Featured Article

Preparing for travel in the “new normal”: using effective business intelligence solutions

Once business travel returns, it is going to look very different post-pandemic.  Those responsible for their business travel programs will to have to put more emphasis on things such as traveler health and well-being, duty of care and risk management.

As the travel industry looks at an uncertain future, travel managers are still trying to determine what will need to change in the management of their programs.  What safeguards will their companies need to put in place?  What will their travelers demand in order to feel safe on the road?  And how will all this fit into what the government will require going forward? 

What is certain is that travelers will approach travel more cautiously and will have concerns about getting on an airplane or attending a large event due to potential health risks.  Many travelers may forego trips in the future in favor of using alternative meetings solutions such as Zoom.  And those who choose to travel will want more information upfront regarding safety measures, risk factors and potential increased health hazards at their destination. 

In addition to traditional analytics and benchmarking, business travel managers will require a reporting solution that allows them to track their travelers as well as providing information on destination management. 

In a recent webinar poll of Adelman customers, 68 percent indicated that they anticipated an increased compliance mandate for their travel programs within the next six to 12 months.  When asked what their highest priority was in preparation for the return of travel post-pandemic, 68 percent said guidance on safe travel was their number one priority. 

This is where a solution such as DecisionSource, Adelman’s new ATG 3.0 integrated reporting platform, comes into play.  In addition to providing reporting on a global scale, DecisionSource provides deeper insights and data, intelligent analytics and traveler care.  All of theses offerings allow Adelman clients to have the information needed to make intelligent decisions that benefit their companies on a large scale and their travelers at a personal level. 

Key risk management features of DecisionSource include global traveler tracking, risk alerts and warnings, interactive maps and the ability to communicate with travelers via SMS and email.  Through DecisionSource’s forecasting ability and customized travel report cards, travel managers can gain deeper insight into the travel patterns of departments and individual travelers, allowing them to shape traveler behavior. 

In addition to a comprehensive reporting solution, Adelman Travel provides additional safeguards for travelers through our Ava mobile app, which offers hotel neighborhood safety scores to ensure travelers are as safe as possible at their destination.  Adelman will soon be launching the desktop version of the app, which provides travel planners with access to their travelers’ itineraries, ensuring an additional level of care and information.  Additionally, Adelman’s Hotel Attach solution helps to assure travelers are booking a hotel with their air itinerary, vastly increasing duty of care by knowing where travelers are staying. 

To learn more about Adelman Travel’s DecisionSource reporting solution or any of our other innovations that will position your travel program for the future, contact your Adelman Client Success Manager.  If you are not a current Adelman customer but would like to know more, please contact sales@adelmantravel.com

Featured Article

Traveler Preparedness – Understanding the new normal and how to stay safe

May 1, 2020

Travelers and companies whose employees travel for work are considering what the new normal will look like post COVID-19. As we look to the future, getting back on the road will come with new procedures and measures for enhancing traveler safety; fewer person-to-person interactions, stricter sanitation requirements and a greater focus on the health and wellness of travelers will be a part of this new norm. There is no doubt that these unprecedented times will lead to some major changes in the travel industry and beyond.

Here are some of the new safety measures you will encounter once travel fully resumes:

TSA Rules and Recommendations:

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is encouraging all passengers to travel with hand sanitizer and alcohol or anti-bacterial wipes.  Passengers can also expect to see more hand sanitizer at various touchpoints as well as workers disinfecting surfaces around the airport.

TSA has relaxed its rules to allow each traveler one hand sanitizer container of up to 12 ounces in their carry-on bag until further notice. However, hand sanitizer containers exceeding the standard 3.4-ounce allowance typically permitted through checkpoints are required to be screened separately.

Passengers are also allowed to wear face masks during the screening process. Keep in mind that travelers may be asked to adjust the mask so officers can visually confirm their identity when checking travel documents.

To avoid using a bin, it is recommended that travelers place any items from their pockets such as keys, tissues, loose change and cell phones into their carry-on bag, which will be screened by the X-ray system. 

