Navigating airline travel programs

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Navigating airline travel programs

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For D.C. business travelers, United can help you save money and earn rewards

The nation’s capital plays a vital role in United’s network, which is now the largest and most diversified international route network among U.S. airlines. For business travelers in the Washington, D.C., area, we provide convenient access to major cities in the U.S. and beyond with daily nonstop flights from all three D.C. area airports.

Through United for Business, we cater to the needs of business travelers in D.C. and around the world. Whether you’re “flying solo” or work for a large corporation, there are many benefits available that can help make business travel more affordable, enjoyable and convenient.

Travel options for businesses of all sizes

Establishing a relationship with an airline for business travel can help you maximize your travel budget. If you work for a large employer, your company may already have a travel program in place with an airline to receive discounts and rewards.  

If you work for a small to midsize company, or even if you own your own business, you might think you’re too small to partner with an airline – but that’s not the case. United can help even the smallest small businesses save on air travel. If your small to midsize company has employees who travel regularly for business, finding a travel solution can help you save money, earn rewards, and make travel easier and more convenient.

Savings

Savings and discounts are one of the main benefits of business travel programs, and these savings come in many different forms. Discounts are usually based on travel volume as well as the airline’s route structures.

With a travel program in place, you’ll get better rates that are negotiated based on sending the airline certain volumes. Most volume-dependent discounts range between 3 and 5 percent, but larger discounts may be available on higher-class tickets or when the airline wants to build volume on a particular route.

For small to midsize businesses, United for Business offers “off-the-shelf” travel plans based on your travel needs, whether you’re looking to save money, provide your travelers with amenities, or a combination of both.

Another way to save can be found in how you book travel. Booking directly with an airline can save you and your travelers money. When you book direct with United, either on united.com or the United app, you’ll have access to our lowest price points and your travelers will automatically receive your company’s negotiated discounts.

Rewards

Partnering with an airline can also provide many rewards to enhance your travel experience – and not just for C-suite employees. For example, business travelers can earn discounts on amenities from airlines for perks like access to airport clubs and lounges.

Loyalty program benefits, like those available through United MileagePlus, are one of the most common ways to earn rewards.

It’s free for travelers to join MileagePlus® to start earning miles for travel. Miles can be earned and redeemed on flights with United and our airline partners. They can be used for upgrades like elite status matching, flight upgrades, lounge access, priority seating and preferred seating. And MileagePlus miles never expire.

Frequent travelers have the opportunity to earn MileagePlus Premier® status. They’ll enjoy benefits that elevate their travel experience like complimentary access to Economy Plus® and preferred seating, waived fees, upgrades, and priority travel services.

Convenience

Another benefit of having a relationship with an airline like United is convenience, from booking travel to landing at your destination. When you book travel direct on united.com or the United app, you’ll have access to conveniences such as assistance with rebooking options if your flight is canceled or delayed.

With the United app you can book travel, change seats, access your boarding pass, and use other features that make travel easier such as:  

  • Bag drop shortcut – prepay and check in your bags with the app to skip the long line at the airport
  • Terminal guide – get step-by-step, personalized guidance to navigate the airport
  • Bag tracking – track your bags throughout your journey
  • Live Activities – see real-time flight updates on your phone without unlocking it

If you manage travel for your small to midsize business, the United for Business travel management portal offers features that can make this responsibility easier. Through the portal, you can book travel for others, set policies like the maximum budget for a trip, manage form(s) of payment, track travel spend and more.

From D.C. to almost anywhere

“Connecting people. Uniting the world.”

It’s United’s purpose, and it’s what we do for travelers – with those in the D.C. area being no exception. With the largest global route network in the world, we offer business travelers seemingly limitless options for business travel, both domestically and internationally.

United serves travelers from all three D.C. area airports – Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall (BWI), Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA) and our hub at Washington Dulles (IAD).

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)

From Baltimore/Washington International we offer nonstop daily flights to five of our U.S. hubs:

  • BWI to Denver International – approximately twice daily
  • BWI to George Bush Intercontinental (Houston) – approximately three times daily
  • BWI to Los Angeles International – approximately once daily
  • BWI to Chicago O’Hare – approximately three times daily
  • BWI to San Francisco International – approximately once daily

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

United serves Ronald Reagan Washington National with daily nonstop flights to five of our U.S. hubs:

  • DCA to Denver International – approximately once daily
  • DCA to New York/Newark – approximately 10 times daily
  • DCA to George Bush Houston Intercontinental – approximately six times daily
  • DCA to Chicago O’Hare – approximately 10 times daily
  • DCA to San Francisco International – approximately once daily

Our United Club at DCA is located at Terminal 2, across from Gate 11.

