Charters Become a Choice Lift

Increasingly, firms are using charter carriers to transport top performers to incentive destinations.

"Commercial air is killing my incentive programs because of the costs, the [indifferent] way participants are treated and the penalties incurred when names of winners are changed late in the contest," said Charlotte Dunlap, CITE, president of Greenville, S.C.-based Incentives Unlimited Inc.

Dallas-based Sunbelt Motivation & Travel Inc. is another firm working more with charter carriers, such as Miami-based Miami Air.

Security is a prime benefit, according to Sunbelt's president and CEO, Bill Boyd. "When you know everyone on board, the security issue is greatly lessened," he said.

Among the other benefits cited by planners:

* The ability to customize planes with company logos

* Freedom to create a party atmosphere in the air

* Avoidance of shipping charges for extra luggage and boxes of amenities

In addition, when participants originate from small towns or even second-tier cities, charters alleviate the need for them to change planes.