Business Traveler articles from October 2002

Business Traveler archives from October 2002

Editor's letter.
October 1, 2002... WHAT BUSINESS TRAVELER HASN'T arrived bleary-eyed and exhausted after a long flight, at an unfamiliar destination, oblivious to being a potential target of rip-off artists? In this issue's cover story, "Moving Target," starting on page 24,...

Model flight. (Letter Of The Month).(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2002... I was reading your August 2002 issue last week on a UA transcon LAX-JFK. The purser walked by me, did a double take and asked to look at the cover of the magazine. He recognized the model as a fellow UA flight attendant and proceeded to...

Access denied. (Readers' Letters).(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2002... I belong to Krisflyer, the frequent flyer program of Singapore Airlines. I am in their PPS club and, by virtue of Singapore Airlines being a partner in Star Alliance, I am placed in the Star Alliance Gold level. Recently I traveled to...

Content comments. (Reader's Letter).(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2002... I lived in various countries in Asia from 1996 to 1999, and every month religiously bought and read Business Traveller Asia-Pacific edition. Since 1999 I have lived in Mexico, but it took until 2001 for me to discover that there also is a...

Avoidant behavior. (Reader's Letters).(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2002... I live in West Palm Beach and do every thing I can to avoid flying in and out of Miami; however, for international trips it is unavoidable. My recent trip down there to pick up my wife returning from Scotland confirmed why I so dislike this...

Four tops. (Readers' Letters).(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2002... I loved your summary of "Four Hours in New York." As a native New Yorker, you hit it right on target to see some of my favorite sights in the city. Great advice not to miss "The magnificent Chrysler Building, massive St. Patrick's Cathedral...

Top flight. (Readers' Letters).(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2002... I know you are busy putting together my next issue of BT (at least I hope you are), but I just wanted to say "thank you." You all run a first-rate publication. I just "found" BT about four months ago while perusing a shop at Logan, en route to...

New models. (Readers' Letters).(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2002... Over the summer, I got to experience two new airlines with my family--AirTran and JetBlue. Each dropped the luxury of onboard food service. Instead, we had comfortable seating, quite modern accommodations (including individual screens on...

Flight fall out. (Airports).(airlines cut costs)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... AMERICAN, UNITED AND US AIRWAYS HAVE ALL ANNOUNCED DRASTIC FINANCIAL measures set to meet the bottom line. Experts are still arguing about how this will affect travelers, but some repercussions are already looming: American has talked about...

Baiyun watch. (Airports).(China's Baiyun International Airport )(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... WHEN THE NEW GUANGZHOU Baiyun International Airport opens in China in October 2003, it will join Korea's Incheon Airport as two of Asia's largest, most inclusive new airports. The operative word at Baiyun is "big." Baiyun's central ticket area...

Pricey bags. (Airlines).(check-in baggage rule)(maximum size)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... GET YOUR MEASURING TAPE OUT now and size up your check-in baggage," recommends Anne DeCicco, president of the Travel Goods Association, a nonprofit trade organization. Delta, Continental, American, United and other domestic carriers recently...

New Bali highs. (Hotels).(Four Seasons Hotels Ltd. opens villas at Jimbaran Bay)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... THE ALREADY ULTRA-LUXE FOUR Seasons at Jimbaran Bay, Bali has unveiled new, private villas where the Aga Khan would have felt right at home. Centered around Olympic-sized firelit swimming pools, the villas are complete houses, fully staffed...

Is that a gun in your pocket? (Airport Security).(Weapons Detection System)
October 1, 2002... GLOBS OF SALT WATER" ARE WHAT humans look like to the new Weapons Detection System, developed out of Lockheed Martin defense technology and primed to be used by airports and airlines around the world next year. Whereas human flesh looks like...

