Category: Business Travel

Airlines to Trump: Protect Us from Foreign Competition

airport, Booking Strategy, Business Travel, Travel

Written by Carl Unger @ SmarterTravel

The Washington Post reports that U.S. carriers will ask president-elect Donald Trump to protect them from unfair competition with heavily subsidized Persian Gulf carriers. The three big U.S. airlines—Delta, United, and American—”have unsuccessfully lobbied the Obama administration to take up their cause against a trio of Gulf airlines who have grown exponentially, making inroads in the global market,” […]

The post Airlines to Trump: Protect Us from Foreign Competition appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Read More

Will Uber Be the Death of Hertz?

airport, Booking Strategy, Business Travel, Peer-to-Peer Travel, Travel, Travel Trends

Written by Tim Winship @ SmarterTravel

It’s been a bad week for Hertz. And it could be just the first of many bad weeks to come. After reporting a significant decline in revenue and the resale value of its cars, and projecting full-year earnings that were just a fifth of those previously forecast, Hertz’s stock dropped by as much as 52 […]

The post Will Uber Be the Death of Hertz? appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Read More

How Much Would You Pay for Unlimited First-Class Upgrades?

Booking Strategy, Business Travel, In-Flight Experience, legroom, Travel, Upgrade

Written by Tim Winship @ SmarterTravel

Let’s be honest: We’d all fly first class if we could. We don’t, of course. And it’s not because we can’t. I could charge a $12,138 first-class flight to Tokyo on any of several credit cards in my wallet, and pay it off over time. So could you. We don’t, because it’s a bad deal. […]

The post How Much Would You Pay for Unlimited First-Class Upgrades? appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Read More

Delta’s Premium Economy, Coming in 2017. The Real Deal?

Booking Strategy, Business Travel, In-Flight Experience, legroom, onboard flight entertainment, Travel, Travel Trends, Upgrade

Written by Tim Winship @ SmarterTravel

There’s an ongoing debate among travel junkies concerning what’s commonly referred to as premium economy. Specifically: When does an airline’s coach product legitimately deserve to be called premium economy? Is a couple of extra inches of legroom enough to qualify for the “premium” designation? An upgraded inflight entertainment system? Better meals? Priority boarding? More frequent-flyer […]

The post Delta’s Premium Economy, Coming in 2017. The Real Deal? appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Read More

U.S. Airlines Upgrade Business Class. Which Is Best?

Booking Strategy, Business Travel, elite status, Frequent Flyer, mileage redemption, onboard flight entertainment, Travel, Upgrade

Written by Tim Winship @ SmarterTravel

If you’re among the privileged few whose pocketbook or corporate travel policy allows you to fly business class, you’re in for an upgrade. The Big Three full-service carriers have all recently introduced new international business-class services, including seats and associated amenities. Bloomberg, which reviewed the new business products, characterized them as “glossy offerings that can […]

The post U.S. Airlines Upgrade Business Class. Which Is Best? appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Read More

Do We Need Kids-Free Seating on U.S. Airlines?

Booking Strategy, Business Travel, Family Travel, In-Flight Experience, Travel, Travel Trends, Upgrade

Written by Tim Winship @ SmarterTravel

Love ’em or hate ’em, most travelers would agree that kids on a plane can make for a stressful flight experience. They scream. They cry. They kick the seatbacks. They do what kids normally do. Which, in the tight confines of a commercial jet, can be downright torturous to those around them. Reactions to such […]

The post Do We Need Kids-Free Seating on U.S. Airlines? appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Read More

Coming: New York to London in 3 Hours, for $5,000 Roundtrip

Booking Strategy, Business Travel, In-Flight Experience, luxury travel, Travel, Travel Technology, Upgrade

Written by Tim Winship @ SmarterTravel

Supersonic speed – mainstream fares That’s the promise of Boom, a Colorado startup that’s developing a new supersonic plane that’s faster than the Concorde and, critically, much more economical to operate. To put some numbers to that claim, the company boasts it will be able to fly from New York to London in just over […]

The post Coming: New York to London in 3 Hours, for $5,000 Roundtrip appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Read More

Need a Hotel, Call… SuperShuttle?

airport, Booking Strategy, Business Travel, Family Travel, Travel, Travel Trends

Written by Tim Winship @ SmarterTravel

Remember SuperShuttle? Time was their blue vans with the yellow lettering were omnipresent. In Los Angeles, where I live and work, it seemed like every other vehicle on the road was a SuperShuttle. Now, not so much. SuperShuttle is still around, still in business, still billing itself as the nation’s largest airport shuttle service. But […]

The post Need a Hotel, Call… SuperShuttle? appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Read More

A Gadget-Charging Backpack Sleek Enough for Business Travel

Business Travel, Frequent Flyer, In-Flight Experience, Packing, Travel, Travel Trends

Written by Shannon McMahon @ SmarterTravel

Like many backpackers-turned-business-travelers, I rely on versatile backpacks as my carry-on of choice. Ever since I essentially lived out of one for months on end in Europe during a semester abroad, I’m always weighing which kind of pack will best fit an upcoming trip. In my opinion, the ease of tossing all my essentials over […]

The post A Gadget-Charging Backpack Sleek Enough for Business Travel appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Read More