TSA also advises travelers not to panic if their driver’s license or state-issued ID expired on or after March 1, 2020, as officers will accept expired driver’s licenses or state-issued ID up to a year after expiration.

Lastly, TSA reminds travelers to wash their hands both before and after going through security checkpoints to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

At the Airport:

American Airlines is advising that they have temporarily closed or consolidated their premium clubs and lounges, and operating hours for those that are still open are subject to change.  Additionally, AA ticket counter hours may change without notice, so they are advising passengers to check their flight status before going to the airport.

Delta Airlines is also consolidating gate operations and check-in counters at larger airports including Atlanta, Los Angeles and New York’s LaGuardia and JFK airports. 

United Airlines has temporarily shut down self service kiosks in most locations and is asking passengers to self-scan boarding passes at their gate readers. 

As part of a new check-in procedure on the airline’s website or app, Frontier Airlines is now requiring passengers to accept a health acknowledgement confirming that they have taken their temperature and have no fever, no one in their household has exhibited COVID-19 symptoms in the last 14 days, and they will wash and/or sanitize their hands before boarding. 

On the international front, Emirates is now requiring passengers departing from Dubai to submit to a blood test prior to boarding.  The blood test provides results within 10 minutes.  Once cleared, passengers receive a COVID-19 certificate with the results. 

On the Plane

Airlines have taken various steps to help passengers stay safe while adhering to social distancing guidelines. 

American Airlines

Beginning in May, American will require flight attendents to wear masks, and starting May 11, passengers will be required to wear face masks when flying on the airline.

To comply with social distancing guidelines, American has updated food service and seat assignment procedures through May 31, 2020.  They have limited food and drink service depending on the length of the flight, though passengers are still allowed to bring certain food and drinks onboard. 

American has opened certain seating on their seat maps and closed access to other seats in order to provide more spacing between passengers.  However, gate agents may need to move passengers at boarding to comply with social distancing recommendations. 

Cleaning procedures

According to AA’s website, their cleaning procedures have always met or exceeded CDC guidelines.  All planes undergo a deep cleaning procedure on a regularly scheduled basis.  The airline has extended their cleaning protocols to include additional electrostatic spraying to disinfect planes with an EPA-registered, hospital-grade disinfectant.  Most AA equipment has HEPA filters that completely change the air 15 to 30 times per hour.  The airline has also provided all crew members on international flights with hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes.

Delta Airlines

To help keep travelers and staff safe, Delta has implemented new procedures that will stay in effect through June.  Their efforts include:

  • Reducing the total number of passengers per flight
  • Boarding only 10 passengers at a time and modifying the boarding process so passengers with assigned seats at the back are boarded first
  • Blocking middle seats on all flights
  • Suspending automatic advance Medallion complimentary upgrades. Instead, upgrades will be handled at the gate allowing the gate agent to take social distancing into consideration. 
  • Limiting food and beverage options. The airline encourages passengers to bring their own food and beverages on the flight. 

Additionally, Delta is encouraging their own employees to wear masks.  They are also blocking seats around flight attendant jump seats and providing hand sanitizer and wipes to in-flight and airport staff. 

In addition to rigorously cleaning high-traffic areas in the airport and onboard the aircraft, Delta has begun fogging all flights with high-grade, EPA registered disinfectant.  Many of their aircraft are equipped with state-of-the-art air filtration systems, which filter air through industrial-grade HEPA filters. 

Southwest Airlines

Southwest has suspended all onboard beverage and snack service until further notice with the exception of one can of water on request. The airline is currently considering other changes including new boarding procedures, face mask requirements and passenger health screenings at security checkpoints.

Southwest puts all aircraft through a meticulous, six-hour cleaning every night.  The overnight cleaning process has been enhanced to include the use of hospital grade disinfectant, which was previously used in the lavatories, throughout the entire aircraft.  All Southwest aircraft are equipped with HEPA filters, which filter out airborne particles as the air onboard is recirculated with outside air, and a complete exchange of air and outside air is accomplished every three minutes.  Additionally, the airline has begun using electrostatic sprayers to treat aircraft with disinfection and antimicrobial solutions. 

