Frequent Business Traveler

Hilton Enhances Gold and Diamond HHonors Benefits

Paul Riegler — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:58:09 +0000

Hilton announced new HHonors benefits for Gold and Diamond members.

Hilton announced new benefits at Conrad, Hilton, and Doubletree hotels. Gold members will receive a room upgrade at check-in whenever such rooms are available as well as a choice of complimentary continental breakfast or 1,000 Bonus Points per stay.

Diamond members will receive both a complimentary continental breakfast and 1,000 Bonus Points per stay.

(Pictured: Hilton Vienna )

Hungary’s Malév Grounds All Flights After 66 Years

Paul Riegler — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:23:17 +0000

Malév, Hungary’s national airline, is no more. The airline grounded its fleet permanently after its planes were held at overseas airports for unpaid debts. Malév’s departure from the market left a gap that competitors including Air Berlin, Lufthansa, Ryanair, and Wizz Air were quick to exploit.

At Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, Malév had accounted for almost 40% of revenue at the airport.

“Unfortunately what we feared the most has come to pass, even though we did everything in our power to avoid it,” Malev CEO Lóránt Limburger said in a press statement.

Malév’s English-language Web site carried the following advisory: “Concerning your travel, we suggest that you ask other airlines about their offers or, if possible, you choose an alternative method of transport.”

KLM Meet & Seat Lets Passengers Network With Each Other

Jonathan Spira — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:31:33 +0000

KLM announced the Meet & Seat social networking tool. Meet & Seat allows ticketed passengers to link their Facebook or LinkedIn profiles to a specific flight. This allows the passenger to see other passengers on the same flight.

Passengers can see if they know anyone on a flight and also see if someone with similar interests or someone even travelling to the same event or conference is on board.

Meet & Seat will first be available on flights from Amsterday to New York, San Francisco, and São Paulo and will soon be available to passengers on other intercontinental flights.

Delta BusinessElite Flight 1565 New York-JFK San Francisco – Review

Jonathan Spira — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:02:07 +0000

Terminal 2 at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport opened in 1962 and was used by Northeast Airlines, Braniff, and Northwest Airlines until Pan American World Airways took it over following the demise of Northeast and Braniff.

Following Pan Am’s demise it was taken over by Delta Air Lines, as was the Pan Am Worldport next door. First- and business-class passengers as well as SkyMiles Medallion and SkyTeam Elite Plus can proceed directly to a dedicated SkyPriority drop-off level that is far more quiet and relaxed than one would expect at a busy airport.

Since I already had my electronic boarding pass on my smartphone, I proceeded directly to the security checkpoint, which was devoid of passengers (this was the case for the SkyPriority line as well as the regular line). Clearing security took a matter of seconds and the full-body scanners were not in use when I was there.

I moved on to the SkyClub since I had more than an hour before my scheduled departure time. It was a bit crowded, which I found surprising as both the drop-off point and the security checkpoint had been empty, but I found a comfortable seat and relaxed with a glass of apple juice and sparkling water (known in German as an Apfelschorle).

BOARDING

Boarding for the 5:15 p.m. departure started around 4:45 and the gate was very close to the SkyClub so I gathered my things and headed over.

Boarding had already begun by the time I arrived but I was able to board immediately using the SkyPriority lane that is dedicated to passengers traveling (on this flight) in BusinessElite as well as for higher-level Medallion members of the SkyMiles program.

Once inside the Boeing 757-200, I found a blanket and pillow as well as a bottle of water and a red amenity kit at my seat. Flight attendants were in the aisle offering pre-departure beverages and to hang up coats and jackets.

SEAT COMFORT

Our aircraft, a single-aisle Boeing 757-200 configured for the domestic BusinessElite service (known internally as the 75E), featured comfortable seats in a 2-2 configuration. Pitch was 55″, width is 19.5″, and the seat reclined to a comfortable position of 150°. The seats were electronically controlled and easily adjustable. I was able to configure the seat for all of my needs including taking a nap and doing some work.

This was my first time flying on a Delta transcon and I was very pleasantly surprised by the comfortable cabin (as well as by the fact that we received an amenity kit on a domestic flight).

Click here to continue to Page 2 – In-Flight Service and In-Flight Internet

Dyson Hot Fan Heater Review

Paul Riegler — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:01:37 +0000

Space heaters are ubiquitous – and necessary. One finds them in homes, offices, kiosks, and even hotels.

Space heaters are also source of great concern. Most people simply don’t feel comfortable leaving a space heater on in an empty room or where pets or children are around, for fear it will fall over and cause harm.

