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Preferred Airline

United Airlines, Inc. and its "Participating Airlines”, such as Air Canada, All Nippon Airways, Co., Ltd, Austrian Airlines Inc., Brussels Airlines SA/NV, Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Eurowings GmbH (EW) and Swiss International Air Lines, are the preferred airline for business travel. 

Procurement has negotiated and contracted discounted ticketing rates through Oct. 31, 2022.  These discounts are only available when booking reservations through Concur, the university’s online booking tool, or through Christopherson Business Travel, our contracted travel services provider. 

When logging into Concur, United will be designated preferred and the discount will already be applied to airfare searches. 

Additionally, ������ employees have access to United’s Executive Accounts Desk for support or assistance with PNR errors, seating assignments, ticketing or other questions.  Their number is 1-800-521-0810. 

Regarding cancelled airline tickets: United Airlines, Inc. offers no change fees for all tickets purchased through Concur – Christopherson Business Travel.   

Preferred Travel Management Company - Christopherson Business Travel

Christopherson Business Travel (CBT)’s robust and innovative travel management technology, ensures Kent State employees discounted airfare guarantees, best available hotel rates, spend tracking, unused ticket reporting and notifications, price matching, and offers experienced travel advisors available 365/24/7 with dedicated online and phone support. As per the new travel policy, effective, November 1, 2020, all individual business travel may be booked through the university-contracted travel agency. This is inclusive of airfare, vehicle rental, and hotel booking. Group travel may also be booked utilizing the agency, but contact Christopherson Business Travel directly by phone.

Christopherson Business Travel's AirBank

A benefit of using Christopherson Business Travel is the ability to track and manage all unused airline tickets.  Through their portal’s “AirBank”, travel managers can track the entire lifecycle of all unused tickets to ensure their reuse and prevent the loss of funds.  As each airline has been adjusting their policy and practices in response to the pandemic, AirBank updates tickets based upon expiration extension or provisions applied through the airlines. When booking new arrangements, AirBank integrates with the Christopherson Business Travel agency and online booking tool alerting the option of an available unused ticket.  

Additionally, AirBank will send email reminders to users and travel managers of pending expirations 120, 60 and 30 days prior to loss.   

If you have unused ticket funds from Direct Travel, please use that ticket prior to booking new travel with Christopherson Business Travel.  Contact Procurement if you would like to know if you have an outstanding unused ticket available for use.