Business Traveler articles from February 2005

Business Traveler archives from February 2005

This month.(business travel)
February 1, 2005... As a new year gets under way, it would be good to look forward, to speak of the optimism felt by many in business travel, and how, finally, passenger levels--and confidence--are returning to those of pre-September 2001. All of this is still...

Helping hand.(Letter of the month)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... Last October I received an urgent email that my closest cousin in Sacramento was suddenly on his deathbed. I immediately booked an AA.com ticket to San Francisco, because Sacramento did not come up as an option. When I got to the Admirals...

Southern comfort.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... I loved the article on Atlanta celebrities ("Hollywood and Peachtree?")in your September issue. Born and raised in Atlanta, I have watched this town turn into a celebrity haven. Celebrities like Atlanta because they can feel normal here, as...

Not so rewarding?(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... We all know that American Airlines and other carriers recently instituted service charges for booking tickets at city ticket offices and airport counters. Presumably, the airlines are trying to encourage customers to book travel via the...

Symbols of service.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... What do kippers, mangos and bath gel have in common? They are all symbols of the remarkable service that I received at the Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers. Having been born in Hong Kong, I grew up with kippers for breakfast, and on a...

Attention deficit?(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... As a frequent traveler who lived and flew for many years in the Middle East and was living in Washington on 9/11, I am very aware of airport and airline security. Two recent incidents in D.C. alarmed me. I arrived at Dulles Airport and...

Delta completes Dallas withdrawal.(Airlines)
February 1, 2005... AS DELTA AIR LINES completed its withdrawal from Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW), there is uncertainty over future air services to the Dallas area. Delta operated 254 flights a day from DFW (a 16.2% market share), including 52 on Delta's...

Hyatt launches limited service brand.(Hotels)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... HYATT CORP., WHICH HAS distinguished itself as a major big-city business hotel brand around the world, has finally embraced the growing "limited service" concept with its December agreement to buy AmeriSuites. Hyatt plans to invest $150...

Star Alliance goes paperless.(Airlines)(electronic ticketing)
February 1, 2005... STAR ALLIANCE HAS announced that all member airlines will be able to interline electronic tickets by August 2005, allowing customers to fly on multinational tickets in the alliance without any paper tickets. Star hopes to be the first...

The future of business class--SAS.(Europe)
February 1, 2005... SCANDINAVIAN AIRLINES (SAS) is attempting to arrest the decline of European business class with an upgraded product. As well as better catering, the new business has four-across seating throughout its fleet, giving more sideways space on planes...

Major fare changes for Delta.(Airlines)
February 1, 2005... IN A HIGHLY ANTICIPATED move, Delta Air Lines has cut its fares by up to 50 percent and has eliminated Saturday night stay requirements on all flights in the U.S. mainland, marking the most radical attempt to restructure fares in more than a...

New Lufthansa terminal.(Airports)
February 1, 2005... IN A RADICAL DEPARTURE from most European airlines, Lufthansa has opened a new, purpose-built, $20 million first class terminal at its Frankfurt hub. This opens against a background of many European airlines removing their first class, with...

TSA allows private screeners.(Airports)
February 1, 2005... NEWS THAT THE Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will soon allow airports the option of using private firms to screen passengers will cause mixed emotions in most business travelers. While there's a chance that the greater...

Eliot Hotel.(United States)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Enjoy a New England winter at Boston's Eliot Hotel. Starting at $245 a night for a one-bedroom suite, the "Winter in the City" package includes valet parking and breakfast in the Eliot's Restaurant Clio, The offer is valid through March 31....

Seneca Chicago.(United States)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Stay at the Seneca Chicago and take advantage of the "Winterfest" package, which includes deluxe accommodation and valet parking. Rates start at $109. Valid until March 20. Call 312-787-8900 or visit www.senecahotel.com to reserve.

