Author: Laura Schad

Airports continue to upgrade facilities to improve traveler experience

Whether it’s reducing wait times at security checkpoints or providing greater convenience for travelers, airports around the country continue to make improvements.

For example, officials at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) unveiled plans for an elevated people mover that will deliver fast and easy transfers between terminals and to the metro. The electric powered trains, which will run every two minutes and can hold 200 passengers and their luggage, will be able to offset the carbon equivalent of 12 million vehicle miles around the airport. In addition to the elevated people mover, LAX is undergoing terminal expansions and upgrades including the further implementation of automated security screening technology.

Boston Logan Airport is about to begin another round of major upgrades in Terminal E, which includes creating a consolidated passenger security checkpoint along with enhanced ticketing, club lounges and retail space. The plan also calls for a new baggage system and adding seven more gates to accommodate the increase in international travelers. The Terminal E project is in addition to other infrastructure projects already planned for the airport.

Improvements that customers will benefit from right now include a new valet parking service at BWI Marshall Airport. The new Fly Away service is located on the fifth level of the hourly garage, which is connected to the terminal. The daily rate is $30 but also includes luggage assistance, free bottled water, coffee, a newspaper, windshield cleaning and interior vacuum. More information and an online coupon, which is available for a limited time, can be found at http://www.bwiairportvalet.com/.

Travelers using select security checkpoints at Houston’s Bush International will find new automated processing lanes that will reduce wait times while minimizing bottlenecks. The new system features multiple work areas, so passengers can simultaneously organize their items into bins and then put their luggage on a conveyor belt. The automated conveyor belts can separate bins that pass inspection from those that need a more thorough check. The new checkpoints are now in operation at Terminal D and will be expanded to the airport’s other terminals later this year.

Air Canada

Officials at Air Canada said that the carrier will launch Economy Basic fares on select domestic routes.  Similar to other airlines, the basic economy product comes with some significant restrictions including being non-refundable and non-changeable. Members of Air Canada’s Altitude loyalty program will not earn reward miles or elite qualifying miles when purchasing an Economy Basic fare nor will they be eligible for eUpgrades.

American Airlines

As American looks to expand its presence in several key markets, new service was officially launched from Charlotte to Tucson, from Washington Reagan to Tallahassee and from Philadelphia to San Antonio. American will further expand its operations out of Philadelphia when it adds new flights to Zurich in late March and to Budapest and Prague starting in May. American is also boosting domestic service from Philadelphia with the addition of new service to Des Moines, Madison and Omaha starting May 4 and to Pensacola, Oklahoma City and Fort Wayne on June 7.  Also, on June 7, American will launch new flights to Panama City from Charlotte and Dallas/Fort Worth.

Southwest Airlines

New nonstop flights will be available starting August 7. The new service will include flights between Atlanta and Nashville, Cincinnati and Denver, Hartford and St. Louis, Kansas City and Raleigh/Durham and from Los Angeles to Baltimore; New Orleans; Omaha; Portland, Oregon and Tampa.

UnCruise: Try a cruise that’s out of the ordinary 

Adelman Vacations’ counselor Lyn Kelley recently had an out of the ordinary experience when she took an UnCruise to explore Mexico’s Sea of Cortez, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for being a marine life-rich natural aquarium.

UnCruise Adventures specializes in active adventure excursions to a variety of destinations including Alaska, the Columbia & Snake Rivers, Costa Rica and Panama, Galapagos, the Hawaiian Islands, the Pacific Northwest and Mexico’s Sea of Cortés. UnCruise uses small ships that allow for a unique, up close and personal look at each destination. The ship that Lyn sailed on holds just 42 guests, which Lyn said allowed for a really great experience.

Lyn’s journey started in La Paz, which is the capital city of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur.  Once aboard the ship Lyn and her fellow cruisers set out island hopping on their seven-night active adventure.

According to Lyn, “The cruise consists of morning and afternoon activities such as hiking, snorkeling, kayaking or skiff riding.” Lyn soaked in the dramatic scenery and encountered a lot of wildlife including playful sea lions while they snorkeled. “The ship pulls up to a rock in the ocean that hundreds of sea lions seem to hang out on,” Lyn describes. “The juveniles are the ones that like to come to check out the humans. They are like puppies. They are curious and have no intention of hurting you.”

Another of Lyn’s favorite activities was exploring the coastal desert landscape on a donkey, but she also notes, “Part of the great experience of this trip was meeting fellow passengers.” 

Lyn was very complimentary of the ship and its staff.  “Meals and drinks are excellent, and service is fantastic as the staff on these boats is amazing.” Lyn adds, “The expedition guides know their stuff. Most of them have a degree in marine biology or forestry. Plus, they really know how to spot whales as we saw several!”

Overall Lyn says, “I loved everything about this UnCruise. Great food, fun people and staff, totally disconnected from Wi-Fi and cell service, gorgeous scenery, whales and dolphins and sea lions!”

If this is the type of unique adventure you are seeking, give Lyn or one of our other experienced vacations advisors a call at 800-749-7116 or visit our website at www.adelmanvacations.com.

