TRAVEL GUARD UPDATE

November 2008 – December Holiday Travel Issue

Welcome to the November edition of TRAVEL GUARD UPDATE, a monthly review of key issues for the travel media. These brief items — including news updates, tips and guidance — are designed to keep today’s travelers up-to-date on the changing travel landscape and help them make more informed decisions on their travel investment.

Travel Guard invites your comments and suggestions on any areas you'd like to see covered in this regular update. E-mail your thoughts to us at emckeon@mmgmardiks.com.

*Editor’s note: Get ready for the winter holidays and the good and the bad that comes along with travel this time of year. In this issue, we look at whether people are traveling this upcoming December holiday season, where they’re heading, and what their worries may be. We also offer advice on how to cover your travel investment to help make this holiday season a merry one.

For more information on any of the below topics, please contact Erin McKeon (emckeon@mmgmardiks.com or 212-219-7560, ext. 6767). For more information on travel insurance, visit Travel Guard’s web site: www.TravelGuard.com.

In this month's issue:

• PULSE-POLL: DECEMBER HOLIDAY TRAVEL FOCUS
• TRAVEL TIP: COVER YOUR HOLIDAY TRIP
• EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS: HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

It’s All About Family: Visiting relatives was the most common reason given by clients who plan to travel during the December holiday season, say 37.8 percent of agents. Another 30.7 percent note clients are seeking to escape the cold weather, while 16.8 percent just want to escape the stress and hassle of the holidays.

Caribbean or Bust: More than 44 percent of polled agents say the Caribbean is the most popular destination this year for clients traveling over the holidays. More than 25 percent note other locales, such as heading home and to relatives. Close to 19 percent are finding clients choosing Florida.

Holiday Concerns: The higher cost of airfare is the top concern for clients who are traveling, say almost 64 percent of agents. Close to 25 percent are worried about flight cancellations.

Travel Insurance on The Rise: Close to 35 percent of agents in the survey have seen an increase in clients purchasing travel insurance for December travel plans.

TRAVEL TIP: COVER YOUR HOLIDAY TRIP THIS WINTER

The December holiday season is still one of the busiest times of year to travel. One important essential to pack is travel insurance. It can help if flight cancellations or delays do take place, or the insured’s experience other emergencies while traveling. Reimbursement for essential items is provided if luggage is delayed for more than 24 hours. Travel Guard will also replace lost or stolen luggage if necessary and offers numerous plans that can offer coverage for these incidences and others.

Many Travel Guard plans offer 24-hour/7-day-a-week travel assistance*, allowing travelers to find help at the other end of a toll-free call. If a flight is delayed or cancelled, Travel Guard Assist’s ‘round-the-clock travel assistance hotline provides help with things like re-booking flights and arranging hotels and ground transportation.

And if travelers lose their luggage (and the holiday gifts along with them), Travel Guard can help track lost or delayed baggage and have it delivered to them, wherever they may be.

Families traveling together can maximize their travel investment with one of Travel Guard’s travel insurance plans that provides coverage to children 17 and under at no additional cost when traveling with an insured adult.

For more information on Travel Guard's complete line of travel insurance and assistance services plans, visit www.TravelGuard.com.

Despite a raging snowstorm in St. Louis, Missouri, Kimberly M. trekked out into the cold to catch a flight that would take her from St. Louis to Arcata, Calif. to spend Christmas with her family. Thoughts of home soon vanished when the airport announced that her flight had been cancelled due to severe winter weather plaguing the Midwest that holiday weekend. Kimberly immediately called Travel Guard to see if they could help rebook her flight and arrange hotel accommodations in hopes of catching the first flight to Arcata the next morning.

Travel Guard was able to make the change in her flight and find accommodations. However, throughout the course of the evening, flight conditions further west worsened, causing her connecting flight in Denver to be delayed as well. When Kimberly finally reached Denver, her new flight to California was again cancelled. Kimberly called Travel Guard and again assistance coordinators contacted her airline and worked with them to book her on yet another new flight due to depart Denver the following morning.

With the help of Travel Guard Assist’s 24-hour assistance team, Kimberly finally arrived in Arcata in time for Christmas with her family.