After this news, there’s definitely a London Bobby or two getting the corporate credit card taken away. Apparently, many Metropolitan police officers thought it was a great idea to start buying business class tickets for all of Scotland Yard’s travel needs. Not surprisingly, the spending spree didn’t go unnoticed, and now taxpayers are about £12 million in the hole.

Trying their best to be proper shoppers, officers booked business class flights to destinations across the globe including Australia, the United States, and South Africa. Let’s just hope they remembered to enter their frequent flyer numbers. ]]> kjb 2009-09-09T08:57:26-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/9/2/135252/8059

While the rest of the world prepares for another season of hysteria, some business travelers seem to be keeping a level-headed perspective about Swine Flu. A recent survey conducted by the National Roads and Motorists' Association concluded that H1N1 just isn't a consideration for many travelers, and that it ranks way below other factors like the recession (or getting a refill on that in-flight cocktail).

This will undoubtedly be welcome news for the airline and tourism industries, both of which got hit badly the last time swine flu went around. In a way it's also news that makes sense. Last season's full-blown panic mostly fizzled out into a few runny noses, so people are already a little immune—no pun intended—from freaking out. Travelers seem unwilling to be thrown off their schedules again, though all that could change if the impending outbreak gets nasty.]]> Omri 2009-09-02T15:14:45-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/7/28/736/69364

There’s nothing better than a free trip somewhere, especially when that somewhere is a location overseas. British Airways is running their The Face of Opportunity contest through July 31, in which they ask what you’d be able to get done with a face-to-face meeting. For a 1,000 lucky entrepreneurs, a freebie could be in their cards, but only if they have a killer business idea.

If BA selects your idea, you’ll be awarded a roundtrip ticket to anywhere the airline flies, so if London isn’t where your business plan will succeed, don’t worry. Winners will be departing in the fall from either Los Angeles, New York, or Chicago, but the return date is left wide open—if you’re busy wheeling and dealing they’ll let you stick around.

Take some time to craft a decent 500-word entry, because they are looking to see what you would take advantage of if awarded the chance to conduct meetings abroad. Writing about how their in-flight food is quite tasty isn’t probably going to help you win this thing, so make sure you really play up the importance of a handshake. Also be sure to brush up on your business etiquette because if you score the prize, you’ll want to bring your A-game when it comes to networking.

Related Stories:
·BA - The Face of Opportunity [Official Site]
·British Airways Offers 1,000 Free Business Trips [OC Register]
·British Airways coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: stuartpilbrow] ]]> kjb 2009-07-28T13:09:25-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/5/16/12440/1555

After laying low for a while, the business travel industry is pushing back against critics who claim that first-class seats and lavish retreats aren't appropriate in the current economic environment. Insurance company AIG came under fire last October for sending executives on a week-long retreat at a luxury resort and spa shortly after receiving relief funds, while auto executives were ridiculed for flying their private jets to Washington for the bailout hearings. With so many people in dire economic straits, it seems tacky for companies to flaunt their wealth these days, but is it fair to single out business travel as an unjustifiable expense? Or is it a cost of doing business that helps the economy as well? ]]> Victor Ozols 2009-05-16T12:44:00-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/3/23/73138/6275

We all know that the economy has taken its toll on both business and leisure travel. No one is more aware of this than the airline industry. Luckily for travelers, the airlines aren’t going to take this lying down, so if you still have some change left in the travel piggy bank—now’s the time to fly.

In attempt to lure more travelers—especially those from the business world—a few airlines have launched a promotion to grant fliers double elite qualifying miles. You’ll get double the qualifying miles towards swanky status, but not double regular miles for your award ticket dreams. That means it will only take you half the time to reach elite status up in the air, where even the worst trip can become a little better. The possibility of free upgrades, free drinks, snazzy priority luggage tags, and maybe even access to one of those cool airport lounges, makes it totally worth it. ]]> kjb 2009-03-23T15:11:16-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/3/4/718/71983

When we are away from the Jaunted office, there’s a short list of things we look for in a hotel stay. We want something that’s comfortable, clean, and accessible to whatever we’re in town for. We’ll leave all the fancy pants stuff up to our sister site, Hotel Chatter; they’re way better at that than we are.

On our recent Charlotte Field Trip, we got to try out Hyatt’s new offering—Hyatt Place—and we were really digging it, so much so that we’re willing to trade in our usual love for Courtyard by Marriott and Hilton Garden Inn. From now on, when it comes to a somewhat budget friendly business lodging, we say go Hyatt or go home. ]]> kjb 2009-03-04T13:46:15-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/2/20/125239/752

While we have yet to experience a flight drunk on too many airport margaritas, for many it is the only way to get them on the plane. There is a point, however, at which in-flight drunkenness switches from being humorous and forgivable to annoying and dangerous, and it looks like Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport takes the cake in terms of frequency of these incidents.

According to a report on MSNBC, police at DFW made 78 arrests lasts year for public intoxication and in some cases pulled people off of planes for it. ]]> JetSetCD 2009-02-20T16:11:08-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/