You are now able to renew your passport online –

U.S. travelers can now renew their passports online through a pilot program launched by the U.S. Department of State in June. The new online system allows U.S. passport holders to start a renewal application during a brief window each day, closing once the system reaches a designated number of new applications, according to a statement from the State Department. No date was given of when the new process will become permanent. This will be a great blessing if it is successful as it will massively speed up the renewal process. Here is the linkfor more information. 

Frequent Flyer miles are the new world currency – IAG,  the parent company of British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus has plans to massively expand their loyalty program and their frequent flyer miles to other airlines and other businesses. Recently they expanded their Avios points program to airlines outside their ownership group to Qatar Airways and Finnair. The IAG CEO says they plan to expand their “Global currency” even more in the months and years to come. I think the next obvious target to expand this partnership will be with hotels. I really like the idea of more flexibility between airlines and also other businesses such as hotels. 

Look for a blockbuster announcement that a major hotel chain partners with an airline alliance –Reading between the lines about frequent flyer miles becoming the new world currency it only makes sense that an airline alliance like Star Alliance, Sky team or One World would partner with a hotel chain like Marriott’s Bonvoy or Hilton to offer a mega world currency (frequent flyer miles) that would drive each others’ customers into each others’ universe. 

Down the road look for retail stores to partner with airlines –Just imagine the power of a retail store like True Value Hardware who would partner with an airline alliance so that not only do you earn credit card points for your purchases but you also earn airline miles. This would be amazing!

Hotels are so far behind the times they still use fax machines to accept credit card payments – Talk about an industry so far behind the times they still rely on fax machines to accept credit card payments. I find it ironic that hotels today promote how high tech they are and how they are planning to implement Generative AI yet they may be closer to still using a buggy whip than Gen AI. 

Here is a short video that explains why you should always purchase travel insurance – We have just launched a new video that shares with you the top 10 reasons you should protect your vacation with travel insurance. CLICK HERE to watch.

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