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DODGE BAG FEES WITH STATUS, CREDIT CARDS
(source: CNN.com)
As airlines continue to rack up checked-bag revenue, it seems like only those fliers who ship their bags or lug their carry-ons through the airport can avoid paying costly baggage fees.
The airline industry pulled in $769 million in baggage fees from January to March alone, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
But some travelers have been able to avoid contributing to those figures, and more might be able to do the same, thanks to airline loyalty programs and credit cards.
Most frequent flyer program members who have elite status are exempt from baggage fees, for example.
Elite status is reached by earning a designated amount of miles within a frequent flyer program. With the status comes a package of benefits, including upgrades and priority boarding and check-in.
Delta SkyMiles is one of these programs."All of our SkyMiles Medallion customers can check up to two bags free," Delta spokesman Paul Skrbec said.
The benefits of elite status, like fee-free checked bags, are not handed out to just anyone, but they are certainly possible to attain with the right knowledge and know-how.
More than 80 million people participate in frequent flyer programs, according to frequentflier.com.
"While originally one could only become elite by actually flying, today, a trend is to earn elite status by the right choice of a credit card -- buying your way to elite status -- and with some promotions, using partner transactions such as hotel stays, car rentals and even dining to earn elite status," said Randy Petersen, founder of FlyerTalk.com.
now there are less expensive ways of using a card to get bag fee exemptions. Some airline-branded cards give you the benefit just for being a card-holder, though you have to consider whether it's worth paying the annual fee.
Continental Airlines and Chase have been rewarding cardholders with a similar bonus.
"Continental Airlines Chase primary card members have their first checked-bag fees automatically waived," Continental Airlines spokeswoman Christen Davis said. "In addition, our Presidential Plus primary card members have their first and second checked-bag fees automatically waived."
The Continental One Pass Plus card is available for an $85 annual fee and the Presidential Plus card for $395.
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NEW HOTELS CREATE NYC ROOM BOOM
(source: Crains New York)
New York is earning back its reputation as the toughest city in which to snag a hotel reservation.
Room-occupancy rates continue to climb—reaching 92% in May—far exceeding those of any other city in the country. This growth comes despite a surge of new hotel openings over the past 18 months, which added 37 properties and 6,425 rooms to the city's stock, according to Cushman & Wakefield Sonnenblick Goldman. New York's ability to easily absorb the new properties bodes well for the next couple of years, when another 21 hotels are set to debut, adding 4,300 rooms.
The demand amid a continued economic slump has surprised nearly everyone.
"A year ago, we looked at New York City and thought all of this new supply is coming in, and New York's [economy] won't recover that quickly," says Mike Depatie, chief executive of Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, which recently opened two hotels in Manhattan, Eventi and Ink48. "We were concerned."
Now, nearly every major hotel chain—including Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, and Kimpton—has plans to significantly increase its presence in the city.
Industry experts say investors, who fled the market during the recession, are considering new projects now.
"I am talking to developers who want to start building hotels again, and I haven't had those conversations in at least two years," says Mark Gordon, head of the hotel practice at Cushman & Wakefield Sonnenblick Goldman.
Even so, some effects of the downturn linger. While occupancy rates are robust, many of the city's hotels are struggling financially because room rates, which declined about 25% last year, have increased much more slowly.
Rates are low in part because the new crop of hotels is offering promotional prices to attract attention.
For the first five months of this year, the average daily room rate rose just 2.4% compared with the same period last year, according to PKF Consulting, which tracks hotel data. So while some hotels can be sold out several times a week, it does not mean they are raking in the dough.
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EU CLEARS BA-IBERIA MERGER, ALLIANCE WITH AMERICAN
(source: USA TODAY)
British Airways and Iberia won today the European Union's regulatory approval to merge and to team up with American Airlines to share more of their lucrative trans-Atlantic routes. The companies say the two deals will help them cut costs and survive a tough business climate as they struggle with falling passenger numbers and industrial unrest.
British Airways' merger with Iberia will create Europe's third-largest airline with a market value of around $7.5 billion pounds. They will keep their existing brand identities and claim the deal will create savings of euro400 million ($530 million) a year by the fifth year.
They also plan to expand their oneworld alliance with American Airlines, which currently coordinates how they sell and operate flights between the 27-nation European Union and the United States. They will now also jointly manage schedules, capacity and pricing on flights from Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Norway and Switzerland as well.
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OUTRAGEOUS TRAVEL AGENT REQUESTS
(Source: AOL Travel, featuring Paul Metselaar, Chairman & CEO of Ovation Travel Group)
Paul Metselaar, chairman and chief executive of Ovation Travel Group, whose clients include lawyers, investment bankers, corporate managers and members of the entertainment industry, was asked to fly a baby pig to appear as a trial exhibit for an antitrust case in farming. But due to delays, "that 'baby' became a huge sow. We had to cobble together three or four dog carriers to get the pig on the plane," Metselaar said. For another client, the agency arranged to keep a small Mexican airport open late, so a chartered jet could land in time for an evening meeting with the Mexican president. Celebrities, it's no surprise, can be fairly demanding and quirky. One Ovation client will only fly in private planes that bear even numbers on the tail; another requires 45 blueberries and 22 strawberries with his hotel breakfast.
Myths and Benefits
One common misconception, travel agents say, is that they cost more. But agents say they can save money, often finding better airfares, especially in business class, and obtain lower hotel rates. They can also arrange extra amenities that have real dollar value, like complimentary breakfasts, spa credits, transfers, and room upgrades (a deluxe room, a room with a view) or guaranteed early check-in.