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

United is proud to call Washington Dulles International one of our seven U.S. hubs. We’re the D.C. metropolitan area’s largest airline with more than 215 daily flights, increasing to more than 250 daily flights in the summer.

From Dulles, we offer daily service to approximately 60 destinations in the U.S. and Canada. We serve nearly 40 international destinations from Dulles with either daily or weekly service, depending on the destination.   

At Dulles, we offer four United Club locations and a United Polaris lounge (for eligible customers).

The largest airline network

If you’re traveling beyond the U.S., United now has the largest and most diversified international route network among U.S. airlines. We offer nonstop service to 134 international destinations across 67 countries with more flights to more destinations across the Atlantic and Pacific than all U.S. carriers combined.

Our network is further extended by our relationships with many other airlines around the world. We have alliances and strategic agreements with many of the world’s leading global airlines and travel companies to give travelers more options and help make world travel more accessible.  

In addition, we’re a founding member of Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance with destinations in nearly 200 countries. The alliance consists of 26 airlines, including Air Canada, All Nippon Airways, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, SWISS and more.  

You can usually book flights with Star Alliance airlines on united.com or the United app just as you would book United flights, if the flight is part of your United itinerary. Plus, you’ll earn miles and status when you fly with most of our airline partners, just as you would when you fly United.

Airline clubs and lounges

Many airlines have airport clubs and lounges for travelers to enjoy while waiting for their flight. United has an extensive network of clubs and lounges around the world including more than 45 United Club locations, six United Polaris® lounges, and select partner lounges worldwide. 

There are a variety of ways you can get United Club access if you’re traveling United or one of our partner airlines – from buying a one-time pass to purchasing an annual membership. Business travelers may be able to earn discounts for amenities including access to clubs and lounges.

United Club locations provide space to work or relax before your flight. You’ll find a variety of seating options; complimentary snacks, beverages and bar service; and free Wi-Fi.  

Long-haul international premium cabin travelers may have access to a United Polaris lounge. These lounges offer premium amenities such as spa-like showers and a private rest area with daybeds so customers can prepare for long flights. We have six United Polaris® lounges, including one at Washington Dulles with 21,000 square-feet of space.

In the D.C. area, travelers can enjoy these United Club locations:

Washington Dulles (IAD)

  • United Club, Midfield Terminal, Concourse C, near Gate C4
  • United Club, Midfield Terminal, Concourse C, near Gate C7
  • United Club, Midfield Terminal, Concourse D, near Gate D8
  • United Club, Midfield Terminal, Concourse C, near Gate C17
  • United Polaris lounge, Midfield Terminal, Concourse C, near Gate C17

Reagan National (DCA)

  • United Club, Terminal 2, across from Gate 11

Sidebar:  Business travelers in the D.C. area are invited to learn more about the travel programs available through United for Business. To start exploring with no obligation, just enter your work email.

Unifying the Region: 104th Mid-Winter Dinner Convenes Greater Washington’s Business Community and Regional Leaders

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Over 600 members and friends of the Greater Washington Board of Trade gathered for the 104th Mid-Winter Dinner, graciously presented by PNC Bank, and hosted within the majestic walls of the Washington National Cathedral on March 13th. 

In keeping with tradition, the evening offered a blend of sophistication and camaraderie, as leading business figures, community partners, and esteemed officials came together for an unforgettable experience. 

Set against the backdrop of the Cathedral’s grandeur, guests were treated to the exquisite melodies of the National Philharmonic, complemented by the culinary delights of Ridgewells Catering. From the beautiful decor to the inspiring cuisine, every detail contributed to an atmosphere of connection and collaboration. 

The Mid-Winter Dinner stands as a testament to the power of unity, demonstrating how forging bonds and fostering dialogue can fortify our region’s vitality and resilience. 

See more pictures from our 104th Mid-Winter Dinner here 

Thank you to all our sponsors for making this signature event an evening to remember. This includes the Washington National Cathedral for hosting our event, and who is celebrating its first year as a Board of Trade member!   

Harnessing the Power of Data: Unveiling Strategies for Monetization and Security 

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This late-February Executive Lunch from the Board of Trade brought together industry leaders to delve into the profound realm of data, seeking to unlock its vast potential while navigating the intricate web of regulations and security protocols.  