M means business. (Hotels).(Millennium and Copthorne Hotels PLC)(Copthorne Harbour View Hotel)(fewer frills offered)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... IF W MEANS TRENDY luxury, Millennium's new M brand means the trend away from luxury. The hotel chain has just rebranded its Copthorne Harbour View Hotel in Singapore as an "M" hotel, which means all business and no frills. "There is no live...

Fly flat. (Airlines).(Northwest Airlines Corp.'s new business-class seats)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... NORTHWEST AIRLINES WANTS business-class passengers flat on their backs. The new "World Business Class" seat will accomplish just that, reclining 180 degrees and measuring up at 6 feet and 7 inches long--the longest business-class seat in the...

Bill me. (Hotels).(Hyatt Corp.'s new system tracks business expenses)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... T&E REPORTS ARE ONE OF THE nighmares of business travel. Collecting receipts, adding tips and doing the final math are now things of the past for Hyatt Hotel customers. All 121 properties throughout the U.S. and Caribbean now use "E-Folio"...

American Airlines. (Reward Roundup).(bonus miles offered)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... In a move away from paper summaries, American Airlines is offering 1,000 bonus miles to customers who sign up for its monthly electronic statements. The offer is ongoing. In celebration of its new nonstop service between New York LaGuardia...

Millennium hotels and resorts. (Reward Roundup).(Millennium and Copthorne PLC reward program)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... Millenniums new loyalty system means more rewards and increased flexibility for travelers. The microchip in its PartnerCard acts as a tracking system--and, in some cases, a room key. Each stay or meal at a Millennium Hotel in Europe or the...

US Airways. (Reward Roundup).(Dividend Miles bonus)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... As part of its new emphasis on quicker, more streamlined travel, US Airways is offering bonus Dividend Miles oil its Shuttle flights through the end of this year. Dividend Miles members will earn triple points. Additionally, all customers...

Six continents hotels.(Priority Club program offers bonus rewards)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... Priority Club, the reward program for hotel brands such as Inter-Continental, Crowne Plaza and Holiday inn, is offering bonus rewards until November 27. Members booking a second stay at any participating hotel will receive a choice of 2,000...

Trail blazers. (Hotels).(Museum of Spanish Colonial Art)(Hotel Santa Fe)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... MOST HISTORY BUFFS KNOW THAT some of the first business travellers to the American continent were from Spain. And they meant business. At its height, "New Spain" stretched from Manila in the Philippines all the way to the Santa Fe Trail. Now...

Starck raving. (Rail).(Phillippe Starck Gare du Nord lounge, Paris, France)(Eurostar services)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... PASSENGERS TAKING THE "CHUNNEL" bound Eurostar train from London to Paris can relax in cutting-edge style on arrival at the new Phillippe Starck Gare du Nord lounge. Part of a $56 million "Welcome on Board the New Eurostar" program, the new...

Delta gets frenched. (Airlines).(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... BUSINESSELITE PASSENGERS flying through or to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport now get green-lighted at Air France's new arrival lounge. The lounge, located in Terminal 2C, is open from 5 a.m. to 2 a.m. Amenities include continental breakfast,...

Movie madness.(Netflix delivers DVD rentals to your door without due dates and late fees. www.netflix.com)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... TIRED OF LATE FEES ON HOME VIDEO rentals? Skip the trip to your local video store and join the more than 600,000 subscribers to the online DVD rental service Netflix. Netflix delivers DVD rentals to your door without due dates and late fees....

Flight log. .
October 1, 2002... * Singapore Airlines has inaugurated flights to Las Vegas via Hong Kong. The flight, which departs three times a week, is Asia's first direct service to the U.S. entertainment capital. The flights depart Singapore with same-day arrivals in Las...

Train to the plane.(AirTrain JFK will begin service at Kennedy Airport.)
October 1, 2002... THE NEXT TIME YOU WONDER HOW your airport taxes are being used, look out your cab window on the way to Midtown from JFK. All that steel and concrete will soon be the long-awaited JFK AirTrain. The $1.9 billion light-rail system will soon be...

