July 31, 2018

Direct Travel

News Briefs

July 31, 2018

In this edition of the Travel News Brief: Learn how travelers can save money on a business trip with mobile solutions, American okays carry-on bags for Basic Economy Tickets, Airlines add flight services, TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry vs. Clear, Amtrak ups its food game for long-haul riders, Clear Partners with Lyft, Cybersecurity study ranks the nation’s best and worst WIFI, and more!

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See Direct Travel at GBTA Convention 2018

Get better travel program clarity by visiting Direct Travel at Booth #1317. Learn how our agile and progressive solutions can help you create a clear travel management direction. Read More


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How Travelers Can Save Money on a Business Trip with Mobile Solutions

Controlling costs can be a real challenge for road warriors, but mobile solutions give travelers the tools they need to simplify spending on business trips. These four features can promote efficiency and productivity…Read More

Will AI Change Travel Management for the Better?

Artificial intelligence is a promising field of computer science, capable of enacting great change in a wide variety of industries. In the near future, AI has the potential to reshape how we conduct business. Read More


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American Airlines: Carry-on Bags Will Be OK for Basic Economy Tickets

USA Today —Beginning Sept. 5, fliers on “basic economy” tickets can bring free carry on bag and not just a personal item that fits underneath the seat in front of them. Read More

British Airways to Launch Direct Flights to Pittsburgh

Travel Mole —Service will start next spring…Read More

United to Offer Non-Stop Service from Denver to Monterey

Frequent Business Traveler —United Airlines has announced it will offer twice-daily, nonstop service between Denver International Airport and California’s Monterey Regional Airport. The service is scheduled to launch Oct. 4. Read More

Delta Air Lines and WestJet Launch Transborder Joint Venture

Travel Market Report —WestJet continues its drive toward becoming a global airline with enhanced offerings and more choices for guests. Read More

American Airlines to Add Seasonal Nonstop Flight Between R.I., Miami

Providence Journal — American Airlines on Monday announced new nonstop seasonal service between T.F. Green Airport in Warwick, R.I., and Miami, to be offered Dec. 19 to April 1. Read More

United Airlines Increases Flights from Cleveland Hopkins to California, Florida

Cleveland.com —United Airlines is adding more flights from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport to destinations it already serves in Florida, California and Texas. Read More

Kenya Airways Launching First Nonstop Flight from Nairobi to U.S.

Travel Market Report —Starting this fall, the new route will target the premium leisure market as well as the business traveler. Read More


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TSA Testing 3D Screening of Carry-on Bags with American at JFK this Month

USA Today —TSA and American Airlines announced Thursday that tests would begin this month with a 3D scanner for carry-on bags at New York’s JFK airport. Read More

State Department Begins to Deny Passports to Tax Debtors

Travel Market Report —Citizens will not be prevented from traveling back to the U.S. because of back taxes, but it may impact travel once they arrive in the country. Read More

Does Your ID Allow You to Travel Anywhere?

Travel Pulse —The Real ID Act, which becomes effective Oct. 1, 2020, will require all travelers residing in the US to carry Real ID verification when traveling, Tammy Levent writes. Read More

Airport Security: TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry vs. Clear

USA Today —Phoenix is now the 25th airport in the country to offer Clear, an expedited security service that costs $179 a year. Here’s how it works…Read More

Minnesota Unveils New License Designs Ahead of Real ID

MPR (Blog) —Minnesota drivers’ licenses are getting a major makeover this summer, months before the state begins issuing the Real ID-compliant cards. And for the first time, people under 21 will get their licenses and state IDs in a vertical format. 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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Major Rental Car Companies Want Car Sharing Services to Be Equally Regulated

The Drive —Big rental car companies such as Hertz and Enterprise want state and local governments to regulate car sharers who may only share their personal cars for a couple of days a year. Read More

CLEAR Partners with Lyft in New Promo

SF Gate —A new promotion from CLEAR, the fast-track access to TSA security lines, brings together benefits from Lyft and from LoungeBuddy, the airport lounge app. Read More

Amtrak Ups Its Food Game for Long-haul Riders

USA Today —Amtrak is continuing to overhaul its dining menus. This time, customers on sleeping car routes will get hot entrees in addition to healthier items. Read More


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Hyatt Is Interested in Acquiring Spain’s NH Hotel Group

Bloomberg —Hyatt Hotels Corp. has sent a letter to NH Hotel Group SA indicating its interest in taking over the Spanish hotel operator. Read More

Date Set for Big Marriott-Starwood-Ritz Program Merger

SF Gate —What 110 million members need to know for now…Read More

Preferred Hotels Adds 22 Properties

Business Travel News —Preferred Hotels & Resorts added 22 hotels, resorts and residences to its portfolio of more than 700 properties. Read More

New York Forcing Airbnb to Share Host Data

Travel Mole —Company must disclose if listing is host’s main residence…Read More

Marriott to Eliminate Plastic Straws from All Hotels

USA Today —Marriott, the largest hotel company in the world, will eliminate plastic straws across all 30 brands. Other companies have already made the pledge. Read More


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Aviation Study Finds Airline Passengers Oppose In-Flight Calls

Travel Pulse —The survey found 89 percent of American travelers don’t want cell phone calls on flights. Read More

How Safe is an Airport’s Wi-Fi?

Miami Herald —Cybersecurity study ranks the nation’s best and worst…Read More

Travelers Beware: The 50 Most Dangerous Cities in the World

USA Today —Based on homicides per 100,000, these are the 50 most dangerous cities in the world. Read More

Luxury Lounge Wars Heat Up as Airlines Vie for High-End Passengers

New York Times —Major airlines are competing for top-tier flyers by offering luxury services before they leave the ground, providing access to lounges serving fresh food and equipped with showers, workstations and sleeping areas. Read More

Airline Seat Standards Coming, as Safety Concerns, Passenger Complaints Mount

USA Today —Ever ask yourself, “How much smaller can these airline seats get?” There’s good news: Not much. Read More


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Incentive Planning Resources That Will Make You Better at Your Job

Creative Group —A study from the Incentive Research Foundation found that program owners and managers aren’t sure where to go for incentive planning resources such as best practices, benchmarking and fresh ideas. This guide will tell you where to go…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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