Author: Laura Schad

AdelmanSummit is “On the Road Again” to Panama, Aruba, Hong Kong and other exciting destinations around the globe.

Recently, our team stayed closer to home and “ventured out in our backyard” to the Paso Robles wine country along California’s Central Coast. Home to over 300 wineries and conveniently located approximately halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, this bucolic region is the “hidden and lesser-known” Napa and Sonoma Valley.  Accessible by air, rail and the famous 101 Highway, this destination is ideal for vacationers, honeymooners and exclusive meetings and retreats.

As part of their visit, the team stayed at the Allegretto Vineyard Resort, an idyllic Mediterranean-inspired retreat tucked into 20 acres of sprawling vineyards and orchards.  Inspired by an Italian musical term identifying the tempo of musical composition, “allegretto” translates from Italian to English as “with joy”.

With 171 Tuscan-inspired rooms, over 35,000 square feet of meeting and event space, a beautiful spa, a unique wine tasting experience and outstanding cuisine at Cello, this harmonious resort exudes “a lot of joy.”

Learn more about Paso Robles and other unique meeting destinations by contacting Doug Wheeler with AdelmanSummit at dwheeler@adelmantravel.com or 858-456-9092.

SkyTeam will give airline staff access to its entire network to better assist passengers

The SkyTeam global airline alliance, which includes Delta Air Lines, is launching a new platform across all 20 of its member carriers that will allow frontline airline staff to access a passenger reservation from any member airline to better assist their mutual customers. According to SkyTeam officials, “With the new system ticketing agents will be able to access the original or an active copy of the customer itinerary to rebook and reissue an electronic ticket, regardless of which SkyTeam carrier sold the ticket or which reservation system hosts the booking. The rebooking and ticketing for the new flight happens in just a few minutes.”

When delays or disruptions occur, passengers can visit a SkyTeam member airline’s ticket counter or transfer desk, up to 48 hours before travel to be rerouted onto the next available SkyTeam flight.

This new feature is being rolled out in phases. SkyTeam rebooking is already available in 21 countries across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America. Delta agents will have access to the new system later this year when the process is launched in the U.S. and Canada.

U.S. and Brazil one step closer to Open Skies

Brazil’s Senate approved an Open Skies agreement with the United States that would allow an unlimited number of flights between the two countries. The treaty, which is expected to be signed by Brazil’s President Michel Temer, is a requirement for the U.S. Department of Transportation to approve a new partnership between American Airlines and LATAM Airlines. This proposed deal would allow the two carriers to coordinate their schedules and connections.

Proponents of the plan say Open Skies will bring more plentiful and cheaper flight options for travelers. This comes at an important time as the number of Americans planning trips to Brazil has jumped 70 percent since the Brazilian government recently launched an electronic visa system that makes it cheaper and faster for travelers to obtain authorization to travel to this rising South American nation.

Airport overhaul at Newark forges ahead

While redevelopment at Newark Liberty Airport has been underway for a while, the Board of Commissioners for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey approved additional funding for the Terminal One project. Under the plan, Terminal A, which is being upgraded, will be renamed Terminal One. New roadways and a pedestrian bridge are included in the project along with updated technology throughout the facility and new dining and retail spaces. Terminal One is expected to be available for partial use in 2021 and fully operational by 2022. As with any construction project travelers should allow extra time to transit the airport. More information can be found at https://www.newarkairport.com.

American Airlines

New red-eye service will be available from Palm Springs to Dallas-Fort Worth. The four nights a week service will launch June 7.

In other news, American will be offering new premium cabin meals on some of its international long-haul flights. For example, traditional Japanese meals designed by Japan Airlines’ Chef Jun Kurogi will be available in the premium cabins on flights from Tokyo to the U.S.  Award-wining celebrity chef, Sean Connolly, is creating special premium class meals on flights from Auckland and Sydney. Other enhanced meals are also coming to American this summer.

Virgin Atlantic

As Virgin Atlantic restructures its economy fare offerings it will add a cheaper basic economy-style fare called Light that allows for hand luggage only.  These fares are non-refundable and come with other restrictions. The new Classic economy will be similar to Virgin’s current economy but also comes with free seat selection. Virgin will then also offer a new premium economy package called Delight, which provides elevated check-in, priority boarding and seating with 34 inches of pitch and three more inches of legroom. Virgin’s existing Premium Economy will remain but will be called simply Premium.

