NEW ENHANCEMENT Automated Reminders for Team Travel
STM recently introduced automated reminders for commercial air group contracts. The automated email notifications include reminders for deadlines such as when teams can reduce seats without a penalty, when names are due, and a reminder to submit name changes.
This exciting new enhancement will:
Improve and standardize the communication flow with our teams
Eliminate human error and ensure deadlines are met
Allow our team travel agents to be more efficient in their booking process and focus on what matters most – our teams!
This automation is still currently in the testing phase and will be turned on for all group travel in the near future. No signup is necessary for this enhancement.
NEW ETTA ENHANCEMENT
New Gender Marker Options
Travelers will now be presented with new gender marker options in the travel profile page. With this update, travelers can see Mx. in the title dropdown list and non-binary/unspecified (x) in the gender dropdown list. The new gender marker option provides travelers and agencies consistency across travel documentation, TSA, and passport requirements.
Airlines call for the immediate end of mask and Covid testing mandates
The 10 members of trade group Airlines for America (A4A) on Wednesday reiterated their call for the federal transportation mask mandate to be lifted in a letter to President Joe Biden.
The carriers appeared to be calling for a quicker end to the mask mandate than they asked for in February, saying that "now is the time."
The airlines also repeated their call for the immediate lifting of the pre-departure Covid-19 testing requirement for travelers entering the U.S.
"It is critical to recognize that the burden of enforcing both the mask and predeparture testing requirements has fallen on our employees for two years now. This is not a function they are trained to perform and subjects them to daily challenges by frustrated customers. This in turn takes a toll on their own well-being," reads the letter...see more
American, JetBlue Enhance Reciprocal Loyalty Benefits
American Airlines and JetBlue have added travel perks for their AAdvantage and TrueBlue Mosaic status members as part of the companies' Northeast Alliance partnership, the carriers announced Wednesday. The airlines began reciprocal benefits in 2021 after forming the partnership.
Starting today, status members of either airline's loyalty program upon check-in can choose a complimentary Main Cabin Extra seat on American or an Even More Space seat on JetBlue, when available, according to the airlines. Each of the cabins' seats include extra legroom, early boarding, and dedicated overhead bin space on American and early access to overhead bin space on JetBlue.
In addition, AAdvantage Executive Platinum and Platinum Pro members are eligible for same-day confirmed flight changes when traveling on either carrier. TrueBlue Mosaic members already have the benefit of complimentary same-day changes on American-operated flights, according to JetBlue...read more
United Operating Expedited Bag Check at All Hub Airports
United says customers can check bags in a minute or less with its new expedited service. Photo Credit: United Airlines
United is now offering a streamlined bag drop at its seven hub airports and plans to expand the service to dozens more airports over the course of this year. To take advantage of the bag drop, flyers must check in on the United app and select how many bags they will check. When they arrive at the airport, flyers head to the expedited bag drop, where they place their bag on a scale and scan their boarding pass at a kiosk. A United agent checks the flyer's ID and applies the bag tags. United says the new bag drop is a "simple way for customers to skip the line," giving flyers the ability to check bags in a minute or less...read more
Deem to Integrate Uber for Business Bookings in Etta Platform
Deem is partnering with Uber for Business to enable on-demand and scheduled ride bookings to be made through the Etta corporate booking platform, the company announced. With the integration, which Deem said will be available in the Etta app sometime this summer, travelers will be able to "book and manage both their travel and mobility directly from Etta," according to Deem president David Grace. Travelers can get automatic suggestions for bookings, including pick-up and drop-off times and vehicle classes, based on company policies, their own preferences and travel details. Travelers also will be able to get reminder notifications to make ride bookings for scheduled flights...read more
The Future of Sports Venues After COVID: Contactless Technology, Deep Cleaning Among Top Priorities
The pandemic has forever changed the fan experience at youth, amateur or professional events
From the growth of professional venues that can become as much about entertainment as the game itself, to collegiate venues that are professional in everything but name, and even youth and recreation complexes that promote themselves as giving a professional experience to pre-teen athletes, there are few things in the sports industry that have changed as dramatically over the past two-plus decades as the venues in which games are played...read more
