Business Traveler articles from January 2004

Business Traveler archives from January 2004

Editor's letter.(Brief Article)(Editorial)
January 1, 2004... IF THERE'S ONE THING THAT STANDS OUT ABOUT the winners of this year's Business Traveler Readers' Choice Awards, it's that they've become adept at reacting to world events, with lightning speed. Whether it's the airlines enhancing security in...

Scorn in the U.S.A.(Letter Of The Month)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2004... Given the recent hardships of many U.S. carriers, the response has been to cut back on service in an effort to reduce costs. Let me explain to U.S. carriers why this approach is flawed. On a recent business trip to the U.S. from Tokyo, I flew...

Write the letter of the month and win the MegaMedia Bag.(Readers' Letters)
January 1, 2004... This MEGAMEDIA[TM] BAG BY ROADWIRED--the line of carrying cases and specialized accessories for portable electronics--could be yours if you write us an outstanding letter that's chosen as the letter of the month. The MegaMedia Bag--"the mother...

Road warrior weather report.(Costs)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... AS WE MOVE INTO 2004, WE PREDICT THE BEGINNING OF A RECOVERY IN BUSINESS travel. Yet corporations will still be focused on the bottom line, and the cost-consciousness of the past two years will remain," says National Business Travel Association...

On the level.(Airlines)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... BUSINESS-CLASS TRAVELERS INCREASINGLY used to being able to get a good, flat, night's sleep on a full bed will be able to look forward to the experience on all long-haul Lufthansa flights. Starting this November, the airline rolled out a new...

New kangaroo.(Airlines)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... QANTAS AIRLINES HAS ANNOUNCED the birth of a new low-cost domestic airline. Premiering in May 2004, the new carrier, as yet unnamed, will either piggyback on the operation of the former low-cost carrier, Impulse, purchased by Qantas in May...

Face time.(Security)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... PASSENGERS TRAVELING ON ANA Airlines to Tokyo from now until March 2004 can put their best face forward in a trial run of a facial-recognition boarding program. Participation is on a voluntary basis and is available to all ANA international...

Talk isn't cheap.(Cell Phone Laws)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... BUSINESS TRAVELERS WHO'VE GROWN comfortable using their mobile phones while driving in the U.S. might have a rude awakening if they try to do the same in the UK, owing to legislation that went into effect December 1. If you are caught...

Big bird.(Airlines)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... WHILE THE COMMERCIAL FLYING public awaits the arrival of the massive twin-deck, four-aisle A380 Airbus aircraft scheduled to arrive in 2005/6, there are still other new models coming down the runway to watch. This fall Emirates Airlines is...

Risk management.(Health)(Australian Department of Health and Ageing)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... NEW RESEARCH FROM THE AUSTRALIAN government claims that the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is small and only increased for two weeks after a long-haul flight. The study, by the Australian Department of Health and Ageing, concluded that...

Am ex: reloaded.(Currency)(American Express)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... LOSING A CREDIT OR DEBIT CARD WHILE ON A business trip does not just mean canceling the old one before charges are made. It also means risking identity theft, an increasing concern for business travelers using personal documentation. American...

Big Mac and a side of Wi-fi.(Airlines)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... THIS FALL, WAYPORT BEGAN PROVIDING high-speed wireless Internet access at select McDonald's restaurants throughout the U.S. Guests at participating locations are now able to connect directly through Wayport or through any of Wayport's roaming...

China Airlines and Alitalia.(Airlines Flight Log)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... * China Airlines and Alitalia have begun codesharing on the Taipei-Bangkok-Rome route on four weekly flights. China Airlines has also recently reinstituted hot meals. The Taiwan-Hong Kong hot-meal menu will change each month. Passengers in...

Southwest Airlines.(Airlines Flight Log)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... * Southwest Airlines will begin flying out of Philadelphia in May 2004. The airline will begin with approximately 40 daily flights and initially will use four gates at the end of Terminal E recently relinquished by American Airlines.

