Business Traveler articles from February 2003

Business Traveler archives from February 2003

Editor's letter.(Editorial)
February 1, 2003... WITH NEW PROCEDURES, SCREENERS and equipment in place at most U.S. airports, the TSA and the airlines are grappling with the line between customer convenience and security. But Bob Curley reports in our cover story, "Sense of Security,"...

In the cards. (Letter Of The Month).
February 1, 2003... Your credit card survey (October 2002) was very informative. But while you included the $395 fee AmEx Platinum card, you omitted the comparable $300 fee Diners Club Carte Blanche card, available to U.S. residents. One feature of Carte Blanche...

Eastern block. (Reader's Letters).
February 1, 2003... In early November of 2001, my fiancee bought a use-it-or-lose-it ticket from Aeroflot for travel in January 2002. However, due to 9/11, U.S. Embassy visa policies changed unbeknownst to us, and she was unable to obtain the necessary visa and...

Car wars. (Reader's Letters).(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2003... With weakening economic factors, my first area of travel curtailment has been with car rentals; I now rent with whoever gives me the best deal. Recently, the best deal happened to be Thrifty, my first time using them. I was quoted $49 per day...

Don't go changin'. (Reader's Letters).
February 1, 2003... I could not believe the content of the "Alternative Press" letter in your January 2003 issue until the writer was identified at the end of the letter. Of course a professor in Eugene, Oregon, would like us capitalists to focus on the...

Single-minded. (Airports).(single skies agreement in the European Union)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... IN DECEMBER THE EU APPROVED A NEW SINGLE SKIES AGREEMENT THAT COULD END up saving passengers money as well as time. The agreement raises compensation for passengers involuntarily bumped off flights and streamlines airspace and control tower...

In the bag. (Airline Safety).(airlines install air bags on planes)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... EVEN FREQUENT TRAVELERS CAN be skeptical when flight attendants perform the "in case of emergency" ritual. Just how survivable is an in-flight accident? The National Transportation Safety Board says that 95.7 percent of passengers involved in...

Connections. (Airlines).(Oneworld Airline Alliance codesharing agreements)
February 1, 2003... CEOS FROM ONEWORLD AIRLINE Alliance members met recently to agree on expanded codesharing agreements. Deals likely to affect consumers include: * An extension of Air Lingus/Iberia codesharing, with the IB code now also placed on the Irish...

Friends & allies: new agreements affect travelers. (Airlines).(Air New Zealand, Qantas)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... BONDING LIKE THE PROVERBIAL WAGON TRAIN AGAINST THE SLINGS and arrows of an increasingly shrinking aviation industry, Qantas and Air New Zealand have bonded in a new alliance designed to promote the economic health of both airlines and to boost...

Snow sense. (Hotels).
February 1, 2003... IF FLYING INTO A WINTER WONDERLAND at JFK and sloshing--rather than dancing--through the snow to your NYC business meetings is not your idea of seasonal sports, file this for emergency use. The Radisson Lexington Hotel is offering a "Snowstorm...

Short cuts. (Airlines).(new air routes approved)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... FLYING TO EUROPE FROM SINGAPORE, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok should be 30 minutes easier this year. The International Air Transport Association, along with the United Nation's International Civil Aviation Organization, has cleared the way for a...

High "tech". (Hotels).(Le Meridien, Minneapolis)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... WHAT'S DIFFERENT ABOUT THE newest Le Meridien hotel? The firm's new Art + Tech concept has debuted in the U.S. with the opening of the Meridien in Minneapolis--the home of TV heroine Mary Richards. Mary and her friend Rhoda would probably...

The butler did it. (Hotels).(Airport Butler service)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... PART OF THE STRESS OF LONG-HAUL international travel--the airport pickup--is streamlined by Shangri-La's new "Airport Butler" service in Beijing. Bleary-eyed travelers searching for taxis to their hotel need look no more. The Shangri-La's...

Wish list. (Surveys).(business travel survey)
February 1, 2003... BUSINESS TRAVELERS WANT TO SEE more high-tech security systems in place and are increasingly relying on videoconferencing as an adjunct to business travel, says the new International Air Transport Associations Corporate Air Travel Survey. ...

Roll with it. (Reader Offer).(SkyRoll)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... WHAT DO YOU get when a former Silicon Valley engineer, also a business traveler, invents a piece of luggage geared toward the frequent-traveling executive? SkyRoll, a new kind of carry-on luggage that fits easily into overhead bins of airplanes...

