Business Travel Tips

A survey sponsored by Egencia(TM), an Expedia, Inc. company, shows the vast majority of business travelers enjoy business trips. 66 percent stated they enjoy their business travel experience and 85 percent said that traveling is a key reason why they like their current job.

The study was conducted by Strategy One surveying a sample of 2400 business travelers between May and July 2008 across USA, Canada, France, Germany and England.

Concerning the different priorities for business travelers, the research identified some key groups or tribes. Below the three largest groups of corporate travelers.

- The largest group, is the ‘experience-hungry‘ travelers, accounting for 39 percent of respondents. These travelers, try to leave as much time as possible for exploring new destinations.
44 percent of French business travelers belongs to this group. 41 percent of employees are ‘experience-hungry’ travelers, but just 29 percent of top management is represented in this group.

- The ‘hyper-connected‘ group comprises of 23 percent of business travelers. They are those who take advantage of business trips to develop business network. 30 percent of top managers fall in this group vs. 19 percent of employees.
Hyper-connected travelers tends to carry BlackBerry, WiFi-ready laptop and other mobile devices to stay in touch with work as well as with friends and family while on the road. They prefer functional hotel with WiFi rather than a charming one without.
The United States is the country best represented in this group, with 28 percent of U.S. corporate travelers who belong to this tribe.

- The ‘cost-conscious‘ travelers is third largest group. It accounted for 14 percent of surveyed. In this group fall travelers working for small companies — with less than 50 employees. Value for money is their key priority in every business trip.
The best represented country in this tribe is UK.

The survey also identified three smaller tribes: ‘seasoned travelers‘ (6 percent) — the most frequent travelers making around 25 business trips a year, ‘home-focused‘ (7 percent) — those who don’t enjoy business trip, and ‘green travelers‘ (4 percent).
(source)

United Airlines will begin charging $50 to check in a second piece of luggage per way, doubling so its fee to check a second bag.

The $50 one-way fee will apply for bookings beginning Tuesday for travel on or after November 10 within the U.S. or to or from Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Holders of Premier frequent flier status — with United or Star Alliance, first and business class travelers are exempt.

Last July Delta Air Lines increased its fee to check a second bag from $25 to $50 per way.
However, the first bag check-in is free with Delta, as United charges $15 to check the first piece of luggage.

Many airlines plan a flight schedule reduction due to Hurricane Ike.

With the flight cancellations at Houston’s airports, some flights will be suspendeded in those cities linked from Houston’s two big airports. Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) alone connects to nearly 200 domestic and international destinations.

Continental says it expects not to reactivate its Houston hub at Bush Intercontinental Airport until Sunday morning, September 14.

If your flight is canceled or significantly delayed, you may want to consult the airline waiver policies. Below you have a few links:
AirTran, American Airlines, Continental, Delta Air Lines,
Frontier, JetBlue, Northwest, Southwest, United, US Airways.

Delta Air Lines passengers who fly on domestic flights to or from New York’s JFK Airport, for a limited time can enjoy a discounted of $45 one-way fare for the helicopter shuttle service between Manhattan and Delta’s terminal at JFK.

This promotional offer is valid for Economy Class tickets, purchased after Sept. 1 for travel through Oct. 31, 2008. Taxes and fees of up to $16.50 apply.
The service normally runs $159 each way (plus additional taxes and fees); it is complimentary for Delta’s BusinessElite customers. 

US Helicopter Airport Shuttle Service, which provides the service, says the travel time between its two Manhattan Heliports (located in Midtown and Downtown Manhattan) and JFK is eight minutes.

Benefits for passengers from US Helicopter service include convenient check-in and boarding passes to final destinations and baggage check to final destination (for passengers traveling to and from Manhattan).
Also, for departing flights, as customers land inside the secure area of JFK, TSA security screening is not required again at the airport.

The UK’s Department of Transport said the restrictions for liquids that passengers can take on board in their hand luggage could be in place for up to another five years.

After a few airlines have called for a review of such restrictions, passengers had hoped the ban would be lifted soon.

Airport security rules which limit the liquids carried as hand luggage were introduced at British and American airports after a plot to blow up trans-Atlantic jets with liquid explosives was discovered in August 2006.

In the United States, the ban has been eased. Passengers are allowed to carry on board liquids stored in 100ml containers or small, which must be placed in a clear plastic bag.