Spearheaded by Sarah Senyo, Deals Transformation Principal at PwC, and John Sikaitis, Senior Vice President of Data & Technology at CBRE, the event illuminated the path towards harnessing data’s transformative power in an era defined by artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. 

With technology propelling data creation to unprecedented heights, an astonishing 90% of the world’s data assets have materialized within the last 24 months. Yet, despite this exponential surge, a staggering 96% of individuals worldwide remain ensconced in a state of data illiteracy, relying primarily on archaic tools like Excel spreadsheets for interaction. 

Amidst engaging discussions, participants at the executive lunch grappled with the pivotal question of where to commence their data odyssey. At the crux of the dialogue lay multifaceted concerns, ranging from data breaches to privacy encroachments and the specter of liability entwined with AI utilization. The integrity of data and the essence of capturing pertinent data points emerged as paramount considerations, underpinning the overarching goal for effective data utilization. 

Sarah Senyo, providing wisdom on the subject that she’s honed through her work at PwC, advocated for embarking on a profound introspection into one’s data journey. “What is your data journey?” she posited, igniting a spark of introspection among the attendees. With the potential to leverage and monetize data looming large, Senyo emphasized the imperative of taking stock of one’s data inventory. Furthermore, she shared that there are virtues of harnessing internal skill sets of employees and forging strategic partnerships to amplify the impact of data initiatives. 

Echoing Senyo’s sentiment, John Sikaitis at CBRE unveiled two groundbreaking AI solutions poised to revolutionize the data landscape. The first, Introhive’s Customer Intelligence Platform, stands as a beacon of innovation, automating the capture and enrichment of client data while unlocking profound insights into organizational networks and activities. Sikaitis also lauded Thoughtspot, a pioneering platform empowering organization to navigate the labyrinth of data with unparalleled ease. 

The Takeaway: Embrace the data revolution, seize the reins of innovation, and chart a course towards a future where data is not merely a commodity but a catalyst for transformative change. In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, the power of data beckons, ready to be harnessed by those bold enough to venture into its depths. 

How our policy team and partners are making an impact in the Greater Washington region

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Our policy team and policy partners have helped our members address critical issues in various legislative and advocacy forums. This includes G.S. Proctor & Associates in Maryland, McGuireWoods Consulting in Virginia, and Holland & Knight and Georgetown Public Affairs in Washington D.C. With the Greater Washington region being so vast, our policy partners allow us to get more work done across the region, especially as 2024 legislative sessions have continued in Annapolis and Richmond.

In Maryland, focused attention was given to transportation and workforce development matters. Testimonies were presented supporting legislative measures such as HB0198, which is part of the Metro Funding Act, aimed at enhancing funding for the Metro system facing a funding gap that could impact transit services across the region. Additionally, our team and partners have helped the Board of Trade voice our endorsement components of the Growing Apprenticeships in Public Safety Act, recognizing the imperative of apprenticeships in bolstering public safety initiatives.

Simultaneously, in Virginia, the Board of Trade has also been engaging legislators about the funding of WMATA in the region. Discourse has also centered on the pivotal role of data centers in the state’s economic landscape. The Board of Trade has emphasized the importance of supporting and nurturing this industry through oral testimonies, citing its contribution to economic growth and innovation.

Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., the Board of Trade actively advocated for the passage of the Secure DC Omnibus, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address escalating crime rates. Additionally, a compelling op-ed authored by our President & CEO, Jack McDougle, published in the Washington Business Journal, delineated actionable steps to tackle public safety challenges within the district.

Across these jurisdictions, our policy team and partners demonstrated unified commitment to advancing legislative agendas and addressing pressing concerns on behalf of the Board of Trade’s membership, underscoring the importance of collaborative advocacy efforts in effecting positive change.

The Board of Trade is looking forward to this March, where we can engage appointed and elected officials at our 104th Mid-Winter Dinner, presented by PNC Bank. This black-tie event at the Washington National Cathedral gathers 600 key leaders from across the region, including state attorneys general, state cabinet secretaries, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, DC councilmembers, officials from Maryland and Virginia, university presidents, and other business leaders.

