Author: Laura Schad

Tips for keeping your health and fitness routine while you travel

Did you make a New Year’s resolution to eat healthier and exercise more? Studies show that nearly 80 percent of all resolutions are abandoned mid-February. Research indicates that it actually takes 66 days to a form a new habit, so if you can keep your new health and fitness routine until March 7, you will have a much higher chance of making your new regime a more permanent part of your life. Don’t let travel foil your goals. Here are several tips to help you maintain a healthy routine on the road.

Plan ahead

This is one of the most important keys to sticking to a healthy routine while you travel. For example, does the airport you are traveling through offer a gym or yoga room? Some hotels offer a unique menu of fitness services such as a running concierge, use of bicycles, fitness classes or videos. Check with your hotel in advance to verify these options along with fitness room’s hours and what kind of exercise equipment is provided. This way you can more effectively build workouts into your schedule and pack the right things needed, even if it’s just a resistance band or similar for in-room exercise. 

Pack snacks

One of the best ways of avoiding the temptations and added calories of fast junk food is to bring your own healthy snacks. Protein bars, packable fruit or almonds can help you stave off hunger while keeping your fuel levels consistent throughout your busy day.  Also, be sure to drink plenty of water. Drinking a full water bottle before you eat can help curb your appetite and will help keep you well hydrated.  

Use apps

There are a wide variety of apps that can help you keep your health and fitness routine while you travel. If you like to run, try MapMyRun or RunGo to help you find a great route in the area you are visiting. Check out a motivational app such as Asics Studio or You Are Your Own Gym, which provide workouts with or without gym equipment, respectively.  Then, food search apps like Food Tripping or Happy Cow can help you find nearby restaurants, food markets, or juice bars that offer healthy foods that fit your dietary needs or can help you keep calories in check.

Make good sleep a priority

Getting plenty of good quality sleep is also important to staying healthy, especially while on the road.  Being well-rested will not only help keep your immune system working effectively but studies show that a lack of good sleep can actually sabotage your diet and exercise routine. As some hotel chains work to improve the sleep experience, you may be able to take advantage of amenities such as a menu of pillows (some hotel chains let you store your preferences in your loyalty profile) while others are introducing SmartRooms, which give guests better control over room temperature and lighting.

U.S. Passport fees to rise in April

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 increased 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, which is good for travel to Bermuda, the Caribbean, Canada and Mexico, will go up to $65 for adults and $50 for children. 

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

More international airlines approved for TSA PreCheck

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that five more foreign airlines have been approved for participation in the PreCheck trusted traveler program bringing the total number of compliant airlines to 47. The newest carriers include Air France, Brussels Airlines, KLM, Philippine Airlines and World Atlantic.

Passengers of these airlines will be eligible for expedited screening if they belong to the PreCheck program. For a complete list of participating airlines please visit https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/participating-airlines

TSA tests facial recognition at LAX

The Transportation Security Administration is testing the use of biometrics on travelers checking in at Los Angeles’ Tom Bradley International Terminal. Passengers using one of the two new e-Gates (electronic gates) will be asked to place their passport and boarding pass over the scanner. The user’s name will be confirmed and then a real-time image of the passenger’s face will be matched against the image that was scanned from the passport. If they match the security gates will open. If the facial recognition system says the match is negative an attendant will review the boarding documents.

The TSA is looking to facial recognition technology to improve security processes in order to reduce wait times and costs without compromising security.

American Airlines

Coach passengers on select American Airlines flights departing from Dallas/Fort Worth will have the opportunity to pre-order a meal. Menu options will vary, but selections can be made between 30 days and 24 hours prior to travel. Payment for the meal will be made on board the aircraft. After the test period American will look at extending this option to additional flights.

Delta Air Lines

In an effort to boost service from Cincinnati, Delta will launch new nonstop flights to Austin starting May 1 and to Phoenix beginning Nov. 4. In addition, what was only seasonal service to Seattle will become year-round effective March 2. Delta will also add a third frequency from Cincinnati to Baltimore as of May 7. 

