Travel-On Travel Industry News
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Friday, August 31, 2012
Events We're Watching

United States - Republican National Convention Travel Restrictions Set to Begin in Florida
To enhance security during the 2012 Republican National Convention (RNC), authorities in St. Petersburg and Tampa, Fla. will restrict private and public transportation. In addition, motorcade travel is likely to cause intermittent traffic disruptions and road closures Aug. 23-31. Parking restrictions in St. Petersburg will begin at 1800 Aug. 23 and last through 0200 Aug. 31. In addition to parking restrictions, authorities will enforce widespread road closures from 1700 Aug. 25 through 0600 Aug. 27. Authorities will also prohibit travel on Interstate 175/South Bay Drive, including all entrance and exit ramps and the pedestrian overpass, on Aug. 26 from 1400 to 2359. In Tampa, parking restrictions will start at 0600 Aug. 24 and last through 0500 Aug. 31. Widespread closures will also take place in Tampa during the same time period. Regularly scheduled commercial passenger flights arriving at Tampa International Airport  and St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport are not subject to restrictions. However, flight delays may occur due to heightened air traffic and security.

Caribbean and United States - Tropical Storm Isaac
Tropical Storm Isaac is continuing to track westward toward the Dominican Republic and Haiti and is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane by early Aug. 24. Current models project that the storm will retain hurricane strength as it approaches the southern coast of Hispaniola and will make a second landfall in Barahona Province in the Dominican Republic by the early evening of Aug. 24, before the passing through Haiti, with the center likely moving over Port-au-Prince. Tropical storm conditions will affect Puerto Rico and the US and British Virgin Islands by the afternoon of Aug. 23. Isaac will bring strong winds, dangerous storm surge, and up to 15 cm (6 inches) of rain to Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Flash flooding, landslides, and evacuations are likely. Longer term projections show Isaac moving across Cuba after exiting Haiti before turning further to the northwest and approaching southern Florida as a hurricane Aug. 27. The storm track could change before it reaches this area, however. Other models suggest that the storm could track further west into the Gulf of Mexico, potentially making landfall along the US Gulf Coast.

Taiwan - Typhoon Tembin's Landfall Projected in Taiwan
Typhoon Tembin made landfall in Taiwan's southern Taitung Province early Aug. 24, causing flooding, toppling trees, and disrupting transportation. The storm dumped nearly 20 inches of rain across Pingtung and Kaohsiung counties, severely flooding a number f towns. Tembin moved back out to sea by midday, but meteorologists say it could make landfall again over the next few days. The forecast calls for rainfall accumulation of up to 40 inches nationwide, with heaviest rainfall likely in southern and central areas. Flooding and landslides are likely. It appears unlikely that Tembin will significantly affect southeast China. Coastal areas of Fujian and Guangdong provinces may experience some rain, wind, and storm surge, but current projections indicate that major disruptions are not likely.

Japan - Typhoon Forecast to Pass South of Okinawa
Typhoon Bolaven is strengthening as it moves northwestward through the Philippine Sea. Meteorologists predict the storm will strengthen further as it approaches Japan's Ryukyu Islands. Current projections indicate that Bolaven will make landfall on Okinawa Island midday Aug. 26. From there, the storm path will shift more to the north, and Bolaven will travel through the East China Sea and into the Yellow Sea between South Korea and northeast China. Torrential rains and strong winds are likely throughout the Ryukyu Islands, especially on Okinawa Island and the Amami and Miyako islands, Aug. 26-27. All operations will likely shut down on Okinawa Island as Bolaven passes. Current projections do not have Bolaven traveling near China or South Korea; regardless, heavy rains and strong winds remain possible, especially on South Korea's Jeju Island, along the western coast of South Korea, and along the northeast coast of China. However, the storm is still several days out, and the storm path could change significantly in the coming days.

Ukraine - Severe Storms Forecast for All Regions
Authorities have issued a severe weather warning for much of Ukraine, predicting heavy rain and thunderstorms across the country Aug. 27-29. Heavy hail storms and wind gusts of up to 67 mph are forecast. Rain will likely be especially heavy in Black Sea coastal regions, including the Crimean peninsula. Transportation and power disruptions are likely through Aug. 30.
Q and A

If my airline makes a schedule change that is disuptive to my vacation plans, do I have to accept it?

Airline schedule changes are very common. In fact, if you book more than a week in advance it is more likely than not that at least one of your flights will have a schedule change. Many changes are either minimal (i.e. 10 minutes here, 20 minutes there) or can be worked around (i.e. reschedule the meeting an hour later) without completely ruining your day. However, there are times when the schedule change throws your entire trip out of whack, causing you to miss a big event or just increasing your travel time by much too much. When this happens you have a couple of options:

  • An alternate flight on the same airline, which the airline will usually book automatically
  • A full refund, even if the ticket is non-refundable
  • Transfer of the ticket no another airline with which the original airline has a partnership agreement (available on some airlines some of the time)
Talk to your Travel-On agent as soon as you are notified of the unacceptable schedule change. Together work out the best alternative flights so your agent can contact the airline on your behalf with the work already done. If the schedule change occurs while you are at the airport, call your Travel-On agent while you are waiting in line at the ticket counter to be re-accommodated. By the time it’s your turn, you will know what your best option is and will be in a good position to ask for it. The ticket agent will be grateful.

Submit a question

  • The Pope holds Vatican "Passport #1"
  • The Queen of England is not required to have a passport as all UK passports are issued by her, in writing and spirit
  • Passports have been required for all U.S. citizens entering the country since 1941
  • In medieval times documents were not required to visit seaports, but official itineraries were required to venture inland from the seaport
  • A Nansen Passport is an internationally recognized identity document issued to stateless refugees
  • Swiss passports are printed in German, French, Italian, Romansh, and English
  • A Bangladeshi passport is not valid for travel to Israel
  • The 25 countries that apply the Schengen Agreement do not implement passport controls between each other though each person must carry hir or her national passport or identity card

United Makes Global Entry Compensation Available

Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved travelers upon arrival in the United States. As a benefit of the 2012 MileagePlus program, Premier Platinum, Premier 1K and Global Services members may be compensated for the $100 USD fee associated with a new application for Global Entry. Eligible new applicants to Global Entry may receive compensation in one of two ways:

  1. Eligible members who do not have Global Entry should visit united.com/globalentrycompensation to verify eligibility, obtain the personalized code, and receive instructions on how to apply for Global Entry.
  2. Eligible members who applied between January 1, 2012 and August 31, 2012 are eligible for a $100 USD TravelBank credit, which can be used toward travel purchased through united.com. These members will need to email United directly at globalentrycredit@united.com and provide their eight-character account number, name as it appears on the account, and confirmation of Global Entry application submission payment summary screenshot, approval letter, etc.).
MileagePlus will communicate similar information directly to eligible members in the coming weeks.