Travel-On Travel Industry News

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Events We're Watching
November 11, 2011

Phishing Email Alert

We have recently received reports from customers of fraudulent emails claiming to be from Delta Air Lines. As such, please be advised of the following: * We recommend you change your SkyMiles account PIN immediately and monitor your account for any misuse. * These emails were not sent by Delta Air Lines. * You should not click on the link in the email or open any attachments. * Instead, you should delete the email from your inbox. * Please call us at 1-888-750-3284 if you have questions or need further information. These emails claim that you have purchased a Delta ticket, a credit card has been charged and/or an invoice or receipt is attached to the email. If you receive one of these emails, do not open the attachment as it may contain potentially dangerous viruses or harm your computer. Be assured that Delta did not send these emails, and our customers’ credit cards have not been charged by Delta as a result of the emails. These emails did not originate from Delta, nor do we believe that any personal information that you provided us was used to generate these emails. We will continue to post updates on this page as additional information becomes available.

Nigeria - US Embassy Warns About Possible Attack on Hotels

The sect known locally as Boko Haram may target Abuja's Hilton, Sheraton and Nicon Luxury hotels, where diplomats, politicians and prominent business people - both from Nigeria and abroad - often meet.

India - US Consulate in Mumbai Closure Nov.15-20

The US Consulate General in Mumbai will close Nov. 15 to move from its current office spaces at at Lincoln House on Bhulabhai Desai Road, also known as Breach Candy, to its new location at the Bandra-Kurla Complex. The consulate will re-open for business at the new location on Nov. 21. The American Center in the New Marine Lines in Churchgate area will also be relocating to the Bandra-Kurla Complex in the same time frame. The consulate will be unable to provide visa services Nov. 15-21. Consular officers plan to host a web chat at 1900 Nov. 9 to answer any questions about how consular services will be affected during the closure period.

South Africa - Protests Likely Ahead of International Climate Summit

Greenpeace activists Nov. 7 vowed to continue protests across the country ahead of the 17th Annual Conference of the Parties (COP17) climate summit in Durban from Nov. 28 to Dec. 9. The announcement came as police arrested nine activists at a protest against the construction of Kusile coal power plant near Emalahleni in Mpumalanga Province. The activists said the addition of two more coal power plants would add to the high levels of pollution and emission of greenhouse gases.

Greece - Disruptions on Athens-Thessaloniki Highway Through Dec. 5

The Athens-Thessaloniki National Highway (A1, E75) will be closed 0600-0800 through Nov. 13 and Nov. 26-Dec. 5 near the Vale of Tempe in northern Thessaly. The roadway will be completely shut down Nov. 14-25. The affected section of the highway is privately operated by Aegean Motorway SA and is being shut down to allow for maintenance and routine inspections.

Thailand - Floodwaters Receed But Affects Continue

Severe flooding continues to ease in much of Thailand, with floodwaters completely drained out of most northern and eastern provinces. Reconstruction efforts are beginning in these regions and business operations are returning to normal in Chiang Mai and other local cities. However, flooding continues to affect 24 provinces in central Thailand, with the most significant disruptions occurring in provinces surrounding Bangkok, in addition to parts of the capital city. Floodwaters are now covering more than 20 percent of Bangkok, though the federal government remains optimistic that downtown Bangkok will not flood. Due to ongoing uncertainty, many governments continue to advise citizens to avoid nonessential travel to the city. Bangkok's Don Muang Airport remains closed to all flights as the facility is still under water. Suvarnabhumi Airport remains fully operational. Mass transit remains largely available across Bangkok. Many businesses in inner Bangkok remain operational. Even with most stores remaining open, supply shortages are continuing. Shortages of bottled water, instant noodles, batteries, canned goods, and other essential items are the most acute.

Dominican Republic - General Strike Planned for Nov. 14

A coalition of political and labor organizations in the Dominican Republic have called for a nationwide 24-hour general strike Nov. 14. Labor unions have pledged to support the strike, including transportation workers, and other service providers. Significant service and transport disruptions are possible. Road blocks are likely, though they usually take place on the outskirts of major cities.

What is the difference between a non-stop and a direct flight?

