In this edition of the Travel News Brief: new basic economy baggage fees on Delta Air Lines, biometric boarding at LAX, hotel cancellation policies for Hilton and Marriott, Uber news, TSA Real ID deadline updates, and more!
Do You Have New Year's Resolutions for Your Enterprise Travel Program?
As 2017 draws to a close, now is the perfect opportunity for business leaders and travel managers to examine their enterprise travel programs and establish improvement goals for next year. Read More
5 Tips for Traveling During the Holidays
The end of the year is a popular travel time for visiting friends and family. According to predictions from AAA, more than 107 million Americans will travel in the last week of December this year. Read More
Air Canada Increases Memphis Service
Memphis Business Journal — Starting May 1, 2018, Air Canada will add a nonstop daily flight between Toronto and Memphis, affording a second travel option to customers. Read More
Virgin Atlantic Signs Codeshare with Virgin Australia
Travel Mole — Agreement comes into force end of January… Read More
Delta Air Lines Announces International Basic Economy Baggage Fee
Travel Market Report — The change will impact flights booked after Dec. 6 and scheduled for April 10, 2018 and after. Read More
British Airways Trials Biometric Boarding at Los Angeles
Passenger Self Service — British Airways has become the first airline to trial self-service biometric boarding gates on international flights out of the USA. Read More
As Hilton Follows Marriott, 48-Hour Cancellation Policies Become An Industry Issue
Travel Market Report — Travel professionals, especially on the corporate side, fear the latest fee will become the industry standard. Read More
Marriott to Open 40 Luxury Hotels in 2018
Travel Market Report — From new builds and renovations in established regions, to expansion into new markets, the hotel conglomerate gets even stronger as a dominant player in luxury. Read More
Hyatt Tightens Up Room Cancellation Policy
Travel Mole — But loyalty members are exempt… Read More
Extended-stay Appeal Highlighted by Choice Hotels' $231M buy of WoodSpring
Hotel Management Magazine — Choice Hotels International today reached a definitive agreement to acquire WoodSpring Hotels Holdings, a portfolio company belonging to American private equity firm Lindsay Goldberg, for an estimated $231 million. Read More
Uber Suspends Operations in Cancun
Travel Pulse — The decision is part of a collaboration with the Mexican government. Read More
Europe Takes Major Step Against Uber
Travel Pulse — Uber said the ruling will have no effect in most European countries where it operates. Read More
TSA Extends Deadline for Driver’s License ID Demand
Travel Skills — There’s been a lot of confusion and uncertainty about what exactly the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will accept as a personal ID at airport checkpoints... Read More
TSA: Domestic Fliers Can Use Old Driver’s Licenses Until Late 2020
KOAT 7 TV — Transportation Security Administration spokesman Mike England announced that driver's licenses from all 50 states will be acceptable identification for domestic US air travel until Oct. 1, 2020. Read More
TSA Considering Merging PreCheck and Global Entry Programs
Travel Market Report — Top agency official says bringing the airport security programs together could enhance security and increase enrollment. Read More
Government Travel Warnings & Alerts
U.S. Department of State — Click here for information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More
United States, Turkey Resume Visa Services
Travel Pulse — The two countries had been working out issues in the process since October. Read More
The 10 Most Dangerous Cities for Pedestrians
USA Today — If you’re headed to Florida, you’d better take extra care crossing the street. Read More
Can I Bring My Laptop on My Flight? And Other Tips for Traveling with Tech
USA Today — Here's what you need before packing your phones, batteries, tablets and laptops for flight. Read More
How to Handle Flight Cancellations
Airfare Watchdog — The next time your travel plans are interrupted, keep these flight cancellation facts in mind to ensure that your trip stays on track… Read More
Canada Is Home to World's Greenest Convention Center
Inhabitat — Vancouver Convention Centre West is the world's first double LEED Platinum-certified convention center… Read More
Caesars to Develop Convention Center Next to Harrah’s Las Vegas
Meetings & Conventions — The company will sell Harrah's Las Vegas and lease it back to fund the development... Read More
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