Going Bald.(Bald Head Island Golf Club )(Hotel Review)
October 1, 2002... LOCATED 45 MINUTES AND A ferry ride away from Wilmington, Delaware International Airport, Bald Head is an island slightly askew in time. There is no bridge connecting the resort community to the mainland, hence, like Bermuda and Block Island,...

Stay at the Hotel Savoy in Florence before February 28 and enjoy significant savings. .(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... Stay at the Hotel Savoy in Florence before February 28 and enjoy significant savings. The "Enchanting Florence" package offers rooms at $309 a night until October 31; after that, the nightly rate is just $245. Daily breakfast, welcome wine and...

Those looking to get away from it all would do well to take advantage of Elegant Hotel Group's ongoing packages at its six properties in Barbados.(www.elegant hotels.com )
October 1, 2002... Those looking to get away from it all would do well to take advantage of Elegant Hotel Group's ongoing packages at its six properties in Barbados. An "Elegant Premiere" package starts at $135 per person per night and includes transportation to...

The five-star Sukhothai hotel in Bangkok is offering a package for executives through March 31. .(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... The five-star Sukhothai hotel in Bangkok is offering a package for executives through March 31. At $199 a night, guests stay in an executive suite and receive perks such as health club access, late checkout, round-trip airport transportation,...

The Edgewater Hotel, Seattle's only waterfront property, is offering special rates for an indefinite time period.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... The Edgewater Hotel, Seattle's only waterfront property, is offering special rates for an indefinite time period. Ask for the "S'more Loving Package" and receive a premium waterfront room with s'more ingredients, a spa basket and dinner for two...

Northwest. .(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... NORTHWEST is offering a 10-percent discount for travel within the United States and between the U.S. and Canada on many unrestricted full-coach, business-and first-class fares (referred to as "Business Fares") and a 5-percent discount on their...

US Airways, American, Delta and United Airlines. .(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... US AIRWAYS, AMERICAN, DELTA AND UNITED AIRLINES have matched Northwest in offering 10-percent and 5-percent discounts similar to those noted above for travel within the U.S. and to/from Canada. Call your travel agent. As Business Traveler...

American Airlines, United and Aerolineas Argentinas.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... AMERICAN AIRLINES, UNITED AND AEROLINAS ARGENTINAS have all dramatically reduced their one-way and round-trip business-class fares to several South America destinations, including Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Mendoza and Montevideo. Aerolinas...

Skyteam. .(Airlines.)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... SKYTEAM, an alliance composed of Delta, Alitalia, Air France, Korean Air, AeroMexico and Czech Airlines, is now offering a European airpass in similar fashion to other alliances, such as ONEWORLD and Star Alliance. Once you've purchased a...

The American Express Platinum card 2-for-1 promotion.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... THE AMERICAN EXPRESS PLATINUM CARD 2-FOR-1 PROMOTION is in full swing for the last quarter of 2002, right on through to August 31, 2004, for some airlines. As the August 31, 2002, expiration date neared; most carriers signed up to keep...

Hum along. .(Car Rental at www.budget beverlyhills.com.)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... THE ORIGINAL HUMMER H1 OFF-road vehicle was designed for military use. It's civvy cousin, the H2, looks and acts like its badass big brother, but was built for less ballistic action. Now corporate raiders and road warriors can get these wheels...

Ritz-Carlton Washington, D.C. .(Hotel Review)
October 1, 2002... IT'S TEATIME IN THE CLUB LEVEL at the Ritz-Carlton. I head up to the big selection of British teas, pick one and start looking for the hot water, peering behind the scones and between the plants. I head up to a uniformed, smiling man. "Where's...

Hotel Victoria Freiburg, Germany. .(Hotel Review)
October 1, 2002... NESTLED IN GERMANY'S BLACK Forest, Freiburg is a surprisingly charming city of winding streets and quaint architecture. Heavily bombed during World War II, much of the old section of the city was destroyed, only to later be painstakingly...

