Business Traveler articles from September 2005

Business Traveler archives from September 2005

This month.
September 1, 2005... Welcome to the first issue of the new, and we hope, improved Business Traveler. It's been a while since we've been able to speak with you from this side of the pond. As you may be aware, we've re-launched the U.S. edition of the magazine under...

United versus BA.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2005... Prior to my retirement in 2000, I flew several hundred thousand miles annually. I joined two executive clubs, United Airlines and British Airways. I believe I joined United Mileage Plus in the late '80s. In 2002 I had a balance of 105,540...

SkyTeam services.(Letters)
September 1, 2005... As a French citizen living in the United States, I'm an Air France Platinum Flying Blue member (1002698114) and SkyTeam Elite Plus (the very top of the ranking). I always fly SkyTeam airlines in the United States and flew last year about...

Paper chase.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2005... It's no surprise that using frequent flyer miles is getting more difficult. But what do you do when using mileage is impossible? I am a Platinum-level American Airlines AAdvantage member, and last fall I called American and tried to use my...

Loving Lufthansa.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2005... We hear so many criticisms of airlines that I thought a "good news" story might put us all in a more positive frame of mind! On June 24 my wife and I were flying business class on Lufthansa from Nice, France on LH4131 to Vancouver, Canada...

Pudong service.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2005... As a resident of Shanghai and frequent traveler, I use Pudong Airport every week. While your article (Business Traveller UK, February 2005 and Business Traveler U.S., August 2004) covers the basics, I disagree that the airport just needs...

American to add lie-flat seats in 2006.(AIRLINES)
September 1, 2005... AMERICAN AIRLINES ANNOUNCED PLANS TO INSTALL NEW LIE-FLAT SEATS and upgrade in-flight entertainment on its entire fleet of 777 and 767-300 aircraft starting in 2006, marking one of the largest product upgrades by an American-based carrier in...

EOS set to take off.(AIRLINES)
September 1, 2005... AS SEVERAL NETWORK CARRIERS ENDURE MAJOR FINANCIAL PROBLEMS, a premium-class airline is set to launch this month with service from New York to London. Los, formerly known as Atlantic Express Inc., is scheduled to fly New York-London using...

Skybus plans 2006 launch.(AIRLINES)
September 1, 2005... HOPING TO REPLICATE THE SUCCESS OF IRELAND'S RYANAIR, a team of former airline executives plans to launch another low-cost carrier from a hub city once dominated by America West Airlines. The new carrier, Skybus Airlines, is scheduled to...

Soli's seeks new standard.(Solis resort and spa)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... A GROUP LED BY THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF RITZ-CARLTON HOTEL CO, HAS UNVEILED A NEW LUXURY BRAND, SOLIS HOTELS AND RESORTS. "Everybody asks me, 'Why did you retire from Ritz-Carlton?'" said Horst Schulze, the former Ritz-Carlton president and...

Marriott hotels and resorts.(HOTELS)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... MARRIOTT HOTELS AND RESORTS is giving away free Blackberry 7290s from Cingular Wireless, after rebates, for bookings until Sept. 30. The device includes wireless e-mail, an integrated phone, Bluetooth, web browsing and a full color screen....

Renaissance hotels.(HOTELS)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... * RENAISSANCE HOTELS is offering special summer weekend rates at more than 15 hotels across the U.S. The offer is valid for Thursday-Sunday stays through Oct. 2. Guests must be a member of Marriott Rewards. Deals are available at Renaissance...

Starwood hotels & resorts.(HOTELS)
September 1, 2005... * STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS is offering special rates and bonus points at four participating hotels in New Jersey. Guests can choose from The Westin Princeton, Sheraton Parsippany, Sheraton Edison or Sheraton Atlantic City. Guests receive 1,000...

Westin hotels & resorts.(HOTELS)
September 1, 2005... * WESTIN HOTELS & RESORTS is offering the fourth night free with three consecutive-nights paid with an American Express Card at participating hotels and resorts. Offer expires September 30, 2005. www.starwoodhotels.com.

W hotels.(HOTELS)
September 1, 2005... * W HOTELS is offering a special broadband package called W Wired. Guests receive unlimited high-speed Internet access, unlimited local and toll-free phone calls, movie downloads with Movielink Money and an exclusive offer from Banana Republic....