US Airways.(Airlines Flight Log)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... * US Airways has begun nonstop service between its Charlotte, N.C., hub and Mexico City. The new daily service will operate using 120-seat Airbus A319 aircraft. Flights will depart Charlotte at 10:20 a.m., and arrive in Mexico City at 1:25 p.m....

United States.(Hotel Deals)
January 1, 2004... Through April 30, travelers booking the "Best Breaks' rate at Holiday Inn Hotels will get a hot breakfast included in their room rate. Guests will receive a breakfast coupon worth $10 per person and $20 per room per day. To book log onto...

Europe.(Hotel Deals)
January 1, 2004... Relax at London's 51 Buckingham Gate this winter with "The 51 Spa Experience Package." Priced at $1,173, package includes three-nights accommodations for two at 51 Buckingham Gate in a deluxe Junior Suite, organic breakfast for two each...

Worldwide.(Hotel Deals)
January 1, 2004... Valid through April 30, Mandarin Oriental hotel group is offering discounted rates with the "Seasonal Choices" package. Available at 19 Mandarin Oriental properties across the globe, package includes luxury accommodations, breakfast and late...

Continental Airlines.(Reward Roundup)
January 1, 2004... Through Dec. 31, OnePass members residing in the 50 United States who book tickets on continental.com with any MasterCard credit card will be awarded with 2,000 bonus miles. For more information, visit www.continental.com and click on "Special...

Southwest Airlines.(Reward Roundup)
January 1, 2004... Southwest Rapid Rewards members can now take advantage of Southwest's new Ticketless Award Travel and Ticketless Companion Travel. Instead of receiving award certificates in the mail, members will receive electronic awards that will appear in...

American Airlines.(Reward Roundup)
January 1, 2004... AAdvantage members can earn up to 60,000 bonus miles for travel between the U.S. and Europe, now through March 31. To qualify, members must travel round-trip on eligible published fare tickets. Bonus miles are awarded based on the booking class...

Hertz.(Reward Roundup)
January 1, 2004... Through March 31, receive a double upgrade and 250 miles or double upgrade and double credit when renting a compact (Class B) through special sporty (Class D) car from Hertz. Offer is valid on qualifying leisure rate rentals of two or more days...

Hyatt Hotels and Resorts.(Reward Roundup)
January 1, 2004... Through February 29, Hyatt Hotel and Resorts is offering their Faster Free Nights" promotion in partnership with MasterCard. Hyatt Gold Passport members earn a free night after every two stays when paying with any MasterCard. Members can ...

EL AL.(Airline Deals)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... EL AL plans to extend their $250 companion promotion beyond the December 31, 2003, expiration date. This promotion allows you to purchase a round-trip companion ticket in either first or business class for only $250 when a full-fare ticket is...

Malaysia Airlines.(Airline Deals)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... MALAYSIA AIRLINES offers both trans-Pacific and trans-Atlantic travelers a one-class upgrade from either full unrestricted economy to business class or full unrestricted business class to first class. Travel using these upgrades must originate...

Air Europa.(Airline Deals)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... AIR EUROPA offers travelers the "Easy All Spain," an airpass that allows you to purchase discounted travel within Spain as well as between Spain and Portugal, including the Canary Islands (at slightly higher prices). To be eligible for this...

Club ANA: flight check: New York JFK to Tokyo Narita.(Consumer Check)
January 1, 2004... First Impression: Club ANA check-in at JFK's Terminal Seven was well marked, opposite United Airlines and next to British Airways. After a five-minute wait in line, I headed upstairs with a pass for the BA lounge, shared by ANA. Outfitted...

Spot check.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... We ask major airlines around the world how often they launder their passenger blankets. Here's what we found: SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS After every flight AMERICA WEST Every five...