United Airlines

United, which employs their own full-time, medical director, has employed the following new standards for in-flight safety:

  • The airline is the first major U.S. carrier to require all flight attendants to wear a face covering. In response to the CDC’s recommendation to wear a face covering when social distancing is difficult to maintain, the airline will make face masks available to customers beginning in early May.  United is also providing sanitizer to employees.
  • Reduced food service and moved to pre-packaged foods and sealed beverages, suspending Buy on Board and adding more disposable cups so new cups can be used for refills.
  • Limited seat selections in all cabins, so passengers will not be able to select middle seats or seats next to each other.
  • Is boarding fewer customers at a time, back to front of plane, to allow for more distance during the boarding process.
  • Starting May 5, processing Complimentary Premier Upgrades at the departure gate only, in priority order.

Cleaning

United aircraft are cleaned throughout the day with a high-grade disinfectant.  The airline has now added electrostatic spraying to their cleaning procedures on all inbound long-haul international flights, and mainline overnight aircraft at their U.S. hubs. In June, all aircraft will have electrostatic spray on every departure, in addition to disinfecting customer touchpoints and surfaces before every flight.  Additionally, all mainline aircraft use high-efficiency (HEPA) filters to circulate air and removes airborne particles.

In the Car

Travelers can limit their exposure to COVID-19 by relying on trusted ground transportation options.  Adelman’s car rental partners are rigorously cleaning their vehicles between every passenger change.   Additionally, employees working in branch and airport locations are following the recommendations of the various health authorities to reduce risk, including limiting the number of employees in a location and following social distancing guidelines. Enterprise, Hertz, Avis and National now sanitize all surfaces between every rental including seats, key fobs, steering wheel, cup holders, instrument panel, dashboard, doors and door handles.  Additionally, Enterprise has consolidated operations to centralized locations and has implemented measures to immediately quarantine a vehicle if necessary.

Ride share companies have announced plans to distribute face masks and disinfectants to drivers, but individual drivers ultimately decide how and when to apply safety measures, making it more challenging to guarantee a clean environment.  It is recommended that travelers avoid public transportation, but when a bus, train or metro is the only option, proper precautionary measures should be exercised. 

At the Hotel

For most business trips, more time is spent in the hotel than any other part of the travel journey. Although hotel occupancy rates are currently at an all-time low, travelers will expect hotels to have enhanced their sanitation processes once they’re back on the road.

Many hotel chains including Hilton, IHG and Marriott, have announced new cleaning and sanitizing procedures including the use of electrostatic sprayers in some cases. 

Hilton, in cooperation with the Mayo Clinic, is developing new cleaning protocols, training programs and quality assurance measures to ensure they are providing a safe stay for their guests.  Extra cleaning measures include extra disinfection of frequently touched such as light switches and door handles, increased cleaning in public areas with an extra focus on fitness centers, and contactless check-in.  The chain is also researching new cleaning technologies such as electrostatic sprayers and ultraviolet let. 

Airbnb also recently announced new protocols for hosts, including enhanced cleaning and sanitizing guidelines and waiting periods between bookings. 

If you have questions or concerns for when travel resumes, Adelman Travel can help you strengthen your traveler safety, health and wellness practices and policies. Contact your Adelman Travel Representative for more information.

Information Sources: Travelpulse.com, thepointsguy.com, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, United Airlines, Enterprise Holdings, Business Travel News, GBTA, TSA.gov

Featured Article

The latest updates on COVID-19

As of March 9, 2020, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) there have been over 109,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus COVID-19 and just over 3,800 deaths worldwide. Over 100 countries now have laboratory-confirmed cases with the most affected countries being China, South Korea, Italy and Iran. (For continued updates on these numbers see https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/685d0ace521648f8a5beeeee1b9125cd). In the case of China, reports indicate that COVID-19 cases are on the decline, which suggests spread of the virus may have peaked there and that transmission is slowing down.