Hotel Teatro's.(United States)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Fight the cold in Denver with Hotel Teatro's "Winter Warm-up Package." In addition to a $195 nightly rate, upon request, a bath butler will draw an aromatherapy bath. The offer is valid through February 28 and includes in-room continental...

Loews Denver.(United States)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... To offset rising fuel prices, guests who present their airline ticket receipt to the Loews Denver will receive a rebate equivalent to the cost of a barrel of oil (which at the time of going press was $45). The offer is based on a two-night...

Kitano New York.(United States)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The Kitano New York is offering a special rate starting at $210 for its superior rooms ($280 for a suite), which includes a morning newspaper, weekday limousine shuttle service to Wall Street, valet parking and pass to the New York Sports...

The Marquette.(United States)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Through March 31, The Marquette in Minneapolis is offering a special rate starting at $105, which includes access to the hotel's business center and fitness center. For reservations, call 800-328-4782 or visit www.marquettehotel.com.

Lenox Hotel.(United States)
February 1, 2005... Boston's Lenox Hotel is offering guests a "Bed, Breakfast and Parking" package starting at $275 a night. The deal is valid through March 31 and, as the name implies, includes accommodation, daily breakfast and overnight valet parking. Call...

Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok.(Asia)
February 1, 2005... The Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok is offering guests a "Bangkok Holiday Plan." Single occupancy rates for Deluxe Balcony River View Rooms start at $195 with a minimum two-night stay required. Daily buffet breakfast and a dinner at NEXT2 Cafe &...

The Peninsula Hong Kong.(Asia)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Starting at $335, the "Value the Experience Package" at The Peninsula Hong Kong offers a daily breakfast, fruit basket and a morning newspaper, and is valid through August 31. To book call 852 2920 2888 or visit the hotel website at...

DVT help.(Health)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Forget aspirin and flight socks, a natural dietary supplement that helps to reduce the risk of DVT is now in the shops. Zinopin contains the active ingredients pine bark and ginger, which not only reduce your blood's ability to clot but...

EarPlanes.(Health)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... With the cold season in full swing, there is a good chance you'll be traveling with an aching head and runny nose in the coming weeks. To help ease the discomfort caused by blocked sinuses during air travel, Cirrus Healthcare has developed...

Continental to Belfast.(New In The Air)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... From May 26, 2005, Continental Airlines will fly direct to Belfast, in the first ever nonstop service to Northern Ireland from the U.S. 2 Although some travelers still associate Belfast with political turmoil, the North American market in...

Delta and Continental to Berlin.(New In The Air)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Delta and Continental have both announced their intentions to run daily nonstop services to Berlin Tegel Airport from New York later this year. For Delta, it will be the return of a service that was offered from 1991 until 1998. Currently,...

United to Nagoya.(New In The Air)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Responding to customer demand, United will launch a daily nonstop service between San Francisco International Airport and Central Japan International Airport, near Nagoya, on March 26, 2005--two months earlier than planned. United...

Continental Airlines is also beginning nonstop daily services to Stockholm from Newark Liberty, effective June 2.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Continental Airlines is also beginning nonstop daily services to Stockholm from Newark Liberty, effective June 2. The same airline launched a daily nonstop service to Oslo, Norway in June 2004.

In an effort to expand its presence in the U.S., Germany's LTU International Airways, which currently flies to Ft. Myers, Orlando, Miami and Los Angeles, will soon add a service to New York.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... In an effort to expand its presence in the U.S., Germany's LTU International Airways, which currently flies to Ft. Myers, Orlando, Miami and Los Angeles, will soon add a service to New York. Beginning May 2005, LTU will operate six flights a...

The United States.(Hotel Victor)(Four Points by Sheraton)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Miami's South Beach district is now home to Hyatt's first boutique property, Hotel Victor. Designed by the famed Parisian designer Jacques Garcia (who also designed the Hilton Arc de Triomphe in Paris; see "Unique Boutique", page 48), each...

