 World Health Organization on alert as dozens killed in Mexican flu epidemic
The Mexican government says a strain of the influenza virus has killed at least 45 people and infected hundreds of others. Seven non-fatal cases have also been confirmed in the United States. Mexico's health ministry says the new virus has reached epidemic levels. It was originally described as a form of swine flu, which had mutated and been passed to humans. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says closer analysis showed it is a never-before-seen mixture of swine, human and avian viruses. Read more
In
order to assess the impact of this outbreak, Travel-On
is in the process of identifying travelers who may be in Mexico or scheduled to travel to Mexico between now and May 31, 2009. Travel-On
will notify the impacted travelers in order to make alternate arrangements.
We are closely monitoring the situation and will keep you informed of any
new information as it is made available. |
TSA Secure Flight Program – Action Required!
TSA has announced that the new Secure Flight requirements will go into effect on August 15 for domestic reservations. The airlines will require the traveler's birth date and gender at the time the reservation is made. For more information, please contact your Travel-On Account Manager or click here. |
 Passports to be required for land, sea and air travel
Beginning June 1, U.S. citizens traveling outside the United States will be required to have a passport, passport card or other valid travel documents as identification. Read more |
 When is a legal ticket illegal? (And Vice Versa)
"Things have been reasonably quiet on this subject over recent years but no more. Through improved monitoring systems and outsourced cheap labour, airlines are able to identify "misuse" and take action in order to recoup what they feel they have lost, via direct billing of the issuer and subsequently the buyer. As a result some such cases are being tested through the courts with interesting results." Read more |
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If your company has 40 or more travelers ready to sign up
for the Registered Traveler Program, Travel-On can arrange to have
a kiosk brought in to your office to do the biometric scans. Travel-On has compiled a Registered Traveler Information and Status
update including program background information, details
on how the program works and the potential benefits to the traveler.
The update includes information on traveler eligibility, participating
and pending airports, and our recommendations. Questions regarding
the registered traveler program information, please contact Dave
Cahan, Vice President at 240-387-4141. |
Secure Flight Roils Booking Tech
Global distribution systems and travel agencies are racing to meet newly established U.S. Transportation Security Administration requirements for airlines to begin requesting passengers' full names beginning May 15, and date of birth and gender on Aug. 15, as part of Secure Flight, the passenger-prescreening program that has been rife with delays and shifting compliance dates.
Airlines Adding Checked-Baggage Charges
Effective for tickets issued on or after April 23, 2009 for travel on or after July 9, 2009, US Airways will charge an additional $5 fee to check a bag at the airport, resulting in a $20 fee for the first checked bag and a $30 fee for second checked bag. Bags checked-in online will pay $15 for their first checked bag and $25 for their second. Delta’s and Northwest’s baggage policies are aligned. As a result, Delta’s new $50 second bag fee for international travel also applies to Northwest flights. Effective for tickets issued May 1, 2009 for travel on or after July 7, 2009, Alaska/Horizon will charge $15 for the first checked bag. It is important that you inform your customers of the airlines’ fee policies when the information has been conveyed to you by the airline. Some airlines do not charge baggage fees and the out-of-pocket difference for a family of four traveling on an airline that charges fees could total as much as $400 if each traveler checks two bags. View Chart
Miles add up if you know how to navigate frequent-flier programs
Looking to save money on airline travel? Join a frequent-flier program. The credits, miles or points you earn when you fly add up to discounted or free flights, upgrades and other rewards.
Expert Shows How to Save on Air Travel
Price concessions are not the only way to save money on air fares, says Bradley J. Seitz, president and CEO, Topaz International, a air fare research firm. Seitz offered his advice on saving money when traveling for business.
Big changes ahead for Northwest frequent flyer miles
Frequent flyer miles are for many people the only factor in which airline they fly.
Hotel Compliance Rising But Lagging
Traveler compliance with preferred hotel programs, though improving, still trails other policy aspects, and buyers are reporting emerging challenges in recent months as competing hotel deals that beat negotiated rates tempt travelers to book outside the program.
Would you be on board for high-speed rail travel?
In one effort to get the economy moving forward, the President is hoping to mimic job-creating transport initiatives of the past – like the Eisenhower interstate highway system– by building a national “high-speed” rail infrastructure. He cites the success of superfast trains in countries like France and Japan as incentive to support an initial investment of $8 billion out of his massive economic stimulus package.
A Plan to See Every Country on Earth by the Age of 35
I HAD my first international travel experience when I was 6 years old. My mom took me to the Philippines, and I wound up living there for two years.
Pet Airways Aims for a July Takeoff
Pet Airways, the pet transportation service that we mentioned back in March, will begin flying to five cities on July 14, company officials say. |
FLY CLEAR: 
