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Jul31
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We all have different requirements when making travel reservations. Some companies have procedures which needs to be followed in order for a business travel to be authorized and for the expenses to be reimbursed. Not all are as strict, though.
I know how it works at the company I work for. And I'd like to know how it works in other companies. But, before that, I am even more curious to find out if and when business travelers do adhere to their company's requirement for travel, if any.
And today, I would like to start with a question about your basis of which hotel you would book. Do let me know...
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Jul31
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Smokers were tickled at the news of SmintAir letting people smoke onboard. But giddiness was short-lived when Westin announced that it will ban smoking in its hotel brands. And with Marriot following suit, smokers have even less options if and...
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Taking a day- or an overnight-trip? Wouldn't it be sweet not to have to bother with long lines at check-in for such a short flight? Well, if you fly American Airlines, you wouldn't have to. When you travel with a...
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Jul30
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Upgrade Travel has just learned her place. She has been subtly informed that she does not belong to the dominant class. She is not part of that group of people who enjoy superior status. She is, as defined by Continental Airlines,...
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The company I work for does not issue Corporate credit cards for its employees. Instead of corporate CCs, we can: Pay using our personal credit cards. File our expense report after the trip. The amount will then be reimbursed to us around a...
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Jul29
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With everything else that we have to deal with when travelling, it sure would make everything a lot easier if there wouldn't be a glitch during that period between arriving at the airport and getting to our destination (to a meeting or...
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After coming home from a long (or mulit-destination) business trip, I always try to reward myself (and my family) in the form of working temporarily from home. Of course, the success rate of getting an arrangement like this approved depends on...
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Jul27
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Ironically, valuable things DO get lost when going through security checkpoints. There are lots of stories about valuables going missing even if the owner's eyes were only diverted away for a second. That's why we should always keep an eye on our valuables...
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Jul26
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I have had a personal website way before the term blogging was even coined. Back in 1997, I used my geocities account on Tropical Shores to record my travels. Little did I know that 9 years later, I would still...
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Stuck at an airport for hours, waiting for the next flight. What to do next? Work, of course. Laptop. Check.Internet Access. Check.Comfy set-up. Check. Pat yourself on the back yet? Downtime well spent as you prepare for that important meeting...
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In British English, verbs that end in a vowel plus l double the l when adding endings that begin with a vowel. So travel = traveller. In American English, the l is not doubled. Hence, it should be traveler. I admit,...
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No, not that survival kit I'd need if *knock on wood* something unmentionable should happen. It's my personal on-board survival kit should (1) I fail to fall asleep during that long-haul flight; (2) the plane not have anything in their entertainment...
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Apart from EuroBonus Frequent Flyer program, another incentive for companies is being awarded by SAS AB (SAS). SAS Payback Program says thank you to companies by paying companies with cash back! "You can earn up to 12% cash back on all...
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With the fairly recent redesign and over-all improvement of the BusinessElite, business travel on Delta Air Lines Inc. (DALRQ.PK) now allows travellers to mix business and pleasure. An experience enhanced by the luxury and comfort that BusinessElite provides: with newly...
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Jul25
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Business Traveller Richard Quest made a mistake of misplacing his passport. A mistake which he thought an experienced business traveller like him would never commit. It was, for him, a humbling experience. Luckily, the passport was recovered later; it saved him the...
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Business travellers who constantly commute between the US and Canada, you now have a more convenient way of booking your trips via AirCanada's Corporate Pass. Air Canada’s Corporate Passes lets your company buy multiple credits which any of your company's 300 (!)...
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In this world of e-mails, VoIPs and blackberrys, a lot of us still find ourselves needing data the old fashioned way... via faxes. As previously mentioned, while away on business, there are several ways to send/receive faxes. We can send/receive...
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Jul24
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Business Class Specials are currently being offered by Lufthansa for travel to selected European destinations from selected US cities. Current offers for one-way travel via Lufthansa or United are: Atlanta - London $1,172 Denver - Milan $1,505 Boston - Zurich...
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Jim Noble, the CEO of Noble Systems, has racked up a record number of 31 million Delta SkyMiles, making him the top earner of SkyMiles. He has accummulated miles from his numerous business trips to Europe. Apparently, this is "more than...
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This report gave me a great impression about Loews Hotels Holding Corporation (Loews), an upper scale hotel chain for business travelers. "The world of Loews Hotels. It's a world of places, people and services that make us truly unique. Whether they're inspired...
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I just downloaded the Free 7-day trial and am bent on trying out Frequent Flyer Friend, a new online travel tool. Basically, this is how it works: Rather than checking with your airline regularly until you finally get an...
