SatoTravel is the National Science Foundation's official government travel management contractor for the Presidential Awards Recognition Week. SatoTravel will make all round-trip airline or rail reservations for the nominee and a guest.
All official government travel arrangements for the nominee and one guest attending Recognition Week 2008 must be made through SatoTravel. Tickets purchased from travel agencies other than SatoTravel will not be reimbursed. If a nominee is placed on an airline where he or she has frequent flyer benefits and wishes for an upgrade, the nominee must arrange the upgrade directly with the airline.
SatoTravel will be glad to make travel arrangements for any additional attendees, other than the nominee's guest, at the nominee's expense.
All tickets will be issued as electronic tickets (e-tickets), unless unavailable through the airline. Tickets on airlines that do not have a provision for issuing e-tickets will be issued in paper form and express mailed 3 business days in advance of the intended travel date to the traveler's home address. SatoTravel will send an e-mail confirmation notice advising that your ticket has been issued as a paper ticket or as an e-ticket.
To make your airline or rail reservations, call SatoTravel at 877-905-9645 or e-mail them at nsfvip@satotravel.com. SatoTravel is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. eastern standard time. In your e-mail, be sure to include your preferred travel schedule, including departure airport; outbound date and time; return date and time; your alternate travel schedule, if necessary; and first and last name of your guest. The subject line of your e-mail should read "PAEMST". When you call/e-mail SatoTravel, please give them the Travel Authorization Number TX 20159.
Please visit the Transportation Security Administration Website for new travel rules and regulations at www.tsa.gov.
Driving to Washington, DC
Nominees who choose to drive to Washington, DC, should inform Macro at (800) 209-6327, option 1, as soon as possible. Mileage for the use of personal vehicles to travel to Washington, DC, from home and back is reimbursable at the rate of 50.5 cents per mile up to the price of the government air ticket. Tolls and parking costs are also reimbursable when accompanied by receipts. The cost of round-trip travel, including mileage, tolls, and parking, cannot exceed the cost of a round-trip coach airline ticket at the government rate. Expenses such as lodging and food that are incurred during transport will not be reimbursed. Parking at the Hotel Palomar is $38.08 per day with unlimited in and out privileges. Macro will provide those who drive with a travel expense reimbursement form upon check-in at the Recognition Week registration desk.
Other Expenses
All nominees will be reimbursed for travel-related expenses, which include ground transportation for round-trip travel to and from Washington, DC, and meals not included in the program schedule. Breakfast will be provided each morning, and receptions or dinners are scheduled for each evening except for Tuesday evening (April 29, 2008). Lunch will be provided Tuesday through Friday. Upon returning home nominees will need to submit a reimbursement form that will be given to them at check-in. At orientation on Monday, April 28, nominees will be shown how to complete the reimbursement form. Please keep all travel-related receipts and expenses.
Getting to the Hotel
The hotel is accessible from Washington, DC, regional airports by Metrorail, SuperShuttle, or taxi.
The nearest Metrorail station is Dupont Circle (on the Red Line). Getting off the Metro at Dupon Station, exit the station at the 20th and Q Street exit and turn left. Walk 1½ blocks to P Street and turn right on P Street. Walk approximately one block—the hotel will be on the right.
The SuperShuttle airport service is available from all airports and can be accessed by following the signs for ground transportation to the outside lower level of each airport. Wheelchair-accessible vehicles are available upon request. See below for detailed information about getting to the hotel.
Transportation From Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
National Airport is approximately 20 minutes (5 miles) from downtown Washington.
Shuttle Bus
Major credit cards accepted on board. Service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
$12 per person, $10 for each additional person. Upon arrival, proceed to the outside curb and contact the SuperShuttle representative. After hours call (800) 258-3826 and press “1” for dispatch or “2” for reservations, which will transfer you to dispatch.
Taxi
Located outside baggage claims area. Approximately $20 without tip. Travel time is approximately 20 minutes.
Metro
Covered walkways to the Metro are on the concourse (middle) level of the new terminal. Take the Blue Line toward Largo Town Center to the Metro Center Metro Station. Transfer to the Red Line toward Glenmont to the Dupont Circle Metro Station. Follow walking directions above to hotel. Takes approximately 30 minutes.
Fare: $1.35 (off-peak fare), $1.95 (peak fare).Transportation From Dulles International Airport
Dulles is approximately 40 minutes (26 miles) from downtown Washington.
Shuttle Bus
Major credit cards accepted on board. Service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
$12 per person, $10 for each additional person. Upon arrival, proceed to the outside curb and contact the SuperShuttle representative. After hours call (800) 258-3826 and press “1” for dispatch or “2” for reservations, which will transfer you to dispatch.
Taxi
Located outside baggage claims area. Approximately $50–52 without tip. Travel time is approximately 40 minutes.
Metro
Washington’s Flyer Coach Service takes visitors to the West Falls Church (Orange Line) Metro station. This service runs every 30 minutes from 5:30 a.m. to 10:15 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 10:15 p.m. on weekends. Fare: $9 one way, $16 round trip. Tickets can be purchased at the Ground Transportation Centers located on the lower level in the main terminal. For more information, call (888) WASHFLY. Take the Orange Line toward New Carrollton to the Metro Center station, transfer to the Red Line toward Glenmont, and travel two stops to the Dupont Circle station. Follow the walking directions above to the hotel. Takes approximately 45 minutes.
Fare: $1.85 (off-peak fare), $3.25 (peak fare).
Transportation From Baltimore-Washington International Airport
BWI is approximately 60 minutes (32 miles) from downtown Washington.
Shuttle Bus
Major credit cards accepted on board. Service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
$35 per person, $12 for each additional person. Go to the lower level and follow the signs to the Ground Transportation desk located between carousels 6 and 7. Advise the Guest Service Representative at the desk where you need to travel. Available 9 a.m.–2 a.m.
Taxi
Located outside baggage claims area. Approximately $65 without tip. Travel time is approximately 60 minutes.
Metro
On weekdays, a MARC train takes visitors from BWI to Union Station for $6, one way. Tickets for the MARC train can be purchased at the BWI Rail Station. From Union Station (Metro), take the Red Line toward Glenmont to the Dupont Circle Metro station. The MARC train operates on weekdays 5 a.m.–12 a.m. Metro fare: $1.35 (off-peak fare), $1.65 (peak fare). On weekends, Amtrak is the only rail transportation between BWI and Washington, DC (Union Station). A ticket must be purchased through Amtrak at the station. The approximate cost is $20–$25.