In this edition of the Travel News Brief: Procurement strategies you can apply to travel, BTN launches corporate travel index calculator, baggage fees on the rise, airlines add service, updates from the TSA, credit card breach with British Airways and Air Canada, tips for driving on the opposite side of the road, and more!

Procurement Strategies You Can Apply to Travel

Every year, GBTA Convention is a great place to learn, network and find new ways to gain more clarity in your travel program. Now that the largest annual gathering of business travel professionals in the world has come to a close, we want to share with you our notes...Read More

BTN's Corporate Travel Index Calculator

Business Travel News —BTN's free online tool now customizes their Corporate Travel Index data for your travel program... available via desktop or laptop. Read More

Business Travel Costs Are Expected to Rise -- Here's How to Negate the Price Bump

Entrepreneur — Most employees know not to book business travel at a 5-star resort, but it takes much more than that to keep costs down. Read More

American Airlines to Close 3 Admirals Clubs

Frequent Business Traveler —American Airlines, which has been investing heavily in updating its lounges, announced Wednesday it is shuttering three of them. Read More

United Airlines Joins JetBlue, Others in Raising Bag Fees

Travel Market Report —Will the other major American carriers — Delta, American Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and Alaskan Airlines — follow suit? Read More

OneJet Suspends All Flights; Future Uncertain

USA Today —Upstart travel provider OneJet has run into difficulty, suspending all flights amid what it billed as a “transition.” The company, which aimed to make money by offering business travelers nonstop service between midsize markets that lacked direct links, said it hopes to begin selling flights again by Oct. 1. Read More

U.S. Airlines Mull Fare, Fee Hikes to Stem Falling Profits

Bloomberg —US airlines, bruised by higher fuel prices, are stepping up efforts to raise fares and increase fees to avoid a third straight year of declining profits. Read More

United Airlines Adds Prague and Naples, Italy

USA Today —United adds three high-profile international routes – including two new destinations – as it pushes ahead with an aggressive international expansion. Read More

United Adds Flights to Accommodate College Football Fans

USA Today —United Airlines will in Sept. add flights on 17 routes to airports near hot college football destinations and also deploy larger aircraft on eight more. Read More

Delta Air Lines Launches Tampa Bay to Amsterdam Service

Travel Market Report —The new service will kick off on May 25, 2019 and will fly every day in the summer and four to five times a week during the rest of the year. Read More

Air Canada, WestJet Are Latest to Raise Bag Fees

USA Today —The Canadian airlines aren't alone. JetBlue Airways just announced that it will now charge $30 for one checked bag and $40 for a second checked bag. Read More

United to Offer Denver-Santa Rosa, Calif., Service

San Francisco Chronicle —United Airlines will in March launch nonstop flights between Denver International Airport and the Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa, Calif. The daily flight will take about three hours. Read More

JetBlue to Charge $30 for First Checked Bag, Will Other Follow?

USA Today —Airline is the first major airline to charge $30 for a first checked bag. Most competitors charge $25 for the first checked bag. Read More

Bill Banning Non-Members From TSA Pre-Check Passes House

Travel Pulse —The bill would also create new lanes for low-risk passengers to expedite...Read More

TSA to Roll Out 200 3D Checkpoint Scanners by 2019

TechCrunch —Transportation Security Administration chief David Pekoske told lawmakers that the agency plans to roll out 200 3D checkpoint scanners by 2019. Read More

British Airways Breach Reaches Passenger Card Data

Business Travel News —Hackers gained access to nearly 400,000 passengers' credit card information during a two-week breach of British Airways' website and mobile app. Read More

Air Canada: Mobile App Security Breach Potentially Affected 20,000 Customers

Business Travel News —Air Canada has reported that some of its mobile app users' personal data might have been compromised in a breach this month. Read More

TSA Checkpoint at William P. Hobby Airport Unveils State-of-the-Art 3-D Checkpoint Scanner

Travel Daily News —The unit, which provides 3-D imaging that enhances explosives detection capabilities, is being tested in one lane at the checkpoint. Read More

Could Mobile Passport Renewal Be Coming to Canada?

Travel Market Report —Canadian authorities are considering whether citizens should have the ability to renew their passports via a mobile app, according to a report from Global News. Read More

Government Travel Warnings & Alerts

U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More

Uber Adds New Safety Measures for Passengers and Drivers

Sun Sentinel —Uber passengers will be able to share their ride information and route with up to five friends or contacts. Read More

15 Tips for Driving on the Left Side of the Road

USA Today —The biggest difference is arguably not on the roads, but inside the car – it's like Opposite World in there. Read More

Hertz Partners with Chailease to Bring Car Rental Brands to Taiwan

Travel Pulse —Hertz International Limited has launched a referral partnership with established car rental company, Chailease Auto Rental Co., an industry leader operating in Taiwan since 1977. Read More

This New Hotel Room Is So Groundbreaking That They Patented It

Forbes —InterContinental has patented its Crowne Plaza brand's high-tech WorkLife Room concept. "Guests can expect to love the modern, purposeful design that puts them in full control of their stay," said Meredith Latham, a Crowne Plaza regional vice president. Read More

Not Just for Lounging: Hotels Betting Big on Balconies

Forbes —For many hotel guests, a balcony (or lack thereof) is considered a major deal-breaker in whether or not they book a room…Read More

Are Wi-Fi Hotspots Safe or Traps for Business Travellers?

Travel Daily Media  —There’s no doubt they are useful, but security steps need to be taken. One option is to create a private MiFi hotspot of your own. Read More

Airports Open Virtual-Reality Lounges to Occupy Angry Travelers

Bloomberg —Canceled flights don’t have to mean sitting at the terminal bar watching football. Read More

U.S. Says Cuba is Safer Now, But There Are Still Plenty of Rules for Traveling Americans

Miami Herald —Travel to Cuba can be confusing, especially in light of U.S. travel restrictions and advisories that often make people think twice about visiting the island. But a new U.S. travel advisory should at least help alleviate some concerns about safety. Read More

Reduce Jet Lag by Doing This Airline-Approved Workout When You Land

LifeHacker —Delta recently joined forces with Equinox to create a workout to help combat the issue…Read More

7 Cool Travel Gadgets for Your Next Trip

Fox News —There's nothing like traveling that will stress your gadgets (and maybe your patience). Read More

Airport Meals That Are, Yes, Healthy

The New York Times —Travelers enjoy healthy eating options at airports…Read More

What To Do When You Lose Your Phone While Traveling

USA Today —When your smartphone goes missing on the road, you can secure and replace it quickly. Here's how. Read More