As Kim mentioned in her blog last week, GT’s auction is in full swing. It’s time to take advantage of the best travel prizes the world has to offer. Not only will you be getting the great packages at exceptional values, but you will also be helping children through the Mentor Foundation — a definite win-win situation.

I currently find myself in southeast Asia, where many of our great auction items could  take you also. I flew through Incheon International Airport and saw many of the recent airport renovations — making an already superb transit hub even better. By adding updated shopping outlets, Korean culture workshops, stores and museums, the airport has turned into a great destination to visit while in transit.

I also transited in the new Asiana first- and business-class lounge, which offers Asiana and Star Alliance passengers a phenomenal space to rest and relax. Before heading south, I spent a few days in Seoul at the Ritz Carlton. The hotel was celebrating its 15th anniversary with a cocktail reception sponsored by Remy Martin. There was a featured cask on display that was valued at more than $20,000 per bottle. It was handled with white-glove service, and they raffled off a taste to a few lucky guests. I happened to be one of the lucky winners! I am not a cognac connoisseur, but I knew I was tasting something special. I also knew to savor it since I would have to pay $800 a glass if I ordered it at the bar. It was smooth going down. Something tells me it will be a long time before I am able to make a fair comparison with a such a rare bottle of Remy Martin.

Bottom line — take a look at the auction website, make a bid and see what global adventures await you!

– Alex Young, vice president and associate publisher

Back in the 1980s, my school computer classes were conducted on Macs, using floppy discs, et al. Once I hit high school and college, PCs were all the rage, so I followed suit. When I started working for GT and my PC crashed, publisher Fran Gallagher put me on the Mac track once again. His guidance led me in the right direction. I started using Apple computers again six years ago and I haven’t looked back. In fact, I have turned my sister-in-law and mother into full-fledged Mac users.

Last weekend, before departing on my trip to Amman, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, I needed to pick up a new battery for my beloved Mac. It was the Saturday after New Year’s, in the afternoon and in midtown Manhattan. It was one of the busiest shopping afternoons, but I had no choice but to enter Apple’s Fifth Avenue store with the mobs. I walked down the clear spiral staircase like a sardine surrounded by tourists. I held my breath for what I thought would be an excruciating experience. Once I entered the store, I spotted a salesperson. I asked where I could find a new battery. He showed me to a wall display, handed me the battery and rang me up on the spot since I was paying by credit card. He asked if he could email me the receipt; I said no problem and within two minutes, I was in and out of the store. I was beyond thankful for the ingenuity and efficiency offered by Mac.

I believe any great product goes beyond the product itself. A great product needs better customer service to further back it up. I experienced Apple’s great customer service again today in Amman. When I boarded the plane at JFK, I realized I left part of my computer charger in the Royal Jordanian Airlines‘ VIP lounge. The lounge found my charger, but it was too late to make it through security before departure. Upon landing in Amman, I found the Apple Store, overpaid quite a bit for the piece, but nonetheless experienced a seamless customer service process. Thanks to Apple, I will be able to work on my Mac while on this business trip in the Middle East.

– Alex Young, vice president and associate publisher

I’d like to comment on Fran’s blog yesterday. I couldn’t agree more regarding the importance of GT’s placement in lounges for the premium traveler. I receive wonderful comments all the time from travelers I meet while on the road who find out I work for the publication. They have seen Global Traveler in various lounges, including United’s Red Carpet Club, and I believe a lounge is an ideal spot to take in the pages of GT.

As a frequent traveler myself, I find the use of airline lounges both essential to a busy business schedule and a life saver. They make the overall travel experience a better and more productive one.

This past weekend, I flew out to Aspen, Colo., to visit a friend to celebrate her milestone birthday. I was in and out of airports very often as a big snow storm hit the mountains and caused one flight to be canceled on the way home and the rebooked flight was delayed too much for  me to make my connecting flight. While the Aspen airport (if you’re not flying private) is too small to need an airline lounge, every time I fly through a major airport, I make sure to take advantage of the lounge.

Flying out to Colorado, I flew Continental to Denver from Newark.  I made a pit stop in the Presidents Club before boarding. They were able to help me with a seat change, and I was able to check emails, grab a drink and munch on some snacks. This made all the stress of my day slowly dissipate and allowed me to board calmly and look forward to the weekend ahead.