Delta then announced it will introduce new non-stop service between Salt Lake City and Pittsburgh starting July 9.

Japan Airlines

Officials at JAL said the carrier is broadening its existing codeshare agreements with Alaska Airlines and Qatar Airways. New routes under the expanded relationship include flights from San Francisco to Austin, Boston, Denver, Newark and more. The new agreement will also include Virgin America routes following the completion of its merger with Alaska.

The wider codeshare agreement with Qatar will give JAL passengers access to a variety of destinations beyond the limited routes that were previously offered from Doha. Changes under the new agreement will become effective April 1, 2018.

Adult-only escapes just in time for Valentine’s Day

Whether you are looking for a last-minute Valentines getaway or you want to present the gift of travel as an exciting, romantic experience to look forward to, your expert Adelman vacations advisor can help with a wide range of options, so you can design the perfect trip to share with a loved one. 

Adelman’s Deana Crouch recently experienced a luxurious and culturally inspired adults-only getaway at UNICO 20°87° in Mexico’s Riviera Maya. This upscale all-inclusive resort embraces contemporary Mexico giving guests a locally-inflected experience from its expertly curated selection of spirits and craft cocktails to its elevated and regionally inspired fine dining experiences.  In addition to tempting guests with a selection of unique adventures, UNICO 20°87° offers a holistic spa and wellness center along with three distinctive pools. Plus, according to Deana, the beach is amazing.

Deana was also impressed with her visits to Secrets’ award-winning Capri Riviera Cancun and Silversands resorts. The adult-only all-inclusive environment and extensive Unlimited-Luxury® amenities at the Secrets Resorts allow couples to completely disconnect from the regular routine and immerse themselves in a luxurious romantic retreat.

Tucked away in a tropical oceanfront paradise, the Secrets Capri radiates Mediterranean charm in a villa-style setting.  This Preferred Club resort is the perfect getaway for those seeking enrichment and rejuvenation.  Deana noted that foodies will enjoy the resort’s gourmet experiences. “The seafood is always so good!”  

The Silversands is a chic and lively option. Couples can choose from a wide variety of activities including golf, biking, scuba diving and other water sports. Guests visiting at the right time can even watch baby sea turtles hatch and take their first steps into the sea off the beach of Secrets Silversands Riviera Cancun.

Please give us a call at 800-749-7116 or visit our website at www.adelmanvacations.com.

Hilton to expand its Curio and Tapestry collections with more than 75 hotels

Guests looking to immerse themselves in authentic yet upscale travel opportunities will have more unique hotels to choose from, in more destinations worldwide, as part of the Hilton’s expansion of its Curio and Tapestry collections. Hilton officials announced that there are more than 75 hotels in the pipeline for these two brands. Guests will not only have a one-of-a-kind experience, but loyalty member customers will also enjoy all the benefits of Hilton’s award-winning Honors program when staying at these properties.

The Curio Collection, which already boasts nearly 50 distinctive upper upscale hotels, will more than double its portfolio size by 2020. Properties new to the collection in early 2018 include: Hotel Saranac, Saranac Lake, New York; Maison Astor and Niepce, Paris; Reykjavik Konsulat, Iceland; The Porter Portland, Oregon and Gran Hotel, Costa Rica.

Hilton’s Tapestry Collection is a curated collection of upscale independent hotels that are unique to their destination. Hotels slated to join the Tapestry Collection in 2018 include The Graham Hotel, Washington D.C.; Hotel Ballast, Wilmington, North Carolina; The Rose Hotel, Chicago and The Sire, Lexington, Kentucky.

Get to Honors Gold faster

As a reminder, Adelman customers can earn Gold status in the Hilton Honors loyalty program in just four stays. Clients simply need to register using the special link, https://www.hiltonhonors.com/en_US/HHCM/adelman-ftgold/landing

and then book via Adelman and complete the four stays within 90 days of registration.

