TRAVEL WATCHER
Insider news & notes from your business travel authority 
JUNE 2016
UP IN THE AIR
What Are The Best Airports in the World?
The Airports Council International (ACI) revealed the winners of the 2015 Airport Service Quality Awards, determined using over 550,000 in-depth passenger surveys delivered to more than 300 airports in over 80 countries across the world. The top 5? Singapore Changi (pictured below), Incheon Intl Airport, Munich Airport, Hong Kong Intl, Tokyo Intl Haneda.  See the full list here
 
© Neoscape
Which Trusted Traveler Program is Best For You?
With the summer season soon here, longer lines at airport security are inevitable and the TSA anticipates longer-than-usual waits. Please plan extra time to clear security checks: the TSA is requesting passengers arrive at the airport at least 2 hours prior to departure. And for the summer season, the TSA is asking passengers to arrive 3 hours prior at LAX / SFO and ORD airports, due to unusually long lines. We strongly advise our clients to join one of the Trusted Traveler programs below:
TSA PRE-CHECK
  • For U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents
  • $85 for a five-year membership
  • Apply online and then make an appointment at one of several enrollment centers around the country to provide fingerprints and identification.
  • No passport required
  • Mostly for frequent and business travelers who can go through separate security lines and leave on their shoes and belts, and keep their laptops in the bag.
  • Adults approved for Pre-Check can go through security with minors ages 12 and under, even if that minor child has not gone through a Pre-Check application on his own.
GLOBAL ENTRY
  • For U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, Dutch citizens, South Korean citizens, Mexican nationals and Canadian citizens and residents who already are part of the NEXUS program.
  • Passport required, or lawful permanent resident card.
  • $100 for a five-year membership. Even if you think you might never travel internationally, it would behoove you to pay the extra $15 from the Pre-Check program to Global Entry.
  • Apply online and then make an appointment at one of several enrollment centers around the country to provide fingerprints and identification, and to be interviewed. You cannot be qualified for Global Entry without the in-person interview.
  • Global Entry is somewhat similar to Pre-Check in that the goal is to get you through customs quickly. This is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that expedites clearance for pre-approved, low-risk international travelers upon arrival in the United States. You can go straight to a Global Entry kiosk without filling out any forms. Insert your passport or U.S. permanent resident card, place fingertips on the scanner for fingerprint verification, and make a customs declaration. Done.
NEXUS
  • For U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, Canadian citizens and lawful permanent residents of Canada.
  • No passport is required.
  • $50 for a five-year membership.
  • Pre-enroll online, visit an enrollment center for an interview, provide fingerprints and verify ID.
  • NEXUS is the Canadian version of Global Entry, offering expedited processing at airports and land borders when entering the U.S. and Canada. The good news is, it's less expensive and children are also free until they are 18 years of age. The bad news is, there are only a handful of enrollment centers for NEXUS, as opposed to dozens for Global Entry, and they are located near the Canadian borders in places like upstate New York, Maine, Montana and Washington State.
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Delta Plans to Use RFID to Track Baggage 
Delta Air Lines will soon become the first U.S. airline to use the baggage tracking technology called Radio Frequency Identification on all baggage - 120 million bags a year. Delta anticipates the airline will be using the technology, also known as RFID, by the end of 2016, the airline told Mashable.  "With this new technology, scanners use radio waves to capture highly accurate and consistent data stored on an RFID chip embedded in the luggage tag, driving superior tracking and increased transparency," Delta said. Read the article 

American Airlines to Launch LAX-Hong Kong route
American Airlines (AA) confirmed today the launch of a new route between Los Angeles (LAX) and Hong Kong, the sixth international destination served by the carrier from LAX. The new service, scheduled to start service on September 7, will be flown on American's three-class Boeing 777-300ER, which boasts the carrier's top cabin products, similar to those offered by its competitor in the route, Cathay Pacific Airways. American has expanded its presence in Los Angeles with a myriad of domestic and international flights.
HOTELNEWS  
India's hotel market poised for takeoff
Change starts from within: That seems to be the lesson from India, which has been quietly planting the seeds of its transformation in the shadow of headline-grabbing neighbors like China.  India has experienced steady, if not spectacular, growth. Its GDP nearly doubled from 2006 to 2014 and grew 7.4% in 2014-2015 alone. The hotels, transport and communications subsectors outpaced that at 8.4%.  "I believe we are in positive territory," says Dilip Puri, managing director, India, and regional vice president, South Asia, at Starwood Hotels & Resorts.  Starwood sees India as "under-hoteled." "We believe that our guests are now taking shorter vacations and are looking for destinations that are well-connected and offer leisure facilities," Puri says, adding that the company wants to develop its resort portfolio.  Read the full article


What Are The Best Hotels of 2016?
U.S. News & World Report revealed its annual lists of the best hotels across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Caribbean, ranking the cream of the crop based on thousands of independent reviews from guests and travel industry experts. Some of our favorites on the list are below. Be sure to book through your Protravel agent for exclusive VIP amenities:
YOURLIFE
In The Know Experiences
In the Know Experiences provides unparalleled insider access to the most exclusive events and happenings around the world. Through a trusted global network and exclusive partnerships, ITKE offers sporting, concert, theatre tickets, and hospitality packages. ITKE delivers personalized, cost-effective 360-degree experiences for your corporate and leisure needs. For example, t his October, Desert Trip is taking over Indio, CA for a once-in-a-lifetime Rock n' Roll festival. Attendees will listen to the most iconic and influential rock and roll artists including Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Neil Young, The Who, and Rolling Stones at sold-out hotels! Our exclusive packages include floor level seats, VIP parking, platinum lounge access, and luxury accommodations. Contact your Protravel agent for details.
ITK
TECHNOLOGYCORNER
Still more of our favorite mobile apps 
GoToMeeting : The updated version is not only good, fast and reliable, but also makes one-click dialing that much simpler for those always on the go.  Download app here

Apple Pay: This app/service has added the ease of paying with one's phone thanks to the NFC chip in all iPhone 6 and 6 Pluses. Add the biometric login from a security feature, and you have a winning combination.  Learn more here

Mightymeeting: Share presentations, drawings, and polls in the classroom, meeting room, and online. Download app here
PROTRAVELNEWS
Delta's Grimmett
Joins Travel Leaders Group
Travel Leaders Group named Delta Air Lines vet Gail Grimmett president of a new Elite Travel Division, which includes high-touch agency brands  Protravel Internationaland Tzell Travel Group.  Effective May 16, Grimmett will report to Travel Leaders CEO Ninan Chacko.  Protravel and Tzell will maintain their brands and "distinct travel agency businesses" in the areas of luxury leisure, corporate and entertainment travel.  In her 19 years at Delta, Grimmett has held positions in pricing, revenue management, investor relations and financial planning. She most recently was the airline's senior vice president of New York. Read more here
THEGREATESCAPE
PERU 
Visit the oldest continuously inhabited city of the Americas, former capital of the Inca empire, Cusco. Explore the ruins of Qoricancha, the Sun Temple, and the walled city of Sacsayhuaman.  Behold the unforgettable Inca mountain citadel of Machu Picchu and hike the Inca Trail. Here are some of our favorite hotels, where your Protravel agent can arrange incredible VIP amenities and experiences:
Sol y Luna Lodge is a unique choice in upscale travel. It's got the requisite indulgences, like gourmet dining and wellness facilities, but the focus is on the art and culture of the Peruvian people. Profits are funneled into the Sol y Luna school, which educates local children.
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