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Volume 6, Issue 46, November 19, 2008 |
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A variety of leading travel sites, including Expedia.com, Hotels.com, Priceline.com and STA Travel, have partnered with Scandinavian-based aGoodCause.com to allow online shoppers the opportunity to donate to a long list of charities at no additional costs. When you book your travel from any of the above companies (or purchase products from other participating Web retailers), a portion of your sale will be donated to the charity of your choice.
By downloading free AidMaker software from the aGoodCause.com Web site, online shoppers are directed to participating Web retailers. The Web retailers, including the ones listed above, work with aGoodCause.com to donate a percentage of the sale to a user-selected charity. The average donation is 7 percent of the sale. More than 200 charities participate in the program, including ASPCA, American Cancer Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Goodwill, The Salvation Army, American Red Cross, Save the Children and United Way.
Mads Ellegaard and Jonathan Low founded aGoodCause.com in 2004. The company has since expanded into the U.S., U.K., Italy, France, Germany and the Netherlands and works with more than 4,000 retailers and 700 charities globally.
“With AidMaker, online shoppers become the catalyst for retailers’ donations, potentially directing billions of dollars of contributions annually,” said Ellegaard. “It’s a win-win solution, particularly in this very challenging economic climate. Retailers want to increase customer loyalty and maximize their positive impact on society through corporate social engagement tactics, while consumers are looking for ways to extend their charitable giving beyond what they would ordinarily be able to afford to give, especially during the holidays.” 
The Transportation Security Administration will be opening family lanes at almost every U.S. airport for the Thanksgiving holiday. The lanes are designed to ease stress for parents traveling with children. The lanes, which allow families to move at their own pace, feature assistants to help parents and special scanners for “medically necessary” liquids like baby formula. The lanes will be open by Nov. 20 and will be in place permanently, but will be managed according to traffic flow. Many airports have already started their own family lanes, as well as expert lanes and casual traveler lanes, and all have been found to be extremely popular among travelers.
AirTran Airways, the only low-cost carrier featuring a full-service business class, has continued to upgrade the service. Passengers may now upgrade to business class in two new ways: 24 hours prior to departure while checking in online and onboard before departure or at cruising altitude. The cost to upgrade ranges from $49 to $99.The airline has also become the latest carrier to institute checked bag fees. Beginning with bookings placed on or after Nov. 12, customers traveling on or after Dec. 5 will be charged $15 for the first checked bag. Business class travelers and A+ Rewards Elite members will be exempt from the charges.
Green Flight International completed the first U.S. cross-country flight with a jet-powered aircraft fueled mainly with biofuel. An Aero L-29 jet trainer flew from Reno, Nev. to Leesburg, Fla., a total of 2,486 miles. The first 1,776 miles were flown using 100 percent biofuel, while the last 710 miles used a combination of 50 percent biofuel and 50 percent standard jet fuel. Certain modifications were made to use the biofuel, including landing with a 25 percent fuel reserve and flying at 13,000 to 17,000 feet. The company is now planning flights in 2009 using algae-based biofuel. Air New Zealand, Continental and Japan Airlines are all planning demonstration flights using second-generation biofuels in 2009.
Sir Richard Branson, owner of Virgin Atlantic Airways, and Sir Stelios Haji-loannou, owner of easyJet, are planning to make a £ 2.5 billion bid to purchase Gatwick Airport (LGW). The carriers are looking for financial backers to help them take over Britain’s second largest airport. While neither airline would financially contribute, both would promise to base a certain amount of aircraft at Gatwick to support future revenues. A representative for Virgin Atlantic confirmed the airline is looking to form a consortium to purchase the airport. Other potential consortium buyers include Vancouver Airports, Citigate Infrastructure and John Hancock, a U.S. financial services company. The airport went up for sale this summer and the auction process is expected to begin by the end of the year.
The International Airline Passengers Association has completed its representation on the Department of Transportation Tarmac Delays Task Force. IATA helped identify and recommend passenger needs and helped outline regulations for easing passengers’ inconvenience during ground delays. The following are among key recommendations submitted by the task force: greater integration of information and services between airports, airlines, agencies and service providers, access to food and facilities for passengers onboard or in the terminal, regular updates, increased availability of airport and government agency services and the insurance that personnel are accessible throughout the length of the delay. The recommendations will be submitted to Transportation Secretary Mary Peters.