Europe.(New On The Ground)(ES Hotel rebranded as Radisson SAS Rome)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... After a comprehensive refurbishment, the ES Hotel in Rome has been rebranded as the Radisson SAS Rome. The property is in the center of the city and features 235 guest rooms and 27 suites, each with a plasma screen television, DVD player...

Changes at AA.com.(New On The Web)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... American Airlines has introduced three new features to their website to assist visitors searching for low fares. With the "Dates Flexible Search," passengers can enter their destination and length of stay, and then select a date range of up...

Le Parker Meridien.(Hotel check: New York)
February 1, 2005... WHAT'S IT LIKE? A modern, four-star, quirky hotel. Why quirky? Well, with a lobby of marble and mirrors, it feels more like a 19th century art gallery than a hotel, especially with its walk-through access between 57th and 56th Streets. Check-in...

Ritz-Carlton.(Hotel check: New York)
February 1, 2005... WHAT'S IT LIKE? Very grand, though relatively small flagship of the Ritz-Carlton group. It has the feel of having been here for years, though it only opened in April 2002. Service is superb--a slight fault with the plug in the bath was fixed...

Intercontinental The Barclay.(Hotel check: New York)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... WHAT'S IT LIKE? The Barclay is one of the grand hotels of New York. After checking in at 5:30 p.m., I was quickly in my room with my bag while the bellman checked that everything, including the lights and hairdryer, was working. WHERE IS...

The Alex.(Hotel check: New York)
February 1, 2005... WHAT'S IT LIKE? An elegant, comfortable and understated bolthole tucked away from the madness of Manhattan. Opened at the end of 2003, the purpose-built Alex is housed in a sleek 33-story tower, with interiors styled by David Rockwell, who also...

Dream.(Hotel Check: New York)
February 1, 2005... WHAT'S IT LIKE? A new and very hip hotel which opened in October 2004, Dream is a stylish revamp of a grand 1895 Beaux Arts building that promises "an entirely new hotel experience". It's the brainchild of New York hotelier and socialite Vikram...

The Pierre.(Hotel Check: New York)(The Pierre New York)(Hotel Review)
February 1, 2005... WHAT'S IT LIKE? The Pierre doesn't suit everyone, but those whom it does suit will love it. The restored 1930s Georgian-style 41-story building is a mix of hotel rooms and condominiums (known as "co-ops" and run by a committee who can reject...

United's premium service.(Flight check: New York JFK to Los Angeles)(United Air Lines)
February 1, 2005... FIRST IMPRESSIONS: United's p.s. (premium service) has three classes: economy plus, business and first. I arrived almost two hours before my 8:55 a.m. flight to find no line at business class check-in, so I quickly cleared security screening...

SAS Economy Flex versus business class.(Flight check: Copenhagen to Seattle)(Scandinavian Airlines System)
February 1, 2005... OUT IN ECONOMY FLEX FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Economy Flex tickets allow the use of business class check-in and fast lane security. SAS operates one daily service from Copenhagen to Seattle (SK0937). The new long-haul product is three-class with...

Ren travel bag.(Grooming For Success)
February 1, 2005... Ecologically-minded business travelers will appreciate this new travel kit. London-based skincare company Ren favors naturally derived ingredients (98% plant-and mineral-derived) and avoids all synthetic colors, petrochemicals and animal-tested...

Jo Malone in-flight travel bag.(Grooming For Success)
February 1, 2005... One of the most stylish travel bags around. This sleek travel case comes in either black or cream and is filled with seven miniatures of Jo Malone products, including green tea and honey eye cream (3ml) to soothe your post-flight puffy eyes,...

Molton Brown new age traveller.(Grooming For Success)
February 1, 2005... Now in its seventh edition, the hippy-style name of this travel bag belies the super-deluxe products contained inside the smart tan leather case. It is filled with ten generously-sized products, including skinfresh facial wash (100ml) with...

Biotherm men's travel kit.(Grooming For Success)
February 1, 2005... This French brand's products are becoming more and more popular. Its men's travel kit is filled with five products from the Biotherm Homme men's range, including sensitive skin shaving foam (50ml), moisturizer (15ml), non-drying facial...