It is also now being reported that early mortality rates are likely misleading as only the sickest people are being reported. Further, studies are finding that most of those who are experiencing more severe symptoms or who have died are elderly or have impaired immune systems. Most normally healthy adults are recovering well, and most children are barely being affected.

As concerns over the spread of Covid-19 continue, the U.S. State Department updated its advice for travel on cruise ships. “U.S. citizens, particularly travelers with underlying health conditions, should not travel by cruise ship.  CDC notes increased risk of infection of COVID-19 in a cruise ship environment. In order to curb the spread of COVID-19, many countries have implemented strict screening procedures that have denied port entry rights to ships and prevented passengers from disembarking.  In some cases, local authorities have permitted disembarkation but subjected passengers to local quarantine procedures.” 

Further, “CDC notes that older adults and travelers with underlying health issues should avoid situations that put them at increased risk for more severe disease.  This entails avoiding crowded places, avoiding non-essential travel such as long plane trips, and especially avoiding embarking on cruise ships.”  This is advice remains fluid.  

Many airlines have further responded to fears over Covid-19 by suspending change fees on new reservations in order to build buyer confidence. Stipulations vary by carrier but many offer flexible rebooking options on new bookings through March 31. Travel providers such as airlines and rail operators including Amtrak, and more are altering select schedules to targeted destinations due to decreased demand. However, travelers should not assume that all airports, security check points, flights etc. are less crowded as we are now in peak spring break travel season and many flights as still operating at capacity as many people are still carrying on with their plans.  Travelers should reconfirm all arrangements and plans as some large-scale events have been cancelled.   

Overall, there are many things that you can do to be prepared and stay healthy. A critical part of that is to be educated. Here are a few things we know about the virus and what you can do to protect yourself and your travelers:

  • You do not necessarily need to cancel travel. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there shouldn’t be any travel or trade restrictions due to the coronavirus. The risk of being infected is low in many countries. (The State Department/CDCs advice on cruise travel as noted above is currently an exception to this.)
  • The virus is weaker than the regular flu. The virus seems to be a mild type of viral infection. There’s a 2% fatality rate and those 2% almost always have a pre-existing condition.
  • The virus is not airborne. It can only be transmitted by droplets and not through the air. This means that places like airports and airplanes are not high-risk as many precautions are taken to prevent the spread of disease.
  • Even if you are exposed, you can still avoid becoming sick. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching your face, do not come in direct contact with unfamiliar animals or those who are infected, and always cook your food thoroughly.

If you do think you have been infected, Vice President Mike Pence said the CDC was lifting all restrictions on testing for coronavirus. There are also new guidelines being released to fast-track testing for people who fear they have the virus, even if they are only displaying mild symptoms. **

Adelman Travel will continue to keep you informed as news develops. We understand that the uncertainty is difficult and will do everything possible to ensure the safety of your travelers.

Please visit: https://adelmantravel.wpengine.com/blogs/for-travel-managers/coronavirus-updates/  for all of our past updates and visit regularly for any new information.

Coronavirus Updates: March 10, 2020

Airlines again update polices in response to Covid-19

American, Delta and United announced that they will now allow travelers holding tickets to any destination in March and April to change or cancel their flight without paying a change fee, regardless of when they purchased their ticket. (Southwest already offers free changes as part of their standard policies.) Other airlines, which normally charge change fees, may also match this latest move. Check with your airline for complete details.

In what seems like a contradictory move, United quietly modified its refund policy when it reschedules flights. The change came after United announced it would be reducing its schedules by up to 20 percent internationally and 11 percent domestically. Under the new policy, United will only offer credit for a future flight (no refunds) if it can still get passengers to their final destination within a 25 hour window of the originally scheduled arrival time. Previously the window was two hours.  To review United’s full policy visit https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/help/faq/schedule-changes.html?irgwc=1&clickid=WftxjCwFBxyOUDMwUx0Mo3cjUknXaQ0-P3GS0s0

 

