In this edition of the Travel News Brief: CDC changes self-quarantine recommendation, some countries require international health-care coverage, Canada/US border remains closed, Hawaii extends tourist ban, airlines amplify cleaning protocol, airline new flight services and reductions, backlog in getting a passport, ride share could change in California, new hotel protocol, travel insurance in the age of COVID-19, airlines tighten mask rules, tips for remaining healthy, new meeting guidelines and more!
The Travel Policy Trends Reshaping Business Travel
Today’s business travelers share a common mindset: travel before coronavirus and travel after the pandemic hit. If your corporate travel program has a travel policy that still operates under the terms and needs dictated by the “before,” you’re already playing catch-up. Read More
4 Ways Duty of Care Matters to Your Travel Program
As the world of corporate travel continues to adapt to a new model of business shaped by COVID-19, the principles of Duty of Care have remained consistent: Companies still have a legal need to limit liability and a moral obligation to provide a reasonable standard of care to their employees, including their road warriors. Read More
CDC Drops 14-day Travel Quarantine Recommendation
USA Today — Returning from an overseas or an out-of-state trip amid the COVID pandemic? The CDC no longer recommends you self-quarantine for 14 days upon return. Read More
Countries Now Requiring International Health Insurance for Entry
TravelPulse — Would-be tourists should be aware that international health-care coverage is something that must be obtained separately from their standard, U.S.-based health insurance and any trip-cancellation insurance, and that international coverage is rarely included in their existing health policies…Read More
Canada Extends Ban on US Tourists
Travel Pulse — The border is now closed until September 21. Read More
Pandemic Could Spark Surge Of Contactless Payments
Business Travel News — With hygiene and safety concerns top of mind for companies and their employees when business travel resumes, contactless corporate payments look ready to finally gain significant traction—and travel and expense departments stand to benefit in a big way from contactless finally making contact. Read More
Hawaii Further Delays Quarantine Lift Until October 1
CNN — It's deja vu all over again. Hawaii, which has been battling a Covid-19 surge all summer, is effectively shut down to tourists until at least October 1. Read More
Airlines Amplify Cleaning in Coronavirus Fight: American, Delta Double Down with New Protocol
Fox Business News — Carriers are vying to boost consumer confidence in commercial air travel…Read More
Delta Launches Heathrow to Boston Service
Travel Mole — Route added as airline restarts transatlantic schedule…Read More
Delta Adds Two More U.S.-China Weekly Flights, Extends Middle Seat Blocking
Insider Travel Report — Delta Air Lines will add two weekly flights between the U.S. and China starting Aug. 24 to meet increased customer demand and a rebound in travel. Read More
American Airlines Says it Will Cut Service in 15 Markets After CARES Act Requirements Drop
Travel Market Report — Over 700 American Airlines flights from 15 airports will stop on Oct. 7. Read More
Delta to Block Middle Seats Through Holiday Season
USA Today — In Delta's latest coronavirus safety policy, the airline commits to blocking middle seat assignments for most passengers through Jan. 6, a period that covers the usually busy holiday travel season. Read More
American Airlines Extends Travel Waiver through End of Year, Issues New Face Mask Guidelines
Travel Market Report — In addition to extending its change fee waiver, the airline is also updating its facemask requirements for customers and employees. Read More
United Plans More Florida Flights, But Virus Gets Final Say
Meetings & Conventions — United is plans to add up to 28 daily Florida flights this winter, but the airline is prepared to reverse course if the rate of coronavirus cases in the state remains high. Read More
Air Canada to Launch Overhauled Loyalty Program in November
Business Travel News — On Nov. 8, Air Canada will launch a new version of its Aeroplan loyalty program that the carrier says provides more flexible redemption options. Read More
United Extends Status And Gives Free Lounge Access To Top Tier Elite Loyalty Members
Forbes — Ultra-premium loyalty members of United’s MileagePlus program are getting a one year extension on their status plus free access to airport clubs on domestic flights. Read More
LaGuardia's New Terminal B Opens
Travel Weekly — The first seven gates of the new Terminal B Western Concourse at LaGuardia will open Wednesday. American Airlines will occupy the gates…Read More
Need a Passport? Plan for a Long Wait Due to Backlog
USA Today — The State Departments was not able to issue passports, except for emergencies, for several months beginning in March, so there is a large backlog. Read More
My Global Entry Interview Keeps Getting Canceled. Will I Have to Reapply?
