September 7, 2022

Direct Travel

News Briefs

September 7, 2022

In This Edition… improved airline assistance for travelers with delays or cancellations, United to partner with Emirates, new flight service updates, the TSA app, airports with Global Entry, application delays for Global Entry, California phasing out gas powered vehicles, Uber ends rewards program, fast-tracking high speed rail in the US, hotel updates, traveler tips, and much more!

Dans cette édition... une assistance aérienne améliorée pour les voyageurs en cas de retard ou d’annulation, United prévoit de s’associer avec Emirates, de nouvelles mises à jour concernant les services aériens, l’application de la TSA, des aéroports dotés du programme Global Entry, les retards liés aux demandes pour le programme Global Entry, la Californie élimine progressivement les véhicules à essence, Uber met fin à son programme de récompenses, l’accélération du train à grande vitesse aux États-Unis, des mises à jour concernant les hôtels, des conseils pour les voyageurs, et bien plus encore!

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4 Takeaways for Building a Future-Forward Travel Program

How are you powering your business forward and reaching new goals to put both people and the planet first? The new standards of corporate travel have evolved post-pandemic and call for a stronger commitment to sustainability, DEI, and traveler wellness…. Read More


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U.S. Wants Airlines to Boost Help for Stranded, Delayed Passengers

Reuters — Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has urged the 10 largest U.S. airlines to do more to help stranded and delayed passengers, calling the level of disruption travelers have faced this summer as “unacceptable.” Read More


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Lufthansa Takes Delivery of its First Boeing 787

Travel Weekly — The plane will eventually fly long-haul routes but will be deployed in October on domestic German routes for training purposes. Read More

United Reportedly Entering Partnership with Emirates

Travel Weekly — The carriers would compete against American and Qatar Airways, which started a codeshare agreement during the pandemic. Read More

Alaska Airlines to Add Nonstop Everett-Anchorage Route

Business Travel News — Carrier cites “demand to connect workers and businesses in the two regions” as the impetus for the new route. Read More

Canada Jetlines’ First Flight Set for September 22, YYZ-YYC

Travel Pulse — Canada Jetlines will begin operations out of its travel hub at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), with its first scheduled route into YYC Calgary International Airport set for September 22. Read More

Southwest Airlines’ Flight Credits Will No Longer Expire

Travel Market Report — Effective immediately, all Southwest flight credits, whether current or issued in the future, will no longer have an expiration date, giving flyers the option to hold them for as long as they want. Read More

United to Extend Corp. Preferred Benefits Across JV

Business Travel News — United Airlines beginning this fall will extend three of its Corporate Preferred loyalty program benefits to select corporate customers across its joint venture with Air Canada and Lufthansa Group. Read More

Delta Moves Up Atlanta-Tel Aviv Service

Business Travel News — Scheduled to start in March 2023, Delta plans three-times weekly service. Read More

British Airways, American Among Carriers Making Significant Schedule Cuts

Business Travel News — Airline schedule cuts reach deeper into the fall and winter business travel season as British Airways slices more capacity through October 29. American Airlines announced last week it would reduce its November schedule by 16 percent and JetBlue will extend some existing market suspensions into 2023. Read More

British Airways Cuts Another 10,000 Heathrow Flights

Travel Market Report — British Airways is making another big round of cuts to its 2022 and 2023 schedules. Read More


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Download The MyTSA App

Transportation Security Administration — Use the MyTSA app to check on TSA PreCheck lane availability and keep your Known Traveler Number (KTN) handy. Read More

Which Airports Can You Use Global Entry at in the US and Abroad?

The Points Guy — There are 64 airports offering Enrollment on Arrival for travelers… Read More

Global Entry Enrollment Delays Stretch for Months

Travel Weekly — While backups persist, there are a few options that can be helpful for individuals hoping to avoid a long wait for an interview. 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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California Is Phasing Out Gas Vehicles in Climate-Change Fight

Northstar Meetings Group — Washington state and Massachusetts already have said they will follow California’s lead and many more are likely to. Read More

Uber to End Uber Rewards

Business Travel News — Uber has pulled the plug on its Uber Rewards program, which is set to end on Nov. 1, 2022, according to the company. Read More

Can High-Speed Rail Finally Become A Reality in the U.S.?

GreenBiz — Technology, politics and climate action may coalesce to put high-speed transit on the fast track. Read More


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There’s Ample Room for Innovation at Marriott’s New Global Headquarters

Travel Weekly — There is a wall in Marriott International’s Design Lab, part of the company’s brand-new global headquarters here, emblazoned with the following Willy Wonka quote: “Invention, my dear friends, is 93% perspiration, 6% electricity, 4% evaporation, and 2% butterscotch ripple.” Read More

Best Hotel Rewards Programs

US News — To help you choose the best hotel rewards program for you, U.S. News identified 15 of the most prominent hotel loyalty programs and evaluated them. Read More

Hilton Signs Six New Luxury Hotels in Asia Pacific

Hospitality.net — With multi‑market debut of award‑winning Waldorf Astoria, Conrad and LXR brands, Hilton will offer more than 50 luxury hotels in Asia Pacific over the coming years. Read More

IHG Marks 600th Hotel Opening Milestone in Greater China

Hospitality.net — Committed to delivering the industry’s leading net room growth in the world’s fastest-growing region… Read More

Extended Stay America to Add Over 100 Hotels to Brand Family

Lodging Magazine — Extended Stay America announced that subsidiaries of ESH Hospitality, Inc. are converting more than 100 recently acquired WoodSpring Suites hotels to the Extended Stay America family of brands later this year. Read More


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The Best Airlines In The World For Legroom

Forbes — One of the most important things on an economy flight (ideally ranking after safety but before the in-flight entertainment) is legroom and how much you’ll get. Read More

WiFi in the Sky: Which Airlines Offer Passengers Free Internet Access?

Simply Flying — Some inflight WiFi services come with a catch… Read More

How to Get Rid of Foreign Currency Before You Come Home From an International Trip

View From The Wing — Unique tips to get rid of foreign currency prior to heading back to the US. Read More

Orlando Airport’s New Luggage System Is Expected to Be Faster, With Fewer Lost Bags

The Points Guy — Unlike nearly every other luggage system in the United States, the system in the facility’s new terminal will use radio frequency identification, where bags are dropped into containers with location-tracking chips… Read More

The Ten Unwritten Rules of Travel

Travel Market Report — Travel advisors on the ‘rules’ or ‘standards’ that should never be broken. Read More


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5 Essential LinkedIn Tips for Meeting Planners

Prevue Meetings — LinkedIn is where the meetings industry gathers online, so follow these LinkedIn tips to get the most out of your posts. Read More

One Chef’s Take on Creative Group F&B

Prevue Meetings — David Skorka, senior executive chef at Kay Bailey Huchison Convention Center in Dallas, has a fresh take on group F&B. 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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