Mandarin Oriental.(HOTELS)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... * MANDARIN ORIENTAL is offering Seasonal Choices, which provides travelers with luxury accommodation and breakfast at exceptional rates worldwide. Until September 30, travelers can choose among 22 hotels in the Mandarin Oriental Group. The...

Oakwood Worldwide.(HOTELS)
September 1, 2005... * OAKWOOD WORLDWIDE is offering 30 percent discounts on corporate apartment stays in Manhattan for move-in dates between Nov. 1, 2005 and Jan. 31, 2006. Rates start at $178 per day for short-term stays of five days or more in a studio. Rates...

The Carlyle Hotel.(HOTELS)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... * THE CARLYLE HOTEL, A Rosewood Resort, in New York, is offering a special Business over Breakfast package. The package includes a room or suite, free Internet access, a free suit pressing and a buffet breakfast for the guest and up to three...

Intercontinental hotels.(HOTELS)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... * INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS is offering special rates at its E1 Salvador properties, starting at $139 per night. A Friday night stay is required. All reservations must be guaranteed at time of booking. The package includes full American breakfast...

The Ritz-Carlton.(HOTELS)
September 1, 2005... * THE RITZ-CARLTON San Francisco is offering 24 Hours of Bliss through September 29, 2005. Rates start at $735 per night and includes club deluxe accommodations, two one-hour massages and one complimentary in-room video. To book, call...

Lloyd Hotel.(HOTELS)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... * LLOYD HOTEL in Amsterdam's fashionable Eastern Docklands is offering a two-night experience and many extras for $260 per person. This offer includes one dinner, two breakfast buffets, 48-hour Amsterdam passes for free access to attractions, a...

Swiss International Air Lines.(AIRLINES)(business-class fares )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Swiss International Air Lines is offering special business-class fares to Europe from the U.S. Sample fares are $2,310 for New York to Zurich flights and $2,440 for New York to Budapest. Fares are valid for travel starting Nov. 1, require a...

Air Canada.(AIRLINES)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... * AIR CANADA is now offering Flight Pass, which allows customers to buy books of 10 prepaid airfare vouchers. Under the program, travelers purchase a book of one-way flight credits that can be used on Air Canada or Air Canada Jazz flights. The...

Delta Air Lines.(AIRLINES)
September 1, 2005... * DELTA AIR LINES is offering special business-class fares to South America from various cities in the U.S. Sample fares include $2,110 from Atlanta to Buenos Aires, Argentina or Santiago, Chile. Fares require a 50-day advance purchase and a...

Japan Air Lines.(AIRLINES)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... * JAPAN AIR LINES is offering Business Saver Fares that offer discounts of up to 46 percent off regular prices. Fares are valid to six destinations in Japan from the airline's U.S. gateways in New York, Los Angeles, Honolulu, Chicago and San...

LAN.(AIRLINES)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... * LAN is offering special fares from Miami to Caracas and Lima, Peru. Fares to Lima start at $415 roundtrip and require an 8-day advance purchase. Fares are valid for departures through Dec. 9, and require a Saturday night stay. Tickets are...

Qantas.(AIRLINES)(Qantas Airways Ltd)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... * QANTAS is offering special launch fares of $798 roundtrip for its new San Francisco to Sydney service, which begins March 29, 2006. Qantas will initially offer nonstop service three times a week on Boeing 747-400 aircraft. Flights will depart...

United Airlines.(AIRLINES)
September 1, 2005... * UNITED AIRLINES is offering discount fares from New York and Chicago to various cities in the U.S. Some flights will be on planes operated by United Express, United's regional jet affiliate, or Ted, United's low fare subsidiary. Fares are...

US Airways.(AIRLINES)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... * US AIRWAYS is offering special business-class fares for travel to Ireland or Scotland for $1,998 roundtrip. All travel must be completed Oct. 30. US Airways flies to Dublin and Shannon, Ireland or Glasgow, Scotland from various gateways in...

