Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.travel From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: travel Wed, Mar 25 1992 Date: Wed, 25 Mar 92 05:43:34 EST Message-ID: 03-25 0000 DECISIONLINE: Travel USA TODAY Update March 25, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network UNITED KEEPS LID ON O'HARE: Money is no object when United Airlines gets a chance to frustrate American Airlines' expansion in Chicago. Three times recently, United has outspent American to keep its arch rival from growing at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, the world's busiest airport. United has 52% of the market there to America's 37%. "O'Hare is our No. 1 hub," says United's Joe Hopkins. SMART CAR TEST TO BEGIN: The biggest test yet in the USA of what's been called smart car technology begins Wednesday in Orlando, Fla., where visitors will be able to rent automobiles with tracking devices and dashboard computers. The cars will be able to show drivers routes to get to their destinations and will warn of traffic tie-ups along the way. (For more, see special Smart package below.) CONSOLIDATORS CAN MEAN BARGAINS: Travelers who missed the latest bargain airfares to Europe still can find tickets for 20% to 50% off advertised rates by using a consolidator. The consolidator sells discounted airline tickets like a fashion outlet store sells discount clothes: Both may hide the brand name, restrict charge cards and refuse refunds - but deals can be had. CONSOLIDATORS SELL IN BLOCKS: Consolidators contract with airlines to sell blocks of seats at cut-rate prices directly through the public or through discount travel agencies. Overseas and transcontinental routes offer the most choices. There's less competition for domestic routes, says a consolidator. No one licenses, bonds or monitors consolidators. But most major U.S. and foreign airlines sell to consolidators. TERMINALS CASE TO BE HEARD: The nature of airport terminals will be debated before the Supreme Court Wednesday. Its answer will determine whether airports across the USA can prohibit solicitation by Hare Krishma followers. The case testing a 1988 New York ban comes during a change in the roles airports play. Terminals have become commercial centers and civic showcases, some say with similar First Amendment protection. BUSINESS CLASS EXPANDED: Air Canada, joining a growing trend among U.S. airlines, is expanding its business-class sections on North American routes. Canada's largest airline is pulling out the first-class seats on 12 Boeing 767s and increasing the business-class section from 40 to 48 seats. The coach section will be increased from 121 seats to 146 seats. EMPLOYEES GUIDE TRAVELERS: Manhattan East Suite Hotels brags that its employees literally go the extra mile for guests at the group's nine New York hotels. The hotels offer employees as tour guides to familiarize guests with the neighborhood around the hotels. BRAND LOYALTY MEANS FREE MILES: Loyalty Management will give frequent-flier programs a new twist April 2 when it introduces its Air Miles program. Members will be able to earn free travel on American, United, USAir or Air Canada by buying specific brands of consumer products. The company's address is 1 Post Office Square, 39th Floor, Boston, Mass. 02109. SHERATON BEGINS SALES BLITZ: As part of its $1 billion-plus program to revive ITT Sheraton, a multinational sales blitz will begin Monday and run through April 3. The project features face-to-face visits with prospective customers and customer appreciation events at 250 North American properties. And beginning April 1, Sheraton properties in North America and Hawaii will feature express check-in and check-out. SPECIAL PACKAGE ON SMART: CARS ARE PART OF TEST: "If you get lost" in a car with a smart car system, "you're not doing what (it) tells you," says Jerry Cheske of the American Automobile Association. Avis will offer 75 specially equipped Oldsmobile Toronados as part of a $12 million yearlong test that's a joint project of AAA, General Motors, the Federal Highway Administration, Florida's Transportation Department and Orlando. ONLY AAA MEMBERS CAN TRY THEM: The cars with smart car technology showing drivers how to get to their destinations will be available only to AAA members who request them. They cost $139 per week or $29 per day. Another 25 cars will be used by local high-mileage drivers. The test area will cover 1,200 square miles, including 10,000 miles of roads and 75,000 intersections. OTHER TESTS ARE UNDER WAY: The Avis smart car test is only one of several projects taking place around the USA. Twenty-five cars are offering drivers five alternatives to a 12-mile stretch on Interstate 10 between Los Angeles and Santa Monica, Calif. That two-year test is nearly over. And about 5,000 cars will be involved by late 1994 in a test in Chicago's northwest suburbs. (End of package.) 24-HOUR TELEPHONE INFORMATION: USA TODAY Weather Hot Line. 95 cents a minute. 1-900-555-5555. Travel Editor: Beth Mann. (1-919-855-3491) Making copies of USA TODAY Update (Copyright, 1992) for further distribution violates federal law. This article is copyright 1992 Gannett News Service. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM