Travel Week in Review – April 30, 2021

Vaccinations are giving people hope and confidence in their ability to safely return to travel. This means airlines and hotel brands are jockeying to be in a position to stay top of mind for travelers. Loyalty program benefits help them do just that, and members in the know can extract exceptional value from them—especially now. Read More…

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) again delayed the deadline for enforcement of REAL ID requirements, the latest pandemic-related extension for the program aimed at establishing a consistent security standard for issuing driver’s licenses and other identification. DHS announced Tuesday it is extending the REAL ID full enforcement date by 19 months, from October 1, 2021, to May 3, 2023. Read More…

As summer approaches, the good signs for travel keep rolling in: The CDC says air travel is safe for fully vaccinated passengers; the TSA screened more than 1 million fliers for all except four days in March, and warm-weather U.S. destinations like Florida are seeing a spike in spring and summer bookings. To be sure, such developments point to a promising resurgence for aviation, an industry that’s still grappling with losses of $118 billion. Read More…

It’s about to get a little more complicated to escape the U.S. mainland for Maui. Later this month, Maui officials plan to add a step to the island’s entry requirements for travelers on trans-Pacific routes, including from the mainland. Visitors can expect to take a second COVID-19 test on arrival at Maui’s Kahului Airport or face a mandatory 10-day quarantine. Read More…

Kathleen Porter Kristiansen, an American living in London, likes to practice “flying” in the living room with her sons, 3 and 5, before a trip. She pulls out the ride-on suitcases that they use to zip around airports, grabs iPads and snacks, and tells them to imagine they’re cruising at 30,000 feet. This year, however, the game has shifted. Read More…