On time to O'Hare.(O'Hare International Airport)(Business1)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... UNITED AIRLINES, LOOKING TO REWARD MANY OF ITS KEY CORPORATE TRAVEL CLIENTS, launched a program recently called Business1, which offers an on-time arrival guarantee for flights from O'Hare International Airport to seven U.S. cities. Under the...

Three-class jets.(What's New? BUSINESS LEISURE FLIGHTS AIRPORT SHOPPING HOTELS RESORTS)(explus)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... For some frequent business travelers, the idea of taking a long flight on a regional jet is very painful. The overhead space is limited, seats are cramped and the food options are slim at best. United Airlines has just introduced a new aircraft...

TUMI introduces luxury timepiece collection.(What's New? BUSINESS LEISURE FLIGHTS AIRPORT SHOPPING HOTELS RESORTS)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... TUMI, THE MAKER OF PREMIUM LUGGAGE AND ACCESSORIES, HAS LAUNCHED ITS FIRST COLLECTION OF SWISS-MADE TIMEPIECES. Tumi is offering a collection of 10 different watches, including three dual-time zone models and seven round and square faced...

Air New Zealand gets new look.(travel update)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... AIR NEW ZEALAND IS SPENDING $800 MILLION TO TRANSFORM its long-haul flight operations. The carrier is upgrading its Boeing 747-400 fleet with an entirely new look, offering three classes of service, Business Premier, Pacific Premium Economy and...

Long-haul overhaul.(Malaysia airlines)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Malaysia Airlines recently unveiled its new sleeper seats in business and first class, part of a $185 million overhaul of the carrier's long-haul fleet of Boeing 777 and 747 aircraft. Under the new configuration, 777 planes will offer two...

Emirates business class.(FLIGHT CHECK: NEW YORK JFK TO DUBAI)
September 1, 2005... FIRST IMPRESSIONS Check-in took two minutes, but finding the Air Emirates lounge, which is not well marked and is located away from other carriers' lounges at JFK's Terminal 4, was a 10-minute adventure. I walked in circles until being pointed...

Renaissance Beijing Hotel.(hotel in Beijing)(Hotel Review)
September 1, 2005... WHAT'S IT LIKE? The hotel is an oasis of the familiar for Western business travelers, and it's clear that the management caters to that market. Executive floors, a Renaissance Club lounge and a staff for whom hospitality comes very naturally...

Continental Airlines BusinessFirst.(BusinessFirst passengers )(entertainment programms)
September 1, 2005... FIRST IMPRESSIONS Arriving at Newark Liberty's Terminal C a little after 8 a.m. for an 11:10 a.m. flight, I decided to try one of several available self check-in kiosks opposite the counter. Before I could get my passport out of my bag, a...

Corinthia Grand Hotel Royal.(hotel at a glance)(Hotel Review)
September 1, 2005... WHAT'S IT LIKE? This stunning renovation of the former Royal Hotel, built in 1894-96 by architect Rezso Lajos Ray, was one of the largest hotels in the whole of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It had space enough for Bela Bartok and Zoltan Kodaly...

Four Seasons Gresham Palace.(hotel in Budapest)(Hotel Review)
September 1, 2005... WHAT'S IT LIKE? This breathtaking $110,000-million renovation of the Gresham Palace is one of the world's finest Art Nouveau structures, a centerpiece of Budapest just across from the much-photographed Chain Bridge on the Danube. The original...

LAN Airlines business class.(FLIGHT CHECK: NEW YORK JFK TO SANTIAGO)
September 1, 2005... FIRST IMPRESSIONS When I arrived at JFK's Terminal 4 for my flight to Chile on LAN Airlines, the ticket counters were practically empty. Although there was only one business class ticket counter available, I had to wait only about five minutes...

APC TravelPower Adapter.(American Power Conversion Corp)
September 1, 2005... ($79.99; www.apc.com) APC Power Ready Notebook Case ($49.99; www.apc.com) I admit it: I have a cheap cigarette-lighter power adapter that I occasionally use to charge my laptop in the car. It cost me about $15, and every time I plug it...

Toshiba Qosmio G25-AV513.(Tech)
September 1, 2005... ($2,999; www.toshiba.com) Walk down the laptop aisle of your local computer store, and the Qosmio G25 stands out--and not just for its funny name. Yes, the G25, with its glossy black body and 17-inch screen, looks huge. But what really...

