moved forward if the cause of the delay has been resolved. If an extended delay or cancellation arises, CheapOair advises calling the airline’s customer support line instead of waiting for assistance at the airport. The agents on the phone are generally able to assist in the same way as the gate personnel.

 

Pack Less and Carry On

Thanksgiving air travel often means long lines, especially to drop-off baggage. With a little preparation and planning, travelers can limit their baggage and plan to carry-on rather than check their luggage. CheapOair suggests that travelers should verify to see what is included with their ticket before packing, keeping in mind that most Basic Economy fares do not include carry-on baggage.

Splurge for an Airport Lounge Pass

The battle with the masses might seem over after passing through airport security, but oftentimes the gate area can be just as crowded. Day passes to many airport lounges can be purchased for a fee and offer a calmer and more comfortable place to relax, plus complimentary food and drinks.

For more information, please visit www.cheapoair.com, plus follow our social media pages, www.facebook.com/cheapoair, www.twitter.com/cheapoair, and www.instagram.com/cheapoair.  Download the CheapOair app for iOS or Android for an on-the-go travel concierge experience.

CheapOair’s mission is to educate and aid consumers in both planning their travel and staying current on the most popular destinations. With a portfolio of travel products, including cheap airfares on over 450 global airlines, CheapOair is a great way to book the airline tickets that are right for you.

 

About CheapOair

CheapOair is an online travel agency that specializes in providing cheap flights and great last-minute flight deals for travelers worldwide. Consumers can book online, on mobile apps for iOS and Android, by phone (1-646-738-4820) or live chat. Part of Fareportal’s family of travel brands, CheapOair bridges the gap between an online travel agency and a traditional agency with certified travel agents available to help find discount flight tickets to global destinations on over 450 airlines, a million hotels, and 100s of car rental companies. Follow CheapOair on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram , and Pinterest to learn how to travel the world for less.

 

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Leading online travel agency highlights some trends in the growing culinary travel sector

Food is now considered to be an attraction, motivator, and even reason for traveling. More and more travelers are visiting destinations specifically to learn and explore new cultures through their stomachs. CheapOair.com, a leading online travel agency, wants to take you on a tour of some of this year’s most popular culinary travel trends and destinations.

Eat Your Greens: The Most Vegan-Friendly Destinations

2018 has quickly become the year of the sustainability-conscious consumer, particularly in the food industry. According to Google, web searches for ‘vegan’ reached an all-time high in 2018 and United States ranks fourth among countries performing this search[1]. As the number of people identifying as vegans continues to rise, so does the number of vegan restaurants around the world. Los Angeles, California, Berlin, Germany, and Tel Aviv, Israel are some of the most vegan-friendly destinations that you can visit. Each of these cities is not only known for having unique culinary scenes, but also for offering a range of vegan substitutes for their respective traditional dishes. The future is sure becoming friendlier to vegan travelers.

Take It to The Streets: Destinations with A Booming Street Food Scene  

Food trucks, sidewalk vendors, street carts, and hole-in-the walls are no longer a guilty pleasure. Destinations like Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Mexico City, Mexico, and Portland, Oregon have set the bar and blurred the lines between gourmet and fast food. Portland has a booming street food scene with over 500 food trucks. Meanwhile, in Mexico City more than 75% of locals eat street food at least one per week. Ho Chi Minh City has food stands on nearly every corner, of every block, in every district and travelers are flocking there for the tasty Vietnamese cuisine. These destinations prove that you can look outside of the fancy restaurants for some haute cuisine.

But First…Coffee: Must-Visit Destinations for Coffee Lovers

Drinking coffee has become a staple in the daily routine of many cultures. For those that love their cup of joe, Seattle, Washington, Istanbul, Turkey, and Medellin, Colombia are just a few destinations you should add to your travel wish list. Seattle is the perfect destination for coffee lovers as it’s home to Starbucks; one of world’s largest and most recognizable coffee brands. The city’s coffee culture doesn’t stop there. There are also a number of small, independent roasters scattered across the city. Travelers should also venture to South America to check out what’s brewing. Medellin is the perfect starting point to explore Colombia’s famed Coffee Triangle. In Istanbul, having Turkish coffee is almost ceremonial in the unique way it is prepared and served. The one thing that unites these different destinations is not only their love of coffee, but the way coffee shapes their culture, community, and way of life.

Say Cheese: The Best Cheese Destinations  

Cheese is one of the most versatile and varied foods there is. Cheese enthusiasts can rejoice in the various options, styles, and destinations they can visit to get that perfect bite. Normandy, France is amongst the most famous cheese destinations, especially if you are a fan of Camembert. La Mancha, Spain is the place to go if you prefer Manchego, El Greco, or Don Quixote. For those who can’t get enough Parmigiano Reggiano, head to the Emilia Romagna region of Italy where Parmigiano originated. When it comes to cheese, you could travel the world and still be unsure of what the “king of all cheese” is, but with these destinations you’ll be ready to do the research.

