EXECUTIVE TRAVEL SKYGUIDE E-ALERT 08/08/05 Welcome to EXECUTIVE TRAVEL SKYGUIDE E-ALERT for the week of August 8, the weekly e-mail of essential business travel news! To sign up for the e-Alert, click here. Northwest, mechanics stop talking as deadline nears United opens up Economy Plus seating - for cash Continental revises international checked bag rules America West says it will keep US Airways' Charlotte hub Delta, AirTran overhaul web sites Continental, Boston Logan square off over WiFi access AIRLINES Northwest, mechanics stop talking as deadline nears Hopes for a settlement between Northwest Airlines and its mechanics union diminished last week as the August 20 deadline for a possible job action draws near. Northwest management had been negotiating with representatives of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association - which represents airplane cleaners and custodians as well as mechanics - but last week the union reps walked out of the talks, claiming that management was unwilling to compromise. The airline has reportedly demanded that the union agree to a 25 percent pay cut as well as the elimination of thousands of jobs. Northwest, which has been working behind the scenes to line up qualified replacement mechanics and outsourcing deals in case of a strike, said it was "disappointed" that union officials left the talks, which were hosted in Washington by the National Mediation Board. The airline also sought to assure customers that they can "continue to book their future travel with confidence," claiming that flight schedules would not be disrupted by a walkout - a claim that the union scoffs at. As if Northwest didn't have enough problems, it also learned last week that it will soon be facing new competition from another low-cost carrier at its Detroit hub. AirTran Airways said it plans to launch service at Detroit November 8, with daily flights to Atlanta and Orlando, followed by Detroit-Sarasota service in February. United opens up Economy Plus seating - for cash One of the biggest benefits of an elite-level membership in United's Mileage Plus program has been the access that it provides to the airline's Economy Plus seating - those rows in the front of the coach cabin that have an extra five inches of legroom, and that can only be reserved in advance by elite members and by full-fare customers. But that's all changing: United said last week it will now sell access to Economy Plus, meaning that Mileage Plus elites will face even more competition for those prime seats. Anyone who is not a Mileage Plus elite flyer or a full-fare traveler can now buy access for $299 a year. Purchasers of this new "Economy Plus Access" program are entitled to reserve Economy Plus seats for themselves and one traveling companion at the time they book their tickets. For $699, non-elites can purchase a combined package that provides a year of Economy Plus access with a year's membership in United's Red Carpet Clubs. Or for $749, travelers can get a year of Economy Plus access along with Mileage Plus Premier status if they accumulate 15,000 miles or 15 trips on United in 12 months, instead of the 25,000 miles/30 segments normally required in the frequent flyer program. Meanwhile, the Chicago Tribune reported that effective August 16, United is expected to start charging a fee of $2 per bag at its O'Hare Airport hub for luggage checked at curbside. United has been testing the new fee at a handful of smaller airports for several months. Continental revises international checked bag rules Continental Airlines last week unveiled changes in its policies on checked luggage for international flights. Effective for travel purchased on or after September 7, Continental will allow coach passengers to check up to two bags for free with a maximum weight of 50 pounds each; the current limit of 70 pounds remains in effect only for OnePass Elite members. Persons whose bags weigh more than 50 but less than 70 pounds will have to pay a $25 charge per overweight piece. For business or first class travel, passengers can check up to three pieces at a maximum of 70 pounds each for no charge. America West says it will keep US Airways' Charlotte hub In an interview with the Charlotte Observer, America West's executive vice president-sales and marketing Scott Kirby said that after the merger of America West and US Airways is completed, the company has no plans to eliminate the latter's large hub operation at Charlotte. The Charlotte hub "is so large and so material to the organization that it's hard to envision a scenario where we could close Charlotte and even dispose of the aircraft," Kirby said. "It's simply too big for us - much like Phoenix is for America West. It's too big not to remain a significant part of the network." Kirby said that the combined America West-US Airways will have a cost structure that is lower even than those of legacy carriers that have already cut back their costs, like American and United. He also said that the integration of the two carriers' frequent flyer programs "will be virtually done on day one. Between now and the end of the year, we will synchronize the two programs, which means we will have consistency in terms of rules, restrictions and awards availability." Delta, AirTran overhaul web sites Both Delta and AirTran have unveiled makeovers of their web sites, after seeking input from hundreds of users via interviews and focus groups. Delta said its new site (www.delta.com) will facilitate online ticketing changes, seat assignments and online check-in; will give customers the ability to cancel certain tickets within 24 hours; will make it easier to calculate award travel mileage and to book international award flights; and to check in online when connecting from Delta to some other airlines. The new AirTran site (www.airtran.com), company officials said, will let users see all available fares for a given route on a single screen, including web specials; see fares from more than one airport in the same city; and change dates on the flight search results page instead of backtracking. ADVERTISEMENT Save 10% now at Choice Hotels® With more than 3,500 locations across America, Choice hotels are virtually everywhere you travel. Save 10% now at Comfort Inn®, Comfort Suites®, Quality®, Sleep Inn®, Clarion®, MainStay Suites®, Econo Lodge® or Rodeway Inn® by calling 800.4CHOICE or visiting choicehotels.com and using discount number 00062611. Advance reservations required. Offer cannot be combined with any other discounts or promotions. AIRPORTS Continental, Boston Logan square off over WiFi access Continental Airlines has filed a complaint at the Federal Communications Commission against Boston's Logan International Airport, charging that the airport is trying to stop the airline from offering free WiFi access in its airport lounge. The airport's operator, the Massachusetts Port Authority, apparently told the airline that Continental's free WiFi service is a threat to security since it interferes with other wireless devices. Continental suspects that the airport's real motivation is to keep WiFi revenues coming in. The airport has its own WiFi network that costs users $7.95. Continental said that the port authority offered to let Continental replace its free service with the airport's internal network at a reduced rate. The FCC is expected to rule on the matter later this month. THIS WEEK'S DEALS AND SPECIALS FOR BUSINESS TRAVELERS American Airlines is having a fall fare sale, and Sheraton is offering 20 percent discounts on hotel stays to anyone booking one of the sale fares. The booking deadline for both is August 12. American's sale fares are good for travel through November 17 in the continental U.S. or December 15 to Hawaii. International dates vary. The Sheraton offer requires full, nonrefundable prepayment at the time of booking; it also requires stays to begin on a Friday or Saturday (except for resorts), and to last no longer than seven days at the promotional rate. For details, see www.aa.com or www.sheraton.com/20sale. If you're traveling close to Labor Day weekend, or want to combine a business and leisure trip then, Starwood's W Hotels are offering special "Play-Labor Day" late-summer packages, good for stays from September 1-6. Rates start at $120 per night, varying by location; packages include a pair of cocktails and free parking in addition to the reduced room rate. For details, go to www.whotels.com/play. For links to other websites where you can search for bargains, click here: www.executivetravelonline.com/reference/deals.html For in-depth analysis, news, features and opinions about the current business travel scene, check out Joe Sent Me (www.joesentme.com), produced by veteran traveler advocate/journalist Joe Brancatelli and a team of contributors. By Jim Glab To sign up for the e-Alert, click here.