Business Traveler articles from September 2004

Business Traveler archives from September 2004

Editor's letter.
September 1, 2004... The early success of the Registered Traveler program begs the question why is this program working when CAPPS II appears to be headed for a rigorous makeover? Crucial differences: The Registered Traveler program is voluntary, and it was...

High class.(Letter of the Month)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... I recently flew on a three-hour Continental flight on a paid first-class ticket. What a pleasant surprise to actually have a three-course, quality meal served on a domestic flight at dinnertime in first class. Frankly, this should be the...

Stormy weather.(Readers' Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... On May 21, my wife and I were scheduled to travel from Washington Reagan to Chicago O'Hare. We were originally booked on a United flight, but that flight was cancelled due to bad weather in Chicago, and we were rebooked on American Airlines....

A fine line.(Readers' Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... I travel to Europe about 15 times a year on business, usually needing to change planes at a European gateway airport to get where I need to go. My experiences last weekend at London Heathrow reconfirmed why I hate to fly through London and try...

CAPPS II on hold; registered traveler expands.(Airports)(Computer Assisted Passenger Prescreening System)(Transportation Security Administration)
September 1, 2004... FOLLOWING AN 18-MONTH battle over the controversial Computer Assisted Passenger Prescreening System (CAPPS II), the Transportation Security Administration has begun testing a new program designed to help frequent fliers speed their way through...

In-flight cell phone use put to the test.(Technology)
September 1, 2004... THE USE OF MOBILE PHONES on planes could be allowed within two years if trials of a new technology prove successful. The Federal Communications Commission currently forbids the use of mobile phones in flight because the speed of aircraft...

Air France rations upgraded first class.(Airlines)
September 1, 2004... AIR FRANCE IS SCRAPPING first class on most long-distance services. In a change of tack, the global airline will fit its brand new L'Espace Premiere product on just 20 lucrative routes from Paris. These include services to New York, Houston,...

Conrad Miami.(Hotel Update)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... The Conrad Miami, the first Conrad hotel in the United States, opened in July. Its 203 contemporary guest rooms have T1 Internet access, as well as a pillow menu and flat-screen TVs. The downtown property offers Wi-Fi access throughout the...

Marriot Hotel and Executive Apartments.(Hotel Update)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Marriott Hotel and Executive Apartments, which opened early this summer in London's Canary Wharf, features 301 rooms and 47 executive apartments in a 32-story glass-and-steel building. Guest rooms have views of the city and the Thames.

Metropolitan Hotel in Midtown Manhattan.(Hotel Update)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... After a $35 million renovation, the Metropolitan Hotel In Midtown Manhattan will become a DoubleTree this November and will be renamed the DoubleTree Metropolitan Hotel. All 755 rooms will have colorful decor and amenities including high-speed...

The Grand Hyatt New York.(Hotel Update)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... The Grand Hyatt New York is scheduled to complete a $65 million renovation to its 1,336 guest rooms, lobby, lounge, ballroom and restaurant at the end of this month. It will be the first Grand Hyatt with the "Grand Bed"--a high-quality mattress...

The Mercer, Chambers and Maritime hotels.(Hotel Update)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Owners of The Mercer, Chambers and Maritime hotels are refurbishing Manhattan's Gorham Hotel and renaming it The Blakely. The renovation, scheduled for completion this month, will feature 120 rooms, including 42 deluxe suites and 12 deluxe...

Le Meridien Angkor.(Hotel Update)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Le Meridien Angkor, near the Angkor Wat monuments, opens this month with 223 rooms, two restaurants, a bar, business center and spa.

InterContinental Buckhead.(Hotel Update)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... A 422-room five-star hotel is scheduled to open in November in Atlanta. The InterContinental Buckhead will feature marble bathrooms, high-speed Internet access, large work areas and a 24-hour business center, as well as restaurants, a spa and...

Hotel Monaco.(United States)
September 1, 2004... San Francisco's Hotel Monaco offers "Today's Man." The package, which includes a luxury suite, wardrobe consultation, eyebrow wax, facial and massage, is $550 for the first night and $299 for each additional night until Dec. 31. Call...

