In this edition of the Travel News Brief: traveler confidence is on the rise, new airline routes and rule changes, FAA begins to work with FBI, CLEAR expands in Boston, Amtrak gets a boost, hotel pricing update, hotel expansion, traveler tips and suggested apps, Creative Group returns to their office, taking events on the road and more!
Traveler Confidence Rises with International Travel Surge
Travel Pulse — Traveler confidence is on the rise along with the surge in international travel according to the recently released 2021 Fall Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey, which surveyed 1,500 current and former members of Global Rescue in late October. Read More
DHS Lifts Restrictions on Land, Ferry Entry into US
Travel Pulse — Visitors will need documentation of being fully vaccinated. Read More
United Plans London Service Expansion
Business Travel News — United Airlines will build its service to London Heathrow Airport to 22 daily flights by next spring, including new direct service from Boston. Read More
American to Add New Refundable Fare Option on Key Business Routes
Business Travel News — American Airlines next year will introduce a new "Main Select" fare targeting business travelers on its high-frequency business routes. Read More
Delta Plans Transatlantic Growth for Summer 2022
Business Travel News — Delta Air Lines plans for summer 2022 to nearly double its transatlantic capacity year over year, flying 73 daily flights to 25 destinations. Read More
American Airlines Delays Launch of Bangalore And Tel Aviv Flights
Simply Flying — Citing a continued suppression of business travel and some travel restrictions, the airline has elected to defer the launch of these routes to March 2022. Read More
American Revamps Elite-Tier Loyalty Requirements
Business Travel News — American Airlines is simplifying the requirements for reaching elite tiers in its AAdvantage loyalty program, now having a single set of points needed for each tier. Read More
Delta Readies 'Digital Identity' Experience for Atlanta
Business Travel News — Many of Delta Air Lines' domestic passengers soon will have the option to traverse the airport using a "digital identity:" a combination of their SkyMiles member number, passport number and Known Traveler Number. Read More
Eight More Canadian Airports Will Welcome International Flights on Nov. 30
Travel Market Report — By the end of November, international travel in Canada will again move closer to normal. Read More
Alaska Airlines, British Airways Add 16 Codeshare Routes
Business Travel News — Since joining Oneworld, Alaska has added a total of 188 new codeshare routes with its various partners, an increase of 39 percent compared with previously available codeshare routes. Read More
United and Avis Ink New Partnership with Free Status Matches, Mileage Redemptions
The Points Guy — Beginning Nov. 1, United is partnering with the Avis Budget Group to offer new benefits for travelers, including accelerated mileage earning rates for those who complete rentals with Avis and Budget. Read More
FAA Starts Referring Unruly Passengers To The FBI
Simply Flying — After establishing an information-sharing mechanism with the Justice Department, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has referred over three dozen unruly passengers to the FBI. Read More
CLEAR expands to Terminal B at Boston Logan International Airport
Wheels Up Network — Expansion brings expedited lanes to more travelers ahead of holidays. Read More
Government Travel Warnings & Alerts
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government-issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More
New U.S. Rail Service Could Be Coming to a Town Near You
Afar Magazine — Amtrak is about to get a $66 billion boost—these are the destinations most likely to benefit. Read More
Lyft Q3s Reveal Uptick in Business Travel
Business Travel News — Ridesharing company Lyft says it sees the beginnings of a return to business travel. Read More
IHG Partners with CVS for Covid-19 Testing at U.S. Hotels
Business Travel News — IHG Hotels & Resorts has partnered with CVS Health as a recommended supplier for onsite Covid-19 rapid testing. Read More
Hotel Prices Returning to Pre-Pandemic Rates
8 News Now — On average hotel prices have largely rebounded from 2020 lows and are now on par with pre-pandemic rates. Read More
Hilton to Open Its Largest Asia Pacific Property in January
Travel Market Report — The hotel will open in Orchard Road, Singapore’s retail district, a half-hour drive from Singapore Changi Airport.Read More
‘The Beginning of ALG’s Next Chapter’: Hyatt Completes $2.7 Billion Acquisition
Travel Market Report — The deal doubles Hyatt’s resort footprint. Read More
Will You Need a Booster Shot to Travel Internationally?
Smarter Travel — Check your passport’s expiration date and your vaccination date before your next trip. Two countries have announced that COVID-19 vaccinations will be considered “expired” and not valid for entry after a certain amount of time. Read More
9 Important Holiday Travel Tips for 2021
Smarter Travel — Summer has barely ended, but it’s already time to start planning your holiday travel for 2021. The pandemic adds a complication to this already hectic travel season, but here are nine tips that can make your holiday travel cheaper and easier this year. Read More
New Rules for American Travelers Begin Nov 8
Smarter Travel — The new rules for travel to the United States will take effect on November 8, as the U.S. ends the pandemic travel ban on foreign visitors. In addition to allowing in foreign travelers, the reentry rules to the country will also be changing for U.S. Citizens and permanent residents. Read More
Peloton Classes are Coming to Your Next Delta Flight
CNN — It's hard to relax on a flight, but Peloton is hoping to help. The fitness company is partnering with Delta Air Lines to bring some of its classes to the airline's in-flight entertainment systems. Read More
5 Apps You Need for COVID-19 Travel
Smarter Travel — These apps can help you find COVID-19 regulations at your destination, learn about airport closures and delays, and keep you safe when traveling during the pandemic. Read More
A Return to the Office Story
Creative Group — As an organization whose business it is to help people gather and build meaningful connections, Creative Group knew they needed to have a smart plan for how they would all gather again. Here’s the Creative Group framework for how they returned to the office…Read More
How to Hold a Successful Sales Kickoff
Creative Group — January is just around the corner – it’s time to start planning your Sales Kickoff. Align your company goals to your event’s messaging and agenda to ensure a successful 2022! Here are Creative Group’s top tips… Read More
Taking Safe Events on the Road
Creative Group — There’s nothing like the feeling of returning to live events! This case study by Creative Group dives into how they helped their client take safe events on the road, with community givebacks and some surprises along the way. Read More
Motivate and Celebrate
Creative Group — In the latest issue of Ignite Magazine, Creative Group’s very own Manon Dicaire and Jamie Schwartz discussed all things individual incentives. Check out the article 'Going Solo'! Read More
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