Government officials clarify advice on cruising

After the U.S. State Department issued an advisory regarding travel via cruise ships, (“U.S. citizens, particularly travelers with underlying health conditions, should not travel by cruise ship”) both Vice President Mike Pence and Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases, said the advice was aimed at older travelers and those with serious underlying conditions, not necessarily all travelers. Specifically in response to reporters, Dr. Fauci said, “If you are a healthy young person, there is no reason, if you want to go on a cruise ship, go on a cruise ship.”  Meanwhile, Pence, speaking after meeting with cruise ship industry leaders in Florida, said the advice was targeted to a narrower group: older people with serious health problems. “If you’re a senior citizen with a serious underlying health condition, this would be a good time to practice common sense and to avoid activities including traveling on a cruise line,” Pence said.

Top Stories

TSA cuts may mean longer security wait times; new technology at some airports will help

Even with the busy spring break travel period on the horizon, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) quietly ordered over time caps nationwide along with a freeze on hiring new security officers. Industry watchers fear the cost-saving move will cause airport security wait times to go up and possibly compromise security as screeners scramble to process long lines of waiting passengers. The hiring freeze could have long term effects that could extend into the summer as there is a lot of turnover for airport security workers.

Travelers may escape increased lines as several airports across the country will be implementing new technology that will eliminate the need for security officials to look at boarding passes. New Credential Authentication Technology allows security staff to quickly pinpoint passengers and their flight itineraries using only an approved government ID such as a passport or driver’s license.  Approximately 500 machines will be installed at airports in U.S. cities some of which include Austin, Boston, Charlotte, Los Angeles, Miami, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, Sacramento and Seattle.

 

DHS says Real ID documents can be submitted online; TSA membership may be allowed

In an effort to streamline the process for obtaining a Real ID, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said it will allow states to accept documents for Real ID applications electronically.

Many state agencies are experiencing long lines and wait times as they scramble to issue new Real-ID compliant driver’s licenses and ID cards.  Even if a state does implement the electronic pre-submission system, applicants will still be required to make an in-person visit to finish the application process. However, allowing applicants to submit the necessary paperwork online is expected to expedite service at departments of motor vehicles across the country.  

Congress is also considering a bill that would allow membership in TSA PreCheck to be a temporary alternative to having a Real ID for travel on domestic aircraft. If the bill is approved, PreCheck members would have until April 1, 2022 to obtain a Real ID.

As a reminder, the start date for full enforcement of Real ID is Oct. 1, 2020. Travelers are encouraged to check with their local departments of motor vehicles for the latest information and requirements for Real ID.

Travel Briefs

American Airlines expands preordered meal option, plans code share with Qatar 

Passengers traveling in the premium cabin on American Eagle flights can now preorder meals as they currently can on mainline American Airlines flights. The move adds another 300 flights daily with the service and makes American the only carrier in the U.S. to offer advanced meal orders on both mainline and regional flights. Meals can be ordered on qualifying flights beginning 30 days prior to departure up until 20 hours before travel.

In other news, American said it will rekindle its relationship with Qatar Airways through a new codeshare plan. Under the new plan, American will put its code on Qatar flights from the U.S. and Doha along with flights beyond to high-demand markets such as Hyderabad and Chennai in India and African cities such as Nairobi and Johannesburg. Qatar would place its code on select domestic and transatlantic flights from American’s hub cities. The new agreement is subject to government approval.

 

Amtrak modifies its pricing to be more like the airlines

Passengers who purchase discounted fares on Amtrak will now be subject to cancellation restrictions similar to the airlines. The lowest train fares will be nonrefundable while other fares will come with a penalty if changed within 14 days of travel. Amtrak says the changes will allow for deeper discounts on the lowest fares. Customers who purchase the higher Flexible Fares will still be able to change or cancel their itineraries without penalty.

 

CLEAR comes to St. Louis

The identity screening company CLEAR is now available in Terminal 2 at St. Louis Lambert International Airport. Travelers who are members of CLEAR can use a special expedited line to verify their identity. CLEAR uses biometric screening including fingerprints or eye scans to authenticate a member’s identity. CLEAR is currently available at over 65 airports, stadiums, and other locations around the country. For more information about CLEAR please visit https://www.clearme.com/.