USA Today — Has the 1-year completion deadline been extended or do I have to reapply for global entry? Read More
TSA Reports Highest Level of Airline Traffic Since March
Travel Market Report — While traffic is still significantly lower than this time last year, the recent uptick may point to early signs of travel’s recovery. Read More
Government Travel Warnings & Alerts
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More
Lyft Joins Uber in Threatening to Exit California
Travel Mole — Ride sharing as we know it could be coming to an abrupt halt in California. Read More
Enterprise's ‘Plus Your Points’ Promotion Returns Earlier Than Ever
Travel Pulse — Registered loyalty members can receive double points starting August 12...Read More
Report: Accor Considering Pursuit of IHG Merger
Business Travel News — Accor in recent months has formed an internal group to assess the possibility of a merger with InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, according to French outlet Le Figaro. Read More
Party's Over: Airbnb Bans Big Party Houses Worldwide
USA Today — Airbnb announced a global ban on parties and events at its rentals, with an occupancy cap of 16 people worldwide. Read More
NYC Hotels and Short-term Rentals Must Require Travelers to Sign COVID Forms Under New City Order
NY Daily News — Out-of-state visitors staying in Big Apple hotels and short-term rentals will have to fill out traveler forms under an executive order signed Tuesday by Mayor de Blasio. Read More
The Risk of Catching COVID-19 in a Hotel Room Is Very Low If It's Properly Cleaned, Experts Say
Business Insider — According to two experts, the risk of catching COVID-19 during a hotel stay is low — as long as the rooms have been thoroughly cleaned. Read More
Hilton Sees Demand Rebounding to Pre-COVID Levels by 2022
Reuters — Hilton Worldwide expects its room occupancy rates to improve by 5% by early fall as economies reopen gradually, and predicted it would take at least two years for demand to rebound to pre-coronavirus levels. Read More
What You Need to Know About Travel Insurance in the Age of COVID-19
Travel Market Report — For the layperson, travel insurance can be complex—a myriad of clauses and policies—let alone in the time of COVID. Read More
Traveling Safely to the Mexican Caribbean
Wheels Up Network — Strict hygiene and health protocols have been implemented…Read More
CDC Doctor Talks Travel Tips Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
Travel Pulse — TravelPulse spoke one on one with Dr. Kristina Angelo in the CDC’s Travelers’ Health Branch to find out what types of travel are safe, if any, during a global health crisis and while the CDC does recommend staying at home, they do have guidance on how those who choose to travel can protect themselves. Read More
Airlines Have Tightened Mask Policies Again. Here’s What You Need to Know
USA Today — Airlines are tightening face mask rules three months after making masks mandatory onboard. Read More
What a Touch-free Airplane Bathroom is Going to Look Like
CNBC — From gate to seat, air travel is undergoing a touch-free transformation, yet the one place flyers are probably most loathe to touch — the airplane bathroom — has received little attention of late. That’s about to change, say companies that are producing “touchless tech” to transform bathrooms into hands-free zones. Read More
A Doctor's Tips on How to Stay Healthy While Traveling Amid COVID-19
TravelPulse — If you're embarking on any kind of journey during an ongoing pandemic, you could probably use some practical, proven-effective pointers for keeping yourself and your family healthy and virus-free along your route...Read More
6 Things You Need to Know About Alaska’s New Travel Rules
Alaska Public Media — Alaska will impose new travel restrictions on people arriving in the state starting August 11. Here’s what you need to know…Read More
Airlines Have Tightened Mask Policies, Again. Here's What You Need to Know
USA Today — Airlines are tightening face mask rules three months after making masks mandatory onboard. Read More
2020 Meeting Room of the Future
Creative Group — This powerful infographic from IACC Meetings depicts the Meeting Room of the Future™ based on information from the latest report. Creative Group investigates what it will look like meeting safely in this new atmosphere…Read More
New Marriott Meeting Guidelines
Prevue Meetings — Following the roll out of Marriott International’s Commitment to Clean and Global Cleanliness Council, it has introduced digital content about redefined processes and reimagined spaces. Read More
Small- & Mid-Size Cities Shine
Prevue — The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the world with major metropolitan areas taking the brunt of it. With this in mind, small- and mid-size cities are particularly attractive. Read More
Vegas Convention Center Set to Finish Expansion in December Despite CES Cancellation
Las Vegas Review-Journal — The new Las Vegas Convention Center exhibition hall will be ready for people by Dec. 14...Read More
As COVID-19 Cases Rise, States Set Lower Limits on Gatherings
Northstar Meetings Group — Hawaii, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Kentucky are among those states that have slowed reopening...Read More
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