Recession Promotions

At least one travel company is having some fun with the recession. JetBlue recently ran full-page ads in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal trying to entice business executives whose travel budgets have all but evaporated. The "Welcome Bigwigs" promotion encourages "muckety-mucks, private jetters, big cheeses, head honchos, CFOs, and C Whatever Os" to check out JetBlue amenities.

Among the perks: all-leather seats (just like bigwigs have in first class), myriad alternatives to cable business news channels on the seatback monitors, and service to important business centers located in Bermuda, the Bahamas, Aruba and West Palm Beach. The best part, though, are its low fares, which put your budget in the red.

JetBlue also has a more serious promotion for people worried about traveling in the current economy. If you book a trip before June 1 and then get laid off from your job, you'll be eligible for a full refund of your ticket. Norwegian Cruise Lines has instituted a similar policy, but it charges a $29 fee for it. To qualify for the JetBlue refund, you must cancel your trip at least 14 days before your departure date by sending a notarized letter by fax and certified mail.