There are three types of flights - non-stop, direct, and connection. Non-stops and directs are often confused. Let's say you are traveling from DC to LAX. On a non-stop flight the plane takes off from DC and flies to LAX without any intermediate stops. With a direct flight the plane will make a stop somewhere along the way, but passengers do not have to change planes. For example, the plane may fly from DC to Chicago, take on and let off some passengers, and then continue on to LAX. In terms of travel time a direct flight is similar to a connection, but since travelers remain on the same plane there are no concerns about missing the connecting flight.

video

Did you know that Terminal Command,

the fiendishly challenging online game lets you try your hand at running an airport? Unload baggage, refuel aircraft and do everything necessary to keep an airport humming. A mood dial shows you how satisfied the passengers are with your performance. Take too long to clear a 737 for departure or restock a CRJ's beverages and you could miss your quota of departing flights and face a passenger revolt that will oust you from your job. Give it a try!

Booked a hotel via Rearden Personal Assistant, our online travel

booking system, lately? TripAdvisor hotel ratings are now incorporated. Look for the familiar owl symbol next to each hotel.

OTHER NEWS

TSA to Expand Pre-Check Program

The Transportation Security Administration plans to expand its pre-check program for airline passengers, who provide information about themselves in exchange for a faster trip through security lines, the agency chief announced Wednesday. Read more

For the Chosen Fliers, Security Check Is a Breeze

For the first time since 2001, travelers are going through airport security checkpoints with their shoes and jackets on, and without having to remove laptops from cases or adhere to rules like displaying carry-on liquids in containers of 3.4 ounces maximum, all packed in a single quart-size plastic bag. Read more

BOA Merrill Lynch Expanding Chip-and-Pin Cards

Chip technology allows card holders to make payments through chip-card readers that are regularly used in countries outside the U.S. The new cards can continue to be read by traditional magnetic stripe readers where Chip is not available. BofA Merrill will begin issuing the cards in the U.S. in first quarter 2012. Read more

Buyers Unprepared for Olympics?

Business travel buyers and managers have been urged to think now about their companies’ travel plans during the Olympic Games. Read more

BWI Plans $100M Expansion

The project, set to begin next year and to be finished in summer 2013, will allow passengers to move among concourses A, B, and C without having to pass through security a second time. Read more

8 Questions You’d Love To Ask An Airline Gate Agent

We asked airline gate agents to tell us about their jobs—what they love about it, what they hate about it, and whether, in fact, you have a better chance of sitting in first class if you're dressed well. We learned a lot and hope you will too. Read more

How to Make the Most of Airplane Wi-Fi and Never Pay Full Price Again

Getting online while on a long flight can mean the difference between a fun flight and endless boredom. That said, it can be a little pricey and doesn't always work as well as you'd hope. Here's how you can cut costs and improve your experience with hardly any effort at all. Read more

United and Continental Announce New International Routes

The airline will add new daily nonstop flights between Washington/Dulles and Manchester, U.K., Newark and Buenos Aires, and between Washington/Dulles and Dublin. The airline will also add weekly nonstop service between Los Angeles and Durango, Mexico. Read more

Air France Announces New A380 Routes to LAX and Dubai

Air France continues to connect the world with its Airbus A380 with two new destinations: Dubai, with winter service beginning December 5, 2011, and Los Angeles, with flights starting May 28, 2012.Daily flight to Dubai, beginning December 5, 2011. Read more

Thanksgiving Travel Myths Debunked

Local TV news shows trot out a few staple stories every November, as reliably as families trot out Butterballs for basting. Air travel during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend is one topic that reliably brings tall tales. Read more

American Airlines New Flagship Check-in at LAX With more to Come in 2012

American's exclusive Flagship Check-in service is available to first class customers traveling on 3-class aircraft, ConciergeKey® members, and Five Star Service™ customers at LAX in Terminal 4. Flagship Check-in will soon be rolling out to other airports across American's network in 2012. Read more

Best and Worst Airlines for Flight Delays

If you gear up for a delay each time you fly, you’re savvy indeed. More than 20 percent of all flights in the U.S. run late year after year. So the savviest travelers leave equipped with fully charged and programmed e-readers, snacks and the patience to weather possible delays. Read more

New Elite Status Benefits on Alaska Airlines

Now AAdvantage® elite status members can enjoy priority check-in and boarding, express security lanes, preferred seating and waived checked baggage fees, when flying on Alaska Airlines. AAdvantage members can earn and redeem AAdvantage miles for travel on Alaska Airlines. For more information, visit www.aa.com/alaskaairlines.

