Frequent-flier therapy

Mon, 17 Nov 1997 20:00:00 +0000

Last week we presented a query from a reader desperately seeking frequent-flier therapy. It turns out, as one of our readers notes below, that an article addressing her dilemma is posted online.
And check out this week's query -- from a woman executive on the subject of airline sexism. Do you agree or disagree? Do you have any advice for her? Send your opinions and tips to wanderlust@salonmagazine.com.

Last week's query:

Is there any way to save 15,000 frequent-flier miles due to expire with United Airlines by the end of December? I have another 5,000 miles -- or a total of 20,000 -- but need 25,000 for a free trip and I don't particularly want
to travel next month just to pick up 5,000 miles. Any advice?

-- GLORIA D.

Road warrior Michael Quinlan responds:
There is a nice article about what to do with soon-to-be-expiring miles at http://www.biztravel.com/biztraveler. It's called "Use 'Em or Lose 'Em" and it's in the bizFlyer 101 section of the magazine.

Tip of the Week: Narita

Tue, 04 Nov 1997 09:23:00 +0000

so you're stuck between flights at Narita Airport: too few hours to train into Tokyo but too many to sit over a bowl of udon. What to do? The current Japan Airlines newsletter spotlights services that are tailor-made for road warriors on short layovers: The Refresh Room offers 10 shower rooms, five single day rooms with showers and a double room with a shower. You can take just a quick shower (about $6 for an hour) or combine a shower with a nap in one of the day rooms (single for about $18, double for about $27). There's a four-hour time limit, though -- so don't try to stretch it into an overnight. The Refresh Room is on the third floor of Terminal 2's main building. If you prefer some quiet tube time, install yourself in a "bodysonic" chair (wired for sound) in the nearby Audio-Video Room, where you can watch TV or videos for about $4 for two hours. And if you happen to be traveling en famille, Terminal 2's satellite provides the Children's Play Room, with toys, videos (including international versions of "Sesame Street"), books, stuffed animals and changing tables in a cheerful, child-friendly environment. It's not a nursery and there are no baby sitters, but on the plus side, it's free! All of these are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and are for use by passengers only. For directions, ask any ground-service agent.

Salon.com > Esther Dyson

Frequent-flier therapy

Tip of the Week: Narita