Business Traveler articles from December 1 2000

Business Traveler archives from December 1 2000

This month ...(Editorial)
December 1, 2000... This month we present Business Traveler's 12th annual Reader Survey Awards, the long-awaited short list of the hotels, airlines, car rental companies and awards programs Business Traveler readers cheered and jeered. Mubarak Dahir takes a look...

Unseated. (Letter of the Month).(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2000... In August I was scheduled to fly Northwest Airlines from San Francisco (SFO) at 1:30 p.m. to arrive in Memphis at 7:30 p.m. and connect through to Oklahoma City (OKC) later that evening. However, more than half of my reserved aisle seat was...

Go for the gold. (Letter of the Month).(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2000... I've had the opportunity to read several issues of your magazine. It's very informative and enjoyable to read. I would like to respond to your request in the October issue for accounts of travel experiences. Traveling quite often, I've...

Smoke signals. (Letter of the Month).(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2000... I am writing regarding the November issue of Business Traveler and the flight check for Air Europa, which was written about a flight taken in May of this year. At the time there was no regulation stating that smoking was prohibited onboard...

Two for the road. (Letter of the Month).(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2000... I read your magazine every month, though I'm not a business traveler. My spouse, an author, is the subscriber and the one on the road. As he's about to embark on another multi-city book tour, I would love to see some articles focusing on being...

Business fares aim for the sky. (Airlines).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Though the airlines had already raised business fares four times this year--and added $40 in fuel surcharges to both leisure and business tickets--in October they put through yet another increase. The latest fare hike will add $60 to round-trip...

The just-opened Grand Hyatt Delhi (which calls itself "the premium hotel for the new millennium business traveler") is offering introductory rates until December 31, 2001. (India).(advertisement)
December 1, 2000... The just-opened Grand Hyatt Delhi (which calls itself "the premium hotel for the new millennium business traveler") is offering introductory rates until December 31, 2001. Sample prices are $165 for a guest room, $325 for a business suite and...

Guests taking advantage of the Sonwai Spa package at the Hyatt Regency Scotsdale will enjoy a one-hour customized massage or facial as well as unlimited use of the extensive indoor and outdoor fitness facilities, complimentary bicycles and valet parking. (United States).(advertisement)
December 1, 2000... Guests taking advantage of the Sonwai Spa package at the Hyatt Regency Scotsdale will enjoy a one-hour customized massage or facial as well as unlimited use of the extensive indoor and outdoor fitness facilities, complimentary bicycles and...

Stay at the Los Angeles Marriott Downtown during the holiday season. (United States).(advertisement)
December 1, 2000... * Stay at the Los Angeles Marriott Downtown during the holiday season (until December 30, 2000) for $89 per night--that's more than 50 percent off the rack rate. Call 800-228-9290 or visit www.meristar.com for details.

More than 25 boutique hotels in San Francisco are participating in a winter promotion with Topaz Hotel Reservations[TM]. (United States).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... * More than 25 boutique hotels in San Francisco are participating in a winter promotion with Topaz Hotel Reservations[TM]. Starting at $95 a night, this offer includes several Joie De Vivre Hospitality, Kimpton Group and Personality Hotel...

The Jurys Washington Hotel in Washington, D.C. is offering slashed rates of $150 a night from December 1, 2000 until January 19, 2001. (United States).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... * The Jurys Washington Hotel in Washington, D.C. is offering slashed rates of $150 a night from December 1, 2000 until January 19, 2001. This is part of an "Irish Traditions" special for the winter season, and includes complimentary breakfast....

The Shangri-La Hotel in Penang, Malaysia, is offering deluxe accommodations for $75 a night until March 31, 2001 (rack rates for these rooms start at $106). (Pacific Rim).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... The Shangri-La Hotel in Penang, Malaysia, is offering deluxe accommodations for $75 a night until March 31, 2001 (rack rates for these rooms start at $106). Guests will be able to take advantage of free shuttle bus service to and from the...

Guests at the Furama Hotel in Hong Kong will receive special treatment if they are members of frequent flyer programs at the following airlines: United, Varig, Lufthansa, Thai or All Nippon. (Pacific Rim).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... * Guests at the Furama Hotel in Hong Kong will receive special treatment if they are members of frequent flyer programs at the following airlines: United, Varig, Lufthansa, Thai or All Nippon. They will receive 500 miles per stay, waiting-list...

Less work on the web. (Internet).(QIXO, FareChase - fare finders)(Product Information)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Agrowing number of business travelers are booking their travel on the Web, and most check more than one site before making a reservation. Two new sites--QIXO and FareChase-aim to help time-pressed business travelers find the best fares quickly....

