Travel-On Travel Industry News
Events We're Watching
November 28, 2011

Massive gridlock expected at London's Heathrow Airport Wednesday, Nov. 30

Public sector strikes are expected to cause a major gridlock with possible delays of up to 12 hours for passengers arriving at London Heathrow. Airlines are asked to halve the number of international passengers flying into Britain on Wednesday.

Flooding Continues to Spread in Bangkok and Central Thailand

Flood recovery and reconstruction efforts are intensifying in much of Thailand as floodwaters continue to flow downstream, draining out of many northern and eastern provinces. However, the flood threat remains high in Bangkok and surrounding provinces, with a large volume of floodwaters passing through the area to reach the Gulf of Thailand. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra warned that floodwaters may remain in the capital city into early 2012. Widespread transportation disruptions continue across much of Thailand, with roads either flooded or damaged by receded floodwaters. Bangkok's domestic airport, Don Muang, is projected to remain closed until at least January; most flights have been diverted to Bangkok's international Suvarnabhumi Airport which is fully operational. Power, municipal water, and telecommunications disruptions are occurring in many flooded areas. Supply shortages are also problematic with bottled water shortages being especially acute.

I want to use credit card points for travel, but am not

certain of my plans. Can I redeposit them like frequent flyer points if my trip is cancelled? In most cases credit card rewards are nonrefundable and cannot be redeposited. Better to save them for a time when you can be absolutely certain about your travel plans. Also, travel insurance providers often don't insure awards travel, so don’t count on them to rescue you in an emergency!

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that travel and tourism is a $759 billion

industry that generates a total of $1.8 trillion in economic output in the United States? If one dollar bill equaled a second of time, then $1.8 trillion would equal more than 56,000 years. Without the travel and tourism industry each U.S. household would pay $1,000 more in taxes. That $1,000 will buy about eight weeks of groceries for a family of four and will fill the average car with gas about 18 times.

OTHER NEWS

Survey Finds Gaps In Duty Of Care

The survey found that one-third of respondents "did not know whether the [countries] in which they operate had legal requirements for a duty-of-care provision."

Hotels for Heroes Proposed to Help Wounded Warriors

Hotels for Heroes, a program that would allow consumers to donate hotel reward points to injured service members who are traveling to receive care through the military health system and to their families, was recently announced by Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin and Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, both Maryland Democrats.

Obama Signs Asia-Pacific Business Travel Bill

The APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) allows pre-screened business travelers easier entry to most of the 21 APEC member economies. The card removes the hassle of individually applying for visas or entry permits for every visit.

TSA Makes Major Changes to Airport Security Ahead of Busy Travel Season

In one key change, kids 12 and younger won't need to take off their sneakers at the screening check points. Although that change has been in place for a couple of months, the Thanksgiving rush is its first major test.

The Etiquette of Crowded Flying

Ladies and gentlemen, pack your bags and a lot of patience: It's time for holiday travel, and there's no telling what you might encounter out there.

Hertz Honors War Heroes with Free Rentals
The withdrawal of a significant number of our troops stationed in the Middle East, particularly Iraq, has been announced. To celebrate their homecoming, Hertz is pleased to announce a major promotional event - Hertz for Heroes. Starting now through December 31, every Hertz rental you make will help us reach our goal of providing 40,000 free weekend rentals for 40,000 troops. Simply book Hertz and we'll do the rest. Every rental counts!

EU Adopts Guidelines for Airport Body Scanners

The European Union adopted new guidelines Monday on using body scanners at airports, hoping to address the privacy concerns that have delayed their implementation across the continent.

United/Continental Merger “On Track”

In a recent speech, Jeff Smisek, CEO of United Continental Holdings, likened merging two large airlines to a total house remodeling.

Checking Baby Strollers, Car Seats on Airlines

When you travel with a child, do you have to pay to check a baby stroller or a car seat? Well, the answer depends on the airline.

The New United MileagePlus Takes Off
Overall, the differences between the existing program and the new MileagePlus program are modest, but there will be members who will fare better under the new program and members who were better off with the old program.

Virgin Atlantic to Return to Canada, Boost SFO Schedule

Virgin Atlantic will add nonstop service between London Heathrow and Vancouver, which will become the carrier's only Canadian destination.

US Greenlights Qantas & American Airlines Joint Venture

Travellers can look forward to better schedule coordination and extra codeshare flights within the United States as a result. That means that (among other things) Qantas Frequent Flyers will be able to earn more points and status credits while flying on American within the US.

Five Worst Weather U.S. Airports
As you can see above, weather accounts for anywhere from 38-50% of all flight delay minutes. Therefore, you can say, on average, roughly 7-10% of U.S. flights are delayed by weather, in a given year.!

Wi-Fi Coming to International Flights

When United recently announced that it would install inflight Internet on all its mainline aircraft beginning next year, it might not have seemed like a big deal. This is the first effort by a U.S. airline to provide Internet on intercontinental flights.

Southwest Begins Transforming AirTran Flight Schedule

Southwest Airlines Co.’s AirTran unit will cease flying to five airports including Miami International and Washington’s Dulles next year because of rising fuel costs and sluggish demand.

Just for Fun: 12 Funny Signs 'Lost in Translation'
What one thing means in one country, clearly doesn't mean the same thing in others. And then there are the things that will forever be lost in translation.

John Wayne Airport’s New Terminal C Opens

The most significant development programme at California's John Wayne Airport in two decades has given it a brand new terminal building - Terminal C - which was unveiled on 14 November 2011.

Survival Training Can Help Ground Fear of Flying

Part of Survival Systems's training program teaches students how to get out of a sinking aircraft. They recreate the scene by strapping you into their Modular Egress Training Stimulator-- a mock version of an aircraft's main fuselage.

Getting Savvier About Carry-Ons

There are those who have learned how to pack, and those who haven’t. One of the top industry trends today is polycarbonate, a thermoplastic material that has a hard coating, yet is flexible, and scratch-resistant.

Forbes Names Five-Star Hotels, Restaurants and Spas for 2012
Forbes Travel Guide has crowned its new five-star winners in the hospitality industry, bringing the total to 57 hotels, 25 restaurants, and 30 spas.

Hotels Consider New Check-In Processes

Guests prior to arrival receive a text or email that provides their room number along with a toll-free number and a code to dial. Dialing produces an audio chirp that unlocks the door via an audio reader on the lock.

ACE is Tops Among Car Rental Companies

ACE Rent A Car may not be the best-known player in the car rental industry, but it's best in class for many travelers, a new survey finds.