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Volume 8, Issue 11, March 17, 2010 |
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| Intelligence | The Exit Row Option |
 read the current issue |
| Silent Auction | Bid to Benefit the Mentor Foundation | |
| News | AA Expands Mobile Boarding | Travel Apps | Security Update| What Do You Think? | All Eyes On Asia | |
| eTested | Blue Water Café + Raw Bar | |
| Dollars & Sense | Hawaiian Holiday In Chicago | Wow In Vieques | SkyMiles Bonus | Shoes Of Prey | A Night At The Opera |
Travelers are all too familiar with additional airline charges. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the top 10 domestic airlines raised an additional $1.95 billion from extra fees, such as checked bag fees and holiday surcharges, in 2009. One of the last few holdouts, exit row seating and its additional legroom, is about to find its price.
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American Airlines added 19 airports to its mobile boarding pass program. AA now offers the convenient service at 27 domestic airports. Passengers can receive boarding passes electronically via mobile phone or PDAs, eliminating the need to print and present paper boarding passes. To use the mobile option, passengers must have an active email address and an Internet-enabled mobile device where the 2-D barcode can be received.
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Last week’s launch of the Google Apps Marketplace opened the door for travel companies to offer services through online storefronts. The Web-based applications combine with Google apps, including Gmail, Calendar and Docs. More than 40 companies introduced apps, including Concur and TripIt. In addition to the Google app, TripIt offers free mobile apps for the iPhone, BlackBerry and Android.
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U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the first 11 airports to receive full-body scanners purchased with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds. The units will be installed by summer at the following airports: Charlotte (CLT), Chicago (ORD), Cincinnati (CVG), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Kansas City (MCI), Los Angeles (LAX), San Jose (SJC), Oakland (OAK), Columbus (CMH) and San Diego (SAN). Forty units have been set up at 19 U.S. airports by the Transportation Security Administration, with a total of 450 expected to be operational by the end of the year.
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TripAdvisor conducted its second annual survey of airline passengers. A total 3,200 people were surveyed on their opinions on all things travel-related, including extraneous fees, in-flight Internet and legroom. Among respondents, 25 percent said limited legroom was their biggest gripe. To make the in-flight experience better, 30 percent hoped for more legroom, while 38 percent are wishing for larger seats.
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According to USA Today, U.S. airlines are looking to align with Asian airlines in an effort to increase flight offerings to the fastest-growing markets in the region. Last year, 647 million passengers flew within Asia-Pacific and by 2013, 868 million passengers are expected to fly within the region. As the domestic market becomes smaller, U.S. airlines are looking to Asia to expand.
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1095 Hamilton St.
Vancouver, BC V6B 5T4
Canada
tel 604 688 8078
The last time I visited Vancouver — 25 years ago — I spent my days walking the city’s wet and foggy streets, spent hours in Chinatown’s 1940s-era Ovaltine Café, ate shrimp and crabs from the small public market stalls on Granville Island and attended my first hockey game. Snow capped mountains hovered above downtown buildings and the cold mist that blew in off the harbor smelled clean, a hint of brine in the air.
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Escape to Chicago for a tropical retreat. Through May 1, The Talbott Hotel is offering guests a Chicago Hawaiian Holiday package, with nightly rates beginning at $329. The package includes an upgrade to a suite, a tropical floral arrangement from Hilo, Hawaii, a $50 gift certificate to Roy’s Hawaiian fusion cuisine restaurant and a $30 breakfast credit for two at Bice Bistro.
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The hotly anticipated W Retreat & Spa – Vieques Island is opening March 25. Be among the first to experience the property with the Surrender To Your Senses package, valid through Dec. 22. The offer includes an upgrade to a Mega Room, with a private balcony and direct access to the pool area, and two welcome cocktails in the private W Lounge located inside Vieques’ Antonio Rivera Rodriguez Airport (VQS).
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Delta SkyMiles members, listen up! Through April 30, members can earn a 50 percent mileage bonus by working with more than 100 hotel, car, limo and shuttle partners. In order to be eligible, register here. Members must then complete three or more transactions, including transferring hotel points into miles.
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The Swissôtel Sydney has partnered with Shoes of Prey to offer an exclusive package. Shoes of Prey enables women to design custom-made shoes online. Shoes are hand-made to order and women are fitted for the shoes at pop-up concept stores before finalizing orders online. Enjoy the fashion package SHOESôtel during your stay at the Sydney property.
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Enjoy a night at Zurich’s famed Opera House with the Baur au Lac’s Night At The Opera package. The package includes an exclusive 15-minute behind-the-scenes tour before the performance. The two-night offer also includes accommodations in a deluxe double room, a bottle of Champagne and a box of chocolates upon arrival and a welcome gift from the hotel chocolatier.
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