Business Traveler articles from September 2002

Business Traveler archives from September 2002

Editor's letter.(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2002... With the establishment of new security guidelines and a new government agency, the Transportation Security Administration, air travel as we knew it has been radically transformed nearly one year after September 11. As business travelers adjust...

High on Thai. (Letter Of The Month).(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2002... 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 in the coat closet of the plane. In the...

Korean err? (Readers' Letters).
September 1, 2002... Traveling on a business-class ticket, having flown from LAX to Incheon on Korean, being Gold Medallion on Delta, Korean's SkyTeam partner, on a ticket issued by Korean Airlines, I expected no problem in using the "Morning Calm" lounge at the...

AA+. (Readers' Letter).
September 1, 2002... On June 3, 2002, we were taking American Airlines flight 1100 from San Francisco to Chicago with a connecting flight to Providence, Rhode Island. The increased security checks made boarding the plane slow, as passengers were a bit confused...

Connection correction. (Readers' Letter).
September 1, 2002... I read with interest your article on "Staying Connected on the Road" in the April 2002 edition of Business Traveler, in particular the mobile phone section. However, you mislead the readers somewhat by stating that you can buy a GSM phone...

Singapore encore. (Readers' Letter).
September 1, 2002... Last month, Doug Boyd from Lexington wrote a letter to the editor about "Super Singapore," and I would like to do a follow-up. I flew Singapore Airlines from Beijing to Singapore, and then from Singapore to Los Angeles. I know Singapore...

Deadline fever. (Airport Security).(baggage checking ready to start)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... AS THE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION'S DECEMBER 31 DEADLINE for mandatory baggage screening approaches, calls for a delay are coming fast and furiously. This June, Continental Airlines CEO Gordon Bethune begged the TSA to reconsider....

Tee'd off. (Hotels).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... REALITY SHOWS AREN'T THE only places where Fear Factor and Dog Eat Dog tactics win the day. A new survey sponsored by Starwood Hotels and Resorts says that executives regularly cheat on the links and let clients beat them to get more business....

La Guardian Knot II. (Airports).(air traffic)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... LAST YEAR BT REPORTED THE USE of mandatory limitations on flights to and from La Guardia in order to ease the congestion at one of the nation's busiest airports. This summer the limits were extended for two more years. The FAA has...

A club for US. (Airlines).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... US AIRLINES HAS OPENED ITS first international US Airways Club at London Gatwick Airport in the UK. Members include US Airways "Club" cardholders as well as trans-Atlantic First and Envoy Class passengers. The two-level club is accessed via the...

Coffee to go. (Hotels).(San Jose Costa Rica Radisson)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... THE JAVA NEVER STOPS pouring at the San Jose Costa Rica Radisson. Corporate groups can keep the coffee coming in both meeting rooms and at incentive outings. The hotel arranges special coffee tours at local plantations less than an hour away...

A new fixture in the city of light. (Hotels).
September 1, 2002... AS PARISIANS EVACUATE THEIR city for holidays this August, savvy business and pleasure travelers stream in. To add to the delights, the city of light has a new fixture opening on August 1--its first "Park" Hyatt Hotel, the Vendome. Planned...

Shogun class. (Airlines).(new seating order at Japan Airlines)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... JAPANESE ATTENTION TO DETAIL IS so much a part of the culture that it's no surprise JAL's new "Seasons" is attempting to bring business class to a new level of nirvana. The airline's new flat reclining seat is the "Shell," a 62-inch-pitch chair...

Sleep shepherd. (Hotels).(choice of pillows at the Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... GUESTS COUNTING SHEEP AT THE Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia can choose from up to seven pillows on which to do their woolgathering. The hotel offers a special "Slumber Menu" including "Amber Waves of Grain," (filled with wheat chaff), "Soft...

Through December 30, the Hotel Vintage Plaza in Portland, Oregon, is offering the "Experience Bliss" package. (United States).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Through December 30, the Hotel Vintage Plaza in Portland, Oregon, is offering the "Experience Bliss" package. This package is priced from $159 for a deluxe guest room to $249 for a town house suite or garden-spa suite. The package includes...

