In This Edition… BTN releases its 2022 Corporate Travel Index, expecting a travel boom, airfares increase, new flight services and other airline updates, Apple Wallet ID at the TSA, airline mask mandate extended, Uber and Lyft add fuel surcharge, Uber to list NYC taxis on app, hotel news and brand updates, the meaning of “SSSS” on your boarding pass, and many traveler tips!
Traveler Tips for Stress Management and Staying Well on the Road
Take the word “business” out of “business travel” and what’s left? Travel.
Whether you call it corporate travel, a work trip, or an offsite, business travel is still travel at its core—a powerful experience that brings people together and supercharges work performances. Yet despite its many benefits, travel can serve as a source of stress and anxiety, particularly after the disruption and changes created by COVID-19. Read More
Top Takeaways for Owning and Controlling Your Travel Program
Ask any travel manager about their confidence level in predicting and planning travel throughout the pandemic and you will hear stories of the stops and starts that have plagued business the past two years. Now, as COVID-19 cases sharply decline and restrictions ease across the U.S., travelers are once again cautiously returning to the road. Read More
Direct Travel Names Leader for Canada Sales
Business Travel News — Direct Travel has named SVP of corporate sales and business development Ian Race to lead its sales efforts across Canada as the TMC unifies its sales team across the country. Read More
BTN’s 2022 Corporate Travel Index
Business Travel News — BTN has published its annual presentation of business travel per diems for 100 U.S. cities and 100 non-U.S. cities, detailing hotel, meal and car rental costs, along with risk scores. Plus, analysis of cost fluctuations in the United States, the Americas, the Asia/Pacific region and Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Read More
Concur Survey: Most Travelers, Finance Execs Expect 2022 Corp. Travel 'Boom'
Business Travel News — Most finance managers and business travelers alike expect a "boom" in business travel by the end of this year, though business travelers are a bit more confident in that boom, according to a recent survey commissioned by SAP Concur. Read More
Airfares Are Going Up. Blame Full Planes, Not Fuel Prices
CNN — Jet fuel prices are soaring along with other fuel costs. So are airfares. Blame the return of passenger demand — rather than fuel prices — if you pay more for a flight this spring or summer. Read More
Delta Makes Two Policy Changes That Benefit Frequent Flyers
Travel Weekly — SkyMiles members can now permanently earn credit toward Medallion status when flying on award tickets. Also, Delta has removed the earnings cap of 75,000 points per ticket. Read More
Delta Completes First Phase of LAX Modernization
Business Travel News — Delta Air Lines and Los Angeles World Airports on Tuesday celebrated the completion of the first phase of the "Delta Sky Way at LAX," the joint effort to transform a terminal at Los Angeles International Airport. Read More
Alaska Airlines Forms New Partnership with Air Tahiti Nui
Insider Travel Report — Alaska Airlines has selected Air Tahiti Nui as its newest global airline partner. Beginning Oct. 4, Air Tahiti Nui will begin new nonstop service between Alaska Air’s hometown airport in Seattle and Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia located on its main island Tahiti. Read More
United Partners to Commercialize SAF Production
Business Travel News — United Airlines' corporate venture capital fund and Oxy Low Carbon Ventures have partnered with Houston-based biotech firm Cemvita Factory to commercialize the production of sustainable aviation fuel. Read More
KLM Launches Austin-Amsterdam Route
Business Travel News — KLM Royal Dutch Airlines on March 28 began operating a new route between Amsterdam and Austin, Texas. Read More
Air Canada Inks a Partnership With Mexican Airline Aeromar
Simple Flying — Air Canada and Aeromar have just signed an interline agreement but plan to further deepen their relationship by the summer. Read More
Alaska Airlines Tests Tech at San Jose Airport
Phocuswire — The carrier is looking at all areas of the airport experience to see where technologies such as biometrics can be implemented. Read More
Delta Has a Plan to Cut Down on Carry-on Luggage
Travel Weekly — The airline is conducting a trial in which customers have the opportunity to check their carry-on bag for free instead of stowing it in the cabin. Read More
American Airlines Bringing Back In-Flight Alcohol Sales
Travel Pulse — The carrier will be the last major US airline to bring back alcohol sales to main cabin passengers next month. Read More
United Introduces New Bag-Drop 'Shortcut'
Business Travel News — After what it called a successful pilot run, United Airlines has launched a new 'shortcut' for bag drops at its seven U.S. hubs, effective immediately. Read More
Alaska Airlines to Reduce Capacity Due to 'Volatile' Fuel Prices
Business Travel News — Alaska Airlines' parent company cut the carrier's capacity outlook for the first half of 2022 due to "volatile" fuel prices "as a result of the conflict in Europe and Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine." Read More
Delta Adds Seasonal London, Stockholm Flights
Business Travel News — Delta Air Lines will add new flights between Salt Lake City and London-Heathrow and between New York's JFK and Stockholm as part of its expanded summer schedule. Read More
Delta Debuts Plant-Based In-Flight Meals
Travel Pulse — The new menu options will be available this spring when Delta reintroduces hot meals, and Delta Sky Clubs are partnering with airports to promote locally sourced food... Read More
TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and Clear: What’s the Difference?