Mark Hotel.(United States)
September 1, 2004... New York's Mark Hotel is offering a $299 rate through Dec. 31 that includes high-speed Internet access, a shoeshine and weekday shuttle service to Wall Street. Call 212-744-4300 or visit www.themarkhotel.com.

Melrose Hotel.(United States)
September 1, 2004... Through Dec. 31, The Melrose Hotel in Washington offers an "Evening at the Kennedy Center." The package includes dinner for two at the Landmark Restaurant, a car service and a bottle of champagne. Rates start at $279 a night (tickets to...

Fairmont Washington.(United States)
September 1, 2004... The Fairmont Washington's "Patriot Package" provides breakfast for two and two tickets on Tourmobile, which visits the Capital's memorials and museums. Nightly rates start at $199, through Dec. 31. Call 202-457-5010 or visit...

Hotel San Carlos.(United States)
September 1, 2004... Through Sept 30 the Hotel San Carlos in Phoenix is offering rates of $139, plus two tickets to an Arizona Diamondbacks baseball game, free parking and breakfast. Call 866-253-4121 or visit www.hotelsancarlos.com.

Fairmont New Orleans.(United States)
September 1, 2004... Starting at $219 a night, guests of the Fairmont New Orleans can take advantage of the "Historic New Orleans" package, which includes two signature cocktails and a guided historic tour of the city. The offer, good until Dec. 1, requires a...

The Hotel of South Beach.(United States)
September 1, 2004... The Hotel of South Beach offers "The Miami Rubdown Package," featuring a free room upgrade, discounted spa treatments and breakfast, through Dec. 15. The deal, $195 a night, requires a two-night stay. Call 800-727-5236 or visit...

Wilmington Hilton.(United States)
September 1, 2004... The Wilmington Hilton in Delaware's Brandywine Valley has a $119-a-night "Stay and Play" package. The deal, which includes breakfast for two and round-trip transportation to Delaware Park racetrack, is valid through Sept. 30. Call 302-454-1500....

Hyatt Regency Denver.(United States)
September 1, 2004... Through Dec. 30, Hyatt Regency Denver has a $99 "MicroBrew" package on tap, including one-night's stay and a walking tour of four local breweries. Call 303-295-1234 or visit www.denverregency, hyatt.com.

SoHo Metropolitan Hotel.(Canada)
September 1, 2004... Seven weekend getaways are available at Toronto's SoHo Metropolitan Hotel. The packages include a sail on a private yacht, a tasting-menu dinner at Senses Restaurant, a massage, an evening at the theater or three golfing options. Each package...

Le Manoir Richelieu.(Canada)
September 1, 2004... Le Menoir Richelieu in Quebec is offering rooms for $105 through Oct. 18. Guests are treated to a buffet breakfast and $20 in chips for the nearby Charlevoix Casino. Call 418-665-3703 or visit www.fairmont.com/frontenac.

Oriental Bangkok.(Asia)
September 1, 2004... "The Executive Package" from the Oriental Bangkok offers a limousine either to or from the airport, breakfast and access to its Fitness Center. Nightly rates begin at $235 and run through Dec. 27. Call 662 659 9000 or visit...

Mandarin Oriental Hotel du Rhone.(Europe)
September 1, 2004... The Mandarin Oriental Hotel du Rhone in Geneva is touting its "High-Speed Business Package." Guests are provided with in-room, high-speed Internet, use of the business center, a suit pressing and a buffet breakfast. Nightly rates start at $442...

Delta SkyMiles and ShareBuilder.(Reward Roundup)
September 1, 2004... SkyMiles members will earn 2,000 bonus miles when opening an account and purchasing their first security through ShareBuilder, an online brokerage company; Medallion members will receive 3,500 bonus miles. Additionally, if a SkyMiles member...

InterContinental Hotel Group and China Southern Airlines.(Reward Roundup)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... InterContinental Hotel Group and China Southern Airlines have formed a partnership that allows members of InterContinental's Priority Club and China Southern's Sky Pearl Club to earn and redeem miles or reward points when flying with any of...

American Airlines and Alamo.(Reward Roundup)
September 1, 2004... AAdvantage members can now receive 15 percent off retail rates when renting any car type from Alamo in the United States or Canada. In addition, AAdvantage members can earn 100 miles per rental day when renting a midsize or large car for three...