In-flight food. (Airlines).(International Flight Catering Association fellowship)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Will you have filet mignon or a turkey sandwich? For the first time ever, a professor will be granted a $750,000 sponsorship by the International Flight Catering Association to study airline catering. The lucky candidate will study at Surrey...

Another option to London. (Airlines).(British Midland)(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
December 1, 2000... Over a year ago British Midland, the UK's second-largest scheduled airline, promised to launch service to the U.S. On April 30, it will deliver on that vow with the inauguration of daily nonstop service from Washington-Dulles to Manchester,...

Northwest/KLM's new business class. (Airlines).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Along with partner KLM, Northwest Airlines is enhancing its international business class. With an eye toward improving personal space and comfort, the World Business Class will increase legroom from 48 to 60 inches and improve recline to 150...

Cheap chic. (Hotels).(Townhouse, Miami Beach, FL)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Addicted to stylish-hip boutique hotels, but tired of blowing your entire expense account on them? A new hotel in Miami Beach, the Townhouse, is gearing toward savvy travelers who want stylish digs that are unpretentious and cheap. The...

Help is on the way. (Airlines).(overscheduling, late flights)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... It's not easy being a business traveler these days. Heavy demand for air travel is overloading the system, which has resulted in a record-setting level of delays. In July (the most recent Department of Transportation data available),...

Air France. (Airlines Deals).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Air France is offering a 50 percent companion discount when you purchase a round-trip economy-class ticket with an American Express card. The economy-class fare used must be full coach, excursion, pex or even an apex fare. Sale fares are...

Thai Airways. (Airline Deals).(Royal Companion Package)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Thai Airways is offering the "Royal Companion Package" that allows first- and business-class passengers to take a companion free when they purchase a full-fare ticket round-trip from LAX to Tokyo, Osaka or Bangkok. Tickets must be issued and...

TWA. (Airline Deals).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... TWA is giving their Aviator members a free first-class ticket good for travel within the continental U.S., Canada and to Caribbean destinations like Puerto Rico, Puerto Plata, Aruba or Santo Domingo for spending as little as $1,500 between...

Indigo takes flight. (Airlines).(Chicago-Midway to Teterboro, NJ)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
December 1, 2000... Indigo, a business charter jet company based in Chicago, now operates daily charter flights from Chicago-Midway to Teterboro, N.J., which is located seven miles from New York City. While Indigo is not a scheduled airline, it will operate...

Airlines embrace the digital age. (Airlines).(onboard services)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... More airlines are adding onboard electronic enhancements for both business and pleasure. SAS now offers electric outlets for computers, so business travelers can conserve valuable battery life. The new outlets are available in all...

The lowdown on low-fare airlines. (Airlines).(Brief Article)(Industry Overview)
December 1, 2000... In September, the Federal Aviation Administration grounded Detroit-based Pro Air due to safety reasons. The low-fare carrier, which had targeted business travelers, declared bankruptcy soon after it had its wings clipped. With the air system...

Sites for sore eyes: shape up. (News Report).(diet/fitness: web sites)(Product Information)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... You made it through the holiday overeating binge, and now with the extra 10 pounds you gained it's time to start those New Year's resolutions. Hectic schedules, eating poorly on the road, and not exercising will only make things worse. It's...

Air-to-ground e-mail. (Airlines).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... A recent study indicated that more than 77 percent of air travelers would be willing to pay for in-flight access to e-mail, and several airlines are eager to fill that need. In !ate November, Singapore Airlines will begin testing onboard e-mail...

Urban survival kit: Frankfurt.(Germany - travel)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Regarded as Germany's financial center and boasting Europe's tallest office block (the 259-meter Commerzbank Building), you might imagine Frankfurt to be culturally barren. But in fact it is surprisingly rich and, mercifully, compact. ...

Art'otel Budapest. (Hotel check: Budapest).
December 1, 2000... After arriving at the airport on a cramped Malev flight and riding through faceless suburbs, I found myself in that dull gray state brought on by transatlantic fatigue and strange surroundings. But the minute I stepped into Oz-like Art'otel...

Eva Airways, business class. (Flight Check: Newark To Taipei, Taiwan (Via Seattle).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... First impression: The short line at the check-in counters reflected my flight's midnight departure. I was processed very quickly, offered a window seat as requested and made my way to the business class lounge. It was slim pickings as far as...

Budget. (Car rental check: New York).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... There was a group of three in front of me when I arrived at Budget's E. 43rd St. Manhattan location, and since it took them some time to decide who would drive, I had to wait for about five minutes. The friendly but professional man behind the...

W Los Angeles. (Hotel Check).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... You know you're in the movie capital of the world when your hotel is designed not by an architect, but a movie set designer. The 258 all-suite hotel is located in the up-and-coming neighborhood of Westwood, less than a five-minute walk from the...