Hidden Benefits
According to Metselaar, one of the most important reasons to use a travel agent is risk management -- extremely important after 9/11 or the recent earthquake in Haiti. "We know where all of our clients are."
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THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
EVENTI, A KIMPTON HOTEL
851 Avenue of the Americas
New York City
A Chelsea Gathering Place Where Travelers Can Expect the Unexpected.
This new luxury hotel serves as one of the architectural highlights of the Chelsea neighborhood in Manhattan. Eventi, a Kimpton Hotel takes up an entire city block between West 29th and 30th Streets, facing Sixth Avenue.
Here are some of the features of this exciting new high rise hotel:
- This luxury boutique hotel features 292 guestrooms, all offering city views through floor to ceiling windows
- The hotel features 53 Suites, with two specialty suites offering an outdoor veranda facing 6th avenue
- An exciting gathering place for public and private events
- Glass-exterior, mixed-use tower, featuring an open outdoor plaza with public seating, a 22.5 foot wide outdoor art and media screen, and an art wall designed by acclaimed sculptor Tom Patti (Opening Fall 2010)
- Some hotel suites feature outdoor terraces overlooking the plaza
- A large, multilevel bar and restaurant with outdoor seating in the plaza; a second restaurant will feature high-end European cuisine (Opening Fall 2010)
- 15,000 square feet of elegantly designed indoor / outdoor meeting and event space
- A large ballroom with 18 foot ceilings and floor to ceiling windows can accommodate up to 250 guests for a high-end banquet
- A 1,000 square foot gym and a separate spa with treatment rooms
- A 530 car garage with valet parking services
The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at Eventi, A Kimpton Hotel is $259 through September 8, 2010 (compared to a corporate rate of $269).*
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THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
SOFITEL LOS ANGELES
8555 Beverly Boulevard
Los Angeles
Located at the crossroads of Beverly Hills and West Hollywood, in LA's prestigious West Side community, Sofitel Los Angeles combines the ultimate blend of French flair and Hollywood vogue.
Stylish and refined, Suites by Sofitel provide a comfortable, residential feeling, unmatched by any other hotel. Guests staying in a suite receive:
-A personalized spa amenity
-High speed internet access
-Dry cleaning and shoe shine service
Guests staying in an Imperial Suite will also receive a complimentary bottle of Imperial Champagne.
The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at the Sofitel Los Angeles is $219 for a Superior Room (compared to a corporate rate of $280).*
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THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
TRUMP INTERNATIONAL HOTEL & TOWER CHICAGO
401 North Wabash Avenue
Chicago
Poised along the Chicago River at the juncture of the Loop and North Michigan Avenue, Trump Chicago is within walking distance to exclusive shopping on Michigan Avenue and world-class museums. The façade of the hotel is a soaring composition of polished stainless steel and iridescent-tinted glass while the interiors are contemporary-styled with extra large living spaces and ten-foot floor-to-ceiling windows. Fine dining can be found at the hotel's many outlets including Sixteen, Rebar and The Terrace at Trump. The 23,000 square foot Spa at Trump provides an oasis for guests to relax and rejuvenate.
The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at the Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago is $295 (compared to a corporate rate of $355).*
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THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
W WASHINGTON DC
515 15th Street; NW
Washington DC
W Goes to Washington
Next to the White House, the most powerful suits - pinstripes and black lace—rendezvous at W Washington DC, where Italian Renaissance meets modern cool. With commanding rooftop views of major landmarks, W-Gate is all about stately indulgence.
By George, a Capital Time!
Calling all style senators—the Congress of Cool is in session. In Dianna Wong's sleek setting, J&G Steakhouse by Jean-Georges, Sasha Petraske's rooftop POV bar, SWEAT® Fitness Center and the capital city's first Bliss® Spa assemble in vogue.
Presidential Sweet
W Washington DC cannot tell a lie—with 317 rooms featuring the signature W bed, fully wired technology, fabulous in-room entertainment, delightful Munchie Box and their Whatever/Whenever® service, the First Amendment of luxury, travelers never want to leave.
2010 Awards
Condé Nast Traveler's Hot List
Washingtonian Magazine, J&G Steakhouse named 'No. 4' Best Restaurant in DC
Nightclub & Bar Magazine, POV named 'Best Hotel Bar'
The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at the W Washington DC is $299 (compared to a corporate rate of $399).*
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THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
THE WESTIN CHARLOTTE
601 South College Street
Charlotte
Situated in the uptown financial district of North Carolina's most exciting city, The Westin Charlotte, a Portman design, strikes a stunning architectural note in Charlotte's skyline. There are endless opportunities at the hotel's doorstep—they're minutes from the Charlotte Convention Center, and and Bank of America Stadium. They're also steps from the NASCAR® Hall of Fame, Harvey B. Gantt African American Cultural Center, and the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art.
Unwind with friends at the newly designed BAR10. Explore culinary desires at Ember Grille. Connect with colleagues in Charlotte's largest hotel meeting and catering facility. Restore body, mind and spirit in Westin's signature Heavenly Bed®, Heavenly Bath® and WestinWORKOUT®.
The choice for modern luxury in uptown, The Westin Charlotte is truly inspiration revealed.
The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at The Westin Charlotte is $159 (compared to a corporate rate of $194).*
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* All rates are subject to availability.
______________________________________________________________
The Lawyers' Travel Service
www.lawyerstravel.com
info@lawyerstravel.com
800.431.1112 |
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