Let’s Wine About It: Unconventional Wine Destinations  

From Old World to New World, the following are some must visit destinations for all wine connoisseurs. Alentejo is one of the largest wine regions in Portugal where visitors can sample a wide variety of wines and local delicacies. Cape Town, South Africa is home to the only new grape variety created outside of Europe and features some iconic wineries with Cape Dutch architecture. For those looking for a glass of wine with a view, head to Santorini, Greece. Santorini not only has nine indigenous grape varieties, but also has a fascinating wine museum.

I Scream, You Scream, We all Scream for Ice Cream: The Top Destinations to Eat the Best Ice Cream  

We can all agree that ice cream is one of the few desserts that is both timeless and suitable for all ages. It’s hard to go wrong when it comes to ice cream, but when it’s done right it truly is an icy treat! If you are searching for the perfect scoop, we’ve got the scoop on some destinations you may want to check out. Italy is an obvious choice, but did you know you can find some of the best gelato in Florence? New York City is also an ice cream hotspot with its many specialty ice cream parlors. For a unique twist on the classic cold treat, visit Tokyo, Japan to try mochi.

Cheers: Where to Find the Perfect Pint 

Brewing has truly become an international affair, so we’ve put together a list of a few destinations where you can find that perfect pint. Beijing, China has recently developed as an emerging scene in craft brewing as this ancient city continues to prove it can create modern marvels. St. Louis, Missouri may be home to brewing giant Anheuser-Busch, but it is also becoming a destination for craft brewing. Want to truly change it up? Forget Oktoberfest and head down to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil for their annual Craft Beer Festival.

For more information, please visit www.cheapoair.com, plus follow our social media pages, www.facebook.com/cheapoair, www.twitter.com/cheapoair, and www.instagram.com/cheapoair.  Download the CheapOair app for iOS or Android for an on-the-go travel concierge experience.

CheapOair’s mission is to educate and aid consumers and travel professionals in both planning their travel accommodations and staying current on the most popular destinations. With a portfolio of products, including rate and schedule information from 450 global airlines, CheapOair is a great way to book the travel that’s right for you.

 

About CheapOair

CheapOair is a flight-focused hybrid travel agency that enables consumers to book online, on mobile apps for iOS and Android, by phone (1-646-738-4820) or live chat. Part of Fareportal’s family of travel brands, CheapOair bridges the gap between an online travel agency and a traditional agency with certified travel agents available to help find deals and offers to destinations worldwide on over 450 airlines, a million hotels, and 100s of car rental companies. Follow CheapOair on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram , and Pinterest to learn how to travel the world for less.

 

[1] https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2008-10-22%202018-10-22&q=Vegan

Voyager HQ, the club for travel innovators, is hosting the first West Coast edition of their signature event, the Travel Pitch Night, in San Francisco on October 9, 2018 in partnership with Zendesk for Startups, Amadeus for Startups, and Fareportal.

The Travel Pitch Night is an opportunity to bring together startup founders, investors, and enterprise partners to highlight tech leaders creating the future of the travel industry. Traditionally held in New York City where Voyager HQ operates a coworking and event space, this event will showcase the Silicon Valley/Bay Area’s innovative role in travel, tourism and hospitality.

During the evening, five Voyager HQ member startups (BlueWander, Bounce, Globaleur, Dot & Pin, and ROOM) will pitch to a panel of industry leaders including Amir Amidi, Managing Partner of the Plug and Play Travel and Hospitality Program; Kristen Durham, Director for the Office of the CEO at Zendesk; Christina Heggie, Investment Principal at JetBlue Technology Ventures; and Daria Rebenok, Co-Founder & CEO of Grabr. The judges (along with the audience) will evaluate each company’s presentation, business model, product/market fit, and fundability.

The event will take place at Zendesk’s office in Mid-Market, and will conclude with a networking reception where attendees will be able to continue conversations initiated onstage and lay the groundwork for productive partnerships beyond the evening.

For more information and to RSVP to attend, visit http://www.voyagerhq.com/san-francisco.

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About Voyager HQ

Voyager HQ is the startup club for the global travel, tourism, and hospitality industry. Their community brings together entrepreneurs, corporate partners, and investors from around the world to create the future of travel experiences through curated events, workspace, and actionable introductions. The Voyager Clubhouse NYC is their signature coworking and event space in Flatiron, as well as the global headquarters for a digital community of 1,000+ entrepreneurs in 55 countries. Join the Voyager HQ club by visiting http://www.voyagerhq.com/join-voyager.

