ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, August 6, 1996 TAG: 9608060073
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
5 major airlines join new ticket price war
CHICAGO - Five major U.S. airlines slashed fares Monday, hoping to spark a surge in travel as the summer draws to a close.
United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines Inc., Trans World Airlines Inc. and America West Airlines Inc. said they cut fares to as low as $50 in some markets. The reduced fares are available until Saturday for travel through Dec.15.
America West sparked the latest round of cuts by offering one-way fares of $50, $100, or $150 on most of its routes. The cuts come a month after Southwest Airlines Inc. offered one-way tickets for $25, causing callers to jam Southwest's phone lines for days. The airline has said its July traffic will be lower than expected because regular customers couldn't get through.
Ed Stewart, a Southwest airlines spokesman, said the airline has no plans to match the latest cuts. ``No one is going to beat $25,'' he said.
- Bloomberg Business News
Car rentals take fast lane at Alamo
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - What can you do in less than 30 seconds? Use an ATM machine? Tie your shoes? Put on a tie? Rent a car? Yes, says Alamo Rent A Car, if you use the new express check-in service it's putting in place.
With the new process, a renter with a reservation goes directly to a new "Quicksilver" Alamo kiosk, inserts a credit card, presses the "print contract" button, and within seconds should be on his way.
The system, which costs individuals $50 a year and is free to contracted corporate customers, will be available in English, French, German and Spanish. Alamo said it plans to have the system in 90 locations by the end of the year.
- Staff report
2 Virginia stores among top 100
Two Virginia retailers were included in the list of the top 100 specialty stores, sponsored by American Express and Stores magazine, the publication of the National Retail Federation.
Richmond-based Circuit City Stores was ranked No.4, while Heilig-Meyers, also in Richmond, was No.26.
Topping the list again this year were Toys `R' Us, with sales of $9.4 billion, and apparel merchant The Limited, with sales of $7.8 billion last year. Companies are ranked according to 1995 sales.
- Staff report
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