Business Class
Berlin-tegel (TXL) to Budapest Ferihegy (BUD)
tel 06 40 21 21 21
www.malev.com
Unfortunately, Malév Hungarian Airlines ceased its flights from New York (JFK) to Budapest (BUD) on Oct. 25. I was lucky enough to fly their transatlantic service in September and I was very pleased with the efficient service. The transatlantic flight was an excellent alternative and it is a shame to lose that option. I also flew their intra-Europe service, between Berlin (TXL) and Budapest, and would recommend the option for anyone hopping among the carrier’s vast network of European cities.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, we were forced to cut our European vacation short by one week. Working with Malév employees in the United States was incredibly easy and efficient; changing our travel dates was not a problem at all. The flight change, however, made it necessary for us to arrive at Berlin-tegel hours early. We spent the extra time people-watching. We were the only people in the business-class line when check-in opened. A system glitch made checking in a bit more complicated than usual, but the Malév staff was incredibly friendly and helpful.
Our flight was delayed, but the airline made constant announcements to keep passengers updated. Once the plane arrived, the staff made sure boarding was quick — a relief as we had a tight connection in Budapest. The business-class service was great, especially for a short flight. Flight attendants served a full breakfast, complete with a Mexican-style breakfast burrito, rolls and pastries, fruit, coffee and tea. After meal service, it was time to land!
My only complaint was the lack of service upon arrival in Budapest. We had a very short amount of time to make our connection and the ground staff was not helpful at directing us to our gate. I have been on other flights where staff directs or escorts you to ensure you make connections, but we were left on our own to navigate the crowded airport. We didn’t receive our Budapest-JFK boarding passes in Berlin, so there was a bit of confusion at the gate. The staff helped us and we were quickly settled in for our flight home.
Score: ••••• Kimberly Krol
In celebration of its 60th anniversary, EL AL Israel Airlines is rewarding its Matmid frequent flyer club members. Through March 31, club members can travel from the United States to Israel for as low as $899 plus 299 Matmid points roundtrip in economy class. The second promotion, also valid through March 31, offers a 20-percent frequent flyer points bonus for tickets purchased online. Matmid membership is free for travelers who register before Nov. 30. Through December, a points bonus applies when American Express Membership Rewards points are transferred into a Matmid account. The final promotion offers ticket discounts up to 25 percent through March 25. Call 800 223 6700 or visit the Web site for more information.
Planning a virtual business trip has never been so rewarding! Play online by planning a virtual business and leisure trip to France. Using the virtual day planner and various agenda events, you can create the perfect trip and mix business with pleasure. Dreams can become reality because once your virtual trip is planned, you are automatically entered to win two round-trip tickets to France. The promotion is open to all U.S. residents, excluding residents of Puerto Rico and is sponsored by Maison de la France and Air France. The game ends Dec. 31.
Holiday packages abound at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco. The hotel is offering 25 percent off the best available rate for travel Nov. 22–29 and Dec. 19–22. The package also includes two ice-skating passes for the Embarcadero Center’s Holiday Ice Rink. Reference offer code SKATE when booking the package. The San Francisco on Sale Holiday Package includes a guestroom for two, a $25 food and beverage credit to use in the hotel’s new restaurant and holiday tree seeds. The price is 10 percent off the best available rate and is valid Nov. 22 through Jan. 3. The property also features a Snow Village centerpiece and a 45-foot holiday tree to help bring the holiday cheer. In addition to decorations and packages, the hotel will feature Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, a Breakfast with Santa and a holiday chocolate lovers’ menu, Season’s Eating. To join in on the festivities, call 415 291 1234 or visit the Web site.
The InterContinental Boston has joined with the Tesorino Gallery of Beacon Hill to stage an exhibit of Murano glass. The artwork, straight from Venice, highlights internationally renowned Murano glass blowing Maestro Afro Celotto. The hotel exhibit will include 12 pieces. Through Dec. 31, the hotel is offering a special package to highlight the exhibit. The package includes accommodations for two, a glass-blowing demonstration at Diablo glass school with transportation, a complimentary glass of wine at the hotel bar, an Afro Celotto DVD and a 10 percent discount at Tesorino Gallery. Call 877 747 BOSTON and mention offer code GLASS.
American Airlines and MasterCard have partnered to offer the Travel Concierge Sweepstakes. Register online before noon on Dec. 31 and you will automatically be entered into a prize pool. Use your MasterCard to book travel online to earn one entry into the grand-prize pool (limit of three entries). You can even be entered into the prize pools by referring friends to the sweepstakes. Prizes include MasterCard gift cards, American Airlines gifts cards, and hours of virtual concierge service.
