Pack It Up

By Catharine Kuchar

• Budgetel now offers Business First rooms, complete with an ergonomic chair, large desk, speaker phone and free local phone calls. The cost? About $50 a night.

• International first- and business-class passengers can now enjoy Delta Air Lines' wine program, "Vinum," which offers selections of unusual vintages from wineries around the world.

• By the end of 1998, United passengers flying internationally will enjoy new "Connoisseur Class" seats. The seats include a lumbar support system, an adjustable headrest, a bottom cushion and a reading light. Plus, you'll be able to cross your legs with the tray table down.

• Through December 31, American Airlines is offering AAdvantage members 250 bonus miles each way for tickets purchased online using the Personal AAcess service.

• And you thought television was only an obsession in the United States. According to the 1997 Official Airline Guide Business Travel Lifestyle Survey, six out of 10 business travelers ranked satellite/cable television as the most important hotel amenity.

• Midwest Express' Refer A Friend program is now permanent. Frequent fliers will receive 2,500 bonus miles when their friends sign up for a Midwest Express Gold MasterCard and 1,000 bonus miles for friends who sign up for the Classic MasterCard.

• Delta Air Lines could soon be flying to Venezuela. The scheduled start-up date is December 7, pending government approval.

This article was originally published in the October 1997 print edition of Entrepreneur with the headline: Pack It Up.