Selecting a travel management partner is often a company’s most difficult supplier decision. Very few suppliers interact with your employees so personally and so frequently.

At Northwestern Travel Management, we understand this. That is why our goal is not to produce a standard­ized, “canned” approach to travel service as is often the case with travel compa­nies. Instead, we take the time to get to know you and your organization’s culture and travel needs. Then we tailor our services to match your company’s unique and specific travel requirements.

We believe our strong suit is providing corporations with personalized travel service coupled with the latest in technology, data collection and cost savings programs that can dramatically impact your bottom line.

The following describes the type of assistance we provide:

• Tangible consolidation benefits
• Comprehensive consolidation assistance
• Personalized, dedicated service, 24-hours a day
• Fair financial arrangement
• Lowest possible fares for all your travelers
• Well-trained agents who coordinate hassle-free travel arrangements
  Additional cost savings opportunities
• Comprehensive, knowledgeable assistance with international travel arrangements
• Ongoing travel management support
• Skilled partner to help you negotiate better rates with suppliers
• Accurate travel management information on a timely basis
• Proven commitment to quality service
• Technology that’s right for you
• Implementation plan that will encounter the least effort and resistance

In submitting our proposal for your consideration, we have attempted to address all of your key concerns. We have also provided an overview of Northwestern Travel’s history, philosophy, financial strength, and growth because we know you need confidence that the agency you choose will be around to help you solve problems today and down the road.
We hope this proposal reflects our terrific people, our great services, and our sincere desire to do business with you.

Key Services

Corporate Travel Expertise
Ninety-eight percent of the reservations our agents coordinate are for corporate travelers. They understand the priorities associated with business travel and use this knowledge to meet and exceed customer expectations every day.
Experience
Northwestern Travel Management has been in the business of corporate travel since 1969. All of our services are geared toward business travelers, travel arrangers and the companies we serve.
Size - A Perfect Match
We are small enough to provide personalized and individual attention, yet large enough to employ the support services that are so important for quality control. Many of our competitors are either too big to react, or too small to cope with the incredible changes occurring each day.
Streamlined Reservation Process
Northwestern Travel Management is an extraordinarily well managed company. Our ability to streamline our reservation process is passed on to customers in the form of shorter reservation time and highly competitive fees for our services.
Experienced Counselors, Responsive Service
Ninety-eight percent of the reservations our counselors coordinate are for business travelers. They understand the priorities associated with business travel and use this knowledge to meet and exceed customer expectations every day.
An Agent Team System
Our reservationists work in teams consisting of three to six counselors. They get to know you and your travel needs, which enables them to provide a highly personal level of service.
On-Site Expertise
Our experience is unparalleled in this industry with an entire division dedicated to implementing and maintaining on-sites.
On-line Booking Success
Our successful support of on-line booking tools through the creation of our On-line Service Center, dedicated to training and assisting travelers in use of these tools has contributed to a 65% average adoption rate by our top five customer users.
24-Hour Service
We do not depend on an outside agency/consortium to provide service to our clients after hours. Instead, we are staffed with our own employees around the clock to ensure complete confidence in the service your travelers receive, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year!
Negotiated Rates
As a customer of Northwestern Travel Management, you immediately benefit from the discounts we have available with 20,000 hotels; four car rental companies; several U.S. airlines; and two airport parking facilities.
Power Pricing Plus
This technology instantly provides our counselors with up to four lowest-cost alternatives for every reservation -- while you are on the phone! Power Pricing Plus takes only a few seconds to locate the absolute lowest rates within your time and date parameters.
Automated Airfare Audits
Once your reservation is confirmed, PowerScout^SM, our automated quality control system, conducts ongoing checks until departure for lower fares which result from fare wars, new seat inventory, waitlist clearances, etc.
Cost Savings Expertise
Northwestern Travel Management’s tenacious quest to capture the lowest fares on each booking has contributed to top performance ratings from Topaz Enterprises over the course of the last five years.
Individual Traveler Profile
We create profiles of valuable information for each traveler in your company. Information includes emergency phone numbers, club membership numbers, seating preference, meal preference, etc.
Training
Due to our industry’s tremendous reliance on automation and quality control, continuous training programs are absolutely essential. Northwestern Travel Management’s staff of training specialists make year-round programs available to all of our counselors and clients. Better- trained counselors do result in better service, and lower costs.
Timely Information
Dedicated counselors, newsletters, and time-sensitive e-mail bulletins are all available to keep customers informed about travel tips, industry trends, fare wars, etc.
Useful Web Site
www. gives customers easy access to airline flights and fares, current weather, hotel, entertainment, airport and other special information about virtually any worldwide destination.
Upgrade Advantage
Securing first class upgrades for travelers with elite airline status is an area in which Northwestern Travel Management’s customers receive a tremendous advantage.
By combining the resources of our reservation systems; the airline’s auto-upgrade queues, our quality control software, and our own skilled agents, Northwestern Travel Management’s upgrade process attains the highest degree of results.
Guaranteed Lowest Air Fares
We offer the lowest available fare for the routing requested, or we will refund double the difference. Our guarantee applies to groups as well as to individuals.
STAR Center/Rate Desk - Domestic and International Specialists
Our STAR (Specialists in Tariffs And Research) Center staff conducts research and communicates cost-effective information. International specialists work specifically with complex fares and routings. Over 90% of our business travel tickets were issued at discounted fares in 2000.
Ticket Delivery
We deliver when and where you want it! Travelers will receive tickets in a timely manner via electronic tickets, U.S. Mail, or delivery driver. Travelers outside the Twin Cities will generally receive airline documents via electronic tickets, overnight service, or U.S. Mail. Prepaid tickets are available in emergency situations.
Reporting - Management Information You Need
Comprehensive management reports capture the data you need for budgeting, forecasting, travel cost analysis, trend analysis and travel policy adherence purposes.
Technology That Works
As our industry has become increasingly complex, Northwestern Travel Management has responded with a highly focused emphasis on technology. With considerable third party and customer input, we have emphasized practical technology that really works and is usable today as demonstrated throughout this proposal. We have successfully demanded that our technology have only nominal cost for our customers.
Ongoing Performance Audits
Ongoing telephone surveys conducted by a third party firm verify that we exceed the expectations of the customers we serve. Overall, 98% of our client base indicates that we meet or exceed their expectations. Additionally, 100% of our customers feel they receive friendly, courteous service.
National Capabilities
Northwestern Travel Management has vast experience in handling the travel of companies nationwide. We can easily accommodate the travel arrangements for your travelers located throughout the country.
Meeting & Incentive Expertise
Northwestern Incentive Services provides a full array of services culminating in successful programs.