Business Best Of
The Business Travel Widget
Can’t get enough of the Business Travel Logue? Well, now you can have your very own BTL widget on YOUR website! Thanks to the brains behind the operation, a Business Travel Logue widget is now available. This handy tool will allow you (and others) to keep up to date on all of the latest business travel news.
Get it here and feel free to plaster me all over the web.
Date: June 30th, 2007 |
1 comment
Avis Car Rental has WiFi
Avis Rent a Car has announced they, in a partnership with Autonet Mobile, will offer Wi-Fi for the reasonable price of $10.95 per day high speed Internet service in its cars by March. The connection would be via a MOBILE hotspot, rather than parking in some sort of strange Wi-Fi drive in, which was what first came to mind when I came across this news.
I’m pretty excited about it, except for running in to those people who cause near fatal accidents when they try to accomplish really difficult multi-tasking …
Date: January 16th, 2007 |
4 comments
Cingular Wireless International Roaming
Unlike many US based cellular companies, Cingular is on the GSM Network. That means Cingular customers can place and receive calls in 185 countries throughout the world. In addition, data services such as SMS text messaging are available in 120 countries.
First, you need to determine if your phone in particular will work. Most recently purchased phones shouldn’t be a problem. If you have one of the following models, your phone should work in any GSM country you visit: Motorola MPX220, Motorola V180, Motorola V220, Motorola V3, Motorola V551, Motorola V557, palmOne Treo 600, palmOne Treo 650, RIM BlackBerry 7100g,
RIM BlackBerry 7290, RIM BlackBerry 8700c, Siemens SX66, Sony Ericsson w600i, Sony Ericsson Z520a. If you have one of the following, your phone will work in all countries with the exception of those in the 900 MHz band: Audiovox SMT5600, LG C1300i, LG C1500, LG C2000, Motorola E1, Nokia 3120, Nokia 3220, Nokia 6102, Nokia 6230, Nokia 6620, Samsung D307, Samsung P207, Samsung P777, Samsung x497, Sony Ericsson s710a, Sony Ericsson Z500a.
If it doesn’t work, you can purchase a world phone from Cingular or you can rent a phone from BootsnAll. This page will also give you information on buying a SIM card for your destination of choice. If you plan on traveling outside the country frequently it would be worth buying one of the pricey phones. If you’re taking infrequent trips, rental may be the way to go.
If your phone works, you need to activate your international roaming. Before you leave the US or Canada, call 1.866.CINGULAR or visit a retail store to activate international roaming or international long distance on your plan.
Date: January 4th, 2007 |
2 comments
Pay by Phone Service in NYC with Near Field Technology
Cingular is testing a new-to-the-U.S. service in New York allowing customers to pay for everyday items using their cell phone with near field technology. Incidentally, we are WAY behind other parts of the world with this type of technology. It has been available in some European locations and Japan for several years already.
How does it work? Using MasterCard’s PayPass technology. That’s the same deal that lets cardholders waive their cards in front of a scanner to make purchases, like in the marathon commercial. Cingular has paired with MasterCard, Citigroup and Nokia to make it happen. A MasterCard PayPass radio chip is installed in the phone, allowing the user to swipe their phone (rather than the standard PayPass card) at retail locations who accept PayPass. The chip sends payment information to the receiver and charges the user accordingly. Charges are added to the users cell phone bill.
Date: December 18th, 2006 |
1 comment
Hertz Rental Cars PlatePass Program - Allows Drivers to Use EZ Pass Lanes
Hertz Rental Cars is raising the bar for all rental agencies with the expansion of their new PlatePass system, following the successful launch in Houston and the New York metro area. PlatePass is an electronic toll payment system that allows renters to bypass back-ups at cash toll lanes, and go for the less crowded EZ Pass lanes. Hertz is expanding the program to include Boston, Atlantic City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. The program provides renters a cost-effective way to save time and reduce stress on the road by enabling customers to utilize EZ Pass lanes through rentals of E-Z Pass toll tags. That’s way better than my old system of getting lots of toll violations when I traveled.
How does it work? The PlatePass system requires the rental of a small electronic device at the Hertz rental counter. The device enables high speed electronic toll collection wherever EZ Pass is accepted on major toll roads throughout the Northeast corridor, from Virginia to Maine, including the Chesapeake Expressway in Virginia, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, New Jersey’s Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike; the New York State Thruway, all toll bridges and tunnels into Manhattan, the Massachusetts Turnpike, the Maine Turnpike and the Illinois Tollway.
Date: December 13th, 2006 |
No Comments
Starwood Hotels will Auction Superbowl XLI Packages for Points
If you frequent Starwood Hotels and you’ve racked up loads of Starwood Preferred Guest points by your incessant business travel, this could be your lucky day. Starwood is auctioning off 4 Super Bowl packages for Super Bowl XLI in Miami, Florida on February 4, 2007. Each package includes the following:
Two lower level seat tickets to the big game
Four nights at the Sheraton Bal Harbour Beach Resort
A gift basket at the hotel
Two tickets to the Pepsi Smash Concert, featuring Fergie, Kanye West and John Legend
Two tickets to the NFL …
Date: January 21st, 2007 |
3 comments
Marriott Hotels are Getting Greener
Marriott Hotels has some exciting news for business travelers. If you’re looking for some incentive to stay at one particular hotel over the host of other choices, you may want to consider the environmental impact of the hotel. Marriott Properties has announced they have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 70,000 tons in one year. That’s a reduction of 2% per room. According to the press release, that quantity would be the equivalent of removing 10,000 cars from the streets. That’s certainly a step in the right direction.