Despite the delay in getting home, the weekend was one for the books. It was an incredible privilege to spend the weekend with the birthday girl. She is obviously well loved; her friends flew in from around the country to help her celebrate. I hope the photos from this party miss the pages of  GT, but I know all our readers are looking forward to reading about our upcoming awards gala, taking place in New York City at  Andaz Wall Street in January!

– Alex Young, vice president and associate publisher

I was quite the celebrity this past week as I traveled to and from and around the West Coast. Bill Noonan, our experience-laden new vice president of the western region, and I flew up to San Francisco (SFO) on Wednesday night on United (one of GT’s award winners). We were flying out of the United concourse, from gate 75, and I suggested we check out the first-class lounge. As all the international flights were leaving slightly later than us, the lounge was completely empty.

We were able to chat about the industry with UAL Global Services Manager Rebecca Frazier. Rebecca is a warm, wonderful person who welcomed all the lounge guests as if they were entering her home. She also told us how valuable the placement of Global Traveler is to guests who frequently read GT in the lounge or take the lounge copies with them on their trips around the world.

Bill and I settled down with a cocktail and discussed the day’s meetings while working on proposals in the comfort of the lounge prior to our San Francisco-bound flight.

On my return east, I flew Continental Airlines‘ red-eye flight on Friday. I got to the airport at about 8:15 p.m. and passed the time before my departure at the Presidents Club Lounge. There I also had fun talks with the managers on duty, who were thrilled to meet me, as Global Traveler is a must-read for their guests. GT was prominently displayed on their shelves and was the only business-focused publication for lounge guests.

Global Traveler’s lounge placement is only a fraction of our circulation, but I feel it is important. With placements in Delta Sky Clubs, Continental President Clubs and United Red Carpet Clubs and first-class lounges — as well as a host of others — GT really reaches out to business travelers. I was treated like a real VIP, not because of me but because of the magazine.

Just so you know where you can get your GT fix while traveling, you can always find us in the following lounges: Air France, Alitalia, Asiana, Continental, Delta, EVA, Finnair, Korean Air, KLM, Kuwait Airlines, Lufthansa, Royal Suites, SAS, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Turkish Airlines, United, USAirways and Virgin. Some are placed system-wide, while others are in selected lounges. Enjoy reading GT!

Display of  Global Traveler in United’s LAX lounge.

– Fran Gallagher, publisher and CEO

On my recent trip to London, I had the chance to experience British Airways and London Heathrow’s much-discussed Terminal 5. For all the money and hype, I found the terminal to be poorly laid out.

My flight arrived very early in the morning. As a business-class passenger, I was able to use the fast lanes for Customs (a nice feature!), so lines were no bother to me, but it literally was like a one-mile, never-ending walk to get from the gate to the exit. Up escalators, down escalators, on a monorail shuttle, here, there and everywhere. Too far, too confusing, too much!

When I arrived for my flight home, I was pleased to see lots of check-in space and plenty of self-service kiosks. After quickly checking myself in, I dropped my bag and proceeded to security. Despite being in the premium check-in line, I had the longest security wait I’ve had in a while. Once through, I proceeded to the lounge directly after security. Nope, that was not the lounge I was permitted to use. I had to go down a floor and then walk all the way across the terminal and then go up two floors. Down to go up, huh?

So, I proceeded down and across, all the while being impressed with the large selection of high-end shopping available. All major British department stores, like Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges, were represented, as well as top designers, bookstores and pharmacies. An impressive selection of eateries also abounds. So, I went down and across to get back up. Up two more escalators, and I was finally at the lounges. Guess what — since I was departing from a B Gate, the lounge attendant recommended I use the lounges past the monorail service and closer to my gate. That was nice of her, but couldn’t any of the other five people I had spoken to explained this system to me?

Back down, back across, and then down more, until I found my way to the monorail shuttle service. A quick ride later, a short walk and more escalators, and I was where I needed to be — settled in the lounge, enjoying a light breakfast and just a few steps from my gate. But, boy, was I tired and turned around! Granted, I didn’t get a chance to explore all Terminal 5 had to offer as I was too busy trying to find my bearings, but my first impression was not what I had been expecting.

– Kimberly Krol, eFlyer editor, circulation and public relations executive