Czech & Speake Oxford & Cambridge travellers shaving set.(Grooming For Success)
February 1, 2005... This old-fashioned-style travel shaving set consists of a travel-size shaving brush, a 25g shaving soap with aluminium soap dish, and a 17ml aftershave, which contains French and English lavender, bergamot, peppermint and rosemary to refresh...

Refinery gift set.(Grooming For Success)
February 1, 2005... The clean-looking taupe, black and white packaging of this set, from the London-based men-only Refinery spas, will appeal to the man with a no-nonsense approach to grooming. It contains six compact tubes including a foaming body wash (30ml)...

JetRest travel pillow.(Handheld Heaven)
February 1, 2005... This one-sided travel pillow takes up as much room as a pair of gym shoes but is much more comfortable than the inflatable variety. Your head anchors it to the seat back and the side section supports the head. Use it in the car too (though not...

Grundig Mini 300PE radio.(Handheld Heaven)
February 1, 2005... This pocket-sized world band radio is equipped with AM/FM and seven shortwave bands. Extra features include a clock, alarm and sleep function, plus a list in the manual of shortwave bands. The huge telescopic antenna provides good reception and...

Brother Bluetooth m-Print MW-140BT.(Handheld Heaven)
February 1, 2005... This self-contained printer is the size of a slim paperback (6.22in x 3.94in x 0.69in) and weighs 10.6 ounces (the same as most PDAs), yet it can bash out 100 pages of 300 x 300dpi hard copy at the rate of one page every 15 seconds. And the...

BlackBerry smart phone.(Handheld Heaven)
February 1, 2005... Have you got one yet? The BlackBerry 7230 smart phone looks like a standard PDA (personal digital assistant) but forwards emails, live, 24/7. Linked to a basic POP3 email account, your emails (you can limit the size) are forwarded to wherever...

RCA Lyra RD 2782.(Handheld Heaven)
February 1, 2005... The next generation in personal audio, this little beauty measures only 4.92in x 3.12in x .82in, but can store up to 20 GB of digital music, JPEG images and video content. How much is that? Well, up to 80 hours of video content transferred from...

AARP discounts.(Airline Deals)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... AARP DISCOUNTS Think you're too young for a senior discount? You probably are. But you may not be too young for an AARP discount, as you need to be just 50 years old to join the advocacy and information organization for older people. US Airways...

Alitalia.(Airline Deals)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... ALITALIA is offering a round-trip business class companion ticket for only $299 with the purchase of a full fare ticket using an American Express card. Simply purchase a full fare transatlantic round-trip ticket in Magnifica class (Alitalia's...

Continental Airlines.(Airline Deals)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... CONTINENTAL AIRLINES offers the perfect way to deal with another long winter, and in style. It's the American Express Platinum Two for One deal. Continental is the only airline offering this two for one deal to the sunny Caribbean. Amex...

Emirates Airlines.(Airline Deals)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... EMIRATES AIRLINES recently joined the Amex Platinum two for one program. Amex Platinum cardholders will get a free companion ticket with the purchase a full fare first class or business class ticket from JFK to any destination served by...

British Airways.(Airline Deals)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... BRITISH AIRWAYS "Venture Club" is a corporate frequent flyer program tailored for small to mid-size companies and a great way to earn travel awards. This program is designed specifically for companies based in North America that have at least...

Spice of life: London's Indian restaurants are among the most imaginative and stylish in the world. Business Traveler samples five of the finest.(Indian Restaurants)(Tamarind)(Quilon)(Cinnamon Club)(Zaika)(Benares)(Deya)(Amaya)(Rasoi Vineet Bhatia)(Restaurant Review)
February 1, 2005... Tamarind 20 Queen St, tel. 44 20 7629 3561, www.tamarindrestaurant.com Tamarind's Mayfair location attracts moneyed Londoners in droves, both a suited business crowd and small gatherings of friends out for a treat. Its popularity is...

