What business travelers want

In a recent study by Orbitz for Business/Business Traveler Magazine Trend Reports, business travelers were asked what was most important to them when traveling by air and booking a hotel room:

The top five most used airline ancillary services (in order):
1. Securing an aisle row seat
2. Priority security line access and early boarding
3. Airline lounge or club access
4. Securing a seat near the front of the plane
5. Extra leg room in coach

The top five most significant factors when booking a hotel (in order):
1. Loyalty or awards program points
2. Proximity to business meeting or event
3. On-site amenities such as Wi-Fi, on-site cleaners, exercise center, etc.
4. Lower daily rate than comparable hotels
5. Hotel star rating

The entire article can be found here:

Business Traveler

(Frank II)

Comments

[Monte]

Yeh, well who wouldn't want those things. I really feel sorry for them.

[MaxD]

I have never understood the allure of the airline lounge. All the ones I have been in are full of yobs looking for free drinks. I can't think of a one that was an enjoyable experience. Continental's are usually packed so tight there's no place to sit and as crowded as a nightclub but without pretty women. Sheesh. Even the one in Narita is so busy there's no chairs to be had. I don't need to surf the internet 24 hours a day, and I like to use lengthy travel time as a way to stay incommunicado. I much prefer to stay in the main airport and just find a gate that is not being used. It's quiet and I can enjoy a little more peace and less BO.

Also, I have never understood the desire to rush to board the airplane, nor the desire to sit near the front. Aisle seat and leg room, I would agree with.

Hotels, I don't really care. If I am travelling on the company's dime I usually look for cheap. Some people are crazy to get Starwood points or Hyatt or Marriott points or whatever. I don't really care too much.

[Yeiap]

@MaxD:

Front of plane means getting off the plane sooner.

Boarding first means getting guaranteed overhead space (thus not being forced to check ones bag).

Airport lounges are a godsend when it comes to irregular operations. Rebooking can be done there without the huge lines in customer service. Also, all of the lounges I've been in have been far quieter than the general boarding area, which almost never has seats available anyway.

Hotels? Points are great, particularly when it's time to take your family on vacation, and doing it for free.

[MaxD]

I'm not disputing the utility of points. I use them myself with various chains. I just don't plan my stay around where I can get the most points. I know it's not this way for everyone, but for me the physical location is most important, along with cost if it's a business trip.

As far as the plane side, I think as I get older I have less patience for other travelers. Most other business travelers simply do not travel light, tho they may think they do, - with huge 22" rolling bags and huge rolling brief cases. That is why now if I can't fit under the seat ahead I check it. For me, less than 1 week -under the seat. More than one week, check the bag. I am to the point where I prefer to check a 16 lb bag than to hump it around a crowded plane.

[Till]

I pretty much concur with the listed points for obvious reasons. I mostly prefer a window seat though unless I'm in a hurry. But aisle seat is also safer in case of evacuation and easier to stand up to go to the bathroom. But more dangerous for falling overhead luggage and people stepping on your feet.

Front seats are also rather safer. Seats in the rear will give you as good chances at luggage storage as pre-boarding, IF they board from the rear which I think most do.

Interestingly if you rate the points in categories it's about speed, convenience, comfort and money, in this order, for business travelers. Which basically translates either to time is money or to money is not important and speed, convenience and comfort are all more important which is why you can buy these things with money.