Board of Trade honors Jermaine Johnson at Annual Chair’s Dinner

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Each year, the Board of Trade celebrates our recent past-chair in an evening of reflection, stories, and laughter with board colleagues, coworkers, family, and friends. We had the pleasure of holding our Annual Chair’s Dinner honoring 2023 Board Chair Jermaine Johnson, Regional President, Greater Washington & Virginia at PNC, on Jan. 23 at the Hay Adams Hotel.   

The intimate gathering provided a moment of reflection as we dive into 2024, offering heartfelt gratitude to Jermaine for his exceptional leadership, unwavering integrity, and tireless dedication to our organization. His invaluable contributions have been instrumental in achieving our goals and advancing the mission of supporting the region’s business community. 

Board members Steve Proctor (2024 Board Chair), Tony Pierce, Tim Gillis, Courtney Spaeth, and our president Jack McDougle shared their personal experiences with Jermaine during his term as Chair and celebrated the ongoing work of the Board of Trade. Poised as a compassionate problem solver, Jermaine’s legacy will be stamped on the Board of Trade’s progress in addressing critical issues such as Metro funding, public safety, downtown revitalization, and overall regional growth.

“Jermaine has been a steady presence within our organization’s leadership for years and has served during some of the most challenging times we’ve faced as a region and business community,” said Jack McDougle. “I am very proud of this organization and where we are today. Thank you, Jermaine, for your leadership and your friendship. The Board of Trade is as strong now as it has been in decades.” 

Tim Gillis highlighted Jermaine’s character as “So humble. So genuine. So real. So effective.” capturing in just a few thoughtful words Jermaine’s impact on the community.

Click here for more photos from our Annual Chair’s Dinner

Jermaine thanked his children and wife, Rae Ann, for joining this celebration and joked he wished his senior executive team had been in attendance to hear some of these accolades! He closed out the evening, sharing his pride in the organization and its role in our community, and promised continued commitment to building a better region for all. 

“The Board of Trade has always been a conduit of institutions, and it has truly been an honor for me to serve as an officer of this organization for the last five years,” said Jermaine. “Our executive committee should be applauded for their work supporting all the great things we did in 2023.”

Jermaine, your exceptional leadership and genuine authenticity have made this past year remarkable. As you join the Board of Trade’s Senior Council, your wisdom and mentorship will continue to be invaluable. Your dedication, alongside that of our fellow board members, is instrumental in supporting the Greater Washington business community.

Mayor Bowser addresses regional business leaders through engaging conversation on important issues facing Washington DC

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The Greater Washington Board of Trade’s Regional Policy Leadership Series (RPLS) brought Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser together with the region’s business community for an intimate in-person conversation in the heart of the Central Business District to discuss regional issues. Mayor Bowser’s discussion bridged regional transportation, public safety, regulation of new disruptive technologies, downtown revitalization, and what can be done to better the District’s business environment as the post-pandemic economy continues to evolve.  

The conversation was presented in sponsorship by Holland & Knight and was held at the Downtown DC office of the multinational law firm located on 17th Street NW. It set the perfect backdrop for the important conversation Mayor Bowser had with the discussion’s moderator Janene D. Jackson, Partner at Holland & Knight’s DC office.  

The event began with remarks from Nina Albert, DC’s Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, who addressed the audience on some of the key pillars to revitalization of the Central Business District. She also discussed the next steps in creating a continued high growth economy, promoting cultural experiences that make DC unique, and creating more affordable housing, ahead of Mayor Bowser’s discussion.  

Mayor Bowser didn’t waste time diving into issues vital to the region’s business community, including the future of Metro funding from the District (engaging on the WMATA budget deficit impacting regional transportation) and newly introduced crime legislation which takes major strides toward providing law enforcement with the tools that they need to combat the epidemic of crime facing the region (including major public safety concerns in the Central Business District). On the latter of which, she expressed concerns regarding the defunding of the DC Police force by the federal government that has impacted the District’s public safety, reducing the standing force by 300 officers.

Mayor Bowser’s discussion also covered technological investments that will better position the region’s workforce to contend with competitor cities nationally and internationally. Federal dollars to extend broadband and internet connectivity in the District have helped tremendously to expand and upgrade infrastructure.  She spoke specifically about the Internet Essentials Partnership Program and how this public-private partnership with internet service providers like Comcast has connected families and small businesses in underserved District communities to broadband internet. The mayor shared that “while everyone can connect to the internet, not everyone can afford to connect,” and it’s partnerships like these that elevate our region. 