 

 United raises checked bag fees

Following a move made by JetBlue earlier this year, United Airlines is raising its checked bag fees. Passengers will now pay $35 for the first checked bag while the second bag will now cost $45. The new rates apply to reservations made after Feb. 21 for travel starting on March 6. However, customers can still pay the old rate if they take care of the baggage fee online any time before check in.

 

Virgin Atlantic to phase out complimentary ground transfers

Starting July 1, Virgin Atlantic will no longer offer complimentary ground transfers for Upper Class passengers. This includes chauffer cars, limobikes and Heathrow and Gatwick Express tickets. Customers will still be able to book chauffer services through Virgin Atlantic, but there will be an added fee associated with the option as there currently is for other customers traveling on non-eligible fares.

Adelman Vacations

Whether on the Gulf or the Pacific, Mexico offers a variety of amazing vacation experiences

Adelman’s Shelly Williams has a real passion for Mexico as she travels there six to eight times a year. “I love the area, people and culture. I hope to live there some day,” Shelly says, “In my heart I’m a beach girl but the colonial cities are my favorites. There is something magical about the cobblestone streets, history and traditions of the local people.”

Puerto Vallarta’s charming Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe

On the Pacific side, Shelly especially enjoys Puerto Vallarta along with several special spots in the surrounding area. For those who have never been, Puerto Vallarta is a beautiful city that sits at the base of the Sierra Madres Mountains and overlooks the Pacific Ocean. The Malecon is a festive ocean front boardwalk area that hosts local art galleries, boutiques and shops. As Shelly notes, “There are also great restaurants and clubs for people looking for a little more nightlife outside of the resorts.”

For travelers wishing for something a little different and even more authentic, Shelly recommends an excursion to Yelapa which is only accessible by boat. “After a hike through the small village you make your way into the mountains where you can visit the beautiful waterfalls,” Shelly advises.

An afternoon stroll in Sayulita

Sayulita is another great option near Puerto Vallarta. This little artist village is perfect for shoppers and surfers. “There are some wonderful options for great dining along with higher end boutiques,” Shelly notes.  With some of the nicest surfing waves in the area, Sayulita also offers a lot of options for surfers from beginners to pros. 

 

The sugar sand beaches of the Riviera Maya

On the Gulf side, Shelly loves visiting the Riviera Maya just south of Cancun. “It is an easy flight, is affordable and beautiful plus the people are very friendly,” Shelly says. One of her favorite places is the Penovia Spa at the Now Jade Riviera resort which offers indigenous spa treatments that are specific to the Riviera Maya culture.  “I love the hydrotherapy offered in the spa, especially within the AMResorts family. If you book a preferred club room you will have complimentary access to the hydrotherapy area of the spa once during your stay. The mineral pools, steam and sauna rooms are a must during my visits!” Shelly exclaims. “They even offer hydrotherapy again with any spa treatment purchased.” 

The Hydrotherapy area at the Penovia Spa

For more information about the many different vacation opportunities in Mexico, please contact our experienced Vacations travel team at 800-749-7116 or visit our website at www.adelmanvacations.com.

AdelmanSummit Meetings/Events & Incentives

Strategic Meeting Management: What to consider when planning your next event

Today, meetings, events and incentive travel represent a vast, complicated conglomerate of spend for many organizations. 

Consider the following*

  • The global events industry size was valued at $1,100 billion in 2018 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.3% to reach $2,330 billion by 2026.
  • Over 500,000 conferences, conventions and trade shows are hosted annually in the United States alone. More than 700,000 hotels and resorts are scattered around the globe. The total number of rooms for the various properties comes to 15.5 million.

How does an organization best navigate this extensive landscape of group hotels and resorts, air and ground providers while also considering details such as production, décor, entertainment, gifting and technology?  Planners must also ensure that their organization is employing the most effective time and costs savings strategies and utilizing risk mitigation enterprise-wide.

