AIRTRAN, SOUTHWEST FREQUENT FLIERS CAN CONVERT CREDITS
AirTran Airways frequent fliers can now convert their credits into Southwest Airlines credits. Southwest acquired AirTran last year, but plans on maintaining separate frequent flier programs for a while. Southwest frequent fliers can also convert their credits to AirTran credits. (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

SURVEY: PREPAYING GAS FOR RENTAL CARS DOESN’T ALWAYS SAVE MONEY
The popular strategy of prepaying for gasoline on rental cars works only less than half the time, a survey by USA TODAY found. The survey, covering facilities of eight major U.S. car-rental brands at 10 airports, found that only 44% of the prices for prepaying gas were lower than the average fuel prices at nearby gas stations. ( USA TODAY)

FLIERS CAN BYPASS LONG WAITS AT AIRPORTS WITH NEW SERVICES
Save time waiting in line at the airport, this feature says, by using immigration services such as Global Entry, which lets passengers check in at an electronic kiosk after a one-time background check. The Transportation Security Administration's PreCheck service is free, but open only to frequent fliers on American Airlines and Delta Air Lines. The company Clear requires iris scans and fingerprints before issuing a card that makes wait times go under five minutes. (The New York Times) 

DISNEY AIMS TO REGIAN MARKET SHARE THROUGH AMENITY UPGRADES
Walt Disney World is adding amenities such as free Wi-Fi access and extra mattresses to its hotel rooms in an attempt to lift its sluggish occupancy growth. "With the economy the way it is, you drop back to the basics: 'How can we steal business from our competitors because our hotels aren't full?' One of the things you can do is lower your rate, which is not smart. But the other thing you can do is offer things that people see value in," said Scott Smith of the University of Central Florida . Disney says it is heeding the results of research that listed the top amenities that guests want in their rooms. ( Orlando Sentinel) 

COMFY HOTEL LOBBIES ARE DRAWING LOCAL BUSINESSPEOPLE
More local businesspeople are bringing their work to the nearest hotel lobby, where comfortable spaces and an abundance of electrical outlets seem more attractive than the local Starbucks, this feature says. Hoteliers, who say the added revenue is welcome and the atmosphere is a positive, are taking steps to encourage the activity. "If you have an active lobby, from a customer standpoint, it does reinforce the idea that the hotel is successful and a good hotel," said Steve King of consulting firm Emergent Research. (The Wall Street Journal)

MISSISSIPPI RIVER CRUISING COULD GET NEW LIFE WITH RESTORED AMERICAN QUEEN
The Great American Steamboat Co. is trying to resurrect the stalled river-cruising industry along the Mississippi River by bringing back the iconic American Queen. The luxury steamboat, which was christened Friday, underwent extensive remodeling, combining 20th-century elegance with 21st-century amenities. (Travel Weekly)