Delta elite return: when Delta cut back on mileage awards, many loyal passengers deserted the airline. Now it's making amends.(loyalty programs)(Delta Air Lines)
February 1, 2005... Seven years ago, Brian Bland, technical sales manager for Franklin Industrial Minerals, moved to Atlanta from the company's base in Nashville, TN. Before the move, Bland was an elite frequent flyer on American Airlines, which he often flew from...

Le Meridien Hotels.(Loyalty Deals)
February 1, 2005... Visa cardholders can receive a free night at participating Le Meridien Hotels worldwide when they join Le Meridien Moments. In addition to joining, cardholders must make two hotel stays before June 30, 2005 and pay using their Visa card....

InterContinental Hotels Group.(Loyalty Deals)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... On November 1, InterContinental Hotels Group integrated its newest brand, Hotel Indigo, into its Priority Club Rewards loyalty program. Priority Club members will earn 10 points or 2.5 miles for every dollar spent at Hotel Indigo-Atlanta, and...

InterContinental Hotels Group.(Loyalty Deals)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... InterContinental Hotels Group is also bringing back its "Double Points or Double Miles" promotion. Through April 30, Priority Club members will earn double miles or points starting with their second qualifying stay. Members staying at...

American Express has accepted JetBlue Airways into its Membership Rewards Program, allowing Membership Rewards members to transfer points directly into JetBlue's loyalty program, TrueBlue.(Loyalty Deals)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... American Express has accepted JetBlue Airways into its Membership Rewards Program, allowing Membership Rewards members to transfer points directly into JetBlue's loyalty program, TrueBlue. Twenty-five thousand Membership Rewards points, or...

Southwest Rapid Rewards.(Loyalty Deals)
February 1, 2005... Southwest Rapid Rewards has extended its online booking promotion in which members earn a bonus credit when purchasing tickets online. The promotion allows members to earn three credits for each roundtrip (16 credits earn a free flight). Travel...

Marriott Rewards.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Members of the Marriott Rewards program can earn triple points by using their American Express card to pay for stays at participating Marriott hotels worldwide before February 28. Members must register for this program online at...

Delta Air Lines.(service upgradation)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Delta Air Lines has upgraded its travel rewards program to an online service offering five language options, more reward options, a revamped option for redeeming rewards with e-certificates and more. Visit www.deltaskybonus.com.

Beyond the beach: Miami's trendsetters are growing up and transforming the city into a more sophisticated destination.(Miami)
February 1, 2005... South Beach is hot. So said Paris Hilton as she brought her posse of glam girls here to party. But despite its lofty position on the global A-list, Miami is not so keenly focused on all things trendy anymore. The city is maturing. The people...

Wine: regions of Chile: a perfect climate and years of careful cultivation have helped central Chile earn its reputation for excellence among wine lovers across the world.(Advertisement Feature)
February 1, 2005... As the venerable wine regions of France have struggled to maintain, and in some cases reestablish, their global identities and prestige, the wine-loving world has slowly turned towards the exciting and relatively new wines of South America. ...

Golfing in Washington D.C.: courses around the nation's capital offer a variety of styles for all levels, whether you want to walk in the footsteps of U.S. Open stars or simply enjoy the view.(Golfing in Washington D.C.)
February 1, 2005... Worthington Manor Golf Club Where is it? Urbana. Maryland. How to get there: Take interstate 270 North to exit 26 (Urbana/ Buckeystown Route 80). Go west on Route 80 for one mile. The golf course entrance will be on the left. ...

Human traffic: with passenger numbers returning to pre-9/11 levels, airports are struggling to cope. David Jones investigates the issues of security and air traffic at two U.S. airports.(Airports)
February 1, 2005... On the final day of the 2004 Computer Electronics Show (CES), officials at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas were confronted with a crisis that graphically illustrated the logistical problems now facing many American airports. ...