AdelmanSummit, the dedicated meeting, event and incentive travel division of Adelman Travel Group, incorporates a “best-industry” platform of Strategic Meeting Management practices.  These practices help to standardize meeting & events policies and procedures to ensure cost-effectiveness, quality assurance, risk mitigation and team consensus throughout the event management and delivery process.

Recommended solutions include:

  • Centralized sourcing function
  • Standardized contract language for suppliers
  • Risk mitigation & duty of care
  • Standardized operating procedures (SOP’s)
  • Standardized technology platform
  • Corporate responsibility & compliance
  • Tracking performance metrics & savings
  • Continuous improvement initiatives to evolve internal and external programs
  • Merging corporate travel policy with a SMM program

Learn more by visiting www.summitpg.com or contacting Doug Wheeler at dwheeler@adelmantravel.com. Let our team help craft the best event solution for you.

 

*source: Wikipedia

Travel Tips

COVID-19: Things you should consider before changing your travel plans

As the Covid-19 coronavirus continues to spread, many travelers may be wondering what this means for trips they have booked. Whether your plans include China, South Korea, Italy, or anywhere else here are some things you should do and consider before changing or cancelling your travels plans.

Check U.S. government websites, set alerts and enroll in STEP

The U.S. State Department is tracking the outbreaks and is updating their travel advisories to let citizens know if trips should be canceled, reconsider or if extra caution should be exercised. These advisories may change quickly, so check back as your trip nears. You can also enroll in the government’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) which will send you updates if the situation in your destination changes.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) issues their own destination warnings designed solely for disease-related concerns. The CDC site also has an entire resource center dedicated to travelers.

Visit the government websites of countries you plan to visit

Check the websites of the countries you will visit even if it is not currently experiencing any cases of COVID-19. Your biggest risk might not be that you will be exposed to the virus, but that you could face travel delays, inspections, and potential quarantine especially when entering a second destination as some countries have implemented restrictions to try and protect themselves from the virus entering their borders.

Contact your airline

Many airlines have cancelled or modified their services. Multiple airlines have waived change fees for travelers with upcoming travel to impacted destinations so visit your airline’s website or reach out to their customer service team for the latest.  If you have stopovers or layovers on the way to your destination, you should also visit the website of any airports you’ll be passing through to understand mandatory screenings or checkpoints that may cause delays.

Reconfirm your hotel, cruise or tour

If you have a reservation in a destination with an outbreak you may be offered a full refund or may be able to postpone your trip. Policies vary and are continually being updated as conditions change. You should know that some cruise lines are rerouting their ships. If you are traveling to multiple destinations let each hotel know which other destinations you will be visiting to ensure you won’t be subject to quarantine policies upon arrival (which would be in line with the local government’s policy). In addition to understanding the financial obligations of changing your trip, your hotel can also provide useful insight into what the situation is like on the ground.

Check your travel insurance policy

Much of the above may fall under your travel insurance depending on the type of insurance you purchased. Read the fine print of the policy you bought, and contact your provider for clarification. If you didn’t purchase travel insurance your trip may be protected through your credit card as some cards include it as a perk. Coverage varies so visit your credit card provider’s website or contact them directly for more information.

Consider when your trip is planned

If you’re departing on a trip within the next couple of weeks, follow the above steps to understand what your options are as soon as possible. If your next trip is not for a while do your research and track the situation, but consider taking a wait and see approach before changing your plans. The situation continues to evolve rapidly making it impossible to know which parts of the world will be impacted several months from now.

Pack for possible disruptions

If you decide to travel, pack extras of things that are absolute necessities in case you are subjected to travel disruptions or quarantine. Bring at least 14 days of extra medication. However, you should also check with each country’s policies on extra medication. In case you need refills it is best to have a copy of the original prescription and a copy translated into the language of the country you are visiting if possible.

