Get work done at the airport: airline VIP lounges
Why: We've all been there: Trudging wearily through the terminal with heavy bags in tow, you pass a smoked-glass door adorned with the words airline VIP lounge, or something comparably off-putting. Buying into one of these forbidden oases, however, may actually be a smart business investment. Annual memberships typically cost a few hundred bucks but come with some significant amenities--comfortable seats, computers with free Internet access, conference rooms, and even complimentary snacks. If your job takes you on the road frequently, you might not spend any more on the annual fee than you would for dial-up every time you're in an airport.

At the most basic level, airline travel clubs offer the priceless benefit of peace and quiet. Away from the turmoil and fever of the main terminal, you'll likely accomplish a lot more than you would sitting at a gate thronged with tourists and wailing babies.

One word of caution: if you have your heart set on free Wi-Fi, be sure to confirm that the club you're considering offers it for free. Some clubs, such as American Airlines' Admirals Club, provide wireless service through T-Mobile--free to you only if you already have a T-Mobile plan. Others supply a connection, then charge a fee on top of that: United provides T-Mobile Wi-Fi, but you have to pay a fee to access it, regardless of whether you're a subscriber.

How: Go to your favorite airline's Web site to see whether it offers a VIP club--all of the major airlines do--and if so, find out how to join. Most let you apply online or at least download the proper forms. Then all you need is a thin-and-light or ultraportable laptop with integrated wireless. If your airline of choice offers T-Mobile Wi-Fi (many do), you might also want to subscribe to that service; otherwise, you'll have to pay a usage fee every time you go online.

For more details about the terms, the costs, and the benefits of a membership at major airline VIP clubs, check out our chart below. One caveat: all of these services may not be available at all club locations.

	American	Continental	Delta	Northwest	United	US Airways
Annual membership fee*	$450	$375	$475	$450	$500	$275
Locations	40	72	33	100	34	16
Special travel assistance	X	X	X	X	X	X
Free dial-up	X	X	X	X	X	X
Free broadband	X
Free Wi-Fi		X
Free conference rooms	X
Free snacks	X	X	X	X	X	X
Complimentary cocktails	X			X
Free showers	X
International locations	X	X	X		X	X
Putting green			X

Get work done at the airport: Wi-Fi cafes
Why: If your business can't shoulder the membership fee of an airline VIP club, you can probably still find a relatively calm airport cafe that offers wireless service. Unfortunately, the cafe you're most likely to find--Starbucks--provides for-pay service through T-Mobile. If all else fails, check the pay phones in the airport terminals. Some of them have data ports where you can connect your Ethernet cord. Of course, you'll have to pay a fee for usage.

How: Before your trip, check the Web site of the airport you'll be traveling to for a list of its shops. Most of the larger airports offer information online; San Francisco International Airport has a fairly comprehensive business services FAQ. If you're researching a smaller airport, call its customer service number and ask if it provides Wi-Fi terminals. Be sure to ask whether the service is free or paid.

Once you're at the airport, just walk over near the Wi-Fi area. If it's free, your wireless device should automatically pick up the signal. For fee-based service, you'll need a WEP key (a.k.a. an access code) from the shop proprietor. And if it's a wired connection, plug in. Make sure to bring along an Ethernet cable just in case a wired connection is your only option.