Air Canada.(Reward Roundup)
September 1, 2004... Through Dec. 15, Aeroplan members who fly from the U.S. to Delhi via Toronto will receive 15,000 bonus miles, in addition to the regular miles earned on their first round-trip or two-one-way flights in Executive First (J or C class) and...

Budget and Southwest Airlines.(Reward Roundup)
September 1, 2004... Through April 30, 2005, small businesses can earn double rewards from Budget Rent A Car and Southwest Airlines' online booking tool, Swabiz. Companies that sign up for the Budget Business Program (enrollment is free) will receive double Rapid...

Cathay Pacific.(Flight Log)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Cathay Pacific will add a third daily Hong Kong-Sydney flight on Oct. 31, for a total of 43 flights a week between Hong Kong and Australia.

Qantas.(Flight Log)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Qantas will have three direct flights from Sydney to Shanghai starting Dec. 2.

Qatar Airways.(Flight Log)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Qatar Airways has launched direct service from Doha to Istanbul three times a week and has increased its flight frequency from Doha to Moscow from three to four flights a week.

Swiss International Air Lines.(Flight Log)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Swiss International Air Lines will start operating a Boeing Business Jet on Zurich-New York (Newark Liberty) routes Jan. 15. The service, six days a week will be operated by PrivatAir. The jet will have 56 seats, including flat-beds, and...

Continental Airlines.(Where to Wi-Fi)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Continental Airlines now offers wireless access in all Presidents Clubs in the U.S., with the exception of Chicago O'Hare, where it shares a club with Northwest.

Emirates Airlines.(Where to Wi-Fi)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Emirates Airlines has launched wireless e-mail by Tenzing on all long-haul routes to the U.S. and Europe. Wi-Fi service is being offered to all passengers at a 50 percent discount through September.

Shangri-La Hotels has introduced Wi-Fi at The Kerry Centre Hotel in Beijing.(Where to Wi-Fi)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... A Shangri-La Hotels has introduced Wi-Fi at The Kerry Centre Hotel in Beijing. Free connections are available in the Horizon Club guest rooms and club lounge, in addition to public areas. The Shangri-La Sydney offers Wi-Fi in all its public...

Rosewood Hotel and Resort.(Where to Wi-Fi)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Little Dix Bay, a Rosewood Hotel and Resort on Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands, now offers Wi-Fi on the beach. Service is $20 a day.

Cathay Pacific.(Airline Deals)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... CATHAY PACIFIC, an American Airlines partner, has launched a "Celebration Offer" that lets you earn triple AAdvantage miles on Cathay Pacific's recently inaugurated nonstop service between JFK and Hong Kong, or double AAdvantage miles on its...

Continental Airlines.(Airline Deals)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... CONTINENTAL AIRLINES is offering a round-trip "Business Class Promotional Companion Fare" from various U.S. cities using the airline's nonstop flights between Newark and Hang Kong. This promotion requires two travelers in business class on all...

Aeroflot Russian Airlines.(Airline Deals)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... AEROFLOT RUSSIAN AIRLINES is extending excursion fares to its business- and first-class travelers. Aeroflot operates a daily nonstop from JFK to Moscow and five nonstops weekly from Los Angeles to Moscow. The round-trip business-class fare...

SilkAir.(Airline Deals)
September 1, 2004... SILKAIR, a regional wing of Singapore Airlines, offers the Discover Asia Airpass. This is a multiflight coupon pass that offers deals to U.S. travelers going to Singapore and points beyond served by SilkAir. Tickets must be purchased before...

Airfare increases depend on where you fly.(Airlines)(Air Travel price Index)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... AIRFARES HAVE RISEN AND fallen over the past decade, and Currently stand 10 percent higher than they were in 1996. But whether yoga are paying more or less to fly today depends largely on where you are traveling, according to a new report, the...

Singapore Airlines raffles business class.(Flight check: Newark Liberty to Singapore Changi)
September 1, 2004... FIRST IMPRESSIONS: There was no line for this 11 p.m. 18-and-a-half hour nonstop. I was happy with an aisle seat, and the clerk directed me to the SAS lounge, as Virgin's was crowded. (Singapore shares lounges with Virgin and SAS at Newark.)...