This Water Bottle’s Handy Feature Will Blow Your Mind

Active Travel, Business Travel, Packing, Travel

Written by Ashley Rossi @ SmarterTravel

I don’t know how I’ve traveled and worked out without this water bottle—it’s genius! If you like to use a foam roller for stretching, you should be traveling with this water bottle. It’s compact in size so it packs easily, and it functions as a foam roller for stretches post-workout or after a long flight. Price and […]

The post This Water Bottle’s Handy Feature Will Blow Your Mind appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Read More

Sleep Anywhere With This 4-in-1 Travel Pillow

Business Travel, In-Flight Experience, Packing, Travel

Written by Ashley Rossi @ SmarterTravel

If you’re like me, and have trouble getting comfortable or sleeping on planes, this four-in-one travel pillow helps tremendously. Depending on what you need, it can be a pillow, blanket, seat cushion, or lumbar support. Price and Where to Buy: Cabeau’s Fold ‘n Go Blanket & Case is available on their website for $19.99 and […]

The post Sleep Anywhere With This 4-in-1 Travel Pillow appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Read More

Airline Fees: The Naked Truth

Booking Strategy, Business Travel, Miles & Points, Money, Travel

Written by Ed Perkins @ SmarterTravel

Airline fees remain a “pain point” for many travelers, and the pain is getting worse. Despite all the focus, however, you still see some public confusion. The latest exhaustive report (104 pages!) from IdeaWorks presents a good starting point for a dispassionate assessment of the realities and myths of airline fees. Big, But Not That […]

The post Airline Fees: The Naked Truth appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Read More

Popular Traffic App Aims to Improve Navigation in Tunnels

Business Travel, Cities, Travel

Written by Ashley Rossi @ SmarterTravel

Everyone’s had their GPS signal drop out in a tunnel, and the community-based traffic and navigation app, Waze, is finally doing something about it. Tunnels exist in almost every major city, but they also serve as a signal blocker for GPS and radio waves. Introducing Waze Beacons. These are battery-powered transmitters that use Eddystone—an open […]

The post Popular Traffic App Aims to Improve Navigation in Tunnels appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Read More

This City Dethroned London as the Most-Visited in the World

airport, Business Travel, Cities, Frequent Flyer, Romantic Travel, Travel, Travel Technology, Travel Trends

Written by Shannon McMahon @ SmarterTravel

When it comes to the world’s most popular destinations, two travel hubs have been in a tug-of-war match for the title of ‘most-visited’ over the past few years. While London took the top spot in TripAdvisor’s Travelers Choice Awards this summer and was the most popular destination of 2015 and 2014 according to MasterCard’s Global Destination […]

The post This City Dethroned London as the Most-Visited in the World appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Read More

La Compagnie to Shut Down Business-Class Flights to London

Booking Strategy, Business Travel, luxury travel, Travel

Written by Tim Winship @ SmarterTravel

Google “La Compagnie” and the top non-sponsored result describes the airline thusly: “Discover Paris and London with La Compagnie, the unique French all-business-class airline, at an affordable price.” That descriptor is accurate today, but won’t be from September 25, when La Compagnie suspends its service between the U.S. and London. The company linked its withdrawal […]

The post La Compagnie to Shut Down Business-Class Flights to London appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Read More

An Anti-Theft Backpack Perfect for Travel

Business Travel, Packing, Travel, Travel Technology

Written by Ashley Rossi @ SmarterTravel

Meet Bobby, the latest innovative design in anti-theft luggage. This backpack comes with tons of safety features and cool gadgets that make it perfect for students, frequent flyers, bike commuters, and business travelers alike. Price and Where to Buy It: The Bobby is available on FirstShotz by XD Design for $106. How it Rates: Usefulness: 9/10. If you’re in the […]

The post An Anti-Theft Backpack Perfect for Travel appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Read More

Booking an Airport Nap: What It’s Really Like to Use a Snooze Cube

airport, Business Travel, luxury travel, Travel, Travel Technology, Travel Trends

Written by Shannon McMahon @ SmarterTravel

I’ve always wondered what it would be like to be able to sleep on command. As a frequent traveler, passing out at the exact moment I’d like to is easily the one super power I would pick if had the chance. I rarely sleep soundly on the road, and I’m constantly looking for new ways […]

The post Booking an Airport Nap: What It’s Really Like to Use a Snooze Cube appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Read More

New Hyatt Promotion: Lottsa Points After Lottsa Nights

Booking Strategy, Business Travel, free travel, Frequent Flyer, mileage earning, Travel

Written by Tim Winship @ SmarterTravel

Hyatt’s latest points offer is a repeat of the bonus promotion in place earlier this year. For frequent travelers, that’s a good thing. For infrequent travelers, not so much. Offer Details Between September 1 and November 30, Gold Passport members can earn up to 75,000 bonus points for multiple stays, as follows: 5,000 bonus points […]

The post New Hyatt Promotion: Lottsa Points After Lottsa Nights appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Read More

11 Travel Apps You Need on Your Phone

Booking Strategy, Business Travel, Frequent Flyer, In-Flight Experience, Money, Travel, Travel Technology, Travel Trends

Written by Shannon McMahon @ SmarterTravel

Gone are the days of guide books, maps, and phone cards (remember those?). Now all you need to have an organized and nightmare-free vacation is a smartphone and the right apps. No need to download every travel app you hear of—here are 11 you’ll actually use. More from SmarterTravel: This Secret iPhone App Could Save […]

The post 11 Travel Apps You Need on Your Phone appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Read More