In his column "On Business Travel", Ed Perkins takes on topics relevant to the small business traveler.

On Business Travel

New hotel brand targets value-conscious business travelers March 17, 2005 Cambria Suites is Choice Hotels' entrant in the fast growing midmarket limited-service hotel sector. Find out the possible perks and pitfalls of this new hotel chain. Playing the round-the-world game February 28, 2005 For travelers who want to log a lot of business or first class miles on an extended trip at a comparatively modest price, a round-the-world (RTW) approach may be just the ticket. Find out the secrets to getting maximum value and flexibility out of an RTW ticket. Independence Air misses a golden opportunity February 14, 2005 Independence Air, the struggling low-fare line based at Dulles International Airport, had a great chance to bring a truly innovative product to its new transcontinental routes. Instead, it's giving us another "me too" coach product that, frankly, nobody needs. Exactly what chance did Independence waste? Rental cars: beyond the price February 1, 2005 Whether you're traveling for business or leisure, price isn't everything when you rent a car. Other important factors may influence your choice of rental company and car model. Find out what to look for beyond just the base rate when you're shopping for a rental car. Hotels, rental cars, and trains in 2005: A business traveler's wish list January 3, 2005 In Part Two of Ed's end-of-year reflections on business travel, he takes on hotels, car rentals, and rail travel; and offers up a wish list of his top ideas for making travel better and easier for frequent travelers. Airlines: The year that was-and the one that will be December 20, 2004 Read Ed's year-end summary and predictions for airlines. Are fares on their way up? Is service on its way out? And what is JetBlue going to do with those regional jets? First look: Expedia Business Advantage December 7, 2004 Aggregator giant Expedia is now targeting small businesses through a new online service. Expedia Business Advantage is a slimmed-down version of its standard program for business travel. But how useful is it for small business travelers? Trend watch: Airlines offer deals on premium class November 29, 2004 Some of the world's major airlines have quietly started to play yield management pricing games with their premium class fares. Find out which airlines are currently offering short, restricted sales on premium fares; and where to find more offers in 2005. Train to the plane for business travelers November 17, 2004 Many U.S. airports have rail stations in or near the terminal and actively promote rail access. But you'll find big differences in how well individual systems accommodate business travelers. Read up on where you'll find good (and ghastly) train service from airports into major cities. United's new 'p.s.' service: survival blueprint for a legacy line? August 5, 2004 Is United's new three-class "p.s." service a real step forward for passengers, or a case of too little, too late? 'Full service airlines?' not for most of us July 20, 2004 Do you get superior cost, comfort, choice, and convenience on the legacy lines? Don't count on it. Offshore tickets: sometimes a good bet June 21, 2004 Travelers can sometimes cut costs by taking advantage of "offshore ticketing," purchasing tickets somewhere other than a home country. Travel agents get the lowest airfares; or do they? May 20, 2004 A new study claims that business travel airfares booked by a designated corporate travel agency cost less than those booked online. However, for the small business traveler, the best prices might still be those available online. InterContinental Hotels tightens up on third-party discounters May 5, 2004 InterContinental Hotels Group has announced new restrictions on third-party sellers. Several mega-chains are already trying to discourage third-party distributors from undercutting rates posted on the chains' own sites. Find out what these changes really mean for consumers. Travel insurance: do business travelers need it? April 21, 2004 Travel insurance is a widely accepted option for leisure travelers. But can business travelers benefit from the coverage it offers as well? ATA boosts low-fare business class April 5, 2004 ATA announced that it will be introducing a business class on all places in its mainline fleet. Is business class the wave of the low-fare airline future? Visa adds rental car insurance to all cards March 21, 2004 Visa has joined American Express and Diners Club by including no-cost collision coverage for rental cars on its credit cards. But are there still differences between cards? You bet.