Emirates towers Dubai: hotel check.(Consumer Checks)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... YOU CAN'T MISS IT. TWO HUGE angular towers that can be seen from anywhere in Dubai. In the early morning mist the buildings often seem to float on clouds, amazing to see from Jumeirah. Passengers can request a chauffeur pickup at the...

China Airlines business class: flight check: Taipei to Vancouver.(Consumer Checks)
January 1, 2004... First Impressions: Terminal One at Chiang Kai-shek airport opened in 1978, and is finally undergoing a renovation. When the revamp is finished at the end of 2003, the airport will have more windows and new ceilings, and will no doubt look...

Lever House.(New York)
January 1, 2004... 390 Park Ave. (Entrance on 53rd Street), tel. 212-888-2700 Overview: Modernist Midtown steel and glass landmark Lever House's highly anticipated restaurant delivers on wow factor with attention-getting interior design and power crowd. The...

Hong Kong SPOON.(New)
January 1, 2004... InterContinental Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Road, Kowloon, tel. 852-2721-1211 Award-winning chef and restaurateur Alain Ducasse has opened his first SPOON outpost in Asia, featuring a modern French menu. Customers are encouraged to mix and...

Fifteen.(London)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... 15 Westland Place, tel. 020 7251 1515 Overview: Wunderkind Jamie Oliver is the driving force behind this incredibly popular not-for-profit restaurant in the deeply fashionable Shoreditch/Hoxton area. It's staffed by unemployed young people...

New York Pearson's Texas barbecue.(New)
January 1, 2004... 170 E. 81st St., tel. 212-288-2700 For a taste of authentic Lone Star State barbecue, Pearson's, on Manhattan's Upper East Side, serves up dishes such as barbecued brisket, pork ribs, sandwiches, burgers, chicken, Texas chili, peach...

Washington, D.C. Minibar.(New)
January 1, 2004... 405 Eighth St., NW, tel. 202-393-0812 On the second floor of popular restaurant Cafe Atlantico, Minibar has just six counter seats and an exotic $65 tasting menu, with two to three dinner seatings nightly. Dishes include cotton candy foie...

Southwest Sprawl: the nation's sixth largest city is experiencing explosive growth.(HomeFront: Phoenix)
January 1, 2004... HOME TO THE COUNTRY'S SIXTH LARGEST CITY, and one of its fastest growing regions, the greater Phoenix region was responsible for a 2002 GMP (Gross Metropolitan Product) of $124.9 billion. High-tech manufacturing--the production of...

Me and my shadow: thinking about hiring a bodyguard? Forget muscle-bound, high-profile goons. Chris Pritchard investigates the world of personal security firms and finds discretion is key.(Focus: Bodyguards)
January 1, 2004... THE STATISTICS ARE EVERY BIT AS REPUGNANT AS the crime: 165 reported kidnappings in one small Central American nation in the first six months of this year, roughly double last year's total. Worse still, officials in Guatemala reveal 70...

Mobile in Malaysia: in the first of a new series on driving tips around the world, Jonathan Wall finds that taking the wheel in Malaysia is surprisingly simple.(Malaysia Test Drive)
January 1, 2004... SOUTHEAST ASIA MAY BE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY destination, but few visitors consider driving around it themselves. The reasons are not hard to figure: poor roads, unintelligible road signs, bizarre--if not downright dangerous--driving behavior,...

Mixed signals: research your destination's cultural etiquette in advance--body language can easily speak louder than words.
January 1, 2004... BUSY BUSINESS TRAVELERS like to think they're pretty smart--from the good-deal flights they found online to the upgraded hotel suite secured via their loyalty program. But, breezing into a high-level meeting fresh from the airport and brimming...

You win: BT readers weigh in with their choices for the best in business travel.
January 1, 2004... YOU'RE THE EXPERT. AS A SEASONED ROAD WARRIOR, YOU know where you can check in confident that your wake-up call won't be overlooked, the concierge will give you accurate directions to that all-important meeting, room service will be delivered...

