Ohare Airport (ORD) has had free charging stations for a while now, but it looks like it’s becoming a trend. That’s good news for business travelers and probably good for all the new iPhones.
From the abc.com website:
To promote the free service, Samsung and LAX will have representatives at all the charging stations to show electronically challenged travelers how they work.
How they work? People who can’t figure out how to plug in their gadgets probably shouldn’t have one!
If you fly American, you may appreciate the new feature. Southwest has had this feature for as long as I remember, but imitation is the highest form of flattery.
The link takes you to a flash demo of the upcoming feature.
I’m slightly spoiled with my ubiquitous wireless access thanks to my EVDO connection. If you haven’t jumped on the EVDO train and you travel every week, I suggest you bring it up in the next company meeting. Sitting in the airport waiting for your plane to arrive doesn’t have quite the same sting if you can busy yourself with news, sports, YouTube, email, and everything else available with a wireless connection.
For those of you without EVDO connections, HotelChatter just completed their assessment of the best hotel chains of 2007 for free WiFi.
It looks like Marriott came ahead thanks to the free WiFi offered in their less expensive properties (Courtyard, Residence Inn, etc.). Personally, I’d rather have a nice bed than free wireless. Marriott is obviously targeting a different customer segment with their free WiFi. The only other properties I recognized as possibilities for the business traveler, besides the Marriott, were The W and The Omni and their free WiFi was limited to the lobby areas. That really just narrows it down to the Marriott low end properties for business travelers. If you’re staying at the W or the Omni and you’re on a business trip – you’re not likely traveling on a weekly basis and paying $9.95 / night isn’t really a big expense.
As a Marriott Platinum Member, I usually enjoy free internet access regardless of the Marriott. I’m sure most memberships programs offer the same benefits at the top levels.
Still, having a high-speed wireless connection at your disposal can’t be a bad thing so check it out.
DHL is offering a copy Fodor’s 1,001 Smart Travel Tips, a 400-page collection of great tips and ideas from the international travel-savvy editors at Fodor’sk as compensation if you spent a few minutes filling out a survey. It doesn’t seem like a bad deal if you don’t mind providing a little feedback and some personal information (of course!).
DHL’s sell line:
You’ll learn how to find the best prices for flights, hotel rooms and rental cars, avoid hassles at the airport and elsewhere, make the most of web resources, and much, much more. Plus, the book features local customs for dozens of international destinations. And it’s yours free just for completing our short survey.
The Terms and Conditions (aka fine print):
Promotional offer valid upon survey completion. Expires on date specified in advertising and/or while supplies last. Offer is nontransferable, nonnegotiable, and cannot be used for cash; void where prohibited. DHL reserves the right to cancel and change terms/conditions of offer and promotion without notice. Limit one per person. DHL has the absolute right to deny premium fulfillment to any survey submitted through unauthorized channels, altered web sites, by fraudulent means or in the event erroneous information is submitted. Offers cannot be delivered to P.O. boxes. DHL employees are not eligible. All services may not be available in all areas. Subject to DHL’s Terms and Conditions as published at dhl-usa.com and/or as set forth on the waybill of the country of origin. ©2007 DHL Express (USA), Inc. All rights reserved.
Amazon
I came across an interesting article on the My Travel Rights website which explains your rights should your flight be delayed or canceled. Here’s a clear explanation of Rule 240:
Before airline deregulation in 1978, Rule 240 was literally a federal requirement. Nowadays, it’s a term describing what individual airlines will do for late or stranded passengers. In fact, the major airlines have filed “conditions of carriage” with the U.S. Department of Transporatation (DOT) guaranteeing their respective Rule 240s.
Here’s how you can protect your rights:
Always carry a printed copy of your airline’s Rule 240
Visit the website for links to various airline policies related to this rule and others
Read Rule 240 carefully before you use it
For example, Rule 240s generally apply only to delays that are absolutely the airline’s fault, such as mechanical delays. They do not apply to what the airlines call “force majeure” events: weather, strikes, “acts of God,” or other occurrences that the airlines say they cannot control.
Be polite but very firm about your rights under Rule 240
You’ll win most battles at ticket counters when you say the phrase “Rule 240” and show the agent your printed copy of the airline’s policies. However, don’t hesitate to keep going up the chain to supervisors if you’re not satisfied. Sometimes, airlines will even go beyond Rule 240 requirements in the name of customer service.
Knowledge can sometimes be a life saver.