Business Travel Tips

Alaska Airlines is offering passengers Inflight Wi-Fi free of charge on its flights through July 31, 2010.

To take advantage of the promotion, customers are required to enter the promotional code ALASKAVISA on the login screen.
Alaska Airlines says after July 31, the Gogo service, currently available in the U.S. lower 48 states, will be offered to customers at a cost of $4.95 per flight and up, based on length of flight and device used.

By the end of summer, the service will be installed on the airline’s fleet of 737-800s and -900s, which represents the majority of Alaska’s fleet. The remaining 737-400s and -700s will be equipped with the service later in the year.

Click the image to find a detailed coverage map of the Gogo service. (source)

Southwest is the best airline in the U.S. for the availability of standard frequent-flier award tickets, a study by consulting firm IdeaWorks revealed.
The study showed that Southwest Airlines could fulfill 99.3% of requests for award seats requiring standard mileage levels.

The worst results among the U.S. airlines were from US Airways — matching IdeaWorks’ requests 10.7% of the time — and Delta’s success — 12.9%.
Alaska Airlines has a good record with success rate around 75 %.

Outside the U.S., Air Canada, Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines were among the most generous.

- About the study
IdeaWorks made 6,160 queries at 22 airline websites—280 seat requests at each airline. The firm tested long routes and shorter trips under 2,500 miles in big markets. At most airlines, it had greater success with shorter routes. The requests were made in February and March for travel in June through October. (source)

WORLDHOTELS has launched Travel Select, a dedicated program for small business.

With Travel Select, small business benefit from exclusive discounted offers and rates at 450 hotels in over 250 destinations worldwide.

They access to preferential rates and are able to book them directly via a designated booking engine.
Also Travel Select provides companies with a comprehensive reporting tool and makes to keep track of their accommodation expenses.

Small business registering between July 1st and December 31, 2010, join the programme free of charge for the first six months.

Hilton will offer discounts of up to 30% for stays completed between 28 May and 6 September 2010. 

The promotion — “The Great Getaway” –is valid at more than 2,800 participating hotels worldwide, with discounts varying by hotel brand.

Participating Hilton Worldwide brands include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, and Homewood Suites by Hilton. 
Bookings must be made by 15 July 2010, with seven-day advance purchase and full payment at time of booking also required.

All stays entitle Hilton HHonors members to earn their standard points and miles.

American Airlines will start nonstop flights between Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Beijing Capital International Airport on May 25, 2010.

The carrier will initially fly four days per week on the route. It will offer daily flights starting July 3, 2010.

AA will operate the new Chicago – Beijing service using a Boeing 777 equipped with 14 First Class, 37 Business Class and 194 Economy seats.