The Holiday Inn Orange County Airport Hotel Santa Ana

 Crowne Plaza Princeton

Situated halfway between New York and Philadelphia in Plainsboro, NJ the Crowne Plaza Princeton offers all the elevated amenities you come to expect with Crowne Plaza along with some added benefits including a concierge lounge, 54 event rooms, a 400-seat Amphitheatre, a lovely patio and scenic on-site jogging and nature trails.  When booking the preferred Adelman rate, our customers can also choose to receive either 1,000 bonus points or a $10 food and beverage credit.

Accelerate the rewards with IHG

With IHG’s Accelerate program Rewards Club members will receive custom offers and can earn 30,000+ bonus points on stays through April 30. In addition, members can receive 10,000 bonus points for your next stay at Kimpton® Hotels also through April 30th. With Kimpton® Hotels in the IHG family, you now have another exciting one-of-a-kind way to explore new experiences and earn points. To qualify for the Accelerate bonuses, members must register at www.ihgrewardsclub.com/AccelerateB2B.

One Happy Island Delivers One Happy Travel Experience

Adelman’s Megan Schaber recently oversaw a group event to the beautiful Caribbean Island of Aruba. Nicknamed “One Happy Island” Megan says, “It really is true about Aruba.”  Wellknown for its silky white windswept beaches, almost always sunny skies and warm waters, Aruba is already a great destination.  However, its welcoming, friendly people add an extra special element that will help make any meeting, event or group a success.

Aruba offers so many opportunities for fun. Groups can charter a catamaran for a day or sunset sail, embark on a snorkel cruise or take a guided moonlight hike on the island’s national park. Adrenalin junkies will enjoy Aruba’s wild side when they bounce over rough, cacti-studded desert hills on an ATV, or try kite boarding or wreck diving. Aruba also offers championship golf courses, great spas and a variety of unique shopping experiences for those looking for a more relaxing experience. 

Aruba presents a multicultural feel with more than 70 nationalities represented in its community. This reveals itself through a culinary extravaganza of international gourmet fare. According to Megan, “A trip to Gianni’s, the infamous Italian restaurant, is an absolute must. The Spaghetti al Formaggio Parmigiano, which is an authentic Italian dish flamed with Scotch and prepared tableside with fresh tomato sauce and basil, will be a big hit for your attendees.”

Aruba is also a comfortable international destination for group or incentive travel.  It is easy to reach with multiple direct flights and easy connections from North America, Latin America and Europe. It offers a wide range of luxurious five-star resorts, all-inclusive resorts and fashionable boutique hotels with expert concierge services and skilled special event staff. English is widely spoken along with several other languages. The US dollar is accepted and U.S.-style electrical outlets are used throughout the country. Perhaps most importantly to some, Aruba is located outside the hurricane belt as it is positioned just 15 miles north of the coast of Venezuela. And, with only 20 inches of average annual rainfall a year, you can feel comfortable that your group should experience some great weather. And when it’s time to go home, U.S. citizens will appreciate the timesaving convenience of pre-clearing customs at Aruba’s Queen Beatrix International Airport.

With so many great attributes, why not choose Aruba for your next meeting, group event or incentive trip. For more information contact dwheeler@adelmantravel.com or at 858-456-9092.

Car rental vs. hiring a professional driver service

Chauffeured car services are often thought of as an extravagant transportation option only for the most elite travelers. However, there are several factors that should be considered when choosing local ground transportation, many of which may tip the scales toward using a professional driver service.

Stress management

Navigating through unfamiliar areas can be very stressful, even during the best conditions. When a traveler needs to put his or her best foot forward for an important event the last thing they need is to worry about getting lost, not knowing the best way to get around traffic, or encountering an unexpected detour. A professional driver can eliminate or minimize these common travel issues. 

Time maximization

From being greeted at the terminal to being dropped off at the airport, using a professional driver service can save valuable time since the traveler does not have to build in an added cushion to find and ride the shuttle to/from the rental car facility and go through the rental/drop-off process. Travelers also do not have to worry about finding a parking spot and then walking to their final destination, which can also add significant time especially in urban areas. Trips to the gas station are not needed. Plus, travelers can use all transit time in the car to prepare for the upcoming meeting or catch up on business or other correspondence, which can be especially valuable in high traffic destinations.

Liability

Even if a traveler feels confident driving themselves around their destination, there is always the possibility of an accident. The customer may be covered if they accepted the rental company’s expensive insurance plan or are counting on their company’s insurance or their own personal insurance. However, car services carry their own insurance, so the professional driver is the one liable for any accidents. The traveler doesn’t incur any extra costs or have to deal with any of the time-consuming follow up work required if they are behind the wheel during an accident.

Actual costs

Renting a car typically comes with a lot of extra costs, which start with added taxes and surcharges that are notoriously tacked on to your car rental bill. Then consider, are you taking the extra insurance, or do you need to rent a GPS, or a toll payment transponder?  What about the cost of gas and parking fees, which can be a significant expense in urban areas. When you add up all these extra expenses, booking a professional driver service may not cost that much more and, when you factor in the other benefits, may actually be the best choice for your local ground transportation needs.