Marriott has distinguished itself as the first hotel company to proactively join the EPA’s Climate Leaders Program, and plans to reduce greenhouse gases by 6% per room by 2010. In addition, Marriott’s launched its Retro-Commissioning (MRC) initiative last year to maximize energy in all U.S. hotels.
How are they making it happen?
Group “Re-Lamp” Campaign: This program replaced 450,000 light bulbs with more efficient fluorescent lighting in 2006. This resulted in a 65% savings on overall lighting costs and energy usage in guest rooms
Linen Reuse Program: Initiative to persuade guests to reuse linens and towels during their hotel stay. This program saved 11 to 17% on hot water and sewer bills involved in laundering operations at each hotel
Marriott’s Smoke-Free Policy: All U.S. Marriott properties became non-smiling last year, which improves indoor air quality. This is expected to result in a 30% reduction in energy use for air treatment systems
Ozone Activated Laundry and Formula One Systems: These systems can save up to 25% in energy used in laundry systems. And here I was thinking that was a race car.
LED Signage: Marriott replaced 4,500 outdoor signs with LED and fiber optic technology. This netted a 40% reduction in outdoor advertising use in its first year.
Shower Heads: Marriott Installed 400,000 new shower heads to reduce hot water usage by 10% each year
Environmental Stewards: Marriott appointed Directors of Energy and an architect certified by the US Green Building Council for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) to help oversee a variety of programs.
Date: January 15th, 2007 |
1 comment
Social Networking on the Road - Text Message Via License Plate with PL8Scan
There is a new social networking service on the loose called PL8Scan. This service allows users to sign up to receive text messages from other members via their license plate number. Now, this certainly isn’t my idea of a way to meet boys, but I think it has some FANTASTIC possibilities!
I’m a bit of a road-rager, so I’m really in to the idea of being able to let other drivers know what they’re doing wrong. Because OBVIOUSLY it’s them doing something wrong - not me. I can really see saving templates in my phone for things such as:
Get out of my lane a$!hole!
You should pull over and never drive again.
Green means ‘GO’! and (ironically)
Get off the phone and drive!
Date: December 18th, 2006 |
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Travel Jobs: Chivas Life Ambassador for Chivas Regal Scotch Whiskey
This is the coolest travel job I’ve seen so far (closely followed by the Chief Beer Officer for Starwood Hotels). The Chivas Life Ambassadors are hired as a team of two to represent Chival Regal and “seek out extraordinary moments in inspiring locations.” The pair travels the world searching for The Chivas Life moments and events and reports their adventures on chivascircle.com. So basically, it’s a really well paid blogging job. The pair is appointed for 1 year, so you won’t retire doing this job. What do you get for all of your hard efforts globe trotting for fun? $200,000 USD. That’s some serious cabbage.
Job Requirements: You have to be outgoing, passionate, at least 25 years old, able to work in the US and APPLY AS A PAIR. I think that’s the hard part. I couldn’t find anyone to apply for the Amazing Race with me, I doubt I could find anyone to apply for this job. If anyone needs a pair, I think I could probably be persuaded to sign up. I’m pretty much free for the next year. They’re looking for: “abilities regarding communication, creative problem solving, public speaking skills and zeal for the task at hand.”
Date: December 14th, 2006 |
6 comments
Airport Security - Carry On Rules and Regulations for the US and Abroad
Most of us have had to deal with the trials and tribulations of the TSA rules, including the liquid ban. Rules vary based on country visited, so be sure you pack according to destination. The following guidelines are for traveling from or connecting through the listed country. Unless otherwise specified below, liquids must be packed in checked baggage. In all cases, plastic bags must be presented to security checkpoint separately from carry-on bags and be sealed.
Asia
China and Japan: Travel-size toiletries (3 oz. container or smaller) that fit in one quart-size, clear plastic, zip-top bag.
- Exceptions: Breast milk, baby formula, baby food in small containers (if a baby or small child is traveling). For diabetic passengers, up to 5 ounces of liquid/ gel medications or juice to address their medical condition.
- Duty Free/Liquids Purchased from the Airport: Liquids purchased from the secure concourse may NOT be brought on the aircraft. Duty Free purchases are only allowed if they can be delivered directly to the aircraft. For international passengers connecting in the US, duty free purchased liquids/gels/aerosols measuring 3.4 oz. or less may be brought on board after clearing customs only if the item is placed in the standard bag.
India: Food items EXCEPT the following: camelbaks (similar backpacks and water bottles must be empty), gel-based sports supplements, gelatin, puddings, yogurts or gel-like substances.
- Exceptions: Breast milk, baby formula, baby food in small containers may be carried on if a baby or small child is traveling. For diabetic passengers, up to 5 oz. of liquid/ gel medications or juice may be carried on to address their medical condition.
- Duty Free/Liquids Purchased from the Airport: Liquids purchased from the secure concourse may NOT be brought on the aircraft. Duty Free purchases are only allowed if they can be delivered directly to the aircraft. For international passengers connecting in the US, duty free purchased liquids/gels/aerosols measuring 3.4 oz. or less may be brought on board after clearing customs only if the item is placed in the standard 1 quart bag.
Date: December 8th, 2006 |
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