The business of travelling for work
Go the extra mile
Flying Blue Irish members can earn up to 5,000 bonus miles when they fly from Dublin on a number of routes operated by Air France and KLM up to the end of November.
Routes include AF to Tokyo, Havana, Lima and Lagos via Paris. From Amsterdam, passengers on KL flight to Johannesburg, Xiamen, Rio de Janeiro and Lusaka can earn the bonus miles too.
Economy miles will be 3,000, Premium Voyageur 4,000 and Business Class will earn the full 5,000 per journey.
Getting the message
Plasticine man is going to being consigned to the Aer Lingus archives when the new in-flight video appears next year. vStream Media in Dublin has been appointed to deliver a creative and dynamic in-flight message to hold passengers’ attention while the safety features are pointed out. They will be competing against wireless internet on board, which is expected to begin appearing in the next few months on long-haul flights.
Get a room deal at the last minute
The number of people who arrive in a city with no accommodation booked is always higher than you would expect – hoping for a good deal by being a last-minute booker, maybe?
HotelTonight the booking app has arrived in Ireland and works on the basis that rooms for a select few hotels will be released at a special price from noon each day, up to 70 per cent off.
It was announced at the Web Summit last Thursday by CEO Sam Shank. Hotels in Dublin on the app include the Westbury, Merrion, Gresham, Morgan and Croke Park. HotelTonight is available in 65 cites including London, New York, and Amsterdam.
Blue-sky thinking
Hotels are beginning to realise that business travellers are often cooped up all day in meetings and would enjoy a walk, run or cycle in the fresh air. Exercising outdoors is becoming more popular and some people feel it can be better for your mental health and provide a positive distraction from the day’s toils.
Hotels encouraging you to enjoy the outdoors include the Affinia Dumont and Affinia Shelburne in New York, where Republic bikes and maps are available for guests. The four Kimpton hotels in Chicago also have complimentary bikes and the Woolcott in midtown Manhattan provides pedometers, as does the Palomar in San Diego. Most city hotels also have a running map of the area, for the fleet of foot.
Frommer's app
Another app this month is from WorldHotels, the independent hotel group with 500 properties worldwide. In partnership with the guide book publisher Frommer’s, the app will also have travel tips and maps.
Clients of the larger travel management companies will also be able to access their negotiated rates and book immediately. Members of Air France's Flying Blue club can earn an additional, 1,500 miles per stay up to the end of December. See worldhotels.com.