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Volume 7, Issue 6, February 11, 2009 |
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Americans are gearing up to celebrate Valentine’s Day this Saturday. With the holiday falling over a weekend this year, followed by a Monday holiday, many people are expected to take advantage of the long weekend and celebrate the day with a romantic escape. According to a recent Hilton Hotels Corporation survey, 89 percent of those surveyed listed vacation trips as their idea of the perfect Valentine’s Day gift. Another 86 percent cited special dinners as the perfect way to celebrate the day. And 59 percent of respondents said they fall in love all over again when they take a special trip together.
Luckily for those 89 percent, this is the perfect time to take a romantic Valentine’s Day vacation together. Travel deals are popping up everywhere — and quickly — this year.
For all the last-minute planners out there, here are some great options:
For those not looking for romance, but still looking for a great weekend escape, head to Chicago. From Feb. 12 through Feb. 16, the city is celebrating Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, Valentine’s Day and President’s Day with a variety of family events, elegant evenings and free activities throughout the city. Visit the Web site for more information. 
Lufthansa and Hilton have announced a unique partnership between their loyalty programs, Miles & More and HHonors. The two companies have created an online portal where Miles & More members can book Hilton hotel stays using frequent-flyer miles. Additional benefits include no blackout dates, no minimum or maximum stay requirements, no advance booking requirements and access to more than 3,000 properties worldwide. The new portal can be accessed here.
It just got a little easier to exercise and get work done while traveling. The JW Marriott Grand Rapids is the first hotel in the world to introduce Steelcase Walkstations in its business center. Steelcase Walkstations offer height-adjustable, flexible desktops positioned above a treadmill, allowing travelers to work and work out at the same time. The equipment operates at a maximum two miles per hour, which gives travelers the opportunity to exercise comfortably and get work done while on the go.
American Airlines and United Airlines introduced passenger-friendly technology last week. American Airlines’ Remember Me service allows AAdvantage members to bypass the voice-activated menus and get current flight information quickly. Two new service features will save users two minutes per call. Members can now register up to three phone numbers to be remembered and new AAdvantage members can sign up for the service over the automated system or with a reservations agent. American is also testing a paperless boarding system, a mobile Web site and a downloadable tool that delivers deals straight to your desktop. United Airlines is testing plastic bag tags that will allow customers to skip the wait to check luggage. Available at Chicago O’Hare (ORD), tags are equipped with radio frequency identification chips, which allow users to drop bags at a designated spot. The tags are then scanned by security, eliminating the need for passengers to wait for paper luggage tags.
Recent legislation will make it harder for airlines to receive antitrust immunity. Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn) introduced the legislation because competition between airlines has been declining and fares between the United States and Europe are becoming too high. Antitrust immunity allows airlines to work together and set prices and schedules. The new bill could affect new applications and overturn existing deals. Airlines argue that these immunities increase options for travelers. SkyTeam and Star Alliance have been granted antitrust immunity, while Oneworld is currently seeking immunity.
Due to the recent recession, foreign travel is dwindling and with that comes a plunging number of passport applications. State Department employees are now able to fulfill passport requests within (approximately) three weeks. The State Department expects to issue 12 million passports during this fiscal year, a decrease of 25 percent from last year. The rapidly falling demand for passports has led the department to make staff reductions. With new passport regulations becoming effective June 1, however, the State Department is unsure if they will get a rapid influx of applications in the near future. Current estimates state that 90 million passport documents are in circulation and 28 percent of the population has a passport.
New York to Atlantic City
877 326 7428
www.acestrain.com
For the past half-century, direct rail service between New York City and Atlantic City has only been part of memories or faded newspaper headlines. The “Nellie Bly,” Pennsylvania Railroad’s fastest train, named after a late 19th-century newspaperwoman, made its last New York–Atlantic City run in 1901, after a fiery crash in New Jersey. The speedy Atlantic City Flier, the next generation of Atlantic City express trains, also ended its career in a New Jersey ravine in 1922. Direct service to AC was discontinued in the early 1960s, with connecting service available via Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station. A consortium of three Atlantic City casinos has provided funds to re-establish direct, one-stop service between New York Penn Station and the modern Atlantic City Rail Terminal.
