In this edition of the Travel News Brief: Vision Travel in Canada rebrands to Direct Travel, new flight services, United changes status program, the latest on the 737, Mobile Passport expands, Real ID FAQs, EHI opens in Norway, LAX ends curbside pickup, fighting jet lag, “Bleisure” travel, traveling without cash, saving and making meetings memorable, government contractor travel: choosing a TMC to drive compliance and more!
Government Contractor Travel: Choosing a TMC to Drive Compliance
Booking travel as a government contractor adds various levels of complexity to an already large and unwieldy expense. With so many unique compliance requirements and rules for handling government travel along with your own rules and culture, government reimbursable travel can be tricky. Read More
Vision Travel Announces Direct Travel Rebrand in Canada
Travel Market Report — Leisure bookings will remain under the Vision Travel name for the time being, but the corporate division will be rebranded as Direct Travel. Read More
Qantas, Boeing Dreamliner to Embark on World’s First 20-Hour Airline Flight
Seattle Times — For decades, travelers have stoically endured jet lag as an unavoidable menace on long journeys. Now, as airlines push for record-breaking non-stop flights halfway around the planet, efforts to counter the debilitating symptoms are turning into a billion-dollar industry. Read More
Delta to Launch New Service from Seattle to Tampa
Travel Market Report — Delta Air Lines announced it will be launching a new daily service from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Tampa International Airport starting on Mar. 11, 2020. Read More
United Airlines Makes Big Changes to How We Earn Elite Status, Upgrades
The Points Guy — Big changes are coming to the way United Airlines frequent flyers earn elite status. As of next year, you'll no longer earn miles toward status tiers; instead, qualification will be based solely on two new metrics: Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) and Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs), says The Points Guy. Read More
American Airlines, Qantas Add More Codeshares Routes and Loyalty Benefits
Travel Mole — 50 more AA routes added for Qantas customers…Read More
No 737 Max for Holidays: United Joins Southwest, American in Pushing Plane's Return to 2020
USA Today — United Airlines is taking the grounded Boeing 737 Max out of its schedule through the holiday travel season, joining American and Southwest as the timing of the plane's return remains uncertain. Read More
United Will Offer Premium Plus Seating for Select Domestic Flights
Travel Market Report — United Airlines recently announced it would be extending its new premium economy cabin range, Premium Plus, to select domestic flights, as of Oct. 2. Read More
American Airlines to Add Boston-London Service, Increase Frequencies on 3 South American Flights
Frequent Business Traveler — American Airlines plans to offer new daily service from Boston to London and increased service from Miami to Lima, Peru; Santiago, Chile; and São Paulo, Brazil. Read More
Two Airports added to Mobile Passport Program
Frequent Business Traveler — The Mobile Passport program is now available to travelers disembarking from international flights at Washington Dulles International Airport and Juan Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in Puerto Rico. The app, which can be used at more than 30 airports and seaports, allows passengers to fill out an electronic customs declaration form and receive a QR code. Read More
Everything You Need to Know About Real ID
Good Morning America — Ahead of the 2020 deadline, Good Morning America has shared a list of frequently asked questions about obtaining a Real ID-compliant drivers license. Read More
Facial Recognition May Become Our Passports
Business Travel News — If flying domestically in the U.S., a traveler needs a driver's license or acceptable photo ID. Internationally, he or she needs a passport. Passengers also need boarding passes. But what if they didn't? What if a person's face, eyes, or thumbprint could get him or her on an airplane? Read More
U.S. to Waive Visa Requirements for Polish Citizens
Travel Market Report — The move will make it easier for polish travelers to visit the U.S. for business and tourism purposes. Read More
Fliers Have One Year to Get Real ID Cards
SF Gate — Do you routinely present your state driver's license as your ID when you go through security at the airport? If so, you only have a year left to make sure that document is "Real ID" compliant or the Transportation Security Administration won't accept it at the checkpoint. Read More
Government Travel Warnings & Alerts
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More
World’s Largest Car Rental Network Opens for Business in Norway
Enterprise Holdings — Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car brands are now available in Norway with the opening of a new branch at Oslo’s Gardermoen Airport. Read More
As LAX Ends Curbside Pickup, Here's How Other Airports are Handling Uber, Lyft Congestion
USA Today — At many airports, curbside pickup is moving away from the curb. Read More
Uber Expands Helicopter Service in New York
Meetings & Conventions — The ride-hailing company expanded its helicopter service between lower Manhattan in New York City and JFK airport, making it available to all Uber riders with iPhones…Read More
LAX: Take a Shuttle Bus to Your Uber or Lyft
SF Gate — Los Angeles International is the latest major airport hub to announce dramatic changes in how passengers use Uber, Lyft or taxis. Starting on Tuesday, Oct. 29, all ridesharing and taxi customers must take a shuttle bus to a designated parking lot to find their rides. Drivers will still be allowed to drop off passengers at terminal curbs. Read More
How to Fight Jet Lag Without Sleeping Pills
Successful Meetings — Try these all-natural cures for your travel woes. Read More
WestJet Starts Work on New Lounge at Calgary International Airport
Travel Market Report — Construction for WestJet’s new flagship lounge at Calgary International Airport is officially underway, the airline announced this week. Read More
5 Ways to Turn a Business Trip Into a 'Bleisure' Adventure
Smarter Travel — Learn how to best schedule some "bleisure" time, because clever travelers don't let a busy slate of meetings get in the way of fitting some fun into their business trips. Read More
Airline Seatback Screens May Be an Endangered Species
Bloomberg — U.S. carriers are split on whether single-aisle fleets need them, but all agree that better Wi-Fi means more revenue. Read More
New Salt Lake City Airport to Open in September 2020
Business Traveller — The first phase of Salt Lake City’s new $3.6 billion airport will debut next autumn, with views of the Wasatch Mountains from 45-foot-tall windows in the terminal, new dining and shopping choices, and convenient connections to public transportation. Read More
Visiting These Cities Could Soon Require You to Go Cashless
Smarter Travel — Are you prepared for the day where cold, hard cash goes away? Banking experts expect that cash will not exist in Sweden within a few years; by 2023, to be exact. All transactions will use some form of digital transfer—plastic, RFID signals, direct transfers via smartphone, and the like. Read More
What's New in Phoenix for Meeting & Event Planners
Successful Meetings — The Grand Canyon State offers planners of all types of events year-round sunshine for rainproof outdoor gatherings and an array of meetings-friendly properties…Read More
8 Ways to Save Money on Your Next Meeting
Northstar Meetings Group — From food and beverage to Internet services, these resourceful tips from expert meeting planners can help lower the cost of your next meeting…Read More
How to Make Your Meetings More Memorable
Successful Meetings — Keep attendees talking about your event long after it's over…Read More
Looking for guidance on planning your next convention, incentive, or group trip? Direct Travel will assist with all your meetings and event details! Whatever your needs may be when it comes to your event, you can always depend on us to design streamlined travel arrangements, plan strategic meetings, and deliver real-time results. For details, please send a message to: MeetingInquiry@dt.com.