Make a decision that makes sense for you

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer as to whether or not you should cancel your trip. Consider all of the above, and weigh those hard costs and potential inconveniences against your personal risk, based on your health history and destination. The CDC warns that the risk of contracting the virus may be higher for older and at-risk travelers, though other doctors have noted that ultimately the virus can impact individuals of all ages and health statuses. Contact your primary care doctor to talk through concerns. Note that if you are experiencing any symptoms of the virus such as fever or cough, even if it’s the result of a traditional cold or flu, consider that you may be flagged at checkpoints or asked to be quarantined depending on where you are headed.

Follow general health precautions at home and abroad

Whether you go ahead with your trip or stay home make sure to wash your hands frequently, disinfect regularly touched objects, and take the steps you normally might to prevent the flu.

 

Contact your Adelman Travel Consultant for more information and help navigating this rapidly changing situation.

Featured Article

Best business practices for Covid-19 and other emergency travel concerns

Whether there is a health crises such as Covid-19 or other unexpected or emergency situations, businesses need robust practices to protect traveling employees. Crises management teams should meet regularly to review the following:

Planning and Response

  • Travel management plans taking into account potential travel disruptions including possible quarantines
  • Pandemic plans including how to manage travelers from affected areas
  • Communication protocols. Systems should be tested regularly
  • Protective equipment and cleaning protocols

 

Health Education

  • Ensure employees have access to the most up-to-date information.
  • Educate employees on hygiene measures including frequent hand washing, avoiding touching their face, ensuring food is thoroughly cooked, avoiding direct contact with animals in their environments, and keeping away from people who are sick.  
  • Instruct employees to watch for symptoms including fever, cough, sore throat and shortness of breath.
  • If sick, advise employees not to travel.
  • Urge employees who may be exposed to illness to seek medical advice.

 

Travel advice

  • Advise employees to continually monitor local conditions when traveling. If going abroad, refer to state department and/or local consular advisories.   
  • Ask employees traveling abroad to enroll in the U.S. State Department’s  free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) which provides important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in the destination country while also helping the U.S. Embassy to contact citizens in an emergency.
  • Instruct employees to reconfirm travel arrangements with airlines and other travel suppliers for the latest on scheduling changes, cancellations and flexible rebooking policies.       
  • Remind employees to book travel within your corporate system so that duty of care plans can be properly executed.

 

As your travel management partner, Adelman is prepared to help you and your travelers through unexpected disruptions, crises situations and other emergencies using all means at our disposal.

 

Top Stories

The spread of Covid-19 drops but airlines extend modified scheduling

According to China’s National Health Commission, with the exception of Hubei Province, the number of new confirmed cases of Covid-19 has dropped 14 days in a row. (The World Health Organization assigned Covid-19 as the official name for the strain of Coronavirus that first started transmitting to humans in Wuhan, China back in December of 2019.) Despite the somewhat promising news the U.S. State Department Travel Advice for China remains at Level 4: Do Not Travel. In addition, several airlines have announced further cancelations and schedule modifications some of which extend into May. Some airlines have temporarily closed their airport lounges or have altered their in-flight amenities such as removing pillows, blankets and magazines, or have even suspended meal service as precautionary moves to help reduce the possible spread of the virus. Many cruise lines that offer itineraries across Asia are working to reroute their ships. Other travel providers continue to modify their offerings and are offering flexible rebooking policies.  For a list of best practices in regard to Covid-19 and other unexpected situations please see our Featured Article in this week’s News Line.

 

American/Alaska reverse course with new major partnership plans

In a surprise move, American Airlines and Alaska Airlines unveiled plans for a new major partnership. This announcement represents a complete reversal in strategy as the two long-time partners were set to cut ties in March. Under the new plan, the two carriers will expand their existing code share operations to include international routes from Los Angeles and Seattle. Members in Alaska Mileage Plus and American Advantage will enjoy reciprocal loyalty benefits and lounge members will be given access to each carrier’s lounges in the U.S. In addition, Alaska said it would join the oneworld® global airline alliance this summer.

American Airlines officials hinted that the move was part of the carrier’s plan to reassert its dominance across the West Coast in response to Delta’s recent growth in the area. American also revealed plans to launch new service from Seattle to Bangalore, India in October and to London Heathrow in March of 2021.