United States. (Hotel Deals).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... The Hotel Palomar in San Francisco will offer savings as part of a partnership with the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA). Guests asking for the "A Day at SFMOMA" package will receive two passes to the museum and a rate of $205 a...

Canada. (Hotel Deals).(Muskoka Sands Golf Resort, Spa and Conference Center)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Take advantage of off-season rates at the Muskoka Sands Golf Resort, Spa and Conference Center in Gravenhurst, Ontario. The property will offer rates starting at $49 a night all winter (weekend rates start at $55 a night). For $123 a night,...

Europe. (Hotel Deals).(Paris, France)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Until March 31, all seven Leading Hotels in Paris will offer savings as part of the "Best of Paris" promotion. Participating properties are Hotel de Crillon, Hotel Lancaster, Hotel Le Bristol, Hotel Meurice, Hotel Plaza Athenee, Hotel Raphael...

Flight log. (Airlines).(new services)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... * Alaska Airlines has begun daily nonstop service between Seattle and Newark Liberty International Airport. The eastbound flight to New York/Newark departs Seattle at 8:45 a.m. * Northwest begins service out of Memphis to Mexico City...

Six Continents Hotels. (Reward Roundup).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Until March 31, Priority Club members will earn double points on repeat stays at any Inter-Continental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn or Staybridge property across the globe. Members must register in advance by calling 888-560-5660 and entering...

EL AL and Delta Air Lines. (Reward Roundup).(frequent flyer programs)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... EL AL Israel Airlines and Delta Air Lines have announced a partnership that will allow members of each airline's frequent flyer program to share miles and benefits. Selling points of this program include the fact that EL AL's e-club is the...

American Airlines. (Reward Roundup).(AAdvantage program)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Between now and March 31, AAdvantage members will receive bonus miles for American Airlines flights between the United States and Europe. Passengers in first, business or full-fare economy class will earn 15,000 miles for each round-trip...

Northwest and Japan Airlines. (Reward Roundup).(WorldPerks agreement)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Starting April 1, WorldPerks members can redeem miles for domestic flights on Japan Airlines. The new agreement permits members to redeem 15,000 miles for round-trip economy-class awards on all JAL-operated domestic flights. These new benefits...

Business Valentines. (Hotels).(weekend getaways)
February 1, 2003... IF YOU MUST BE AWAY FROM HOME ON Valentine's Day, consider taking your loved one away with you. Many hotel loyalty programs have deals that will let road warriors bring spouses with them for weekend getaways. Sheraton, Westin, Shangri-La and...

Big sleepy. (Hotels).(Sheraton New Orleans adds Sweet Sleeper beds)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... THE CRESCENT CITY IS HOPING TO attract new business--especially small and mid-level meetings--by sprucing itself up in time for Carnival. Sheraton New Orleans' new Napoleon ballroom--a 30,000-square-foot space--is just one part of its recent...

Air France. (Airline Deals).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... AIR FRANCE is continuing for 2003 their "CONCORDE COMPANION FARE" from JFK to Europe. For the price of a full-fare round-trip Concorde ticket at $10,404, you can take a companion for 50 percent off at $5,202. Taxes are not included and can...

Varig Brazilian Airlines. (Airline Deals).(new Star Alliance options)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... VARIG BRAZILIAN AIRLINES is reducing the cost of their popular "BRAZILIAN AIRPASS" for 2003 by adding two new Star Alliance options. The normal airpass starts at $560 for five stops and allows you to purchase additional stops for $100 each, up...

Air Canada. (Airline Deals).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... AIR CANADA has matched other major U.S. carriers in offering a 5-percent and 10-percent discount on specific fares between the U.S. and Canada. The 10-percent discount applies to most business class and the full coach fare. The 5-percent...

Continental Airlines. (Airline Deals).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... CONTINENTAL AIRLINES is the only airline participating in the American Express Platinum 2-for-1 program that offers Caribbean destinations. So if you and a companion are up north and trying to warm up this winter, in style, just break out your...

US Airways. (Airline Deals).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... US AIRWAYS "Shuttle Smart Packs" save you 25 percent off the cost of shuttle flights, during peak travel times, between La Guardia (LGA) and Boston, LGA and Washington, D.C., and between Boston and Washington, D.C. These Shuttle Smart Packs...

