United seeks to incorporate corporate customers' input

Masks, gasps and wonderment: What US travel is like now | DOT improving airline refund system | United seeks to incorporate corporate customers' input

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June 25, 2020

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Masks, gasps and wonderment: What US travel is like now

Travel writer Ben Schlappig has been startled by the differing attitudes toward the coronavirus as he's traveled around the US a bit recently. He found people to be mostly compliant about face masks in Miami, was laughed at for wearing a mask in Las Vegas and was told "we don't allow those masks around here" by an outdoors tour company in Utah.

Full Story: One Mile at a Time (6/21)

DOT improving airline refund system

The Transportation Department is making improvements in the airline refund process and already has "taken pro-consumer action on refunds," Secretary Elaine Chao writes. She reiterates that the department is working with airlines, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure layers of protection and prioritize the welfare of passengers and employees.

Full Story: USA Today (6/22)

United seeks to incorporate corporate customers' input

United Airlines is collecting feedback from its corporate customers about their future travel plans as a part of the airline's efforts to make informed decisions on which routes to resume. "While coronavirus has presented many challenges for all of our businesses, it has also presented unique opportunities to work together and build what's next," United said.

Full Story: Skift (6/23)

TSA to use tech to enable contactless screenings

The Transportation Security Administration aims to use technology "to create a near-contactless experience at the checkpoint," according to the recently released "TSA Administrator's Intent 2.0" report. "We will continue to pursue advancements in technology and procedures to allow for more automation as we provide for the security of the traveling public in the future, no matter the threat," Administrator David Pekoske wrote in the document's introduction.

Full Story: Nextgov (6/23)

Will 2nd coronavirus wave halt travel this winter?

(Pixabay)

Some disease specialists in Europe are worried that a second wave of coronavirus, even worse than the first one, will sweep across the continent this fall or winter, halting travel once again. Some say it's likely that other parts of the world, including the US, also will be affected.

Full Story: Forbes (6/23)

The Smarter Traveler

JetBlue introduces points plus cash option for bookings

JetBlue is giving its loyalty program members the option of combining points and cash to book a flight, and they will earn points for the cash spent. The program aims to give passengers "even more value and flexibility" by allowing them to redeem even a small amount of points.

Full Story: TravelPulse (6/23), Forbes (6/23), MediaPost Communications (6/23)

Refuel and Refresh

Hotels, tours go with flow by transforming options

(Nikita Kachanovsky/Unsplash)

Hotels, resorts and inns are adapting their properties and their services to meet the needs of wary, health-conscious guests -- providing such options as standalone villas (with chef) at Bluefields Bay Villas in Jamaica or cottage rentals at Cedar Lakes Estate in New York. Tour operators are altering their offerings, too, as Paragon Guides in Vail, Colo., uses llamas as schleppers for multiday hikes, and Tentrr focuses on turnkey glamping.

Full Story: The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (6/24)

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