Unique boutique: lavishly designed and brimming with gadgets, a new generation of boutique hotels has arrived in Paris. Nick Redman explores the hi-tech and high glamour of the stylish new "urban resorts".(Paris)
February 1, 2005... In Paris, it's time to say au revoir to beige, greige and generally grim business accommodation. This autumn, a clutch of imaginatively designed boutique and design hotels--otherwise known as "urban resorts" and "new-generation palaces"--have...

Going green: eco-friendly vacations take you back to nature, but there's no need to give up your creature comforts. Business Traveler picks five of the best eco resorts.(Eco resorts)
February 1, 2005... Taking an environmentally friendly vacation doesn't have to mean sleeping on a bed of twigs and hauling your own bath water: modern eco resorts can be luxurious as well as planet-friendly. Here, we profile retreats around the world which offer...

Spread betting: since Macau opened up its gaming concession a rush of cash has flowed in and construction plans are frenzied. Ed Peters visit a Special Administrative Region that will never be the same again.(Macau)
February 1, 2005... Macau is hosting the poker game to end all poker games--with the American upstart pitted against the Asian champ. None of the players bats an eyelid as each growls in turn: "Raise ya". Running the gaming industry in the former Portuguese...

4 hours in Manila: browse through Philippine artifacts, savor some of Asia's cheapest seafood or relax in Imelda Marcos' favorite hotel and enjoy a fiery sunset. Patrick Lucero explores some of Manila's best diversions.
February 1, 2005... [1] GREENBELT More than just the usual commercial center, Greenbelt (1a) combines elegant shopping, open spaces and charming parkland with the Filipinos' obsession to see and be seen--particularly if that means sipping copious amounts of...

Miami: how to reach both airports using bus, shuttle and taxi.(On Track)(Miami International Airport)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (MIA) WEB SITE: www.miami-airport.com AIRPORT NUMBER: 305-876-7000 LOST AND FOUND: 305-876-7377 LOCATION: Seven miles from downtown Miami SERVICE: MASS TRANSIT Take the Route 7 bus from...

Boston: avoid the traffic and get to Logan with ease by land and by sea.(On Track)(Logan International Airport)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... LOGAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (BOS) WEB SITE: www.massport.com AIRPORT NUMBER: 800-235-6426 LOST AND FOUND: 617-561-1714 LOCATION: About 5 miles east of the city, across Boston Harbor SERVICE: MASSACHUSETTS BAY TRANSIT...

Hotel Martinez Cannes.(Offer Of The Month)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Located on Cannes' famous boulevard de La Croisette, The Hotel Martinez, member of The Leading Hotels of the World, offers hi-tech amenities and meeting rooms for business travelers as well as luxurious rooms, dining and leisure facilities for...

Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Latin America.(Privilege Club)(offers discounted services)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... With more than 30 years' experience serving business travelers in Latin America, Starwood's service has been recognized and awarded. Visiting the most coveted destinations and major cities in Mexico and South America is an experience offering...

Langham Hotel, Hong Kong.(Privilege Club)(services)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The Langham Hotel, in the heart of Kowloon's lively Tsimshatsui district, is across the harbor from the corporate towers of Central Hong Kong and just a three-minute walk from the Star Ferry. The 488-room property has been renovated and...

Small talk.(Reader Offer)(Michel Thomas helps to learn language)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Need to learn a language but don't have the time? Michel Thomas can help. Thomas is a world-renowned expert on language instruction whose revolutionary teaching method allows you to learn the basics with no memorizing and no homework. He has...

Wake up to wilderness: for an unforgettable safari experience, a private game reserve offers guaranteed close encounters. Michael Blanding escapes crowded Kruger National Park for a personal viewing.(Great Escape Ulusaba, South Africa)
February 1, 2005... In the language of the Shangaan tribe of northeastern South Africa, the word Ulusaba means "place of no fear". It's an appropriate name for the private game reserve in South Africa, owned by Virgin Group CEO Richard Branson, where the main...