CDC, State Department Downgrade Travel Alerts for Dozens of Countries
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revised travel health notices for dozens of countries to a lower risk tier on Monday, adjusting travel guidance for vaccinated Americans in the process.
A total of 62 destinations – including Japan, Canada, Mexico, Italy, France and Germany – dropped from “COVID-19 very high” Level 4 tier to “COVID-19 high” Level 3 tier on the CDC's travel recommendations list, which rates the risks by country.
State Department Will Honor Expired Passports for Americans Abroad
American citizens who are currently abroad can return to the U.S. without having to renew their passports, if it has expired, until the end of the year. Passports that expired on or after Jan. 1, 2021 will be honored for re-entry into the U.S. through Dec. 31, the State Department announcedMonday, citing delays in passport processing due to the pandemic. "U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers will accept for admission certain expired U.S. passports, thereby assisting U.S. citizens who have been affected by appointment backlogs at embassies and consulates overseas caused by the COVID-19 pandemic," the State Department's announcement read...read more
Watch Out for These Post Pandemic Travel Scams
As cybercrime rises, so do the scams and travel is not immune. In fact, with so much pent-up demand in the industry, prices are rising and so are the number of people who are spoofing websites in order to lure in the vulnerable.
Has anyone offered you free or nearly free trips recently? Rock-bottom deals in a market that is oversaturated with rising prices are tempting but most likely not legit.
Phone calls, emails and postcards with enticing travel offers look tempting, but a deal that’s way under the value of a trip—like five nights in a hotel plus airfare to Maui for $200—means it’s probably a scam,” said Amy Nofziger, AARP anti-fraud expert...read more
Misconceptions of Charter Bus Travel for Your Summer Vacation or Group Trip
We have all had honorable plans that involve throwing your family in the car or gathering your group on a cross country summer adventure creating lifelong memories. The expectation is almost always better than the outcome. We have all seen National Lampoon’s Vacation. The countless bathroom break stops, the fights over the single charging port, trying to coordinate the trip with more than one car without anyone getting left behind, having to back track and recalculate because you missed your turn, an unexpected car breakdown, etc. The list goes on and on and is near impossible to plan for. Not to mention all the sites you miss along the way because you’re focused on the road....read more
US Extends COVID-19 Travel Restrictions with Canada and Mexico
The United States has extended Covid-19 restrictions on non-essential travel at land and ferry crossings with Canada and Mexico until July 21, according to a tweet from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Sunday.
"To reduce the spread of #COVID19, the United States is extending restrictions on non-essential travel at our land and ferry crossings with Canada and Mexico through July 21, while ensuring access for essential trade & travel," read more
This Summer May Be the Perfect Storm for Long Airport Security Lines — Here’s How to Avoid Them
Summer travel is officially here.
Long TSA security lines during this busy travel season are not new, but the knock-on effects of the pandemic have added the potential for even more delays.
For instance, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) suffered lengthy delays yesterday with reports of travelers waiting upwards of two hours to get through security. While part of the delay was due to a bomb threat, events like this can pile on to staff shortages and increased screening times due to COVID-19. The airport continues advising passengers to arrive three hours early to check-in and for TSA screening...read more
Game Time and Direction of Travel are Associated with College Football Team Performance
A study of NCAA Division I college football games found a significant association between the performance of away teams and both their direction of travel and the time of day when games were played.
Results show that away teams playing in the afternoon allowed 5% more points and forced 13% more opponent turnovers than those playing in the evening. Teams traveling eastward to play on the road threw 39% more interceptions than those traveling in the same time zone. There also was a significant interaction between direction of travel and time of day for points allowed, and a marginal interaction for points scored.
5 Tips for How to Pack a Carry-On and Avoid Baggage Fees
If you’re flying again after a year’s hiatus, don’t forget that checked luggage costs an average of $40 per bag on many airlines.
By fitting everything into a carry-on suitcase, an individual traveler can save at least $80 round trip. A family of four can save $320. Wouldn’t you rather spend that money on a great dinner or two or three extra nights in your hotel?
Whether your trip is for the weekend or a week, follow these tips to pare down your packing list, conserve space and save money...read more