Dyson has applied the same thinking to its Hot fan heater as it did to the company’s AM01 table fan. Just as the fan, it uses the company’s Air Multiplier technology to move air without the typical buffeting of a standard blade fan. Instead, the fan uses an airfoil-shaped ramp to amplify the airflow. Unlike the fan, it also warms the air.

SETUP AND USE

Setup was simple and easy. After removing it from the box, I attached the plastic stand, removed the protective plastic film around the base and plugged it in. A small remote is included. I found it easy to use but my mother found the buttons too small and the red and blue (for hot and cold) markings too unclear (I have to agree on the latter point). You can attach the remote to the top of the fan via a built-in magnet so you won’t lose it.

Operation is very simple. Turn it on (either with the remote or the power button on the unit), set the desired temperature and speed, determine if you need it to oscillate (its oscillation range is impressive and oscillation itself is silent), tilt it as necessary, and you are on your way to lots of hot air.

We generally found it would warm a room quickly and it was easy to set and forget as the built-in temperature control seemed to work well. Most importantly, it was not a safety hazard.

BOTTOM LINE

The Dyson Hot fan heater projected heat farther than other space heaters I’ve used and took the chill out of a room faster than the others as well.

The only issue some might have is the price. It sells for $399 in blue on amazon.com although at least one amazon.com partner is selling the white model for roughly $40 less. Most space heaters sell in the $30-$50 price range although I did find a few that were close to $200. Nonetheless, if you have had trouble keeping a room or area warm, the Dyson Hot may be very well worth the investment on a cold winter’s night. We’ll continue to test the Hot throughout the winter to see how it does.

What’s Doing In Philadelphia

Paul Riegler — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 03:00:58 +0000

Philadelphia, the epicenter of the American Revolution and the country’s capital in the 18th century, is much more than the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.

Located only two hours from New York City and less than three hours from Washington D.C., Philadelphia is a cosmopolitan city with some of the country’s top universities, museums, and cultural organizations within its borders, not to mention a variety of restaurants and local specialties including a type of sausage (scrapple), cheesesteaks, and local breweries.

Philadelphia’s architecture dates back to Colonial times, which present an interesting contrast with numerous glass and granite skyscrapers built starting in the 1980s (Philadelphia is one of four cities in the U.S. with two or more buildings taller than 900’ (274 m).

HISTORICAL SITES

Philadelphia’s history is inexorably tied to the founding of the United States and, as a result, there are many historic sites that are worth a visit. Independence National Historical Park, Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed and the home of the Liberty Bell, are the city’s most famous attractions. The nearby (and very new) National Constitution Center deserve a visit as well.

The Second Bank of the United States, chartered in 1816, is on Chestnut Street between 4th and 5th, and now serves as at art gallery (admission is free) and houses almost 200 portraits of prominent 18th-century Americans.

Visitors can see the home and workshop of Betsy Ross (pictured), who sewed the nation’s first flag for General Washington, and visit the home of Edgar Allen Poe.

MUSEUMS

Philadelphia is a city of museums, including the Pennsylvania Academia of the Fine Arts and the Rodin Museum, which holds the largest collection of works by Auguste Rodin outside of France. The Philadelphia Museum of Art, enshrined in the film Rocky, is one of the largest in the U.S.

The Franklin Institute (pictured) houses the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Mütter Museum, and the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. Other museums include the National Museum of American Jewish History and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

Public art and murals may be found everywhere. The Swann Memorial Fountain (also known as the Fountain of the Three Rivers and pictured above) is a centerpiece of Logan Square designed by Alexander Stirling Calder in the early twentieth century.

The nation’s first zoo and hospital are in Philadelphia as is Fairmont Park, one of the country’s largest and oldest urban parks.

THEATERS AND CONCERT HALLS

The Avenue of the Arts presents numerous theaters, concert halls, and restaurants. The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts is home to the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Academy of Music a few doors down is the nation’s oldest continually operated opera house. Theaters include the Wilma Theater (owned by the owners of the adjacent Doubletree by Hilton hotel) and the Walnut Street Theater, the nation’s oldest and also the largest subscription theater in the world.

Click here to continue to Page 2 – Dining and Getting There

American Airlines to Cut 13,000 Jobs, Aims for $2 Billion in Cost Savings

Paul Riegler — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:47:58 +0000

American Airlines’ parent company AMR announced its turnaround plan in a memo from CEO Tom Horton to all employees.

The nation’s third-largest airline by traffic, American wants to cut 13,000 jobs, terminate its obligations for employee pensions, and boost revenue by $1 billion per year. In addition, the plan calls for $2 billion in annualized cost savings by 2017. The $1 billion in additional revenue would come from workforce cuts, grounding planes, restructuring debt and aircraft leases, and renegotiating supplier contracts.

