Will Travel Perks Take Off?

Updated on September 18, 2008.

FOR DEDICATED ROAD WARRIORS the dreary numbers have been virtually impossible to ignore: 24% of flight arrivals were delayed in 2007, up from 16% five years earlier. Hotel rates are predicted to jump by as much as 22% in some international markets this year, and the cost of the average U.S. business trip is on track to climb another 6%.

But here are a few other numbers that haven't gotten quite as much attention: 95, 67 and 15,000. The first is the number of planes United Airlines is currently tricking out with cushy new business-class seats, part of a multimillion-dollar upgrade to the airline's premier cabins. The second? The number of Ritz-Carltons that now feature private-club floors. And 15,000 happens to be the square footage of the Star Alliance premium-class lounge at Los Angeles International Airport — complete with VIP rooms, of course. (Hey, it is Hollywood.)

Attention business travelers: The white gloves are coming back. Sure, getting from city to city on a tight schedule remains no picnic, with security-line switchbacks up to 25 rows deep and runway-gridlock delays still making the evening news. But whether it's installing massage chairs on a hotel's private club floor or offering rental-car navigation systems with built-in mp3 players, there are signs that the road-warrior experience is perking up. Even the airlines, infamous for stripping away all but the most basic creature comforts, are "investing in the people that sit in the pointy end of the plane," says Forrester Research travel analyst Henry Harteveldt.

Intrepid travelers can thank the shaky economy for their new upgrades; with U.S. airlines expecting earnings to dip from $5.6 billion in 2007 to $5 billion this year and hotels bracing for their first drop in occupancy rates in four years, expense-account travelers offer the industry's best hope for staying in the black. Not surprisingly, few of the new perks are free, but savvy travelers may find that spending that little bit extra can go a long way. We hit the road in search of the best bump for your buck.

No one likes navigating airport security, but Hugh Coppen has it worse than most. A year ago the San Francisco-based leadership-development consultant had double-knee-replacement surgery; since then, each time he goes through the metal detector, his new titanium joints "light that thing up like a Christmas tree." So when his local airport rolled out Clear, a program that allows prescreened passengers to zip through security, he was one of the first to sign up. Now the screeners still find his new joints, but he's whisked through the line and gets a hand with his bags: "It's like having a personal concierge," he says.

As Coppen discovered, airports are moving aggressively to ease the headaches of flying. For $128 a year, fliers registered with the Clear traveler program go through a one-time screening process to receive their high-tech biometric Clear card, which allows them access to their own security line. The program has its drawbacks — privacy fans won't relish having their fingerprints and iris scans on file with the Transportation Security Administration — and it still has some expanding to do. Currently, the card is accepted at only 19 airports, but the company expects a few more to begin accepting it this year.

Past the security lines, of course, are the VIP airport lounges, which have begun to unhook the velvet ropes for more travelers. Kitted out with big-screen TVs, showers and even nap rooms, these clubs have long been a haven for jet-setters. But while sky-high membership fees (usually around $400 a year) have kept many travelers standing longingly outside the door, some airlines now sell day passes for about $50. Veterans say agents staffing the clubs are often the airlines' most experienced and may be the best bet for rebooking tickets.

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In the Air

As airlines clamp down on their frequent-flier programs, finding a shortcut to elite status may be the best way to get those in-plane perks. For David Trasen, a high-tech recruiter from Portland, Ore., being a "premier" flier on United Airlines makes the "difference between being able to open my laptop and not." Trasen's status gives him first dibs on the airline's Economy Plus seats, which offer an extra 5 inches of leg room and plenty of space to power up his PC. Airline rules for elite status vary, but if you haven't yet racked up the miles, some carriers now allow travelers to buy their way into the VIP realm — either by purchasing mileage outright or snagging first-class upgrades on the day of travel. US Airways, for one, charges between $50 and $150 a seat.

There are other ways to land on the right side of the first-class curtain. American Airlines now offers an upgraded coach fare that comes in well below the airline's typical front-of-the-plane prices. Often referred to as "Y-Ups," these are technically coach (or "Y") fares that include an automatic bump up to first class. But to find these deals, you have to know where to look: On American's Web site, click the "price and schedule" button, type the destination and select "instant upgrade."

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The economic slowdown has the $133 billion U.S. hotel industry on notice, after lodging big shots like Starwood Hotel and Resorts announced cuts to their 2008 earnings forecasts. Preparing for worse, many hotels are wooing back core customers with revamped frequent-stay plans. At Marriott, for example, members who spend at least 10 nights annually qualify for free late checkout, while InterContinental's Priority Club allows members to redeem points for spa treatments. Ranking loyalty members often get free upgrades to hotel club floors, which are also being spruced up. Rooms on these restricted-access floors usually run between $20 and $100 more than a regular room, and perks vary from property to property; many now come with extras like high-end toiletries, desktop computers and iPod-compatible stereos. Out in the common areas, guests can often be seen these days padding around in their complimentary bathrobes, enjoying amenities like massage chairs, made-to-order coffee drinks and over-the-top breakfast spreads. "It's not just a wedge of cheese anymore," says Bob Morse of hospitality-operating and development group Noble Investment.

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If the idea of renting yet another gold Ford Taurus makes you gag, it's not always that outrageous to upgrade. At Hertz a Toyota Corolla rents for $46 a day in Los Angeles, a Sebring convertible can be had for $24 more per day and a motorhead dream car, the Nissan 350Z convertible (with Sirius satellite radio), runs an extra $60. You can always think of it as a test drive and try out that hybrid you've had your eye on.

Of course, road warriors in search of true big shot treatment will need a chauffeur. We're not joking: Avis now offers driver service in select cities. At $30 an hour — on top of regular rental charges — it's no bargain, but think of how much time you'll save not getting lost in an unfamiliar city or struggling with parking on a back-to-back meeting day. Now, if they could just provide someone to tell you where you put your phone charger.

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Travel Companions
Late flight? These electronic gadgets won't get you there any faster, but they might make the wait more productive. — Neil Parmar

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