hotel searcher SideStep, the air fare search engine thatrequires users to download its software, has come out with a new Web-basedhotel searcher that scans hotel Web sites. It's at www.sidestephotels.com. Users don't have to download software; the hotel site's default hotel search shows results by "best value," but you can re-order them by price, quality level or hotel names, or in some cases by location. When you want to book, it will send you directly into the site of the company you have selected. For comparison purposes, you can also view SideStep's findings alongside those of other travel sites. The company said it plans to roll out similar sites for car rental and airline searches.
america west flyers A new Web site from America West Airlines is designed for businesses to book and track their corporate travelon the airline. Located at www.AWACorpLink.com, the site gives companies access to the lowest available fares, including Web-only specials. It also lets users change or cancel reservations online, store individual traveler profiles and preferences, and obtain detailed reports on trips booked. Users can build itineraries based on schedule, or on fares if their travel dates are flexible. To register, go to the Web site or call 866-874-3936.
better guarantee Starwood Hotels—parent of Westin, Sheraton, W, Luxury Collection, St. Regis and Four Points—enhanced its Best Rate Guarantee, which promises you won't find a lower published rate for a member hotel than you will on the company's own Web sites (www.westin.com, www.sheraton.com, www.whotels.com, etc.). It now applies to all Starwood properties worldwide; users who find a lower rate elsewhere can now file a claim online via Starwood.com, and make a claim prior to booking, as close in as 24 hours before their stay. If they find a lower price somewhere else, they can now choose between a match of that rate plus an extra 10 percent off, or a match plus 2,000 Preferred Guest Starpoints.
new entrant Cheapflights.com (www.cheapflights.com), one of the top 10 air travel Web sites in the U.K., has opened up a site for the U.S. market. Users can search for the best fares in any given market, listed lowest to highest, along with valid travel dates and booking deadlines. Select one, and it will steer you to the source company's site for booking, or give you their phone number. It searches not only airline and travel sites, but also consolidators and lesser-known online travel agencies, depending on the destination.
long-stay accommodations, corporate housing, etc.