APX and Amadeus Enter Long-Term Partnership
APX and Amadeus have this week announced a new long-term partnership that will see APX implement Amadeus' world-class technology.
Andrew Dale, APX Chief Executive Officer, says partnering with global leader Amadeus will not only support the growth of APX but will enable us to take our customer experience to new heights.
"Central to this new partnership is customer experience. Amadeus will deliver us a customised technology platform that is unique in the New Zealand market and is designed around the needs of our customers.
"With Amadeus technology, our customers will experience improved efficiencies, a greater focus on online and mobile capability, greater automation and a more robust solution for managing duty-of-care responsibilities for business travel".
APX After-Hours: Burning the Midnight Oil
If you travel abroad for business, you'll know the feeling. Arriving in a foreign country at an obscure hour with little sleep, only to encounter an unexpected issue that sends your stomach sinking.
Whether it's a missed connection, a problem with your hotel or another unexpected and unwelcome issue, it's simply the last thing you need. But rest assured, you're not on your own – no matter what time it is back home.
Introducing our heroines of the small hours, APX After-Hours Consultants Rose Prendeville, Fran James, Debbie Crichton and Michelle Cordes.
As some of APX's most experienced travel experts, these leading ladies are just a phone call away and specialise in resolving after-hours issues on your behalf. They will swing into action to restore equilibrium to your itinerary.
Meet the team and hear about the midnight shift
Upcoming Peak Travel Dates
Each month we bring you a list of peak travel dates, to ensure you can book business trips ahead and avoid missing out on flights, accommodation and rental cars. This list is not comprehensive, but covers a number of peak dates.
Auckland
15 August – All Blacks vs Australia
24-30 August - NZ Fashion Week
6-8 November – ITM 500 Auckland (V8 Supercars at Pukekohe)
21 & 22 November – Fleetwood Mac concert
12 December – Ed Sheeran concert
15 December – ACDC concert
17 January 2016 - UB40 concert
6-7 Feb - NRL Auckland Nines
Wellington
24 September - 11 October – World of Wearable Art
15 November - Toast Martinborough
21 November – Elton John concert
12 December – ACDC concert
30 – 31 January 2016 – Wellington Sevens
18 - 21 February 2016 – Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (Accommodation at capacity)
Christchurch
7-14 November - New Zealand Cup and Show Week
Dunedin
18 November – Fleetwood Mac concert (Accommodation at capacity)
Australia
5-8 August - Bledisloe Cup Festival - Sydney
10-18 August - Netball World Cup - Sydney
26 September - Brisbane Riverfire - Brisbane
2 October - AFL Grand Final - Melbourne
3-5 October - NRL Rugby Grand Final - Sydney
30 Oct - 4 Nov - Spring Racing (Melbourne Cup) - Melbourne
5 December - V8 Supercars - Sydney
Singapore
Singapore celebrates 50 years of independence on Sunday 9 August. Main roads in Singapore will be closed for the parades, and Monday 10 August is a public holiday.
As always for travel bookings contact us on 0800 TRAVEL (872 835).
APX Blog: 6 Tips For Spending Less on Business Travel
As the world gets smaller, people are travelling for business more frequently. The benefits are immense - the ability to enter new markets, attend global conferences and network with international contacts, to name a few.
However without a well-managed travel programme, it's easy for the cost of business travel to escalate quickly.
The sweet spot for a business travel programme is when travel spend is managed proactively and effectively, without compromising the comfort and wellbeing of travellers.
Guide to Business Cultures Around the World
Business travel is often required at short notice, which can leave travellers with little time to prepare. For this reason, having a few expert travel tips and tricks up your sleeve can go a long way.
Here's one – prepare for the cultural nuances of doing business in an unfamiliar country by visiting Gengo.com/business-culture. This simple guide to business culture etiquette is a super handy reference that can leave you much better prepared in minutes.
And as always, draw on the support of your APX International Consultant to ensure your trip is as seamless as possible. Call us on 0800 TRAVEL (872 835).
APX Leisure Summer Specials
Planning your next holiday is the perfect remedy for mid-winter blues. So if it's time to turn those dreams of azure blue water and warm sand into reality, our dedicated APX Leisure Travel team would be delighted to assist.
From a tropical island getaway to a family skiing trip in Queenstown or an African safari for two, we can take care of all the details – flights, hotels, transfers, tours, the whole package.
Two APX specials for summer include 7 Nights in Hawaii From $1,839 and 5 Nights in Samoa from $969.
To book your next holiday contact the APX Leisure Travel team direct on 09 302 9741 or via the toll free APX number 0800 TRAVEL (872835). You can also email us at holidays@apx.co.nz.
Earn Qantas Frequent Flyer points on Jetstar
As you may have read in the media, Jetstar is now offering travellers the opportunity to earn Qantas Frequent Flyer points on domestic Jetstar flights in New Zealand.
Membership of the Qantas Frequent Flyer programme is free for New Zealand residents via this special limited-time link qantas.com/nzfreejoin
Domestic Jetstar flights will earn a minimum of 400 Qantas Points, with higher points earned on Plus and Max tickets. Qantas Store redemptions start from 2,500 Qantas Points.
SKYCITY Auckland Airport Shuttle
SKYCITY has launched a shuttle to and from Auckland Airport (Domestic and International terminals) which will run 365 days a year.
Pricing for a single trip is $30 for one passenger, plus $15 per additional passenger on the same booking. Payment can be charged to your room, or you may choose to pay the driver with EFTPOS.
Ask your APX Consultant to book a SKYCITY shuttle for your next stay with SKYCITY.
First Adina Apartment Hotel to open in New Zealand
TFE Hotels, owners of Rendezvous Hotels in Auckland and Christchurch and Travelodge in Wellington, have announced plans to open their first Adina Apartment Hotel in New Zealand. The Adina Apartment Hotel Auckland, located in Britomart, is scheduled to open mid-October 2015.
The Adina Apartment Hotel Auckland will offer 128 apartments, consisting of 44 Studio Apartments, 50 Premium Studio Apartments, 28 One Bedroom Apartments and 6 Two Bedroom Apartments.
Rooms will be appointed with fully-equipped kitchens, comfortable living space and laundries, with a focus on comfort and lifestyle, including an on-site gym. The hotel will operate a lobby bar and café, providing a range of locally sourced food and wine.