The new train service, which started this past weekend, is called ACES (Atlantic City Express Service), and is operated by New Jersey Transit, with Amtrak handling reservations. The shiny red, blue and silver four-car double-decker train offers first-class and coach seating, food service, comfortable leather seats and the opportunity to travel the congested NY–Atlantic City corridor without fear of parkway traffic jams.
There are nine roundtrips on weekends only, but midweek service will expand with the spring and summer seasonal demands. I boarded an ACES train at Newark’s Penn Station, the only stop after New York. My lower-level coach seat was quite comfortable and reclined to a nice angle, with plenty of legroom. Everything on the redesigned train was clean and new, including the large bathrooms, the sliding electronic doors between cars, the wide windows and the snack bar, which offered five different beers, four types of wine, 15 varieties of mixed drinks, deli-style sandwiches, healthy salads and other beverages.
The upper-level first-class seats are slightly larger than coach and offer hostess service for food and drinks, which are only available by purchase. There are no separate bathroom facilities or food choices between classes. My ride was smooth, and my fellow passengers, all adults on their first train ride to Atlantic City, seemed to enjoy the novelty.
We arrived in Atlantic City on time — two hours and 46 minutes after departure. Caesars’ Atlantic City, Harrah’s Resort and the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, the three casinos sponsoring the service, provide complimentary shuttles from the train station. The New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority is also a sponsor.
The only drawback? The train does not run along the Jersey coast, but follows a route toward Philadelphia, where it stops briefly, changes direction and then continues southeast, crossing back into New Jersey over the Delaware River. The schedule includes the extra time and, in the absence of a more direct coastal rail route, it is the best way to reach the glitter of the casinos and the fresh smell of the ocean on a Friday afternoon.
Score: ••••• Ron Bernthal
AirTran is offering a unique vacation sweepstakes to its A+ Rewards frequent flyers. Through Feb. 13, members can enter to win a four-day Carnival cruise to Mexico. Musical artists, including John Mayer, will accompany the winner onboard the cruise, which runs March 27–31. AirTran will provide airfare to Los Angeles (LAX). This is the second annual fan cruise run by AirTran and hosted by Mayer. For more information, visit the Web site.
American Airlines is offering low fares to fit any budget. Act now — the rates are only valid through Feb. 13. The deals, available for travel through May 13, are offered for U.S. or Canadian travel only. Sample one-way fares, based on round-trip purchase, include $37 between Dallas (DFW) and Tulsa (TUL) and $97 between Chicago (ORD) and Los Angeles (LAX). Visit the Web site for all available fares. Blackout dates apply and travel is allowed Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday.
It’s a great time to plan a South African trip for two, with South African Airways’ two-for-one offer. Book through Feb. 28 and receive two round-trip business-class tickets between New York (JFK) or Washington (IAD) and many South African destinations for $9,750 — the price of one ticket — plus all taxes and fuel surcharges. Passengers can travel through May 30. Book online or call 800 722 9675.
Qantas has partnered with Tourism New Zealand and is offering sale rates on flights between the United States and New Zealand. Book by Feb. 27 and enjoy round-trip, nonstop rates of $798 from Los Angeles (LAX) or San Francisco (SFO) to Auckland (AKL). Travel is valid between March 14 and Sept. 21. Visit the Web site for more information.
Gray Line New York Sightseeing allows travelers the chance to see the city affordably. The Spectacular Red-Hot Winter Sale, available in February and March, includes unlimited hop-on, hop-off privileges, a water taxi Statue of Liberty harbor tour, the Discover Staten Island tour, a chance to meet a Broadway performer, free admission to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame annex NYC and 10 percent off store merchandise. The special bonuses are available to sightseers purchasing 48- or 72-hour ALL LOOPS Tours. Purchase tickets online.