Singapore Airlines executive economy class.(Flight check: Singapore Changi to Newark Liberty)(executive economy class air travel rates)
September 1, 2004... FIRST IMPRESSIONS: There was virtually no line for Executive Economy, and ticket agents were quick and helpful. 5/5 BOARDING: Boarding was by rows, with two jetways speeding the process. 5/5 SEAT COMFORT: Seating was in a 2-3-2...

Mosaic hotel.(Hotel check: Beverly Hills, CA)
September 1, 2004... WHAT'S IT LIKE? The former Beverly Hills Inn has undergone a $3 million transformation into a terrazzo-tiled, candlelit-mosaic-walled boutique hotel. The serene poolside is like a tropical garden, with leafy trees, cabanas and heat lamps....

Reinventing the meal: L.A.'s restaurants are just as makeover- and brand-happy as its denizens. Alia Akkam samples seven eateries that make the cut.(Restaurants)
September 1, 2004... Le Dome 8720 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood tel. 310-659-6919 Entertainment-industry power players fretted while Le Dome was undergoing its recent $2 million facelift. Where would they wheel and deal over steak tartare? Their fears...

Keeping it simple: Eva Leonard and Kate Rice report on low-cost carriers' bare-bones loyalty programs.(Loyalty Programs)
September 1, 2004... Low-cost carriers and loyalty programs might seem like strange bedfellows, but a surprising number of budget airlines have some sort of reward program for frequent travelers. Take newcomer Independence Air for instance. It has iCLUB, yet if you...

Hollywood and peachtree? Why are so many celebrities calling Atlanta home? Lauren David Peden tracks the glitterati migration to the ATL.(Atlanta)
September 1, 2004... Pssst! Check out that table over there--Elton John is having dinner with Janet Jackson, her rapper-producer boyfriend, Jermaine Dupri, and Collective Soul lead singer Ed Roland. Wait, isn't that Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown two booths over,...

Is the price right? Private jets have never been more viable for business travelers.(Corporate Jets)
September 1, 2004... Despite all the well-publicized problems in the aviation industry, one sector seems to have thrived--private jet travel. Industry expansion over the past decade has spawned a wave of competition, and with it a range of strategies for getting...

A commander at the City: meeting planners should note that Raffles The Plaza, the Raffles group's ever-popular business hotel in Singapore, can give you more than just rooms. It has the cutting-edge Raffles City Convention Centre to ensure that you are able to steer your meeting to success.(Raffles The Plaza, Singapore)(Raffles City Convention Centre)
September 1, 2004... Organizing a meeting can be a complicated affair and choosing a venue may require a leap of faith if you have no prior dealings with the venue. At Singapore's most centrally located convention centre--Raffles City Convention Centre--the...

Getting to class: Magdalen Powers reports on premium economy class, with an updated chart and details on buying tickets online.(Premium Economy)
September 1, 2004... Earlier this year we offered an introduction to an increasingly popular flying option: premium economy class. With many travel budgets still too tight for business class, premium economy could be right for those who want to avoid coach but lack...

Golfing around Chicago: Wrigley Field? The Magnificent Mile? The Sears Tower? Forget these touristy Windy City time-killers, because great golf is scattered all around Chicagoland-home of America's first 18-hole course.
September 1, 2004... SYDNEY R. MAROVITZ GOLF COURSE Where Is it? Downtown Chicago. How to get there: Take Lake Shore Drive to W. Addison St. What's It like? Nine holes operated by the Chicago Park District. The course is in the shadow of impressive...

Dragon magic: for decades Hong Kong has rewarded risk takers. Ed Peters spoke to six entrepreneurial spirits who embody the dynamic of the city.(Hong Kong)
September 1, 2004... Hong Kong has long ridden the roller-coaster of success. Many of its more prominent (i.e., very rich) citizens made their first million in the 1950% after the United Nations slapped a trade embargo on China during the Korean War. Riots in the...

Leap year: the pace of change is speeding up in Budapest.(Budapest)
September 1, 2004... There's an unmistakable wind of change sweeping through Budapest. From stylish restaurants and new luxury hotels in former palaces to design-led office developments, it epitomizes a city on the move. Since it emerged from behind the Iron...