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Attention to all US Citizens: There is a change in travel requirements. Travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermida, Panama, Mexico and Canada will soon need to present a passport in order to enter or re-enter the United States. Starting December 31,...
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We all know that re-scheduling our flight dates mean one thing - Ticket Change FEES. The amount of which depends on the kind of ticket that you are holding and when you have informed your airline. If you have a...
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Jul20
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Recently, I received an email from Lia Steakely asking about my opinion on which airport would be the best for Business Travelers. Without any hesitation, I answered Hong Kong International Airport. I found out later that the research only covers...
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Now, tell me... do you have as many gadgets? Whích gadgets do you carry around with you when you trave? Do they help a lot with your productivity? honestly, would you even take the time to do a couple of things...
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Petite Anglaise got dooced. She was fired by the French company she works for because of her blog. Apart from Catherine (aka Petite Anglaise), there were already a handful who got dooced because of blogging. Here is a list. As for...
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Don't you just love competition? Especially the kind wherein consumers are the main benefactors of service and/or price wars between companies.Here's yet another great news which a lot of extended business travellers would appreciate. Not only would it mean...
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We often find ourselves stressed, going from the airport straight to our meetings, eating strange food and/or talking to clients for long hours. All of these could result in bad breath. We have several options to avoid this from happening....
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Jul18
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There are several ways to get an upgrade. Sometimes, Membership in a frequent flier mileage club alone would do the trick. And then there are those lucky travellers who just happened to be dressed right and were nice to the ground...
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Jul17
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From the same guys who came up with that oh-so-useful Mobile Desk with Laptop Bag, here's yet another gadget to help business travellers be even more productive. Introducing the Auto Exec Desk... You can strap it into the passenger seat...
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Those who have no access to airport lounges sometimes find themselves looking for a place to work comfortably on their laptops while they wait for boarding time. If going to a restaurant or a cafe is not an option then, they may find themselves...
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As previously mentioned, "...expect an increase of one to 40 Euros when you pay for your plane tickets, as France adds French tax on airline tickets. Your tax money will be used to buy bulk purchases of medicines to help...
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EOS, one of the 3 all-business airlines plying the route between London and New York, has applied at the Transportation Department for permission to cover New York to Paris route next spring. In addition, EOS plans to double its New York (JFK)...
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Hopefully. Let's all cross our fingers.Apparently, the European Union is calling for airfare price transparency across Europe. If this pushes through, we can say goodbye to those ++ prices that we see. We can finally rely on paying the amount...
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Jul15
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There are days when I would run late and rush to the airport to make sure that I do not miss my flight. I do make it. Only to find out a few minutes later that my flight is actually delayed......
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Tired of working while in transit? Are you bored during your business travels? Would you rather talk to like-minded travellers while waiting for your flight or during your down time? Then you might want to try out Flight Club. It's...
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Jul14
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Remember this? Business Travellers and residents of both US and Canada saved a lot of money when SkypeOut was offered for free to calls to and from the US and Canada. Although this new offer may be limited -- 3...
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We've all had complaints about airline staff, service and any other problem which we may have encountered during our travels. More often than not, we just vent out our frustrations and just charge it to experience. Very few have actually...
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Jul13
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Tomorrow is Bastille Day, a French National holiday. So those who are in France can expect fireworks to light up the sky and for Champs Elysees to be full of people watching the parades. For those who are in the...
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"How safe is the safety deposit box?" That is one of the first things that come to mind whenever I check into my hotel room. I prefer the digital key-in-your-number combination kind of lock and the heavy-duty, mounted body. I'd inspect it...
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When we talk of butlers, we think of a senior staff member in palatial homes, wearing coattails and armed with their wry humours.Inspired by the concept of having butlers, some hotels are offering the services of their staff to make...
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Due to security measures for obvious reasons, baggages and travellers are being subjected to more intensive scrutiny. For those who need to go to the USA, it is best to take a look at the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) travel...
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Jul12
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Need to have business travel information at your fingertips? Google could be helpful if you use the correct keywords but, sometimes, the results are still not filtered. When you need to search for resources that cater specifically to corporate business travellers,...
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"A German executive who had earned air miles on work-related Lufthansa flights that would buy more than $11,000 worth of air travel took the matter to court when the employer believed it owned the points. The judge recently ruled in...
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With the new developments that we have been seeing in the travel industry, it is obvious that most of them have been focusing on the demands of corporate travellers. The improvements in the services are designed to help make things...