Mayor Bowser briefly covered the effort to try and keep the region’s professional sports teams in the District, including her hopes of retaining the Wizards and Capitals, whose parent company, Monumental Sports, recently released plans of moving the teams to a new entertainment district in Northern Virginia’s Potomac Yard. The mayor has worked with DC Council to approve a $500 million arena refurbishment funding package.  

Conversation then turned to wooing the Commanders back to a new stadium in the District at the site of the old RFK Stadium in Northeast DC, a 10-year long campaign thus far with the federal government, which owns the site. Plans still involve building a new “NFL-sized” stadium at that location regardless of the Commanders’ plans, which would help the District hold larger concerts and outdoor events that currently cannot be held in DC due to the smaller size of some of its entertainment venues.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaIUCjqrgYU

Now in her third term in office, the most difficult term for any mayor, Mayor Bowser was asked how she sees her legacy, looking back through her tenure making her the second longest-serving mayor in DC’s history. With so much to be proud of it’s hard to choose any single accomplishment, she pointed to her ability to uplift communities in Ward 8 via affordable housing, through the building of a new hospital and creating meaningful jobs in DC’s most challenging ward from an economic and equity standpoint. 

This is the first RPLS event of 2024. We look forward to continuing to connect the business community to information directly from policymakers through our Regional Policy Leadership Series, ensuring that our members have the best up-to-date knowledge about how the region’s governments are planning for and reacting to a constantly changing environment.     

Special thanks to our presenting sponsor: Holland and Knight LLP, and our series supporting sponsors Comcast, First National Bank, Fox Rothschild LLP, G.S. Proctor & Associates, Inc., Giant Food LLC, MGM National Harbor, and McGuireWoods LLP, McGuireWoods Consulting, and Uber Technologies, Inc. 

Where our Policy & Advocacy team is focused heading into a busy 2024

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The Board of Trade is excited to begin 2024, expanding upon previous years’ work with new and varied policy and advocacy efforts. In 2023, we substantially expanded its policy footprint in the region by adding staff members Kyle McColgan, SVP of Policy, and Tyler Kirby, Policy Analyst, in addition to Daniel Flores, VP of Government Relations. In the coming year, the Board of Trade will be bringing Holland & Knight on board to represent the Board of Trade in the District of Columbia in a continuation of 2023’s efforts working with McGuireWoods Consulting and G.S. Proctor & Associates in Virginia and Maryland respectively. We worked to expand upon its convening role through programs like the Regional Policy Leadership Series and the Capital Region Transportation Forum, which brought together transportation leaders from across the region in conversation with our members, facilitating regionalism and collaboration between the private and public sectors to address concerns around talent acquisition and retention and the long-term viability and sustainability of public transportation.  

The coming year will see the Board of Trade focus on fostering regional collaboration and cooperation to overcome mounting funding difficulties within the region, allowing for necessary changes that will preserve and better the business environment. Only through addressing the interrelated issues of crime, downtown revitalization, and the success and long-term sustainability of regional public transit will the region’s unrivaled resources, especially the quality and size of its workforce and unique relationship with the federal government, continue to bolster the region, keeping it near the apex of the market. 

READ MORE ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES HERE

The ability of the region’s business environment to compete with emerging competitor cities around the nation rests on the ability of its jurisdictions to work together, not only with one another but with the private sector. Only through collaboration can the region address many of its endemic problems, now being brought to the fore as the world experiences unprecedented economic and political shocks and tectonic shifts, which fundamentally change the shape of the local, national, and international economies. As work from home becomes more engrained in post-pandemic work culture, the region must reimagine how commercial real estate incentivizes regional residents to remain in and move to the region’s core. Doing so will require a multimodal approach that addresses long-term funding issues for WMATA and significant road projects like the American Legion Bridge, distressing crime trends that depress tourism and recreation within the district, and necessary improvement to the region’s general business environment to incentivize investment and disrupt negative emigration trends among the most desirable young professionals out of the region.   

With legislative sessions in Virginia and Maryland underway, the Board of Trade will continue to advocate for maintaining and improving the region’s business environment, connecting policymakers and leaders with one another and with the region’s business community. Collaboration across sectors, private and public, and across jurisdictional boundaries, remains necessary for this continued elevated status of the Greater Washington region, nationally and internationally. Only through intersectoral and inter-jurisdictional communication can we expect a risk-averse and sometimes slow-moving region to adapt to the new, constantly changing environment, and maintain its appeal and competitiveness relative to the nations and the world’s emergent competitor markets.  

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