American’s parent company AMR filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy court protection on November 29. It was at that point the only major airline to have avoided filing for bankruptcy. The company hopes to win the support of its main unions and it plans to avoid terminating existing labor contracts while in bankruptcy.

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged – Review

Jonathan Spira — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:25:38 +0000

The arrival of a Land Rover or Range Rover in my driveway always seems to herald snow and a recent Fuji white Range Roger Supercharged did not disappoint. Land Rover, it should be noted, is the second oldest four-wheel-drive car brand in the world (only Jeep is older) and the Range Rover is the automaker’s largest and most luxurious SUV. First introduced in 1970, it is now in its third generation.

Roughly one year ago, I drove a Land Rover LR4 from New York to Vermont for a winter driving school. A blizzard seemingly followed me as I headed north but it made for great winter driving once I reached my destination, the Equinox Resort .

We drove on trails through the magnificent Green Mountains and we broke some fairly deep trail in the woods. The Range Rover had served as a magnificent sled, albeit one with heated seats and a heated steering wheel.

This time my destination was Philadelphia and light snow was coming down as I headed to the George Washington Bridge to cross into New Jersey.

For 2012, Land Rover made some styling changes including gloss black back plates for the headlamps and tail lamps, body-colored door handles and side vents, and elegant new 20” V spoke alloy wheels.

DRIVING THE RANGE ROVER

Our Range Rover came equipped with the supercharged engine, which boosts the V-8’s 375 horsepower to 510, making it one of the most powerful engines available in a luxury SUV. It propels the hefty vehicle 0 to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds and eliminates any and all acceleration anxiety one might have on highways.

The six-speed automatic transmission worked nicely to manage all that power and Land Rover’s very capable full-time Terrain Sensing 4WD system was set to Snow for the drive down (you can also set it to Sand and Rock Crawl).

The Range Rover was supremely confident driving down the New Jersey Turnpike in snow – of course, I proceeded knowing that other lesser vehicles could indeed impede our path so caution was the watchword of the day.

Handling was surprisingly responsive for a large vehicle. It took me a little while to get used to its size but it was quite happy to take corners at speed and didn’t waver from the course I set.

Hill Descent Control (which I used extensively last year but didn’t need on this trip) electronically controls the throttle and braking to prevent the vehicle from building up excessive speed descending a steep grade. If the car has active cruise control (which mine did not), an emergency braking function in the supercharged version will slow or stop the RR automatically (if the cruise control is engaged) if the car notices traffic slowing down in front.

Land Rover has made significant improvements to the Range Rover’s all-terrain systems in the past two years, adding Sand Launch Control (for easier drive-away) and improving the Rock Control Program (the car is more composed on rocky terrain) and the Gradient Release Control, which inhibits acceleration when descending steep inclines.

Hill Start Assist keeps the car from rolling backwards when the driver moves his foot from brake pedal to accelerator and Gradient Acceleration Control slows the car when descending down steep slopes without having Hill Descent Control engaged.

Click here to continue to Page 2 – Range Rover Interior

Starwood Introduces Round-the-Clock Check-in, Enhances SPG Program

Paul Riegler — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:48:31 +0000

Starwood unveiled a new concept in check-in time: guests who have spent 75 or more nights at Starwood properties can choose their own check-in time, be it 10 a.m. or 6 p.m. The check-out time will be calculated based on the check-in time, that is 24 hours later (in the case of a one-night stay).

Other major enhancements to its Starwood Preferred Guest loyalty program include a personal ambassador for guests who have stayed 100 or more nights at a Starwood property; guests with 50 or more nights will receive 10 suite upgrades.

In addition, Gold members (10 stays or 25 nights annually) will get a choice of 250 points (125 at Aloft, Element, and Four Points), free high-speed Internet , or a complimentary beverage at the bar or restaurant (or in the room). Platinum members (25 stays or 50 nights) can choose from a daily complimentary continental breakfast, 500 points (250 at Aloft, Element, and Four Points), or a local gift (such as a bottle of wine from the region).

Finally, members who have stayed 250 nights total for and maintained their status level within five years will receive SPG Lifetime Gold status and those with 500 nights and 10 years of Platinum status will get Lifetime Platinum.

(Pictured: Grand Westin Frankfurt)

Joie de Vivre to Open Hotel Lincoln in Chicago

Eva Leonard — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:11:06 +0000

In March, San Francisco-based Joie de Vivre Hospitality will open Hotel Lincoln in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood.

The 184-room boutique property will feature amenities that include a rooftop lounge with views of the city and Lake Michigan, meeting space, a coffee bar, and Chef Paul Virant’s Perennial Virant restaurant.

Hotel Lincoln is accepting reservations now for stays that begin in mid-March.