Spot check. .(Hair salons.)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... We asked hair salons at top hotels around the world how much they charged for a shampoo, cut and blow-dry for male and female patrons. Here's what we found: PALMER HOUSE HOTEL, CHICAGO Male $26 Female $50-$60 REGENT...

Frontier Airlines economy class. .
October 1, 2002... First Impressions: My taxi dropped me off at Frontier's departures area, but it was still quite a hike to the check-in counter. Wait time at check-in was minimal. Once at the counter, an agent informed me that I had been selected for a random...

New York. Elmo restaurant.(Restaurant Review)
October 1, 2002... NEW YORK ELMO 156 Seventh Ave. (19th and 20th Streets) tel. 212-337-8000 Overview: Lively Chelsea restaurant with bar, soon to include lounge with disc jockeys and periodic live performances. Cuisine: Comfort food with a...

Brain trust. .(Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina.)
October 1, 2002... IN THE MID-1950S. NORTH CAROLINA'S RALEIGH-Durham area was a sleepy collection of small cities. Raleigh was the state capital, a government town. Durham. a manufacturing center, was tiding high on tobacco. Chapel Hill was the college town known...

Moving target.
October 1, 2002... You're at the airport, standing at the condiments counter of one of those airport snack joints. As you stir creamer in your piping-hot cup of coffee, you notice some guy next to you having trouble getting the mustard out of the squeeze jar....

In the cards: annual fees, credit limits and literally miles of perks ... choosing the right card for you.
October 1, 2002... BUSINESS-TRAVEL UTOPIA might go something like this: An executive, with little more than a carry-on, passport and credit card in hand, embarks on a trip to London. She parks her car in the airport's preferred lot, then speeds through check-in...

In their own words: we asked top executives at several of the world's leading travel corporations to share with us what they have in store for business travelers--and what they think of traveling themselves. Here's what they had to say. .(Interview)
October 1, 2002... J.W. Marriott Jr. Age 70 Chairman and CEO of Marriott International Inc. I want our associates to know that there really is a guy named Marriott who cares about them," J.W. Marriott Jr. wrote in his 1997 book, The Spirit to Serve:...

Fun management: no one gets worked up about a business trip to Zurich, but times are changing in the Swiss banking capital. These days, the banking community is under the spotlight, and the gnomes just got a nightlife ... .
October 1, 2002... IF ANYONE HAD TO PREDICT AT THE TURN OF THE new millennium which country would be about to suffer the collapse of its national airline, handle revelations of terrorist links with its major banks and endure accusations of fraud and conspiracy...

Adventures in Arabia: think exotic deserts, camels crossing the highway, trekking, souks and luxurious beachfront resorts. All compelling reasons to visit this ancient faraway land. .
October 1, 2002... Dubai is an intoxicating mix of ancient and modern. One of the seven independent sheikhdoms of the United Arab Emirates, it is a place where office towers overshadow old-world souks. Although the most Western of the Gulf countries, men...

Mission statement: although walloped by the Argentine crisis, Cordoba offers businesses advantages over larger cities. .
October 1, 2002... GAUCHOS WITH GLEAMING KNIVES THRUST INTO their belts ride horseback into Cordoba, Argentina, on dirt roads past factories with names like Lockheed Martin, Volkswagen, Motorola, Renault and Fiat. Go to the window at night in the best hotel in...

Four hours in Canberra.(Australia)
October 1, 2002... It may not be able to rival the glitz of Sydney or the fine dining of Melbourne, but four hours in Canberra can provide a refreshingly healthy stopover. Like Ottawa, Wellington and Berne, Canberra is a capital city that doesn't seem to...

Asia specific. (Special Advertising Section).
October 1, 2002... Over the last century, cities in Eastern Asia have transformed into economic hubs attracting business-savvy travelers from over the world to work within their borders. Basic principals of conducting business most often apply--no matter where...

