Airlines and Airport Updates

United Raises Baggage Fees  - Effective for tickets issued on or after Jan. 14, 2010 for travel on or after Jan. 21, 2010, United Airlines (UA) has increased its domestic checked baggage fees by $5. For online check-in, the new first bag fee is $20 and the second bag fee is $30. For airport check-in, the first bag fee is $25 and the second bag fee is $35. Please note that tickets issued today, Jan. 13, 2010, are subject to UA's current (lower) baggage fees. UA's baggage fee increase follows similar fee increases imposed by Continental and Delta earlier this week.

Airline industry mobilizes for relief efforts  - Haiti's quake-damaged Toussaint L'Ouverture International Airport has been closed to commercial traffic as airlines, military planes and general aviation pilots switch to disaster-relief mode. When Tuesday's disaster left the airport tower inoperable, air traffic control for the island nation initially was handled by a U.S. Coast Guard cutter off the coast. On Wednesday the U.S. Air Force 1st Special Operations Wing arrived to take over air traffic control responsibilities, and the Federal Aviation Administration dispatched safety experts to the airport. With 100 employees on the ground in Haiti, American Airlines on Wednesday sent in three relief flights, and other carriers are mobilizing to support U.S. government relief efforts.

SEATTLE - MEXICO CITY - On January 11, 2010, AeroMexico officially cxld its flight from SEA to MEX.  AeroMexico is dedicated to providing unparalleled service to its passengers and regrets any inconvenience this may cause. For customers affected by this cancellation, refunds will be issued in the original form of payment. Customers who purchased tickets through a travel agency must contact the agency for refund processing. Customers who purchased tickets directly from AeroMexico should contact our refund department at amusrefunds@aeromexico.com. AeroMexico will continue to serve its passengers in one of the more than 600 daily flights to destinations in Mexico, the U.S., Canada and 10 other international destinations, all offered through AeroMexico and its subsidiary, AeroMexico Connect. AeroMexico also offers other connecting services to additional international destinations through its SkyTeam global airline alliance with 10 other carriers.

Airlines post best monthly on-time performance - The 19 largest airlines in the U.S. collectively set a record in November for the lowest rate of mishandled luggage and posted their highest on-time performance, according to data from the Department of Transportation. About 88.6% of flights arrived within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival time in November.

For more information, please contact one of our Corporate Agents. 

Hotel and Travel Updates

Marriott exec discusses keeping Residence Inn fresh - Residence Inn by Marriott, which has been constantly evolving its extended-stay concept since its debut in 1975, is relaunching its public areas this spring. The company has also redesigned the rooms and updated amenities. Kathleen Tyson, vice president of brand management for Residence Inn, discuses how the company keeps the brand fresh and relevant for guests as well as travel agents.

Starwood Opens First of Three Luxury Collection Hotels in Peru - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., in a franchise agreement with Libertador Hotels, Resorts & Spas, announced the opening of Hotel Paracas, a Luxury Collection Resort, marking the debut of the first of three Luxury Collection hotels opening in Peru over the next two years. Located on Peru's southern Pacific coast and surrounded by the Paracas National Reserve and the Ballestas Islands, Hotel Paracas features 120 guest rooms with private terraces, a 5,000 square foot spa, two outdoor pools, more than 5,000 square feet of event space and two signature restaurants and lounges.

Deregulation to give rail riders in Europe more options - Europe has long been known for its rail service, and, thanks to recent deregulation, rail passengers will have more options and possibly lower fares. The changes allow other companies to compete against the state-owned firms that dominate rail service. "This means a lot for our industry," said Frederic Langlois, head of Rail Europe. "The landscape is going to evolve big-time. There will be more trains to sell and more availability."

For more information, please contact one of our Corporate Agents. 

  U.S. Department of State Updates

U.S.-bound travelers soon must have e-authorization - U.S. Customs and Border Protection is requiring that all travelers bound for the U.S. starting Jan. 20 obtain electronic authorization or risk not being allowed to board an airplane. To gain authorization, travelers must supply personal and travel information and answer Visa Waiver Program eligibility questions.

Earthquake prompts U.S. to issue Travel Alert for Haiti: The State Department is encouraging Americans to avoid travel to Haiti after a massive earthquake hit Port-au-Prince earlier this week. The department said aftershocks are a possibility, but the tsunami watch has expired. Read the official Travel Alert for Haiti.

State Department Travel Warnings, Announcements -  The Department of State has issued travel warnings and/or announcements regarding travel for American citizens to Germany, Mozambique, Honduras, Hajj, India, Tanzania (including Zanzibar), Cuba, Mauritania, Mexico, Algeria, Colombia, Guinea, Lebanon, Cote d'Ivoire, Philippines, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, Eritrea, Central African Republic, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Kenya, Afghanistan, Burundi, Nigeria, Haiti, Iran, Sri Lanka, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Chad, Nepal, Georgia, Sudan, Syria and Somalia .

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