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May31
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  +3 and then, -1 The Irish state-owned Aer Lingus changed its business setup and is now selling itself as a low-budget airline. Hence, the withdrawal from the global alliance of oneworld. Note that present members of the oneworld alliance includes American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Lan and Qantas. Source: Reuters |
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May31
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This is something we've heard or even experienced before. Having to seat beside someone onboard an airplane who has bad personal hygiene, use too much perfume or ate too much garlic/spicy food is torture. If you can't move to a different...
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May30
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From 09 June until 09 July, it would be best if you avoid visiting Germany for business. Unless, of course, you are a football fan yourself. During this period, all 12 locations (Hamburg, Hannover, Berlin, Gelsenkirchen, Dortmund, Leipzig, Cologne,...
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Brandweek Magazine has just awarded Expedia its Customer Loyalty Program Award for Travel. Brandweek, provider of news and insights concerning brands and marketing, has teamed up with Brand Keys to create the Brandweek Customer Loyalty Awards. "The Index provides...
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May29
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When on extended business trips, I indulge in one of my guilty pleasures... watching movies (which I normally would not admit to liking) in the privacy of my hotel room. With my loot from the mini bar or a tray of food...
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Already a member of Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club? No trips scheduled in the foreseable future? Not enough miles in your account to redeem a reward? If your answer is yes to all the three questions, you need not worry and...
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Remember my previous post about tax-free shopping? "Some stores can give you tax-free shopping checks or VAT refund form which you could present to customs (at the airport) before you leave the country. You can get the refund there or you...
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Let me recall the first lessons in taxi riding I've had when I first visited this city several years ago. The back door can be controlled from the driver's seat. So do not be surprised if it opens up even before...
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May27
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Thanks to Memorial Day Weekend, I finally have the break that I need. It has been a crazy week of working and travelling. Too crazy that I didn't get the time to blog about it. Usually, even if I am...
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„My travel insurance is great. I do not pay as much as everyone else does.” But when pressed further about the benefits of her insurance, my sister could not answer. A lot of people think that basically all insurances are the same. ...
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May22
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[photo source: ukbw] I felt like I was on top of the world. My flight was relatively uneventful. The presentation review was a major success. I said my goodbyes for the day and checked into my hotel. Nothing wrong...
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If you travel light, chances are, you travel fast. In addition, you are spared the headaches which several travellers with checked-in luggage face. Case in Point: There is a long line at the check-in counter. Especially now that airports are...
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May21
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courtesy of Webflyer "The Way It Is and the Way It Ought To Be" is this weekend's featured comic/funnies from one of our favorite travel sites, Webflyer. Shows us that everything is, indeed, relative....
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Warning: This may only appeal to a few women business travellers. So you have that generic luggage that is difficult to spot when the luggages come out of the carousel. Here's an interesting (not to mention, cute!) way of finding...
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Previously I posted an entry about some companies which require their employees to share rooms in order to cut cost. An anonymous reader is asking for help about sharing a room during a business trip: "I recently joined a company...
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May19
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Forgot to check online before you left your office or hotel for that WiFi Hotspot Directory listing? Soon enough, you wouldn't need to. All you would be needing is your mobile phone and voilá, you have the addresses of the...
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[photo source: UPenn] Laptop? Check.Coffee? Check.WiFi? Check. It's the smell of coffee, the din of other patrons talking to each other, the casual atmosphere and the activity around that has this effect on me. I relax. And, surprisingly to...
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With the availability of the Business Premier class, more and more business travellers have been opting to travel via Eurostar for trips to and from London, Paris and/or Brussels. If you have not tried this transport alternative, you should! It's cost-effective and you...
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While on the road, there were times when I have found myself alone and without any dinner plans. Rather than sequestering myself in the confines of my room, I have sometimes opted to boldly dine alone in a restaurant. I...
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May18
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I thought I'd share this article with you. No one could appreciate Wendy Perrin's frustrating description of how the airline industry has been treating travellers more than all of you, frequent travellers. "Planes are fuller than ever, thanks to fleet...
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I love it when airport pick-up can be arranged in advance. Going out of the arrival gate and seeing my name written on a piece of cardboard being held up just never fails to get that big sigh of relief...
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Be it before and after a meeting or when networking during exhibitions or trade fairs, being able to connect with clients or possible clients through small talk is a big thing. The art of small talk is something that we, business travellers,...
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Please excuse this seemingly juvenile post. I just can't resist posting this. If anything, this might even give you a good laugh. We all know the whys and wherefores of Wind. Admit it or not, at some point in our lives,...