China Airlines brand-new dynasty.
October 1, 2002... The so-called "Global Village" is here to stay, brought on by the inevitable evolution of modern technology. To accommodate the growing number of international travelers--especially those destined for Asia--airlines are evolving to meet the...

Flights of fancy: how 55 years of ground-breaking history, a commitment to excellence, a couple of name changes and the natural elegance and grace of Malaysian culture factor into Malaysia Airlines' award-winning service. (Special Advertising Section).
October 1, 2002... MALAYSIA AIRLINES by any other name would still be an award-winning airline. In fact, Malaysia's flagship carrier has changed its name several times since it ran its first charter flight from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur on April 22, 1947. Five...

How low can you go? An insider's guide to booking airfares online: yes, the Internet is revolutionizing the booking of airfares. But finding the truly lowest fare isn't always easy. Here are some questions you need to ask before you buy. (Tools: online booking).
October 1, 2002... WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR not, booking airfares on the Internet is here to stay. Increasingly, airlines are offering their best deals only on the Web, and as they continue to slash or eliminate travel agent commissions, more and more agents will...

Escape to Cancun--at 25% off. (Offer Of The Month Cancun Hotels).(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... Hyatt Cancun Caribe Villas & Resort, paradise for any occasion, is an elegant boutique resort overlooking the Caribbean Sea, landscaped gardens and sparkling white beaches. The property is 13 miles from Cancun International Airport and five...

Enjoy a free night at the Inter-Continental San Juan. (Savings For Members San Juan Hotels).
October 1, 2002... The Inter-Continental San Juan Resort boasts a superb oceanfront location on Puerto Rico's famous Isla Verde beach. With breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea, the resort is close to the main tourist area of San Juan and just minutes from...

Take off to Fairmont Vancouver Airport. (Savings For Members Vancouver Hotels).
October 1, 2002... Designed with the busy traveler in mind, the 392-room Fairmont Vancouver Airport, located above the International departures terminal, is an innovative hotel with industry-leading features. The hotel was the first in Canada to introduce INNCOM,...

High life: David Kaufman enjoys the sensory delights of Palazzo Sasso, high in the hilltops of Ravello (Great escape: Palazzo Sasso, Ravello, Italy).
October 1, 2002... EVEN THE MOST HARD-CORE ITALY ADDICTS could be forgiven for not having visited Ravello. After all, with its hilltop setting and small-town feel, it's easy to think all of the local action is taking place down below on the Amalfi coast rather...

Welcome aboard.
October 1, 2002... Dear Readers: Because of you, Business Traveler continues to grow and provide you with vital news and tips to aid you in your journeys. You have overwhelmed us with your letters, calls and e-mails, giving suggestions and asking for more...

Editor's letter.
October 1, 2002... Welcome to Class Distinction, Business Traveler's comprehensive guide to the various classes of airline service. We've not only updated the economy- and business-class surveys that ran in BT's May and September 2002 issues, we've also created...

A nod to Northwest. (Readers' Letters).
October 1, 2002... From March 2002 Business Traveler I wish to thank and applaud the good services of Northwest Airlines. Near the end of January 2000, I booked a business-class flight from Singapore to San Francisco. I was on the waiting list and didn't...

First rate. (Readers' Letters).
October 1, 2002... From April 2002 Business Traveler If you ever rate airport lounges like you do the airlines, please accept my vote in advance: the Cathay Pacific First Class lounge at the new Hong Kong Airport. I have traveled the world for 20 years first...

Royal Canadians. (Readers' Letters).
October 1, 2002... From May 2002 Business Traveler I was among the thousands of residents of Battery Park City (the residential community in the shadow of the World Trade Center) evacuated by the New Jersey State Police by boat across the Hudson River on...