United Airlines

Passengers who want to move to a higher boarding position on future United Airlines flights will be able to do so for a fee. For an extra $9 charge, customers can be put into United’s boarding group 2, which means that the traveler will be able to get on the aircraft at the same time as Gold and Silver tier frequent flyers. United says it will limit the number of passengers who can purchase this option as they do not want to overload the boarding group.

Take advantage of a fantastic cruise experience and special pricing

The award winning, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, who’s fantastic fleet includes the revolutionary Oasis family of ships, is offering very special pricing and exclusive promotions for a limited time. In addition to a 30 percent discount on all sailings booked by March 28 and the opportunity for children 12 and under to sail free on select sailings, Adelman customers who book a balcony level room or higher will receive up to $100 onboard credit on select Caribbean sailings for reservations made by March 22. In addition, an Instant Savings Suite Bonus of up to $1000 is available for suite category cabins on select sailings. Other opportunities for savings are also available.

Why choose Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines? Adelman’s Marvin McDaniel, who has experienced over 100 cruises over his extensive travel career, just returned from a trip aboard Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas and said, “Flat out this cruise was fantastic!”   Harmony of the Seas is part of the Oasis family of ships. Marvin noted that with a variety of wonderful culinary venues in addition to the main dining room and a host of great activities including an aqua park, waterslides and Flowrider surfing experience, Zip lining, mini golf, sport court and even ice skating, there is something for everyone. Plus, Marvin says, “The entertainment is off the charts!”  Harmony of the Seas boasts full scale Broadway shows, an ice show by professional skaters, special performances in its Aqua Theater and much more.

The Harmony of the Seas’ Eastern Caribbean sailing also offers great port experiences. Marvin’s trip included stops in St. Maarten, San Juan and Labadee. Marvin was quick to note that despite the damage caused by the hurricanes of last fall, the port experiences were still awesome. According to Marvin, “The colorful shopping area in St. Maarten was back to business as usual and island tours are up and running. While you will witness some damage when exploring around the island, it gives visitors important perspective.” Marvin continued, “In San Juan you will find that the downtown shopping area and tourist attractions, such as the rum factories, have made necessary repairs and are welcoming visitors.” Marvin also really enjoyed Royal Caribbean’s beach experience at Labadee. “They have the coolest four across Zip Line, which is a half mile long and allows for four people to go at the same time,” Marvin explains. “The beach is also fantastic… it’s a great stop!”

If you would like more information on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, the Harmony of the Seas or the special pricing noted above, please contact one of our professional Adelman vacation advisors at 800-749-7116 or visit our website at www.adelmanvacations.com.

IHG expands its luxury portfolio with purchase of Regent Hotels

Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG) is continuing its efforts to expand its upscale and luxury offerings through its just announced purchase of Regent Hotels & Resorts. IHG, which already offers 5,300 properties worldwide, said the addition of the Regent brand will complement what it already offers in the premium segment through its InterContinental and Kimpton hotel brands.

Asia-based Regent has a long-lasting reputation for being a leader at the top end of the luxury market and is especially known for providing unique travel experiences. Regent currently has six hotels in key destinations along with two more properties in the pipeline. IHG plans to expand the Regent brand to at least 40 hotels over the long term.

IHG officials expect the Regent acquisition transaction to close during the second quarter of 2018.

Tips for eating Vegan on the road

Veganism is on the rise. Reports indicate that an estimated six percent of the U.S. population now chooses to follow a purely plant-based diet compared to just one percent in 2014. As a result, it is getting easier for Vegans to travel as more plant-only-based options are becoming available in restaurants in many countries around the world. Airlines and hotels are also taking notice and are including more Vegan options in their offerings. Still, traveling Vegan can present challenges. However, the following tips can help make your next trip go more smoothly as you stay committed to your dietary preferences. 

Do your research

Apps such as HappyCow or Vanilla Bean feature reviews of vegan and vegetarian restaurants. You can bookmark options ahead of time or use these apps once you are onsite. You can also search for local vegan groups on social media and ask members for suggestions on where to eat.

Learn the local lingo in advance

Not every language has a word for vegan, so research key local phrases to determine the best way to express your dietary preferences. The Vegan Passport is a multilingual phrasebook and guide to eating vegan anywhere in the world. It is available as a book or an app.

Book accommodations with a kitchen

The number of hotels and other accommodations that offer full kitchens or kitchenette facilities is increasing. Since it is interesting to visit local farmers’ markets and grocery stores while on the road, purchasing healthy local ingredients and then cooking for yourself provide another appealing layer to your travel experience. 