Frequent travelers can save money with an in-flight internet subscription

United Airlines just released details of its new Wi-Fi subscription plan, which will allow members to use Wi-Fi on any internet equipped United or United Express flight.  Subscription package choices include service for North and Central America or anywhere United flies across the globe. Subscriptions can be month-to-month or annual. Travelers can use their MileagePlus miles to purchase a subscription. For more information please visit https://www.united.com/ual/en/bm/subscription/wifi

Travelers on airlines that use Gogo in-flight Wi-Fi service can also save money with a subscription. Gogo offers domestic or international and monthly or annual subscriptions along with 2-device plans and special pricing for Delta passengers. Participating airlines include Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American, Delta, United and Virgin America. For more information please visit https://www.gogoair.com/for-passengers/.

American and Delta will work together to assist stranded travelers

Delta Air Lines and American Airlines have implemented a new agreement that will help customers as it allows each airline to put potentially stranded passengers on the other carrier’s planes during irregular operations situations such as computer outages or bad weather. A Delta spokesperson praised the new ticketing and baggage agreement with American saying “this tool will give our employees more options to help customers.” American and Delta already have similar pacts with United and their global partner airlines.

These types of agreements are less commonly used by low-cost carriers such as Spirit and Frontier. With no or limited agreements in place, passengers could be stranded for days if the airline offers only limited service to or from a particular destination. Southwest Airlines currently does not have comparable arrangements in place with other carriers that would allow them to put their customers on other airlines during times of irregular operations.

Faster E-Visas available for travel to Brazil

Brazil recently expanded its new E-Visa service for travelers who are citizens of Canada, Japan and the United States. E-Visas were introduced last November for travelers from Australia.

The cost of the new E-Visa is just $40, which is 75 percent less than a regular Brazilian Visa. Processing with the new E-Visa should typically take just 4-5 business days. E-Visas can be used by business and leisure travelers for multiple entries. However, you cannot stay in Brazil more than 90 days per year with an E-Visa. Other restrictions apply. E-visas are valid for two years or when the traveler’s s passport expires, whichever comes first.

Hilton begins equipping rooms with Mobile-Centric technology

Hilton’s Connected Room concept is becoming a reality as the hotelier is rolling out new technology at select properties in Memphis, Dallas and Washington D.C. with more locations being added during the first quarter. 

With Connected Rooms, guests will be able to manage a host of in-room functions with their smartphones through the Hilton Honors app. To start, guests will be able to control room temperature, lighting and television preferences. Hilton plans to add voice control features along with further personalization capabilities such as uploading personal photos or artwork, which will be displayed in the guest’s room to make it feel more like home. Guest preferences can be stored on the app to be used for future Hilton stays.

Guests can already use the app for mobile check-in, to choose rooms and to open guestroom locks.

American Airlines

New nonstop flights are being added to American’s service between Chicago and El Paso starting April 4. American will also upgrade the aircraft being used on the route to its Boeing 737-800s, which have 154 seats.

Delta Air Lines

Ambassadors at 32 of Delta’s SkyClubs are being given handheld devices so they can better accommodate guests. Similar to mobile Nomad units being used by Delta gate agents, the new handheld devices will allow SkyClub Ambassadors to move out from behind the desk to enhance the guest experience by improving service speed and by fostering a better atmosphere of hospitality and personal engagement. SkyClub members who have more complex needs can still be assisted by a front desk Ambassador.

Lufthansa

Automatic check-in is now available for all of Lufthansa’s domestic routes and flights within Europe’s Schengen Area. With automatic check-in, Lufthansa will send boarding passes twenty-three hours prior to departure to passengers who provide required information in their airline profile or who are Miles & More account members. Customers can opt out of the service by updating their airline profile accordingly.

United Airlines  

In response to a significant rise in incidents involving animals traveling in the aircraft cabin for emotional support, officials at United said the airline, “will require that passengers provide a health and vaccination form signed by the animal’s veterinarian as well as confirmation that the animal has been trained to behave properly in a public setting and acknowledges responsibility for the animal’s behavior.” The new policy will go into effect on March 1. Passengers will also still need to provide a letter from a mental health professional 48 hours prior to travel as currently required. This move is similar to the policy announced by Delta earlier this month. Officials at American Airlines said they are currently reviewing their own policy on support animals.