Over the years, the professional driver service model has evolved.  Travelers can still arrange for car service through a traditional chauffeured service company like Carey, which is well known for delivering worldclass chauffeured services using a fleet of premium executive and luxury vehicles aimed at discerning travelers. However, travelers can also utilize their Embarque product, which also provides flexible car service through a team of professional drivers and a fleet of fuel-efficient, late-model sedans. Embarque is a smart alternative that raises the bar on efficiency and productivity, for any class of traveler.

For more information on maximizing your ground transportation options contact your professional Adelman travel consultant.

Higher airport security fees included in Trump administration’s proposed budget

Travelers will face higher Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) security fees as a provision of the Trump Administration’s current budget proposal for fiscal year 2019. Under the plan, the TSA Passenger Security fee would go up by $1 per trip in fiscal year 2019 and would be raised again to $1.65 the following year. The CBP immigration inspection fee would go up by $2 per entry while the customs user fee would be bumped up by $2.10. 

The boost in fees is expected to cost travelers $2.9 billion in the first year.  Airlines are opposing the fee hikes saying, “the increases cannot be justified.”

U.S. Passport fees to rise in April

As a reminder, effective April 2, 2018, the cost of getting a new U.S. passport will increase by $10. The Department of State said it needs to boost the execution fee by $10 to cover the rising costs of processing a new passport application. The total rate for obtaining a new adult passport will be $145, up from $135, while the price for a child’s passport will go up to $115.

The cost of a passport card will go up to $65 for adults and $50 for children.  Passport cards can be used to enter the United States at land border crossings and sea ports-of-entry from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean. The passport card cannot be used for international air travel. The passport card is Real ID compliant and can be used for domestic air travel.

The $10 price increase does not apply to applicants renewing their passport by mail.

Eurostar to launch new service between London and the Netherlands

New high-speed rail service will debut from London’s St. Pancras Station to Amsterdam and Rotterdam starting April 4. The direct service from London will take just 3 hours. Return service will connect through Brussels, where passport control and security screening will occur until a process for passport checks in the Netherlands can be implemented in 2019. Tickets will cost $47 one way and will be available for sale starting Feb. 20.

Proof of Health Insurance soon needed for travel to Ecuador

Effective May 1, 2018, visitors traveling to Ecuador, including the Galapagos Islands, will need to provide proof of health insurance plan coverage. The proof of insurance must indicate adequate medical coverage that is valid for the entire duration of the time spent in Ecuador. Additional details regarding this announcement can be found at http://www.turismo.gob.ec/statement-about-foreigners-health-insurance/.

Carlson Rezidor to rebrand as Radisson Hotel Group

Officials at Carlson Rezidor said the hotel group will rebrand itself as Radisson Hotel Group to take advantage of Radisson’s brand recognition. The hotelier will invest up to $184 million to reposition targeted properties while also enhancing the overall guest experience. The Carlson Rezidor portfolio includes over 1,400 hotels located in over 115 countries.

United tests new boarding system

In an attempt to reducing crowding and confusion at boarding, United is testing a new system at Los Angeles International Airport.  At the test gates, United removed the five boarding lanes, which currently can get very congested as passengers like to queue up at the same time to board the aircraft as early as possible. Instead, United will use just 2 boarding lanes. The airline is still calling passengers to board in the same order as before (premier and first-class members followed by those in window, middle then aisle seats). However, later boarding groups will be asked to remain seated until they are called. Priority groups 1 and 2 will be able to board the aircraft any time through the first lane. All other travelers will board via the second lane when their group is called.

Indulge yourself in a new level of ultra-luxury at Zoëtry® Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya 

Zoëtry® Resorts are already known for spoiling guests with inspiring natural surroundings, elegant accommodations, elevated gourmet dining and many pampering features including a worldclass spa and superior levels of service throughout their resorts.  Now the Zoëtry® Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya has launched a whole new level of luxury with its new Impression concept.

Impression guests will be treated to an ultra-exclusive luxury experience when they book one of Zoëtry® Paraiso’s nine private oceanfront sanctuaries. The Impression Suites feature superior amenities including secluded beaches, stunning limited-access infinity pool, personal plunge pools and dedicated dining options along with private chef and butler services that are available anytime throughout the stay.  

Every suite is uniquely crafted with hand-selected furniture, art and décor. Exclusive dining rooms and terraces provide perfect sunset views while the grounds offer a serene tropical oasis.  Overall, Zoetry’s Impression Suites are designed to leave guests feeling completely rejuvenated with a sense of fulfillment, as though each moment was designed exclusively for them.

Adelman’s Deana Crouch visited the new Impression Suites at Zoëtry® Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya and was completely wowed.  “There is such great attention to detail. It is very impressive!”

If you would like more information on how you can treat yourself to the ultimate luxury getaway give us a call at 800-749-7116 or visit our website at www.adelmanvacations.com.