BVA Sets Sights On 61st Meetings

by Christina Hitchcock

BVA members, regional group officers, delegates, staff, and families of the aforementioned have much to look forward to as they anticipate opening day of the 61st National Convention in Buffalo, New York. Please use the following information in making final preparations

Flight Reservations

BVA recommends the following airline carriers to reach the convention city:

AIRTRAN AIRLNES: No file number exists for Airtran as there are no group discounts. Call for reservations at 866-683-8368 or 800-247-8726. Reservations can also be made at http://www.airtran.com.

COMAIR/DELTA CONNECTION: No file number exists for Comair or Delta since group travel contracts through the two airlines are no longer available. The airlines offer competitive fares. Call for reservations at 800-221-1212 or use www.comair.com.

JET BLUE AIRLINES: No file number exists for this discount airline. Call 800-538-2583 or click on www.jetblue.com to make reservations if you are flying out of one of the following: Boston, Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, Long Beach, Phoenix, New York (JFK and LaGuardia Airports), and Washington Dulles.

NORTHWEST/KLM (includes the former CONTINENTAL AIRLINES): Refer to File #NYUCN. Call for reservations at 800-328-1111 Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. (Central Time). Northwest offers 5 percent off lowest published fares, 10 percent off lowest published fare if ticket is purchased 30 days in advance of scheduled departure, and 15 percent off lowest published fare if ticket is purchased 30-60 days in advance. For more information, go to http://www.nwa.com or http://www.continental.com.

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES: No file number exists for Southwest. At press time, Southwest offered a senior fare of $129 one way from any location in the continental United States (call 800-433-5368). Additional numbers include 800-I-FLY-SWA (800-435-9792). Tickets may also be purchased at www.southwest.com.

UNITED AIRLINES: Refer to File #P9F8LU. Call for reservations at 800-521-4041. United offers a range of 2 to 10 percent off lowest published fare based on the ticket class, which depends on the day and time of a flight. Reservations made more than 30 days prior to departure could qualify for a 15 percent discount. For more information about United Airlines, go to http://www.ual.com.

US AIRWAYS and US AIRWAYS EXPRESS: No file number exists for US Airways. Reservations can be made independently by calling 800-428-4322 or by visiting www.usairways.com.

Ground Transportation

The Adam’s Mark Hotel is located 10.8 miles, or approximately 15 minutes from the Buffalo/Niagara International Airport. The hotel offers a complimentary shuttle. Please note that the drivers have been advised to make loud verbal announcements from outside their vehicles as they arrive at and depart from the shuttle pick-up location just outside the baggage claim area. The shuttles run from 6:00 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. seven days a week. A one-way trip by taxi to the hotel will cost approximately $35.