Travelers looking for a relaxing getaway can stop by the Cypress Hotel in Cupertino, California, to experience the "Great Escape" package. (United States).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Travelers looking for a relaxing getaway can stop by the Cypress Hotel in Cupertino, California, to experience the "Great Escape" package. Guests can choose between a deluxe guest room for $355 or a suite for $399. This package includes...

Through December 18, the Hotel Jerome is collaborating with The Aspen Club & Spa to offer a "Whole Health Aspen" package, which allows guests to choose between a three- or five-day package. (United States).(advertisement)
September 1, 2002... Through December 18, the Hotel Jerome is collaborating with The Aspen Club & Spa to offer a "Whole Health Aspen" package, which allows guests to choose between a three- or five-day package. The three-day package cost depends on spa and...

The Hotel and The Park Central Hotel in Miami Beach have introduced their "Degrees of Separation" summer packages. (United States).(advertisement)
September 1, 2002... The Hotel and The Park Central Hotel in Miami Beach have introduced their "Degrees of Separation" summer packages. The packages start at $155 per night at The Hotel and $105 per night at The Park Central Hotel. The packages include...

Stay at the Pan Pacific Bangkok at slashed rates until September 30. (Thailand).(advertisement)
September 1, 2002... Stay at the Pan Pacific Bangkok at slashed rates until September 30. Rates start at $140 per weekend stay and $160 per weekday stay in superior rooms. Prices include a $10-food-and-beverage allowance per room per day, predinner cocktails, $15...

Make reservations at the Jalousie Hilton Resort and Spa in St. Lucia between now and December 17 to take advantage of a "Dive Madness" package. (Caribbean).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Make reservations at the Jalousie Hilton Resort and Spa in St. Lucia between now and December 17 to take advantage of a "Dive Madness" package. This popular package starts at $393 a night (based on double occupancy), and includes accommodations...

Doctor, doctor. (Airlines).(aircraft remote diagnosing and real tracking system)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... CHINA SOUTHERN AIRLINES BECOMES the first airline in the People's Republic of China to have its own Aircraft Remote Diagnosing & Real Tracking System (ACRDRTS). The system works like an online "medical" reference for any "ailments" that may...

Emirates Airlines. (Flight Log).(airline adds new flights)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... * Emirates Airlines doubles its service between Munich and Dubai. The airline is adding five more flights a week from October 27 and two more from March 31, 2003, to make the service double daily.

Malaysia Airlines. (Flight Log).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... * Malaysia Airlines has resumed its thrice-weekly Newark-Dubai nonstop flights.

Continental Airlines. (Flight Log).(new fights added by the airline)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... * Continental Airlines announces service between Richmond and Houston. The twice-daily flights arrive at Houston's Bush Intercontinental Airport beginning November 1.

Size matters. (Reader Offer).(peripherals)(Evaluation)
September 1, 2002... WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT A collapsible keyboard made solely for your handheld would be one of the top-selling techno gadgets on the market today? The Stowaway, designed by California-based company Think Outside, is a portable, full-size...

VG Airlines. (Airline Deals).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... VG AIRLINES flies nonstop to Brussels from JFK daily; from Boston five days a week; from Los Angeles three days a week. One-way/Found-trip business-class fares from JFK and Boston to Brussels are published at $1,200/$2,200 and undercut major...

Malaysia Airlines. (Airline Deals).(new services offered by the airline)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... MALAYSIA AIRLINES is offering free upgrades from full, unrestricted coach to business class and full business class to first class. Travel can originate in the U.S., Canada or Mexico, but not Asia. The upgrade applies on Malaysia's...

The Mercosur Airpass. (Airline Deals).(use in South America)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... THE MERCOSUR AIRPASS is a multicoupon airpass for travel between Brazil, Argentina, Chile (excluding the Easter Islands), Paraguay and Uruguay in economy. Up to 12 airlines can be used on this one airpass including, but not limited to Varig,...

Round-the-World Apex Fares. (Airline Deals).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... ROUND-THE-WORLD APEX FARES Savvy travelers visiting multiple areas like Asia, Europe, Middle East, South Pacific, etc., keep costs down by using "Round-the-World Apex Fares" (RTWs). These fares have apexlike rules but are offered in coach,...

Jetblue. (Reward Roundup).(frequent flyer program)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... The one-class airline this summer announced TrueBlue, its reward program for frequent flyers. Members earn points instead of miles; number of points depends on what length category the qualifying flights fall into. A short-haul flight earns two...

