Business travel nowadays can be very stressful, and very expensive. I'm not sure how 2009 will be, but here is my opinion of the best airline and hotel to use when traveling for the rest of 2008:Southwest Airlines
In most cases, they will have the lowest prices for airfare. They do not penalize you for changing your ticket like all other airlines do. This way if your business plans change, as they often do, you can stay another day without paying an extra $100 fee.
Southwest also won't charge you extra fees to check boxes or bags, and they don't charge you extra to sit in a comfortable seat - like the aisle seat or in an emergency exit row.
Even more valuable is the fact that Southwest does not charge you a fee to utilize your Rapid Rewards points. Almost all other airlines charge you $50-$75 to use your frequent flyer points.
The bad thing about Southwest is that they don't fly to Atlanta or New York - two very common destinations for business travelers. Also, you have to remember to go to Southwest.com to see their fares. You won't find them on Expedia or Orbitz.
Hyatt Hotels
Hyatt is running a "Stay Two Nights, Get One Night Free" special until the end of the year. All you have to do is join their Gold Passport program, and you can participate.
While the requirement of logging two stays before earning the free night may seem like a high hurdle to infrequent travelers, it's a goal that can sometimes be achieved even on a single trip to a single city.
Your free nights can be redeemed at Hyatt hotels in 45 countries. So you can use the free nights for more business travel, or for that vacation you've been wanting to take. I personally have already earned 4 free nights.
The bad thing is that you have to use up your free nights by February 28, 2009. That's a very narrow window of opportunity, but still worth it.
To sign up free for the program, visit:
www.hyatt.com/hyatt/profile/registration/index.jsp
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