Plaza Athenee: Paris. (Hotel Check).(Hotel Review)
February 1, 2003... THE PLAZA ATHENEE IS NOT SIMPLY a hotel--it is a living, breathing entity. Its undulating facade blushes with crimson awnings and deep red geraniums, as the high dramas of the privileged are played out over high tea and pastries within its...

Spot check. (Consumer Checks).(turndown service)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... We asked a variety of hotels around the world what their turndown service consists of. Here's what we found: INTERNATIONAL HOUSE, NEW ORLEANS Book of Wisdom left on pillow (property of the hotel; contains prayers, inspirational quotes,...

Threadneedles: London. (Hotel Check).(Hotel Review)
February 1, 2003... IN THE HEART OF LONDON'S Square Mile financial district, following a $30 million conversion, a former 1856 Midlands Bank Building has been transformed into a high-style hotel with a businesslike atmosphere. The quiet reverence of...

LanChile executive class. (Flight check: New York JFK to Santiago, Chile).(Product/Service Evaluation)
February 1, 2003... First Impressions: I arrived at JFK's sleek new Terminal 4 a little more than an hour and a half before scheduled departure. A sizable crowd waited in line, but only one person was ahead of me in the preferred check-in. The check-in agent was...

American Airlines economy class. (Flight check: Paris Charles de Gaulle to New York JFK).(Product/Service Evaluation)
February 1, 2003... First Impressions: There was no line to speak of. I gave the attendant details of my e-ticket, and she carefully and courteously questioned me about my bags, then went to get my boarding pass. She returned in seconds and directed me to the...

Le Bar: Paris. (Bars).(Bar Review)
February 1, 2003... Hotel Plaza Athenee, 25 Avenue Montaigne, tel. 33 01 53 67 66 65 Overview: A year after its modern redesign by former Philippe Starck protege Patrick Jouin, Le Bar continues to attract stylish Parisians and visitors alike. Cuisine: Le...

Alan Wong's Honolulu. (Restaurants).(Restaurant Review)
February 1, 2003... 1857 S. King St., tel. 808-949-2526 Overview: Located on the third floor of a nondescript office building between downtown Honolulu and Waikiki, Alan Wong's is where locals and visitors alike come for one reason: to savor Chef Wong's...

Lamu: New York. .(Restaurant Review)
February 1, 2003... 39 E. 19th St., tel. 212-358-7775 Overview: This cozy space--formerly an Ethiopian restaurant in the shadows of the Flatiron building--has reopened with a new look, new chef and mostly French menu. Cuisine: Nearly every course...

Bubble bath: a leaner, more competitive San Francisco is emerging, following the dotcom bust. (HomeFront: San Francisco).
February 1, 2003... FADING DOTCOM SIGNAGE LOOMS OVER DESERTED OFFICE buildings in San Francisco's once sizzling South Park district, aka the heart of MultiMedia Gulch. Thirty-five mostly upscale restaurants closed in San Francisco last year, and many of those that...

Hot tickets. (Worldwide Events Calendar).(Calendar)
February 1, 2003... NORTH AMERICA ATLANTA May 2-4 Midtown Music Festival Variety of performers TBA. www.musicmidtown.com June 6-14 Atlanta Film and Video Festival Various locations showcasing workshops, panels and screenings of independent...

Sense of security: U.S. airports have random baggage and passenger screening in place. But critics say profiling is being overlooked. .(Cover Story)
February 1, 2003... Nearly a year and a half after terrorists flew hijacked airliners into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, there are two distinct faces of airport security in the United States. Driven by legislative mandate, the new U.S....

Barry Sternlicht. (Special Executive Spotlight).(Interview)
February 1, 2003... Age 42 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. Considered one of the youngest and savviest leaders in the hotel and travel industry, Barry Sternlicht operates one of the world's largest hotel...

Yang Ho Cho. (Special Executive Spotlight).(Korean Air Lines Company Ltd.)(Interview)
February 1, 2003... Age 54 Chairman & CEO, Korean Air If anyone knows the airline industry well, it is Yang Ho Cho, Korean Air's chairman and chief executive officer. After all, he's been with Korean Air for 30 years. Started by the military after the...