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Jul11
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Do you receive calls more often than you make them? If so, here's a great way to save money on roaming charges during your trips abroad. United Mobile lets you take incoming calls and text messages anywhere within 80 countries (including...
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With the technology of today, gone are the days when we have to call a travel agent in order to get the best price possible for our chosen destination/trip. And, back then, we had to take our agent's word that...
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Jul10
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Women Travellers, especially those who travel alone, need to take special care to ensure safety. With what is happening all around us, it pays to be cautious. For tips on what we can do to avoid any untoward incidents, check...
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Despite the head-butting incident which resulted in a red card, Zidane's exit was still made bright when he cinched the Golden Shoe Award. Apparently, he lost his temper when Materrazi made racial slurs during the Finals game. Apparently. We can...
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The excitement of the World Cup is over. The streets may seem emptier but flags still adorn several houses and vehicles. As for work... well, work didn't really stop during the World Cup 2006 month but many surely had their...
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Jul 7
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For the whole month of August, BMI is conducting a Business Class Summer Sale. "bmi offers daily non-stop flights from Chicago O'Hare and three times weekly from Las Vegas to Manchester, England with convenient connections to London Heathrow and Scotland."...
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Etihad Airways, the National Airline of the United Arab Emirates, has unveiled its luxurious Diamond Seat on Airbus 340-500. What is so special about these seats? It can rotate 180 degrees (see above pic) which means that guests can...
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One of my personal business travel nightmares is failing to respond to my wake-up call. Jetlag and late arrival are not really acceptable excuses if we are late for an important business meeting. If, like me, you have a bit...
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Even with companies reducing business travel, a few of us still find ourselves in situations wherein we HAVE TO travel. These are times when teleconferences would not work and being physically present is important... like attending relevant trade shows. The good...
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Microsoft PowerPoint is one of the most powerful presentation tool being used today. I have yet to attend a seminar or presentation without anyone (yours truly, included) using this tool for business presentations. However, even aided by a great tool,...
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Almost ready with my preparation, I face the mirror in my hotel room and gasp. In my haste to wear my black top (which I usually wear with my grey suit), I now have white deodorant reside on the sides...
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Jul 6
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Should you have a trip to New York scheduled for next week, you are in luck! It's Summer Restaurant Week! "New York’s finest restaurants are serving up three-course prix-fixe lunches for $24.07 and/or three-course dinners for $35.00. Beverage, tax and...
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Jul 5
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I do not like hidden hotel costs. Not knowing the real price outright sometimes gives me the feeling that I am being cheated, even if the added cost is reasonable. I'd prefer to know outright what I would be paying for...
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As previously mentioned, I am a slave to technology. Thank God that there are tons of gadgets to choose from for roadgladiators like me who depend a lot on technology to be productive. What kind of tools do you use...
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Whenever I find myself with time on my hands, alone in the confines of my hotel room during a business trip, I indulge in a few of my guilty pleasures. I always think that it is the best time to...
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There are those who take advantage of the fact that the company is paying the bill. They fit in a vacation during a business trip. And then there are those who do it the other way around. Business travellers who...
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Jul 4
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Whether you are planning a small meeting or a large conference with your colleagues or clients abroad -- say, in Hong Kong, Bangkok, Beijing or Chicago -- this summer, you may want to consider (or suggest) holding it at The...
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French readers (or, at least, those who are planning to start their journey in France), listen up! Expect an increase of one to 40 Euros when you pay for your plane tickets, as France adds French tax on airline tickets....
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Sheraton Hotels and Resorts recently launched a new website, inviting travellers to add in content. Users can now input their own stories, tips and photos to share their best travel finds and favorite destinations. A social networking site from Sheraton, another first in...
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Jul 3
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One of the major business traveller woes is the guilt they carry for not being there -- for their spouse and/or their kids. They. I should say WE. There are tips on how to overcome lessen one's guilt. I have done them...
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With competition all around, Hotels need to up the ante a bit in order to lure an increasingly savvy clientele. Marriot Hotels & Resorts are now in the process of doing just that. Guest rooms have been re-engineered and redefined. And more hotels and...
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Cabs are one of the easiest way to get around Manhattan. Unfortunately, the number of cabs result in traffic jams. So if you find yourself late (delayed flight isn't rare) for a very important meeting or you just cannot afford to waste your...
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It is always important to look sharp whenever we are on the go. More so when we are meeting clients for the first time. Nothing is more embarassing than meeting a client with a hint of what your last meal...
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Here's a promising new tool that aggregates data to help customers make decisions when it comes to buying a plane ticket. It compares airline prices and uses historical pricing data to forecast when you should buy your ticket and get the best...
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