Europcar. (Reward Roundup).(points awarded to AAdvantage members)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... AAdvantage members can now earn miles when renting cars at any of Europcar's 2,600 international destinations. Through September 15, AAdvantage members can earn 100 miles for each rental day. After Sept. 15, members will earn 60 miles per...

US Airways. (Reward Roundup).(frequent flyer membership benefits)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Dividend Miles members with just a few miles to go before reaching a specific goal no longer have to wait--or even pick up the phone. Now, through a partnership with Points.com, US Airways allows members to purchase miles--in multiples of...

Star Alliance. (Reward Roundup).(frequent flyer program)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... The global network recently announced the addition of Asiana Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines and Spanair--this move brings its number of partner airlines to 17. Members of any of these airlines' frequent flyer programs are now able to accrue and...

Emirates. (Reward Roundup).(and SriLankan Airlines)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Emirates and SriLankan airlines' frequent flyer program has expanded, offering a frequent flyer program solely for the airlines' young jet-setters--age 16 and younger--called Skysurfers. Skysurfers receive the same benefits as members of...

Orbitz. (Reward Roundup).(travel web site offers credit card program)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Orbitz.com, the travel site backed by leading airlines, has launched a new credit card rewards program. The new Orbitz Platinum MasterCard will allow cardholders to accumulate points for every dollar spent; two points will be rewarded for every...

Air Canada. (Reward Roundup).(frequent flyer program)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Aeroplan, Air Canada's frequent flyer program, is offering various promotions in collaboration with its many partner hotels this fall. Until September 30, members staying at participating Hyatt properties will earn double miles; additionally,...

Suite workout. (Hotels).(Rhiga Royal Hotel, New York, New York)
September 1, 2002... WHO SAYS BEING A ROAD WARRIOR IS BAD FOR THE BODY? Now globe-trotting execs can stay as fit as Mad Max when they book one of 15 new "Fitness Suites" at the Rhiga Royal Hotel in Manhattan. The hotel surveyed its celebrity clientele as well as...

The Fairmont: San Jose, California. (Hotel Check).
September 1, 2002... LOCATED IN THE HEART OF SILICON Valley's capital, San Jose, the gleaming four-star Fairmont is within walking distance to corporate heavyweights such as Adobe, Earthlink Networks and Cisco Systems, and is a 10-to-15-minute drive to Apple, Intel...

Park Hyatt: Johannesburg. (Hotel Check).
September 1, 2002... NO STAY AT THE PARK HYATT Johannesburg is complete without a visit to Stella Broz, the Peak Health Club's personal trainer and a star bodybuilder in her own right. Stella can press 297 pounds: How often do you get a chance to work out with a...

Gulf Air business class. (Flight check: Dubai to Bahrain).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... First Impressions: I was booked on an early morning flight leaving from Dubai's Sheikh Rashid International Terminal traveling to Bahrain. It was my first trip to this new Kingdom and an exploratory one to check out the business landscape. ...

Spot check. (Consumer Checks).(hold placed on credit cards by car rental companies)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... We asked five car rental companies the amount they would freeze on a credit card for a one-week rental of a mid-size car, picking up and returning to Los Angeles International Airport. Here's what we found: HERTZ $40 for security deposit...

Denver International. (2002 Annual Report: Special Advertising Section).(airport)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... WHAT'S THIS? AN AIRPORT PREFERRED by pilots and passengers? Just seven years old and already considered one of the best airports in the world, Denver International Airport is the most technologically advanced and reliable airport in the...

Deja boom: Denver has a long history of riding out the highs and lows of a fluctuating economy. (HomeFront: Denver).(Denver, Colorado)
September 1, 2002... ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE MID-1800S, THE promise of gold and silver lured miners, ranchers and trailblazers of all sorts to the Platte River area just outside what is now Denver metro. When the supposed boom quickly turned bust, many settlers...

Restaurants. (Table Tops).(four restaurants)
September 1, 2002... REYKJAVIK THE GRILL Radisson SAS Saga Hotel, Hergatorg, 107 Reykjavik, tel. 525 9962 Overview: Widely regarded as one of Iceland's top a la carte restaurants, The Grill serves French-style fare with a light touch, courtesy of...