Robert Milton. (Special Executive Spotlight).(Air Canada)(Interview)
February 1, 2003... Age 42 President and Chief Executive Officer, Air Canada In a year of cutbacks and slowdowns, Air Canada has forged ahead with expansions improvements and new efforts to satisfy the business traveler. A complete overhaul of Executive First,...

The outsiders: Vancouver's diverse economy and population have aided the efforts of this nature lovers' mecca to weather the recession. (Insider's guide: Vancouver).(travel Canada)(Column)
February 1, 2003... IT'S FOUR WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS, A TIME WHEN most of North America is busy buttoning itself up for the big freeze. But over in the far west, just a few miles north of the long border between Canada and the United States that runs straight from...

Arabian flights. (Special Advertising Section).(Saudi Arabian Airlines)
February 1, 2003... Calling yourself a world-class airline can seem a bit redundant these days, as frequent flyers, and even the occasional ones, are lavished with new services that appear to crop up on a daily basis. But Saudi Arabian Airlines' success starts...

Past ever present. (Special Advertising Section).(Saudi Arabia)
February 1, 2003... There has always a special lure to Saudi Arabia. From the romantic legend of Lawrence of Arabia, to the exoticism of veiled women, to the spirituality of Islam's birthplace, the desert Kingdom has long fascinated and mystified us. But...

Safe in the Lion City: Singapore's sterile image has been mocked over the years, but Beverley Fearis discovers that being security conscious could pay dividends in today's stressful climate. (Focus: Singapore).(travel the Orient)
February 1, 2003... YOU SEE THOSE," SAID MY TAXI DRIVER, POINTING to the flowers that line the central reservation as we head along the highway from the airport. "If anything happens to Changi, they can be removed, and underneath there is an emergency runway." It...

Off the bloc: on the threshold of joining the EU, Estonia's workforce is committed to improving its skills. (Doing Business in Tallinn).(European Union)
February 1, 2003... ESTONIA, THE NORTHERNMOST OF THE BALTIC states, has come a long way from independence from the Soviet Union in August 1991. Accession to the European Union takes place in May 2004, and it was one of seven former Eastern Bloc countries recently...

What are the airlines doing to ensure the security of the planes they fly? Welcome to the campus of Safety U. (Special Advertising Section).(international travel)
February 1, 2003... We're all familiar with the up-to-date aircraft, the impressive high-tech seat-side amenities and--we hope--attentive service. But are we familiar with how crews are being trained should a life-threatening situation arise? Actually,...

The next best thing? As teleconferencing technology improves, will it actually end up boosting business travel? (Tools: teleconferencing).(Telesuite Corp., www.telesuite.com)
February 1, 2003... TELECONFERENCING HAS HAD a checkered past to say the least. But it appears that its heyday may be just around the comer, thanks to a confluence of several factors including better technology, lower costs and the lingering reluctance of...

Four hours in Auckland: Margie T. Logarta scours the shops, galleries and cafes of Auckland and discovers Pacific Island artifacts, Maori paintings, green-lipped mussels, original fashions and some powerful espresso.(travel in New Zealand)
February 1, 2003... (1) AUCKLAND VIADUCT & SOUL BAR & BISTRO What was once a derelict area and a favorite spot for dumping junk cars--thousands of auto chassis were found in the surrounding waters during dredging--is now Auckland's place to see and be seen at....

Lie back in the land of the laid-back at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa. (Savings For Members California Hotels).(travel United States)(Hotel Review)
February 1, 2003... Northern California's elegant and historic wine country resort, The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa, features 228 guest rooms and suites, many with fireplaces and terraces, plus 11,000 square feet of functional space and a luxurious...

Le Royal Meridien King Edward, Toronto. (Savings For Members Toronto Hotels).(business travel Canada, www.lemeridien-kingedward.com)(Hotel Review)
February 1, 2003... Business-travel haven Le Royal Meridien King Edward is located in the very heart of the city and just steps from the financial district. Since its opening, this "Grand Dame" has played host to top business travelers from around the globe. Royal...

Sun kissed: Jonathan McEwan discovers a corner of Venezuela where, despite the political climate, the sun still rules.(Great Escape: Margarita Island)(Column)
February 1, 2003... AS I BOARD THE AVIOR EXPRESS EMB-120 BRASILIA, a 30-seat propeller-driven aircraft, at Caracas, I find myself caught up in the festive party atmosphere. The flight, leaving Caracas on a holiday Friday afternoon, is filled with merriment and...