JBL On Tour portable music box.(speakers )
September 1, 2005... ($99.95; www.jbl.com) Both of my laptops have dual speakers that produce pretty decent sound--for laptop speakers (and that's sort of like saying my Honda has pretty good pickup for a four-cylinder). I own a few pairs of inexpensive...

SimpleTech Bonzai 512 MB upgradeable flash drive.(Tech)
September 1, 2005... ($75; www.simpletech.com) About the same size and shape of your standard USB "jump" or "pen" drive, the Bonzai is different in one important and useful way: at its heart is not a built-in flash drive but rather a removable Secure Digital...

Socket Mobile Power Pack.(with adapters and recharger)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... ($149; www.socketcom.com) I try to keep love in my heart, but one thing I really hate is power adapters and charging devices. Not that they're intrinsically bad, of course, but I can't stand keeping track of the 15 or 20 such devices I...

Canary Wireless Digital Hotspotter.(digital equipment )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... ($59.99; www.canarywireless.com) There's not much to the Canary Wireless Digital Hotspotter at first glance: just a single button and a small LCD screen. But compared with other Wi-Fi detection devices, the latter represents a small...

Targus global executive deluxe case.(Gear)
September 1, 2005... The fully tricked-out case lends itself handily to the hyper-organized traveler, while offering plenty of padding to guard against the bumps and dings of frequent travel. The case comes with a padded interior compartment, a Dome Protection...

Tom Bihn Empire Builder.(Gear)
September 1, 2005... Created after three years of product development, the Empire Builder is roomy, rugged and easy to organize, with loads of compartments and three removable file dividers. Foam padding that's 1/4 inch-thick protects and stiffens the front, back,...

Spire USA Endo.(Gear)
September 1, 2005... Light on both your wallet and your back, this over-the-shoulder laptop bag has four external pockets and two side pockets, giving you easy access to MP3 players and cell phones. The bag has half-inch padding in the rear panel only, so it's not...

Levenger endurance brief.(Gear)
September 1, 2005... This big boy is a soft yet structured case that stays upright because of its thin layers of foam sewn inside the ballistic nylon panels. It's constructed with an organizational panel in the front zip-down flap, two accordion files in the front...

Victorinox Swiss Army Cross Flyer.(Gear)
September 1, 2005... Victorinox packs a lot into a lightweight, streamlined bag. The Cross Flyer includes a front organizational panel with a key fob and a lightly padded PDA/cell phone pocket. The main compartment has dual-access padded laptop sleeve and slash...

Trager transcontinental vertical laptop brief.(Gear)
September 1, 2005... This bag's hidden zip-away backpack straps allow you to lose the grad-student look after you've sprinted through the airport so that you can tote the bag by the shoulder strap or handle for meetings. The back panel unzips to slide onto...

SkyTeam seeks immunity: current U.S. law places severe limits on foreign ownership of U.S. carriers. A global alliance with anti-trust immunity can offer a consolidated package of services to travelers that often rival a fully merged corporation.(Loyalty)
September 1, 2005... As the U.S. airline industry searches for the road back to long-term profitability, a new reality appears to be settling in. The big legacy carriers, like Delta, Northwest and others have realized they'll never be able to match the cost...

Most frequent travelers redeem their miles for upgrades, free trips or other travel-related merchandise Now, elite flyers on Frontier Airlines can buy lifestyle-oriented merchandise and other gifts through a program called the More Store.(More Store frequent flyer program)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Most frequent travelers redeem their miles for upgrades, free trips or other travel-related merchandise Now, elite flyers on Frontier Airlines can buy lifestyle-oriented merchandise and other gifts through a program called the More Store. The...

American Express.(Loyalty Roundup)(Blue Sky credit card for consumer)(Platinum Business FreedomPass for business )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... AMERICAN EXPRESS has introduced the Blue Sky credit card, for consumers, and the Platinum Business FreedomPass credit card, for small businesses, which allow cardholders to save money on flights, hotels, rental cars and cruises. Members earn...

