Air Force implements Web site online reservation capability

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SAN ANTONIO (AFPN) --  Air Force Inns will begin allowing duty and space available travelers to book direct online lodging reservations beginning Dec. 4 at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Mont. 

Individuals and families on orders or who need space available rooms to Malmstrom AFB may access Air Force Inns and Navy Gateway Inns and Suites Web site: http://dodlodging.net. 

This Web site can be accessed from duty or home computers.

For the Navy, online reservations will be available at their five San Diego lodging operations. This project is part of the Defense Travel System initiative to improve the entire Defense Department travel system, said Jeff Richard, the Air Force program manager for this initiative.

Eventually Air Force and Navy Web reservation systems will interface with DTS. This will allow duty travelers to book on-base lodging reservations directly from the DTS application. The next two bases to come online will be Whiteman AFB, Mo., and Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz. Plans are to begin a full rollout with completion with 24 months, depending on funding.
 
For Air Force Inns, the online booking process is user friendly with the first process of setting up personal accounts and then selecting Malmstrom AFB. All guests' personal information, including the credit card number, is encrypted and secured. Members will select the purpose of visit (TDY, space available, etc.) and number of guests, and submit the request. The traveler's reservation request will be electronically sent to the centralized data server located in San Antonio.

There is no fax or manual data input; all data is encrypted and electronically sent with no human interface. If there is space available for the requested dates of visit, the traveler will receive an onscreen and e-mail confirmation.

If there is no space available and the traveler is on duty orders, then he or she will be asked to create a wait list reservation. If the traveler selects yes, then that particular base will receive a flagged reservation request to see if they can try to find accommodations on base or at a commercial off-base hotel (if on duty orders). 

Besides online lodging reservations, this entire centralized project will allow Air Force Inns up-to-date corporate reporting using business intelligence tools, fast and secure online credit card processing, electronic interface with centralized nonappropriated accounting system, and an online customer comment card system. Guests will be sent a nice thank you note for their stay at Air Force Inns and will be asked to provide comments regarding their stay.

(Courtesy Air Force Services Agency)