New meds ahead: John Briley reports on up-and-coming drugs that could make travelers' lives easier. (Travel Drug Update).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... AT THE MOMENT I FELT LIKE A zoo animal--a very sick one--lying on my side in the damp sand next to the Rio Tambopata in the Peruvian Andes, with a huddle of concerned and quizzical Peruvian river guides staring at me. We were six days into...

Lighten your laptop: George Hobica gets the skinny on the best new ultralight notebooks. (Tools: laptop computers).(Buyers Guide)(Evaluation)
September 1, 2002... IN AN ATTEMPT TO PREVENT unwanted pregnancies, sex education professionals sometimes make teenagers lug around a 5-pound bag of sugar for a few days to show them what it would be like if they were responsible for an infant. To prevent unwanted...

Back to business: BT's 56-airline annual business survey plus, our top picks and reviews. (Cover Story).(Cover Story)
September 1, 2002... Challenged to reinvent itself around a whole new set of priorities, business-class air travel has rebounded in intriguing new ways. This year's survey is a testament to a strong recovery. AFTER THE INFUSION OF s substantial recovery...

Czech mate: for all its growing pains, the Czech Republic is emerging as a commercial powerhouse. (Insider's guide: Prague).
September 1, 2002... ON JUNE 15 THIS YEAR, PRAGUE RESIDENT IVAN GRUZA'S TELEPHONE RANG. It was his elderly father. Gruza could hardly make out what he was saying, such was his father's rage at what was unfolding in front of him on his TV screen. Just 12 and a half...

By the sea: Copenhagen is considered one of the easier cities in which to conduct business. But there are a few things you should know about the Danes ... (Doing Business In Copenhagen).
September 1, 2002... THE SEA HAS LONG BEEN PIVOTAL TO THE FORTUNES of the Danes. As a small country of 5.2 million, with relatively few natural resources apart from agriculture, fishing, oil and natural gas (discovered in the North Sea in the '70s), Denmark has...

Fields of greens. (Special Advertising Section).(large golf courses in the U.S.)
September 1, 2002... There's no mistaking the fact that the game of golf has become a mainstream sport enjoyed by millions of people all over the world--a healthy addiction for some, an amusing pastime for others. Take the noted 17th at Sawgrass--an island green...

Good prospects: from the storming of the Winter Palace to hosting world summits, St. Petersburg is steeped in history. Now, as Mark Frary discovered, the city is emerging as a real economic player. (Doing Business In St. Petersburg).(Russia)
September 1, 2002... BUILDING A CITY ON A SWAMP SEEMS RATHER foolhardy, but if you happen to be Peter the Great, six feet eight inches tall and have a reputation for both mental and physical strength, then nothing is too much of a challenge. Today, nearly 300 years...

Four hours in Abu Dhabi.(Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Dubai may be the United Arab Emirates' most dynamic city, but the federal capital, Abu Dhabi, exudes a sun-kissed charm reminiscent of the French Riviera, with its spectacular corniche and lush gardens. Set on an island facing the Persian Gulf,...

Discover Hong Kong from the Hotel Inter-Continental's distinctive perspective and save. (Offer Of The Month Hong Kong Hotels).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Hotel Inter-Continental Hong Kong is built over the Kowloon harbor's edge and provides spectacular, uninterrupted views of Hong Kong Island and bustling Victoria Harbor. Nearly two-thirds of the guest rooms and suites overlook the harbor, and...

The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. (Savings For Members Arizona Hotels).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... The ultimate desert oasis, a member of the Leading Hotels of the World and a AAA five-diamond resort, The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess reflects the dynamic environment that surrounds it: a mixture of sophisticated Southwestern community and a...

Save more than 40% at Sheraton Towers Singapore.(advertisement)
September 1, 2002... The Sheraton Towers Singapore is a hotel of timeless style and grace. Consistently named one of the top hotels in the world, it sets the benchmark with its outstanding quality standards and personalized butler service. The hotel has 413...

Island world: Eva Leonard explores the global microcosm that is Curacao. (Great Escape: Curacao).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... WEARY OF COOKIE-CUTTER RESORT HOTELS and islands that have been mercilessly stripped of their character? Thirty-five miles north of Venezuela, in the Netherlands Antilles, Curacao offers beaches, wilderness and the hopping little capital of...