Travel Week in Review – June 10th, 2022

U.S. airlines are stepping up their efforts to end COVID-19 pre-departure testing requirements for international air travel. American Airlines Chief Executive Robert Isom said on Friday at a conference the testing requirements were “nonsensical” and were “depressing” leisure and business travel. Airlines say many Americans are not traveling internationally because of concerns they will test positive and be stranded abroad. Read More…

There’s never a good time to let your Global Entry membership lapse. It would end your access to expedited border processing when arriving from an international flight. You’d also lose access to the TSA PreCheck line at airport security checkpoints. To accidentally let your membership lapse right now is of even greater concern due to a backlog of applications and increased demand, which has led to long wait times for Global Entry interviews. Read More…

One of the fun parts of traveling to another country is getting use to the local monetary system. If nothing else, local banknotes are a colorful reminder that you’re not in Kansas anymore. However, foreign currency comes with its own share of complications: unfavorable exchange rates, leftover notes and coins, hefty exchange fees when using credit cards, and more. Doing some research on the currency before leaving home and following a couple of simple universal rules. Read More…

You might notice some changes the next time you go through airport security. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has made some improvements that are designed to help enhance safety and reduce physical contact (and prevent the spread of COVID-19) during the screening process. Here are two big changes you might see the next time you fly. Some airports are now equipped with Credential Authentication Technology. Read More…

The Transportation Department made it easier for Americans to travel to Cuba, lifting flight restrictions that were established. The restrictions prevented U.S. airline flights and chartered flights from going to Cuban cities other than Havana. Antony Blinken sent a letter to the Transportation Department asking it to revoke the restrictions, and the agency followed through Wednesday. Blinken said opening up flights to Cuba was “in support of the Cuban people and in the foreign policy interests of the United States.” Read More…