Afar Magazine — Not sure how these trusted traveler programs differ? You’re not alone… Read More
Apple’s New TSA-Approved ID Has Launched—and Is Coming to an Airport Near You
Afar Magazine — Fliers will be able to use the Apple Wallet ID on their iPhone to get through TSA security at “many airports this year,” Apple revealed. Read More
U.S. Citizens Can Travel Home with an Expired Passport Through June 30
Travel Weekly — The State Department said the extension will lessen travel difficulties created by the pandemic. Read More
New TSA Technology Could Mean No More Removing Laptops or Liquids
Afar Magazine — The agency plans to start installing new high-tech x-ray scanners in airports this summer that could significantly reduce security screening times. Read More
TSA Extends Mask Mandate for Public Transportation
Business Travel News — The U.S. Transportation Security Administration has extended the mask mandate for public transportation and transportation hubs for one month, through April 18. Read More
Government Travel Warnings & Alerts
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More
Uber, Lyft Add Fuel Surcharge
Business Travel News — Uber this month added a 45- or 55-cent fuel surcharge on most rides, depending on location, the company announced. The surcharges are based off the average trip distance and the increase in gas prices in each state. Read More
Uber to List NYC Taxis on Its App
Business Travel News — The Taxi & Limousine Commission's two technology partners will integrate their taxi-hailing app software with Uber. Read More
Uber for Business to Add Uber One to Platform
Business Travel News — Uber as of March 22 will include its Uber One membership program on the platform of its Uber for Business corporate division. Uber One offers members perks and discounts on Uber rides and eligible restaurant and grocery deliveries. Read More
Radisson Hotel Group Americas Integrates Medallia Zingle
Lodging Magazine — Radisson Hotel Group Americas announced the rollout of Medallia Zingle, a property management system (PMS) that automates the guest data transfer process and ensures guest data is completely secure, providing one place for all guest analytics. Read More
Hotels Hold Rates High Amid Elevated Labor Costs
Business Travel News — Business travel volume may be on the comeback trail but still remains below 2019 levels, and hoteliers have successfully maintained high rates to counteract lower occupancy levels, analysts said this month during the Hunter Hotel Investment Conference. Read More
Radisson Plans New Upper-Midscale U.S. Brand
Business Travel News — Radisson Hotel Group Americas announced the launch of Radisson Inn & Suites, a new upper-midscale, limited-service brand. Read More
Echo to Be Wyndham’s First Economy Extended Stay
Business Travel News — Wyndham Hotels & Resorts today announced it had awarded contracts to develop 50 properties for its new economy extended-stay hotel brand, currently known as “Economy Hotel Opportunity” or ECHO. Read More
IHG Opens First Extended-Stay Atwell Suites in Miami
Business Travel News — IHG Hotels & Resorts has opened the first property of its new extended-stay Atwell Suites brand in Miami. Read More
When Will the Airline Mask Mandate End? 21 States Challenging the Requirement
CNet — The TSA has extended masking requirements on airplanes due to COVID, but the airline industry and nearly half of all US states are pushing back. Read More
What It Means When You Have “SSSS” on Your Boarding Pass
Afar Magazine — First class or coach, travelers can earn this inconvenient designation on any flight, international or domestic. Read More
Need a Coronavirus Test Before Your Trip? Don’t Panic
Washington Post — A positive coronavirus test result can end a vacation before it starts. If you’re worried about testing positive before your upcoming trip, you’re in good company. So are the rest of us. Read More
Are Airfares Going to Skyrocket This Year?
Afar Magazine — With a rise in travel demand and fuel prices soaring, fliers are experiencing sticker shock. Is this the new normal for air travel in 2022? Read More
Canada Is Dropping its COVID Test Requirement for Vaccinated Visitors
Travel Market Report — The changes start on April 1. Read More
All COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Removed in the UK
Wheels Up Network — UK removed the remaining restrictions on international travel for all passengers ahead of the Easter holidays. Read More
I'm a Professional Packer and These Are the Things I've Regretted Packing in My Carry-on
Travel+Leisure — Properly packing a carry-on suitcase is equally about what you pack as it is what you don't. Learn from my mistakes, and leave these not-so-essential items behind. Read More
DHS Announces New Measures to Better Serve Transgender, Non-Binary, and Gender Non-Conforming Travelers
Department of Homeland Security — The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced new measures to better serve all Americans, regardless of their gender identity. Read More
CDC Eliminates COVID-19 Advisory for Cruise Ship Travel
Travel Market Report — The CDC no longer recommends travelers avoid cruising. Read More
U.S. Passports Are Getting a Whole New Look
Afar Magazine — The State Department started issuing the “Next Generation Passport” books in 2021 and the rollout will continue in 2022. Read More