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Soon enough, winning bidders will be offering Internet access and VOiP telephone calls onboard, as FCC has already started auctioning off "nationwide commercial licenses in the 800 MHz band in the three alternative band configurations. Licenses in only one of these...
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May17
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Work-Life Balance is difficult to achieve if you have way too many business trips scheduled. A fact that is glaringly obvious for working parents. Of course, the best way to maintain work-life balance is to prioritize and seek our employer's...
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May16
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The worst business trip I have even experienced was back in Autumn 2002 when I went to visit a client in Bologna, Italy with my boss and another colleague. We arrived in the afternoon and had a short meeting up...
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"Heading off for a two-week business trip, Gary Hacker made it aboard his 4 p.m. flight to Chicago -- but his 50-pound Samsonite suitcase wasn't as lucky. 'I was in casual clothes. I had no change of underwear, no...
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With the high cost of almost everything now, we all need to adjust our spending habits -- whether it is for our own personal or for our business' advantage. We also need to become more creative with getting the most...
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Several years ago, one of my friends was on-board a KLM flight from Amsterdam to Washington. During the flight, one of his fellow passengers had a heart-attack. Naturally, a message followed asking if there is a doctor onboard. A few seconds...
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Following the footsteps of Singapore and Hong Kong, Dubai has also been promoting itself as a business and travel hub. The travel industry has been steadily offering perks to attract more and more business travellers. Recently, Le Meridien Dubai has...
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May15
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Recently, we announced that Skype is now available for users of Intel-based Mac. Skype has just made another announcement which could mean money saved for business travellers, especially those who are on extended business trips. Skype has just announced...
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When you are planning to rent-a-car and drive abroad, you may need more than just the ability to get used to right- or left- hand drive and/or converting kilometers to miles. You may also need to get an International Driving...
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Last January, I went on an extended business trip to Asia. VPN connection to the office server, our in-house system and my office email were checked twice by the IT guy to ensure that I have access and am accessible during my 3-week trip. As soon as...
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E-mail is now the preferred means of exchanging information. However, there are times when we still need to receive or send something by fax. You have several options on how you can do this while you are away on business: You...
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May14
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Even if the hotel room I get meets all my expectations, I still try to bring a couple of extras to make it seem more like home; more so when I need to stay somewhere for more than 3 days. Normally, I bring with...
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Don't you just hate it when you are seated next to someone who keeps on glancing at your laptop monitor? If you'd rather that the person next to you cannot see what you are working on, get 3M's Privacy Filters....
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May13
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I am dependent on Oanda, the currency site. It has been instrumental in letting me file my T&E early, when needed. The official Oanda site is a gold mine for travellers who need the help of several currency tools. Yet another great...
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When given the chance, I do go shopping, especially whenever I find myself in countries known for specific products. Two years ago, I found myself in Milan. It was the perfect excuse to get myself a leather bag from...
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May12
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Woman Traveller does it well... "I keep 2-3 basic airplane travel outfits that account for various weather conditions, including starting in one weather pattern and ending up in something totally different (50s on the West Coast and 90 degrees and...
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Great news for MAC-toting extended business travellers. Skype has released version 1.4.0.49, specifically for Intel-based MAC users. They can now join in the VOiP madness and will now be able to "talk to anyone, where, for FREE". Rather than spend...
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As soon as the thank yous and goodbyes have been said, I get a picture in my head -> of me sprinting out the door, calling a taxi to take me to the airport and boarding a plane that will...
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May11
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In 3 weeks, I will be attending IMEX, the Worldwide Exhibition for Incentive Travel, Meetings and Events. IMEX is attended by exhibitors from 140 countries, representing tourist offices, major hotel groups, airlines, service providers and more. It should be interesting...
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Designed for the tech-savvy crowd, Thomas Pink's Commuter shirt has concealed pockets for your iPOD and headphone wires. There is also a hidden cuff pocket which should be perfect for credit or business cards. With this shirt, business travellers can now wow...
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If you intend to pursue a client in Saudi Arabia, I suggest that you schedule the meeting well in advance. In addition, you cannot expect marathon, full-day meetings. So, be prepared to stay there a bit longer than how business...
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May10
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What: Earn Miles when you order flowers for Mother's DayWho: Loyalty Card holders of United Mileage Plus, American Airlines Advantage, Delta Skymiles, NWA World Perks, Aeroplan, Alaska Mileage Plan, America West Airlines, US Airways Dividend Miles, Midwest Miles, Virgin Atlantic,...
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We all call it Elevator Music. It's that soothing piped-in music which is being played in malls, elevators, hotels, etc. It's pleasant and not as intrusive as other types of music. Some like it, others don't. Personally, I like it in small...