United Enters Bio-fuel Age

Virgin Australia is ramping up its efforts to attract Australia's business travellers with the guarantee of business class services on all flights between Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane from January next year. Read more

Too Cool Not to Share - Innovative Travel Wear

Could traveling through security really be as easy as taking off your jacket? Clothes designed to help you carry and conceal your gadgets. Read more

Why Train Travel Is the Best Way to Go

It is much less stressful than plane travel (no TSA!) and it gives you time and space to read, sleep, watch movies or get work done. It keeps you off the roads and out of traffic. And depending on the route, it can be cheaper. Read more

Amtrak Gets Savvy With Free Wi-Fi and E-Tickets

Amtrak started a pilot test of its e-ticketing system on the Amtrak Downeaster service that allows passengers to board a train without a traditional paper ticket. Instead, a traveler just has to flash the ticket on their smartphone. The railroad operator says it will roll out e-ticketing to all trains nationwide next year. Read more

Crossing Foreign Borders Can Be a Lesson In Patience

Crossing borders is dangerous and illegal without proper paperwork, but journeying through border crossings or immigration checkpoints legally while on vacation can be no cakewalk either. In the developing world, to travel from one country to the next requires a chunk of time, patience and bit of faith that it all will work out in the end. Read more

8 Most Complicated Countries to Visit

Some tourist visa applications are easy—an Australian visa, for example, can be acquired in a few minutes via the Internet. Others, however, can take weeks, if not months to procure. The following eight countries, including China, India and Brazil, are especially tricky to visit if you're a U.S. citizen. Read more

Choose the Right Card When You Travel

With the recent news that Bank of America had planned to impose a $5 monthly fee for debit card use, and then quickly backed down, Travel Kit wondered how travelers could make informed choices when using ATMs and credit cards. Read more

Use Cellphone Camera To Avoid Travel Headaches

Years ago, "take a picture" would entail your having a camera, taking photos, and having the film processed—all requiring extra effort and time. But these days, when so many wireless phones have cameras, documenting a potential problem is easy. Yes, that phone can sometimes save you real money: When in doubt, take a picture. Read more

Hilton Alexandria Mark Introduces Comfortable Elegance

Adjacent to a 43-acre botanical preserve, the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center provides business and leisure travelers a tranquil oasis amid the exciting hustle and bustle of the Washington, DC area. The hotel, located in the west end of historic Alexandria, Virginia and adjacent to the newly built Department of Defense Mark Center Complex, is just minutes from quaint waterfront galleries and shops in Old Town Alexandria and Washington, DC’s, monuments and attractions. View Flyer

1.8 Billion Reasons Hotels Love Add-on Fees

U.S. hotels will take in an estimated $1.8 billion in add-on fees and surcharges this year. That’s a small (6 percent) increase from last year — due mostly to increases in occupancy, he says — but up a whopping 50 percent from the $1.2 billion they collected in 2000. Read more

Transit Hotels - Sleep During Your Layover

Transit hotels are making long, multi-flight trips tolerable. These short-stay hotels are located within security checks in airports and close to terminals. Passengers can walk off the plane and check into a room to refresh between long flights. No visa is required to stay over in a given country. Read more

World’s Tiniest Hotel Rooms

What do you get in a 18 square foot room? Hotel rooms in wine casks, drain pipes, pods, capsules, and more. Read more

Test Your Geography - See if You Can Land the Plane in the Correct City

Try your hand at being a virtual pilot. See if you can land in your destination city. Read more

Forget Something? Travelers Leave Millions of Belongings Behind

Psychologists say it's commonplace even among the most veteran of travelers. "The combination of too much to keep track of, limited attention for doing so and being in relatively unusual circumstances outside familiar work and home locations promote forgetting about the small stuff being carried along the way." Read more