Brave new world: Beijing is allowing nothing, not even SARS, to stand in its way of sprucing up for the world's greatest sporting event. Margie T. Logarta discovers a city on the march to modernization.(Insider's Guide: Beijing)
January 1, 2004... IF THERE IS A SIGN THAT LIFE IS RETURNING TO normal after the sensational SARS outbreak in Beijing some months ago, it's the sight of building cranes busily swiveling to and fro on countless work sites throughout the metropolis. After an...

Why Swiss is flying high.(Special Advertising Section)
January 1, 2004... An airline sporting a distinct red-and-white-cross logo is flying high in the crowded, competitive skies. The incentives offered by Swiss International Air Lines' modernized fleet are making even the most seasoned travelers sit up and take...

Bubbling under: Iceland's natural resources mean low household bills for local residents, but Rachael Jolley finds a new energy among the business community when she visit Reykjavik.(Doing Business in Reykjavik)
January 1, 2004... REYKJAVIK IS FULL OF ENERGY--THE GEOTHERMAL kind. The name of Iceland's capital city, Reykjavik, (translated as smoky bay) gives the game away. The natural hot springs that burst through the Icelandic earth have provided the capital city with...

Feel mighty riyal: lucrative energy, infrastructure and tourism--related contracts are set to flood cash-rich Qatar in the next five years.(Doing Business in Doha)
January 1, 2004... QATAR MAY BE ONE OF THE FEW WORDS YOU CAN TYPE with one hand, but getting your head around this small, energy-swamped nation is a tougher proposition. Beneath its quiet, almost soporific veneer lies a fiercely competitive corporate scene, one...

Higher ground: challenged by the flooding of 2002, Dresden bounces back.(Focus: Dresden)
January 1, 2004... FOURTEEN YEARS ON FROM WHEN DRESDEN WAS pulled into the Western way of things, even the old comunist-built apartment blocks that proliferate across its landscape are looking brighter. They've undergone renovation and a lick of bright red paint...

Hours in Bangkok.
January 1, 2004... Gilded palaces, spicy aromas, exotic markets and gleaming skyscrapers are key elements of the Bangkok experience. Join Jaclyn Ignall in exploring one of Asia's most exciting cities. If you're staying at one of the hotels on the Chao Phraya...

Accessorize! when it comes to add-ons for mobile devices, more is more.(Tools: Accessories)
January 1, 2004... YOU CAN NEVER BE TOO THIN OR too rich or have enough gadgets for your mobile devices. And every time I open my e-mail, it seems there's a new and very compact add-on accessory to make mobile computing easier and more productive. One...

Upgrade your room at the Warwick New York.(Offer of the month > New York > Hotels)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... A favorite New York hideaway since William Randolph Hearst built it in 1927 for his Hollywood friends, The Warwick New York continues to be home to today's traveler with its convenient Midtown location, intimate atmosphere and personalized...

Hotel Hesperia business in style.(Savings for Members > Madrid > Hotels)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Sophisticated and chic, Hotel Hesperia is Madrid's leader in contemporary luxury. A member of Leading Hotels of the World, Hotel Hesperia offers easy access to the main shopping areas, the Prado Museum and the Royal Palace. Rooms and suites are...

The Fairmont Orchid, fifth night free.(Savings for Members > Hawaii > Hotels)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Business has never looked better. The Fairmont Orchid is a 540-room oceanfront resort located on the sun-soaked Kohala Coast of Hawaii's Big Island, catering to the traveling professional. High-speed Internet access is available in all guest...

Remote control: Eva Leonard leaves the high stress levels and chilly temperatures of the city behind for a healing hideaway on a private island in the Carribbean.(Great Escape: Parrot Cay)(Column)
January 1, 2004... SUMMER WAS DRAWING to an end, and autumn crept over the city. A nasty virus had invaded my system, zapping my energy, and stress levels were at an all-time high. Clearly, a seaside cure was in order. Lured by brochures promising a healing...