About Amadeus

Amadeus is a leading provider of advanced technology solutions for the global travel industry. Customer groups include travel providers (e.g. airlines, hotels, rail and ferry operators, etc.), travel sellers (travel agencies and websites), and travel buyers (corporations and travel management companies). The Amadeus group employs around 15,000 people worldwide, across central sites in Madrid (corporate headquarters), Nice (development) and Erding (operations), as well as over 70 local Amadeus Commercial Organizations globally and has a presence in more than 190 countries. For more information about joining the Amadeus for Startups program, please visit https://www.amadeus.com/amadeusforstartups.

About Fareportal

Fareportal is a travel technology company powering a next-generation travel concierge service. Utilizing its innovative technology and company owned and operated global contact centers, Fareportal has built strong industry partnerships providing customers access to over 450 airlines, 1 million hotels, and hundreds of car rental companies around the globe. With a portfolio of consumer travel brands including CheapOair and OneTravel, Fareportal enables consumers to book online, on mobile apps for iOS and Android, by phone, or live chat. Fareportal provides its airline partners with access to a broad customer base that books high-yielding international travel and add-on ancillaries.
http://www.fareportal.com/

About Zendesk

The best customer experiences are built with Zendesk. Zendesk’s powerful and flexible customer service and engagement platform scales to meet the needs of any business, from startups and small businesses to growth companies and enterprises. Zendesk serves businesses across a multitude of industries, with more than 125,000 paid customer accounts offering service and support in more than 30 languages. Headquartered in San Francisco, Zendesk operates worldwide with 15 offices in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America. Learn more at http://www.zendesk.com/startups.

Leading online travel agency highlights statistics on how digital innovations have changed U.S. tourism

In honor of World Tourism Day, we celebrate the different ways digital innovation has transformed the way we discover, book, and travel to destinations around the world. The tourism sector is constantly changing and in preparation for looking to the future of tourism, CheapOair.com is analyzing the past. More specifically, the leading online travel agency recently released some interesting highlights about the way Americans have traveled over the last four years.

Most Popular Travel Day of The Year for Americans

According to CheapOair, the busiest day to travel in the U.S. last year was on December 22nd[1]. This is consistent with CheapOair’s annual data which shows the busiest time of year to travel is during the December holidays. December 21^st, 22^nd, and 23^rd are consistently the three most popular days to travel year after year[2]. If you’re planning a trip over the holidays this year, be sure to book well in advance. It might also be worth considering traveling on alternate dates.

Hotline Bling: Americans’ Preferred Method of Booking

In the past year, most CheapOair customers completed their bookings on the desktop site, but the company is seeing rapid growth in the use of mobile devices. In the past three years, mobile bookings have tripled and now account for close to 50% of total bookings[3]. CheapOair also offers 24/7 access to live travel agents via telephone or live chat. Some Americans still value the ability to talk to a human, with approximately 15% of bookings made with the assistance of an agent in 2017[4].

Most Booked Domestic Routes in the U.S.

In the U.S., each coast thinks they are the best coast.  Based on our data, popular American routes run more north-south than east-west. This year the most booked domestic routes were Las Vegas to Los Angeles, Newark to Fort Lauderdale, and Dallas to Los Angeles.

Around the World and Back: Most Booked International Routes Out of the U.S.

Los Angeles to Guadalajara was the U.S.’s most booked international route on CheapOair.com. In close second was New York to Kingston, Jamaica, and Los Angeles to Mexico City.

For more information, please visit www.cheapoair.com, plus follow our social media pages, www.facebook.com/cheapoair, www.twitter.com/cheapoair, and www.instagram.com/cheapoair.  Download the CheapOair app for iOS or Android for an on-the-go travel concierge experience.

CheapOair’s mission is to educate and aid consumers and travel professionals in both planning their travel accommodations and staying current on the most popular destinations. With a portfolio of products, including rate and schedule information from 450 global airlines, CheapOair is a great way to book the travel that’s right for you.

About CheapOair

CheapOair is a flight-focused hybrid travel agency that enables consumers to book online, on mobile apps for iOS and Android, by phone (1-646-738-4820) or live chat. Part of Fareportal’s family of travel brands, CheapOair bridges the gap between an online travel agency and a traditional agency with certified travel agents available to help find deals and offers to destinations worldwide on over 450 airlines, a million hotels, and 100s of car rental companies. Follow CheapOair on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram , and Pinterest to learn how to travel the world for less.

 

[1] Based on passengers booked for travel from 1/1/2017 – 12/31/2017.

[2] Based on passengers booked for travel 1/1//2014 – 12/31/2017.

[3] Based on number of bookings made on mobile devices 1/1/2014 – 12/31/2017.

[4] Based on number of bookings made with an agent 1/1/2017 – 12/31/2017.