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TIPS TO PACK ON YOUR NEXT BUSINESS TRIP
By Mary Granfield

(MONEY Magazine) – Company travel budgets may be shrinking, but that needn't crimp your style. Here's some good news: -- Suite comfort. The trend to all-suites hotels continues. For the cost of a hotel bedroom, you get a two-room suite and, sometimes, breakfast. Marriott (800-228-9290) now has 15 all-suites with corporate rates ranging from $99 to $149 (regularly, $165), depending on location. Weekend rates average $75 a night. Leader of the pack Embassy Suites (800-362-2779) reports 72% capacity at its 100 U.S. properties, while the industry lags at 65%. Embassy's + corporate rate averages $90 a night. Weekend deals run even lower, at $80 on average. At the Times Square location, you can now rent a computer and laser printer via 24-hour room service -- a bargain at $100 a day (rental companies charge $300 plus $50 delivery). -- The frequent-flier forecast. Nervous you'll lose your mileage in the airline shakeout? Well, relax. Continental, which went into bankruptcy last December, is honoring all travel awards. And, says analyst Samuel Buttrick at Kidder Peabody, United's proposed purchase of Pan Am's London routes and American's of six of TWA's London routes will allow frequent-program members to redeem mileage in better carrier programs. You can still play it safe, however, by redeeming ''partner'' awards -- those honored by airlines affiliated with your carrier. For instance, you might redeem your TWA points for an Air New Zealand open ticket that, if unused within a year, can go back into your TWA account after a $50 fee. -- Hit the ground running. Tumi's sturdy $315, 42-inch-long garment bag is guaranteed to fit under any airplane seat (except prop planes) or the company will pay for your one-way ticket. All hardware comes with a lifetime replacement warranty. And a special clamp locks in your own hangers -- a real boon. The bag is available at major department stores around the country.