Business Travel Tips

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) clarifies about the reason why you are required to answer questions asked by TSA officers about the cash you are traveling with.

Francine Kerner, TSA’s Chief Counsel says:

“Sometimes a TSA officer may ask a passenger who is carrying a large sum of cash to account for the money. [...]
In reacting to potential security problems or signs of criminal activity, TSA officers are trained to ask questions and assess passenger reactions, including whether a passenger appears to be cooperative and forthcoming in responding.

TSA officers routinely come across evidence of criminal activity at the airport checkpoint. Examples include evidence of illegal drug trafficking, money laundering, and violations of currency reporting requirements prior to international trips.

When presented with a passenger carrying a large sum of money through the screening checkpoint, the TSA officer will frequently engage in dialog with the passenger to determine whether a referral to law-enforcement authorities is warranted.
The TSA officer may consider all circumstances in making the assessment, including the behavior and credibility of the passenger. Thus, a failure to be forthcoming may inform a TSA officer’s decision to call law-enforcement authorities.” (source)

Starwood is offering a free weekend night with every two stays between May 1 and July 31.

Awards can be earned and redeemed at more than 875 Starwood Preferred Guest® participating hotels and resorts worldwide from May through the end of September 2009 — with no blackout dates on available standard rooms.

To earn one free weekend night with every two stays you have to register at http://www.spgpromos.com/weekends/.

Japan Airlines (JAL) is offering discounted flights between United States and a range of Asian destinations including Tokyo, Hong Kong, Beijing, and Shanghai.

To land these JAL’s deals you have to book by April 21.

Travel period: April 1 – May 31. A three-day minimum stay is required; tickets must be booked at least 7 days in advance.

Below a sampling of what JAL is offering on some U.S. – Asia routes.
Please note: fares are round-trip based on required round-trip purchase for economy class travel; fares include fuel surcharge, do not include taxes.

Boston – Beijing: $789
Chicago – Bangkok: $711
Dallas – Beijing: $ 699
Denver – Hong Kong: $669
Los Angeles – Guangzhou: $591
New York – Beijing: $ 701
New York – Shanghai: $ 701

Find out details here.

United Airlines has announced it intends to enforce a new policy for overweight passengers.

WBBM Newsradio 780 of Chicago quoted United spokesperson Robin Urbanski as saying that passengers who are unable to comfortably fasten a safety belt with one extension, or sit comfortably with armrests down, will be moved next to an empty seat on board the same flight at no charge if possible.
If no empty seats exist, the passenger can be denied boarding, or taken off the flight – and put on the next flight on which space is available – at double the charge.

Urbanski said the airline’s newly-implemented policy responds to complaints from passengers. “Previously, a passenger would stay in a seat and the passenger next to him would have an uncomfortable flight,” she said.

Southwest Airlines today announced its flight schedule from Boston Logan International (BOS).
Beginning August 16, 2009, Southwest will begin service with ten daily nonstop flights: five to Chicago Midway and five to Baltimore/Washington International.

The airline is offering these new flights with fares as low as $89 one-way for Chicago and $49 one-way for Baltimore/Washington (see fare rules below).

Southwest Airlines’ new service out of Boston Logan will also offer direct or connecting service to 48 other destinations, including: Las Vegas, Phoenix, Denver, Los Angeles, Houston, and San Francisco, just to name a few. To view a complete list of Southwest’s flights from Boston Logan, visit southwest.com.

Southwest will operate from gates E1A and E1B in Terminal E at Logan.