Informed-Traveler-Monthly-Recap-Header_2020-Finalized

Ovation's weekly client e-newsletter, the Informed Traveler, keeps readers updated on travel industry news and trends.

Following is a recap of April's top 5 (most clicked by Ovation clients) e-newsletter stories.

1. TSA AND CLEAR TO INITIATE SINGLE APPLICATION PROCESS

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is planning to incorporate CLEAR as an enrollment provider for TSA PreCheck applicants, thus launching a single, combined application process, reports Travel Pulse. "CLEAR has been on a mission to make experiences safer and easier since day one, so we’re looking forward to becoming an authorized TSA PreCheck enrollment provider to help bring TSA PreCheck enrollment to more people in more places," a CLEAR spokesperson said. The merger of the application process is a result of requirements outlined in the TSA Modernization Act and the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, and could potentially increase TSA PreCheck adoption among travelers. No further details have been released at this time, and representatives for both programs declined to discuss whether the pricing of the programs would be impacted by the application process changes.

2. FBI WARNS TRAVELERS ABOUT JUICE-JACKING HACKING SCHEME AT AIRPORTS AND HOTELS

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a warning to travelers about “juice jacking,” a scheme used to steal information from phones while they charge at public stations at airports and in hotels, reports Travel Pulse. The FBI said travelers should avoid using free charging stations in “airports, hotels, or shopping centers” due to concerns that hackers would use the public USB ports to “introduce malware and monitoring software onto devices.” To offset the possible issues associated with the charger scam, travelers are advised to bring a portable charger or external battery, carry a charging-only cable, and avoid plugging devices into public wires. Last year, research conducted by cybersecurity company NordVPN revealed that one in four travelers have been hacked while using public Wi-Fi on their travels abroad. Most of those attacks occurred while travelers were in transit at airports, bus stations, or train stations.

3. UNITED ANNOUNCES LARGEST SOUTH PACIFIC EXPANSION EVER

United Airlines has announced the largest South Pacific network expansion ever to and from the continental US, including the first non-stop flight between San Francisco and Christchurch, New Zealand. Beginning December 1, United will offer three times weekly non-stop flights on its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Christchurch International Airport (CHC). The carrier is also adding new direct flights from Los Angeles to Brisbane and Auckland, as well as increasing service to the region from its San Francisco hub with daily flights to Brisbane, twice daily flights to Sydney, and flying larger aircraft to Melbourne. "This past winter, United enhanced our network and became the largest carrier to the South Pacific region. Now, this upcoming winter, we will expand even further," said Patrick Quayle, Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning and Alliances. "Our strong partnerships with Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia provide unparalleled connectivity, and with our historic expansion across five destinations in New Zealand and Australia, United is the clear choice for customers' travel to the region."

4. MANY HOTELS ARE PERMANENTLY ENDING DAILY HOTEL ROOM CLEANING

Major hotel chains and independent hotels are continuing to end daily hotel room cleaning, reports The New York Times. During the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic, many hotels decided to only clean rooms after guests checked out. Even as travel and hotel occupancy levels have climbed closer to pre-pandemic levels, many hotels are continuing to forgo daily housekeeping, only offering the service if requested by guests. The majority of hotels have switched to an opt-in method for daily room cleaning in order to reduce health risks and as a cost-cutting measure. This trend, said Chekitan Dev, a professor at the Cornell University Nolan School of Hotel Administration, is the start of a shift in the way services are delivered at hotels, from an operations-focused approach to a more guest-friendly model, in which travelers’ requests drive the service. Shifting to the guest-friendly approach “can lower complaints, increase satisfaction, decrease price sensitivity, increase intent to return and boost intent to refer,” Dr. Dev said, explaining that the changes are mostly positive since the guests can still request the service. Dr. Dev also believes that some hotels may even offer rooms at reduced rates if guests opt out of housekeeping services, transforming housekeeping into almost an à la carte option.

5. JFK AIRPORT RENOVATION PROJECT UNDERWAY; TRAVLERS ADVISED TO PLAN AHEAD

Renovations at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) will affect the ways in which travelers navigate to and from the airport, reports NY PIX11. The $19 billion improvement project — which includes demolishing, renovating, and rebuilding Terminals 1, 4, 6, and 8 — is expected to impact the Air Train, a taxi pickup stand, and more. Pickup spots are changing for the major terminals, including for taxis and ride share drivers. As of April 26, the taxi pickup stand at JetBlue's terminal 5 will no longer exist. Travelers will need to walk to a secondary location. And beginning Monday, May 1, the Air Train won't stop at Terminal 1; it will be replaced by buses to supplement its connections. Those re-routes are expected to last for several months. “We are asking people to take note of the construction challenges to recognize there will be temporary changes and we are going to be doing the best we can to minimize those disruptions," said Rick Cotton, the executive director of the Port Authority. "In the end, it will be worth it," he added. As part of the construction of the new Terminals 1 and 6, the Port Authority will close multiple airport roadways, which will primarily affect those headed to Terminals 1 and 5. Traffic engineers will monitor congestion in real-time in order to mitigate traffic jams during construction. Officials highly recommend that travelers use mass transit to get to JFK and to arrive extra early at the airport.