January 2, 2018

Direct Travel

News Briefs

January 2, 2018

In this edition of the Travel News Brief: new basic economy baggage fees on Delta Air Lines, biometric boarding at LAX, hotel cancellation policies for Hilton and Marriott, Uber news, TSA Real ID deadline updates, and more!

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Do You Have New Year’s Resolutions for Your Enterprise Travel Program?

As 2017 draws to a close, now is the perfect opportunity for business leaders and travel managers to examine their enterprise travel programs and establish improvement goals for next year. Read More

5 Tips for Traveling During the Holidays

The end of the year is a popular travel time for visiting friends and family. According to predictions from AAA, more than 107 million Americans will travel in the last week of December this year. Read More


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Air Canada Increases Memphis Service

Memphis Business Journal  — Starting May 1, 2018, Air Canada will add a nonstop daily flight between Toronto and Memphis, affording a second travel option to customers. Read More

Virgin Atlantic Signs Codeshare with Virgin Australia

Travel Mole  — Agreement comes into force end of January… Read More

Delta Air Lines Announces International Basic Economy Baggage Fee

Travel Market Report  — The change will impact flights booked after Dec. 6 and scheduled for April 10, 2018 and after. Read More

British Airways Trials Biometric Boarding at Los Angeles

Passenger Self Service  — British Airways has become the first airline to trial self-service biometric boarding gates on international flights out of the USA. Read More


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As Hilton Follows Marriott, 48-Hour Cancellation Policies Become An Industry Issue

Travel Market Report  — Travel professionals, especially on the corporate side, fear the latest fee will become the industry standard. Read More

Marriott to Open 40 Luxury Hotels in 2018

Travel Market Report  — From new builds and renovations in established regions, to expansion into new markets, the hotel conglomerate gets even stronger as a dominant player in luxury. Read More

Hyatt Tightens Up Room Cancellation Policy

Travel Mole  — But loyalty members are exempt… Read More

Extended-stay Appeal Highlighted by Choice Hotels’ $231M buy of WoodSpring

Hotel Management Magazine  — Choice Hotels International today reached a definitive agreement to acquire WoodSpring Hotels Holdings, a portfolio company belonging to American private equity firm Lindsay Goldberg, for an estimated $231 million. Read More


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Uber Suspends Operations in Cancun

Travel Pulse  — The decision is part of a collaboration with the Mexican government. Read More

Europe Takes Major Step Against Uber

Travel Pulse — Uber said the ruling will have no effect in most European countries where it operates. Read More


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TSA Extends Deadline for Driver’s License ID Demand

Travel Skills  — There’s been a lot of confusion and uncertainty about what exactly the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will accept as a personal ID at airport checkpoints… Read More

TSA: Domestic Fliers Can Use Old Driver’s Licenses Until Late 2020

KOAT 7 TV  — Transportation Security Administration spokesman Mike England announced that driver’s licenses from all 50 states will be acceptable identification for domestic US air travel until Oct. 1, 2020. Read More

TSA Considering Merging PreCheck and Global Entry Programs

Travel Market Report  — Top agency official says bringing the airport security programs together could enhance security and increase enrollment. Read More

Government Travel Warnings & Alerts

U.S. Department of State  — Click here for information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More


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United States, Turkey Resume Visa Services

Travel Pulse — The two countries had been working out issues in the process since October. Read More

The 10 Most Dangerous Cities for Pedestrians

USA Today  — If you’re headed to Florida, you’d better take extra care crossing the street. Read More

Can I Bring My Laptop on My Flight? And Other Tips for Traveling with Tech

USA Today  — Here’s what you need before packing your phones, batteries, tablets and laptops for flight. Read More

How to Handle Flight Cancellations

Airfare Watchdog  — The next time your travel plans are interrupted, keep these flight cancellation facts in mind to ensure that your trip stays on track… Read More


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Canada Is Home to World’s Greenest Convention Center

Inhabitat — Vancouver Convention Centre West is the world’s first double LEED Platinum-certified convention center… Read More

Caesars to Develop Convention Center Next to Harrah’s Las Vegas

Meetings & Conventions  — The company will sell Harrah’s Las Vegas and lease it back to fund the development… Read More

Looking for guidance on planning your next convention, incentive, or group trip? Direct Travel will assist with all your meetings and event details!  Whatever your needs may be when it comes to your event, you can always depend on us to design streamlined travel arrangements, plan strategic meetings, and deliver real-time results. For details, please send a message to: [email protected].

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