Don’t forget to request a vegan meal on your flight

Many airlines offer vegan options, but you must request it ahead of time. It is also still a good idea to bring snacks in case there is an unexpected problem with getting your special meal.

Stick to vegan-friendly cuisines

If you are in a city that offers multiple cuisines, look for Ethiopian, Indian, Mexican, Mediterranean and Thai as you can usually find vegan-friendly menu options. For Indian food, you may need to ask them to not use ghee, while for Thai, ask them to hold the fish sauce.

Make substitutions

Instead of asking for a vegan dish, order an item on the menu without certain ingredients or ask for substitutions such as extra mushrooms instead of meat.  

Use Google translate

To get around language barriers Google translate can be a great tool. Simply record your sentence and set the language, Google will dictate a translation. You can also use the app to take a photo of a menu and Google will translate it. Don’t forget to download required languages in advance so you have access offline.

Airlines continue to expand basic economy, a host of restrictions still apply

American Airlines, along with its oneworld partners British Airways, Finnair and Iberia, unveiled plans to bring Basic Economy fares to select transatlantic routes starting in April.

The Basic Economy product, which is aimed at customers who are very price conscience, was first launched a few years ago as a way for legacy airlines to compete with low-cost carriers. Similar to restrictions imposed by the budget airlines, the basic fare program offered by the major airlines comes with several important caveats. These restrictions vary a bit by carrier but typically are non-refundable and non-changeable, don’t allow for advanced seating, restrict boarding to the lowest priority clusters, and those traveling in groups, including families, are not guaranteed to be seated together. Often these fares are not eligible for complimentary or paid upgrades and some don’t allow for use of the overhead bin.

The launch of Basic Economy fares in the transatlantic market by oneworld airlines comes after Delta again expanded its Basic Economy offerings in more international markets. In December, Delta said it had increased its Basic Economy to be available on more than 50 percent of its transatlantic routes. That announcement came at the same time that Air France-KLM and Alitalia launched their similar basic fare program. Since then, Delta also expanded its Basic Economy product to more than 50 percent of its flights between the United States and Mexico as its partner AeroMexio launches its new suite of branded fares on U.S.-Mexico routes.

LAX warns of possible delays due to runway construction

The south side runway at Los Angeles International Airport has been closed so that a major renovation of the runway can take place. The closure, which is expected to last through mid-May, could lead to longer taxi times and delays for all airlines. Airport information can be found at https://www.flylax.com/.

The most powerful and compelling travel reports right at your fingertips

Adelman Travel has completed the first phase of an upgrade to Analyst, Adelman’s proprietary reporting system.  Analyst provides complete visibility into a company’s total travel spend, allowing corporate customers to achieve policy compliance, control expenses, realize savings and strengthen their travel program. 

The newly revamped suite of Analyst reports includes updated existing summary and detail reports, new interactive reports, enhanced visuals along with other new features. Additional reports are being introduced throughout March and April.

For more information please contact your Adelman Client Success Manager.

British Airways

Members of British Airways’ Executive Club loyalty program can get a 35 percent bonus for converting hotel points into Avios. The promotion, which is valid through March 31, applies to Club Carlson, Hilton Honors, IHG Rewards Club, Marriott Rewards, Shangri-La Golden Circle and World of Hyatt. Members of Hilton, IHG and Marriott programs must transfer a minimum of 10,000 points. Hyatt requires a minimum transfer of 5,000 points, while Shangri-La and Carlson Rezidor require a minimum transfer of just 2,500 and 2,000 respectively.

Delta Air Lines

Delta will launch two new domestic routes this July. Daily flights between Cleveland and Salt Lake City will commence July 8 while service operating six times a week will begin between New York LaGuardia and Chattanooga on July 9, 2018.

Meridiana/Air Italy

Italy’s Meridiana is rebranding itself as Air Italy and will launch a major expansion thanks to new financial backing by Qatar Airways. Airline analysts say the move will put significant pressure on Italy’s flagship carrier Alitalia, which put itself up for sale after Etihad removed itself as a major shareholder. Air Italy plans to boost service from Milan with new long-haul routes in addition to increased domestic options.

Southwest Airlines

Officials at Southwest said the airline will launch 80 more weekly flights out of the Mineta San Jose International Airport. Besides increasing frequencies in many markets, new nonstop service will be introduced to eight new domestic cities along with Mexico’s Cabo San Lucas. The new flights will be rolled out over the few months.

In other news, Southwest Airlines quietly raised the price of its alcoholic beverages on its flights. Prices will be either $1 or $2 higher depending on what drink is ordered.