Small is beautiful: what Vienna International Airport lacks in size it makes up for by being in the heart of Europe and providing great connections.(Vienna International Airport)
September 1, 2004... The ongoing expansion of Vienna International Airport (Flughafen Wien) will surely come as a relief to the airport authorities, whose operations have been severely stretched by the strong upturn in travel to Eastern Europe and by the arrival of...

4 hours in Buenos Aires: sip a cortado at a cafe, dine in a smoky parilla and stroll the cobblestone streets of South America's most cosmopolitan city, where that most sensual of dances was born.
September 1, 2004... [1] CEMENTERIO DE LA RECOLETA Here lies Eva Peron, revered by many, reviled by some; wife of former Argentine president Juan Peron; and inspiration for a Broadway musical and later a movie starring Madonna and Antonio Banderas. Located in...

Apple iPod mini.(The Sound of Music)
September 1, 2004... Smaller, sleeker and at least two ounces lighter than its big-brother iPods, the 4GB mini weighs 3.6 ounces, comes in five colors and holds up to 1,000 songs. It features a back-lit screen, eight hours of battery life and a touch-sensitive...

RCA Lyra 2850.(The Sound of Music)
September 1, 2004... Perfect for tossing in your briefcase or carry-on, the Lyra weighs 5.5 ounces and measures 3.35 x 2.87 x 1 inch. This 20GB player stores 680 hours of music, JPEG photos, digital presentations and word processing documents and has a built-in....

Panasonic SV-MP35.(The Sound of Music)
September 1, 2004... Although not designed for the hardcore downloader, the Panasonic e-wear SV-MP35 offers 256MB of embedded memory, voice recorder and FM tuner at a price that won't break the bank. You can record directly off the radio and store MP3 and WMA...

[H.sub.2]O audio DV.(The Sound of Music)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... The first underwater MP3 player on the market, iRiver and Diver Entertainment Systems' new Deep-Dive allows you to listen to music or audio tours while diving or snorkeling. The waterproof housing includes headphone amplifier, underwater...

Zen Touch 20GB.(The Sound of Music)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... Upping the ante in MP3 technology, the Zen Touch 20GB offers an impressive 24-hour battery life, 10,000-song capacity and touch-sensitive navigation-while weighing less than 8 ounces. Compatible with both MP3 and WMA music, the USB 2.0...

Rio Nitrus.(The Sound of Music)
September 1, 2004... Though smaller than a deck of playing cards, at LSGB the Rio Nitrus can store 50 hours of WMA or 25 hours of MP3 music. The included rechargeable Li-Ion battery provides up to 16 hours of continuous playtime, and the five-band adjustable...

San Francisco: getting to and from the City by the Bay's airports via rail, shuttle and taxi.(On Track)
September 1, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (SFO) WEB SITE: www.flysfo.com AIRPORT NUMBER: 650-821-8211 LOST AND FOUND: 650-821-7014 TRAVELERS AID: 650 821-2735 LOCATION: 14 miles south of San Francisco SERVICE: BART (Say...

The Raleigh, Miami.(Offer Of The Month)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... The Raleiqh is a classic oceanfront hotel in the heart of Miami Beach. This celebrated property, a work of the legendary Art Deco architect L. Murray Dixon, is an oasis and respite from the outside world. Effortlessly chic, The Raleigh...

Sterling Resorts.(Privilege Club)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... Kick back, relax and bask in the sun at one of Sterling Resorts' four luxury oceanfront condominiums perched on the sugar-white sands of Florida's Emerald Coast-consistently ranked one of the top beaches in North America. Destin's Sterling...

Sonesta Hotel & Suites Coconut Grove.(Privilege Club)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... Business travelers will find a home away from home at the 22-story Sonesta Hotel & Suites Coconut Grove. The hotel is In the heart of Miami's fashionable Coconut Grove neighborhood, with Its many sidewalk cafes, boutiques and live entertainment...

Down by the lake: China's well-known attractions is changing fast, but Jane Ram finds that taking a stroll around it is still pleasurable.(Great escape: Hangzhou)
September 1, 2004... Dawn touches the water of Hangzhou's West Lake, turning the smooth surface into an endless mirror. From my balcony at the Shangri-La Hotel, I watch as the trees fringing the banks and the celebrated humpbacked bridges emerge from the mist. ...