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May 9
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Remember NYT's My Colleague, My Roommate? Apparently, due to the rising cost of travel, some companies have taken to making their employees share hotel rooms during business trips. It has been said that this would also result in employees to getting...
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"After a roller-coaster year, the euro appears to be headed firmly on an upward track as Europe's once-sputtering economy starts firing on all cylinders and the U.S. dollar weakens against major currencies." IHT's news turned my knees into rubber. Sure,...
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Are you still toting your trusty old datebook around? Or, have you gone high-tech over the years and bought a handheld computer? Or, do you maximize the use of your Outlook? There are lots of ways to keep ourselves informed...
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Earlier, we received Lesson #1 from Snoop Dogg and his posse on how NOT to get an upgrade for VIP lounge access at London Heathrow Airport. As a result, Snoop and his gang are now banned for life at British Airways. Upgrade Travel...
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If your home base is New York or London and you find yourself constantly flying from/to these destinations then, perhaps, you may want to consider EOS. EOS, as previously mentioned, is one of the 3 all-business airlines plying the route...
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May 8
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There are taxis all over , anytime of day or night. However, during peak hours, you need to ask your hotel concierge to call one for you or, you can walk up to the taxi stand to get one. There...
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With 25-40 business trips in a year, the “rewards” I reap is pretty good. It pays for the mini-vacations which I take with my husband and son, with no resulting problems with the company since I try to avoid wrong...
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First and Business Class travellers on-board Lufthansa will now have access to the newly extended programme of entertainment. WatchEnjoy, ListenRelax, StudyPlay and SurfLufthansa can now be individually selected (Touch Screen for 1st class and Master Control for Business class). The...
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1st Class Sleeper is NOT a site which gives coach class passengers tips on how to upgrade to First Class for $44.95. You wish! For that price, all you are going to get is a special cushion that cradles your head....
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May 7
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Eurostar is a train service that connects London Waterloo station to Paris - Gare du Nord, Lille and Brussels - Gare di Midi. Business travel via Eurostar is a convenient and cost-effective way of getting yourself to and from...
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This post is Part II of T&E Expense Abuse entry.Without any more preamble, here are the most common T&E expense abuses, according to Business Week:Extended weekends - some of us do get lucky and have meetings near the slopes or...
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Travel and Entertainment (T&E) Expense reimbursements are susceptible to abuse. Whether a non-reimbursable expense was intentionally filed or if it was just a mistake due to misunderstanding, it still could be classified as stealing from the company.A few business travellers...
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May 5
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When it comes to meetings and presentations, what matters most is what is inside your brain, what you have prepared and what you are offering. Clothes won't make the man. But, it sure does help if one's professional appearance is appropriate...
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Douglas Gunn, a passenger on-board British Airways' London-Edinburgh flight, bit more than he could chew. His chicken salad, part of the in-flight meal, had a 2cm long and needle-sharp shard of glass. The piece of glass pierced his tongue when he...
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When in China... A dinner meeting with clients or colleagues is, more often than not, followed by after dinner entertainment. If you are a man, chances are, you'd be taken to a karaoke bar and have some drinks. It could actually turn...
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Like what I always say, not every Business Traveller's pockets are lined with company-supported budgets. Some travellers do operate on a "I have to save what I can" motto. One of the easiest way to save money is to take...
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May 4
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For Road Gladiators who spend 60 or more nights in hotels per year, this might be of interest to you. To celebrate 60 years of caring, Best Western -- the world's largest hotel chain -- is offering a Lifetime Gold Crown...
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comic courtesy of WebFlyer I know, I know, tax payment was due mid of last month. However, for those who live outside the US, it is not due until next month; and for those who have filed extensions, it...
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What better way to celebrate 25 years of existence than to offer 25 Deals in 25 Days? AAdvantage's 25 years anniversary is being celebrated by giving great deals, surprises and bonuses to its loyal AAdvantage members. Every day, there will...
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I read the Wall Street Journal whenever I get the chance. I am not a subscriber, though. I have to thank hotels and airline lounges for the privilege of being able to read WSJ from cover to cover. Should...
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In cooperation with American Express, American Airlines is now allowing passengers to charge their on-board purchases -- such as food -- using their credit or debit cards. This payment option started last Monday and is scheduled to expand to ALL...
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May 2
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The little things matter a lot. No matter how posh the hotel may seem on the first look, the attention given to little details still says a lot about the hotel. Lack of attention to detail could mar my...
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The Freddies, one of the most prestigious consumer-generated awards, was held last Thursday at the Four Points by Sheraton LA International Airport. Freddie Awards allow consumers to grade airline and hotel programs in 9 Freddie Award categories. Did the...
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