Rewards network.(Loyalty Roundup)(rewards program for traveler)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... REWARDS NETWORK, which manages the official dining rewards program for 10 different airlines, is making it easier for frequent travelers to accumulate mileage points. The dining program now has three different program levels, Elite, Engaged and...

Hilton offers points for loans.(Loyalty Roundup)(invest loan amounts and get the bonus point )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... HHONORS is offering 1 million bonus points to those who invest loan amounts up to $10 million in new Hilton hotel projects, including Hilton, Conrad, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Hilton Garden Inn and...

Varig.(Loyalty Roundup)(loyalty partnership with InterContinental Hotels)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... VARIG, the Brazilian-based carrier, entered a loyalty partnership with InterContinental Hotels' Priority Club Rewards program. Priority Club members who designate Varig as their preferred airline will earn 2.5 Smiles Miles for every $1 spent at...

The suite life: Lauren David Peden checks into some of the world's most luxurious hotel rooms.(Power Suites prices and rates)
September 1, 2005... If it's true that you've got to spend money to make money, then a whole lot of people must be making a whole lot of money. At least that's what one might reasonably conclude based on the number of uber-high-end, uber-expensive hotel...

Safety first? Four years after 9/11, we've managed to avoid a repeat attack. So why are so many feeling insecure?(Transportation Security Administration)
September 1, 2005... On April 23, 2005, former congressman and presidential candidate John Anderson was scheduled to fly to Germany as part of a delegation that would visit several universities in Berlin, Frankfurt, and other cities. Anderson had been invited...

Looking up: Michael Luongo finds Buenos Aires reclaiming its former glamour.(travel to Buenos Aires )
September 1, 2005... Just a few years ago, scenes of mayhem dominated broadcasts as protestors filled the streets of Buenos Aires amid an economic meltdown. But the glamorous capital of Argentina has returned to vibrancy, recovering from the December 2001 decision...

Feet first: from Michigan Avenue to Wrigley Field, Bob Curley finds Chicago easy to navigate.(business travel to Chicago )
September 1, 2005... My colleague and I are busily consulting a map to try to locate our hotel--the Crowne Plaza Chicago Silversmith--when the El train we've taken for the 35-minute ride from Midway Airport jolts to a stop at the Monroe station on the Downtown...

Lone star rising: Texas' sprawling second-largest metropolis is in the midst of an ambitious reinvention.(business travel to Dallas )
September 1, 2005... When Michael Crosno first considered commuting from his home in Austin for a job in Dallas, he wasn't exactly excited about the city he would be traveling to four nights a week. The city just didn't have much pizzazz. It was a business...

4 hours in Amsterdam: from Schipol Airport to the Eastern Docklands, the historic blends easily with the modern in Amsterdam. Jimmy Im explores some of this culturally rich city's up-and-coming neighborhoods.(New Rijksmuseum)(Lloyd Hotel)
September 1, 2005... First impressions of Amsterdam at the award-winning Schiphol Airport, with its sleek, modern design and mini Rembrandt museum for those who miss the real thing, bring to mind a hybrid of modern and traditional. With so much culture rooted...

The Power of We.(Best Read)
September 1, 2005... In challenging business times, it's easy to get trapped in an "everyone for themselves" mentality. But in today's complex world, no single organization is capable of mobilizinq all the resources required to accomplish everything it needs to do....

Freakonomics.(book in analysis)(Book Review)
September 1, 2005... THE POWER OF INCENTIVE Imagine for a moment that you are the manager of a daycare center. You have a clearly stated policy that children are supposed to be picked up by 4 p.m. But very often parents are late. The result: at day's end, you...

Subscriber offer ...(Privelege club)(great offer to customers)
September 1, 2005... Welcome to Business Traveler's Privelege Club! Privelege Club offers significant discounts at hotels all over the world, many of them exclusive to Business Traveler. With one use, you can recoup your annual subscription fee. Membership is free...

Seeing red: Beth D'Addono is awed by the multi-hued beauty of central Arizona's rock formations and canyons.(travel to Sedona, Arizona)
September 1, 2005... A trip to Phoenix isn't complete without a visit to Sedona, which offers a completely different experience from the bigger city's golf and glam appeal. This spectacular assemblage of radiant red rock formations boasts a natural beauty second to...