Spot check.(cost for hotel laundry services)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... SPOT CHECK How much would you pay to look crisp at that all-important, out-of-town meeting? We asked these hotels how much they charged guests to wash and press one cotton shirt. Here are the results, complete with gender inconsistencies,...

Capital growth. (D.C./Baltimore).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Washington, D.C., and Baltimore may conjure up unfortunate images of two cities stuck in time, one a stodgy, bureaucratic cow town, the other a stagnant, rusting port city past its industrial prime. In reality, however, nothing could be further...

Fours hours in...Chicago.(Chicago, Illinois)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... With its towering skyscrapers and fabulous shopping, Chicago is one of America's most exciting cities, boasting all the glitz of New York without the grime. This is the town in which famed architects such as Louis Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright...

World leaders: the 12th annual Business Traveler Reader Survey Awards. (Readers Awards).(Cover Story)
December 1, 2000... Business Traveler readers are an opinionated lot. And they're entitled to be. They are the true road warriors, slogging away in the travel trenches, unwieldy laptops and briefcases in tow, juggling the frustrations of delayed flights, missed...

New and exciting improvements. (Special Advertising Section).(Finnair)(Company Profile)
December 1, 2000... Enjoy a fine meal at Helsinki Vantaa Airport with a view of the runway and you will notice the difference between the old and the new Finnair. Currently in the process of repainting its entire livery, Finnair has replaced its color scheme and...

Blue skies: frequent business travel can have a dangerous downside Depression and other mental health disorders strike road warriors at a higher-than-average rate. But knowing the warning signs, coping strategies and treatments can help. (Health Report).
December 1, 2000... A devoted husband, returning from an extended business trip, forgets to ask his wife what she did while he was away, until his son points out the oversight days later. A wife and mother travels for work on weekends, but is expected to be in the...

Holiday dining in New York City. (Special Advertising Section).(restaurants in New York, New York)(Directory)
December 1, 2000... Tis the season to be... dining out. As the holiday spirit begins to grip New York and people shop, shop, shop, top chefs and restaurateurs are betting they also want to eat, eat, eat. Don't feel left out if you're not one of the 2,700...

A change of habit: as La Paz struggles to rebound from losses incurred by Bolivia's coca eradication, new industries offer hope. (Destination report: La Paz).(La Paz, Bolivia)
December 1, 2000... When something important happens in Bolivia, it resonates in La Paz. The world's highest capital sits in a basin 3,600 meters above sea level with the triple peaks of Illimani Mountain rising in the distance as a dramatic backdrop....

Kenya's rich blend: sometimes called "Nairobbery" by experienced travelers, this capital city has a reputation to live down. (Focus: Nairobi).
December 1, 2000... Drought has been the main topic of conversation in Kenya for most of the year. The long rains between March and June yielded just 30 percent of the expected annual rainfall and most of it fell outside the crucial area of the Rift Valley and...

Middle East side trips. (Special Advertising Section).
December 1, 2000... Kingdom of history lie in the northern regions of Africa, the countries bordering the Red Sea and those surrounding the Persian Gulf. Thoughts of Lawrence of Arabia, camels on sand dunes. Sultans, land wars and oil come to mind but there is...

From Russia: with love: as a place to conduct business, Moscow is often seen as a mire of mafioso, red tape and worse. Rachael Jolley investigates the "IKEA factor"and takes a fresh look at this ancient city. (Insider's guide: Moscow).
December 1, 2000... The "IKEA factor" is one of the indicators Jeff Costello, chief executive of Moscow-based bank Brunswick UBS Warburg, uses to gauge how the city's economy is recovering from the slump two years ago. "When I am a bit depressed about this city, I...

Le Royal Meridien King Edward, Toronto: save over 40% (Exclusive to our Privilege Club Members).(Toronto, Ontario)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... The award-winning Le Royal Meridien King Edward, is centrally located in the financial district, close to the theater and shopping district, and is the only member of Leading Hotels of the World in Toronto. Until March 31, 2001 Privilege...

The Cliveden Town House, London: save 25%. (Hotel Offer).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... The Cliveden Town House, situated in a secluded area between Chelsea and Knightsbridge, is one of London's best-kept secrets, combining the highest possible standard of service and comfort with the intimacy of a private house. This...

Merchant Court Hotel, Bangkok: save 65%. (Hotel Offer).(Bangkok, Thailand)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Opened earlier this year, the Merchant Court Hotel at Le Concorde in Bangkok is the latest addition to Raffles International Hotels & Resorts' portfolio. Located in a rapidly growing area just 10 minutes from the city's central business...