July 3, 2018

Direct Travel

News Briefs

July 3, 2018

In this edition of the Travel News Brief: airlines increase flight service, everything you need to know about TSA's new carry-on rules for powders, U.S. customs in Orlando with facial recognition, Enterprise expands, Lyft makes it easier to track business travel expenses, Marriott adds Amazon Echo to rooms, 4th of July travel tips, and more!

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Corporate Travel: To Airbnb or Not to Airbnb?

True to its name, the travel industry never stands still for very long. Airbnb is just one example of how quickly a new service can come out of nowhere and completely alter the way people travel. As new services like Airbnb emerge, travel managers have to decide how their corporate travel policies will address the latest trends in travel. Read More

What Do Millennials Want from a Travel Policy?

As more baby boomers retire each year, millennials rise through the ranks of corporate America. By 2025, it’s expected that as much as 75 percent of the US workforce will be composed of millennials, according to a report from the Brookings Institute. This generation of digital natives grew up alongside the evolving internet, so it’s no surprise that millennials value different types of work environments and business cultures than previous generations. Read More


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American Airlines Increases Capacity on Miami-St. Maarten Flights

eTurboNews — American Airlines has raised its seat capacity for its daily flight from Miami to St. Maarten. The route will be flown with a 160-passenger Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Read More

Delta Adds Nonstop Flights to Paris, Amsterdam from LAX

Travel Pulse — Delta Air Lines announced Monday the addition of nonstop flights from Los Angeles to Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam Schiphol airports. Read More

Are Rising Fuel Prices Affecting Plane Tickets?

USA Today — Airlines are saying passengers will pay more. But while there will be some pain, it won’t be terrible for most of us. Read More

United Airlines Opens Polaris Lounge in Houston Airport

Frequent Business Traveler — United Airlines has announced the soft opening of its newest Polaris Lounge, located in Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Read More


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U.S. Customs Launches Facial Recognition at Orlando International

Insider Travel Report — A new day is dawning for U.S. passport control on inbound flights…Read More

TSA: Fliers Will Face More Scrutiny for Powders in Carry-On Bags

USA Today — The Transportation Security Administration began scrutinizing containers of powders in fliers’ carry-on bags last summer as part of a broader security push, and will soon ask foreign airports that send flights directly to the U.S. to do the same. Read More

Government Travel Warnings & Alerts

U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More


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Enterprise Opens Historic 10,000th Car Rental Location

Travel Pulse — Enterprise cements its place as the top car rental company. Read More

Uber Gets Short-Term Operating License in London

Business Travel News — Uber has secured a probationary, 15-month license to operate in London, ending months of legal limbo for the ride-hailing provider after its operating license renewal was rejected last fall. Read More

Lyft Makes It Easier to Track Business Travel Expenses

Tech Crunch — Lyft announced that taking a business trip and then actually turning in your travel receipts just got a whole lot easier. Read More

Amtrak Revamps Its Food and Beverage Menu

USA Today — Passengers traveling on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor will now have better food and beverage options to choose from when they get hungry. Read More


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AccorHotels to Acquire Stake in SBE

Buying Business Travel — Accorhotels has signed an agreement with SBE Entertainment Group (SBE) to acquire a 50 per cent stake in the global hospitality company. Read More

IHG Launches Upscale Brand Voco

Business Travel News — InterContinental Hotels Group has launched its new upscale brand, Voco. The company announced the brand in February but hadn’t released the name until now. Read More

Small Luxury Hotels of the World Introduces Six New Hotels

Insider Travel Report — Small Luxury Hotels of the World announced six new hotels to its worldwide portfolio…Read More

New Hyatt with Conference Center Coming to Dallas Area

Meetings & Conventions — Ground has been broken on the 303-room Hyatt Regency Stonebriar in Frisco, which will open in 2020 with a 54,585-square-foot conference center including a grand ballroom, a junior ballroom and additional breakout spaces. Read More

Amazon Launches Echo for Hotels, Marriott Buys In

Meetings & Conventions Magazine — Alexa has a new job: hotel concierge. Read More


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10 Most Misleading Travel Terms

USA Today — Travelers are often surprised to find that what they booked is not quite what they expected. Read More

TSA Fourth of July Travel Tips 2018

TSA.gov — TSA is projecting one of the busiest Fourth of July travel periods on record! Read More

Five Tips for Navigating Busy Airports This Summer

Travel Market Report — To ensure you have a hassle-free and stress-free time at airports this summer, read these five tips. Read More

Supreme Court Upholds President Trump’s Travel Ban

Travel Pulse — The United States Supreme Court announced Tuesday it upheld President Donald Trump’s travel ban, rejecting claims from advocacy groups that the decision would cause discrimination against Muslims. Read More

British Travellers Face Brexit EU Visa Requirement

Buying Business Travel — The European Commission is reportedly drawing up plans that may mean British travellers will have to apply for a visa to enter the EU after Brexit. Read More

Nine Nightmares Your Travel Insurance Won’t Cover

USA Today — Here are potential travel insurance nightmares to be on the lookout for, and how you might be able to avoid or remedy it. Read More

Credit Card Companies Are Cutting Perks This Summer. Is Your Card One of Them?

NBC News — After years of offering an ever-expanding menu of perks to their cardholders, several major credit card companies are going in the opposite direction — eliminating or reducing the value of some of these extras. Read More


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See Plans for the New Orleans Convention Center’s 5-year, $557 Million Upgrade

Nola.com — The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center will embark on a five-year plan to upgrade the facility and surrounding areas…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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