Read the following tips and reminders for using the Short’s travel portal.
Registering for the first time: When first registering for the Short’s travel portal, you must use your Drake email rather than your personal email. Otherwise, it will kick back and require additional approval.
Agent Requests: Some Drake travelers have been concerned with fares they have received because they could find cheaper fares on their own. Agents only have as much information as they are given in the initial request. In many of these cases, we found that the traveler was searching alternate dates, times, and even airports to come back with the lower fares. If your travel is flexible and you would like the agent to research alternate options, please include it in your initial request.
Basic Economy: Basic Economy flights continue to be a challenge with Drake travelers. We do not recommend Basic Economy however if you do wish to book this fare, please remember that Short’s Travel will book Basic Economy but you are responsible for letting them know you wish to book Basic Economy. This is something that is only done for Drake as a courtesy and requires an approval process by the agent’s supervisor. Basic Economy fares were created with the leisure traveler in mind. These fare are highly restrictive and will not allow the same flexibility for changes as standard economy fares. Agents are required to advise of the restrictions prior to completing your booking.
Fares unavailable in STO (Short’s online booking system): Some airlines do not participate in the GDS (Global Distribution System) that is used to manage inventory and that the agent team uses to book travel. Just because you do not see a flight online, does not mean we can’t book it for you. If you do not see the option you wish to book, please contact the agent team. These will come up most often with Southwest “Wanna Get Away” fares (online availability expected late 2020), Allegiant, and other low cost carriers, however, this may occur in other situations with major airlines. The best practice is to always contact the agent team if you don’t see the fare you wish to book online.
Student Travel: A Drake Faculty member is required to request student travel, as students do not have profiles and the agent team needs to be advised of the student who is authorized to travel, along with any reimbursement limits, travel restrictions, etc. There are cases where certain student travel is an exception to booking with Short’s. Please contact Caron Findlay if you have questions.
FindIt: The FindIt extension must be downloaded from the Drake Travel Portal home page before using. FindIt should not be used if users are wishing to book basic economy, trips for more than one traveler, multi destination, or international travel. There is a user guide on the Travel Portal that users should review before they use FindIt to make sure they understand functionality.
Profile Information: Please ensure all profile information is accurate. If any information is added to your profile after a reservation has been made, it will not automatically update. For significant name changes, please contact the agent team.
Frequent Flier/Known Traveler Information: This information must be in your profile at the time of booking for it to attach to your reservation. Your legal name must also be listed the same in your profile and in the frequent flier profile for it to attach correctly.
— Caron Findlay, Finance & Administration