First-class salute. (Readers' Letters).
October 1, 2002... From June 2002 Business Traveler I want to thank you for the complimentary copy of the March Business Traveler that I received in the mail. Your "Readers' Letters" inspired me to share this story. I fly at least once per week and have...

Paper chase. (Readers' Letters).(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2002... From August 2002 Business Traveler As a longtime traveler, business and personal, I realize that the following situation should have never happened; however, I must write to let you know how impressed I was with the United Airlines ground...

High on Thai. (Readers' Letters).
October 1, 2002... From September 2002 Business Traveler I was flying Business Class on Thai Airways from BKK to LAX (via KIX) to attend a major managers' meeting. Upon arrival at my hotel in L.A., I discovered that I had accidentally forgotten my suit jacket...

Easy street May 28, 2002. (BTe-Question Of The Week).(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... QUESTION: Which domestic or international airport is easiest to navigate and make connections in? Do you have any tips for other business travelers for making stress-free, efficient connections? ANSWER: Singapore's Changi Airport is a...

High tea May 7, 2002. (BTe-Question Of The Week).(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... QUESTION: In the April issue, we take a close look at economy class on 57 different airlines. As a frequent traveler, which airline has your favorite economy class? What sets them apart from the rest? ANSWER: I like British Airways World...

First things first: first-class survey plus reviews of Air Jamaica, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Singapore Airlines and US Airways. (First Class).
October 1, 2002... Forget data ports and workstations--while that's all available, first class is about complete luxury. With recent advances, luxury now comes in the form of individual suites, lumbar massage, video libraries and laptop-battery lending services....

Flights of fancy: how 55 years of ground-breaking history, a commitment to excellence, a couple of name changes and the natural elegance and grace of Malaysian culture factor into Malaysia Airlines' award-winning service. (Special Advertising Section).
October 1, 2002... MALAYSIA AIRLINES by any other name would still be an award-winning airline. In fact, Malaysia's flagship carrier has changed its name several times since it ran its first charter flight from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur on April 22, 1947. Five...

Clubbing it: post 9/11, business travelers are finding airport lounges more valuable than ever. (Airport Lounges).
October 1, 2002... WITH "HURRY UP AND wait," the new reality at the world's airports, business travelers say airline VIP lounges are more valuable than ever for providing respite from the madding crowds and a quiet work space that makes terminal "downtime" more...

Back to business: 56-airline business-class survey plus reviews of Air France, Air Canada, Austrian Airlines, China Airlines, Delta, Emirates, Finnair, Icelandair, JAL, SAS, South African Airways, Varig and Virgin Atlantic. (Business Class).
October 1, 2002... These days, business travel is a lot more bothers and waiting than bells and whistles. But the silver lining is this: business travelers, as the industry's most loyal flyers, are seen as more valuable than ever before. While cutting costs, many...

Fast tracks: airports worldwide are pushing ahead with dramatic expansion plans. (Airport Update).
October 1, 2002... IT SHOULD COME AS NO surprise that many airports put large-scale projects on hold in the aftermath of the events of Sept. 11. However, still others have seen the wisdom in forging ahead with expansion to ease the growing malaise of congestion...

Cheap seats! Economy-class survey plus reviews of Air Canada, American Airlines, British Airways, Delta Express, Lufthansa, Northwest Airlines, US Airways and United Airlines. (Economy Class).
October 1, 2002... Who's cutting back? Who's upgrading? BT's economy-class survey has the scoop. For most seasoned business travelers, economy class is just that: an economic way to get from one location to another, but by no means a luxury. In fact, most...

Power up: you can feel the electricity in the air, but do you know how to tap into it? (Tools In-Flight Power).(power adapters)
October 1, 2002... WHEN FLYING, I CAN stare at clouds for hours. And a convenient rationalization for doing so, besides their innate beauty, is that my Sony laptop's battery lasts about an hour, so working in the air is out of the question. But as laptop power...