Research Travel

COVID-19: Travel industry response

With the ongoing cancellations and changes of airline reservations due to COVID-19, information is constantly changing. We are providing a link for the most updated airline cancellation and change policies. This is an evolving situation, so we recommend that you still check with the airline directly.
https://www.travelport.com/covid19

travelport.com

Can I Cancel/Change My Flight?

Delta Extends Ability to Rebook Travel for up to 2 Years.

Today we are announcing that we are extending the ability to plan, re-book and travel with us for up to two years. Tickets normally expire one year after purchase, but we're providing waived change fees and greater flexibility to travel through May 31, 2022, for customers who have:

Upcoming travel already booked in April or May 2020 as of April 3, 2020
Existing eCredits or canceled travel in March, April or May 2020

Meanwhile, new tickets purchased between March 1 and May 31, 2020 can be changed without a change fee for up to a year from the date of purchase.

Please go to https://www.delta.com/us/en/advisories/coronavirus-travel/cancel-change-requirements?j=203589&sfmc_sub=13826764&l=214_HTML&u=102125842&mid=7276390&jb=12 for further details.

delta.com Delta is waiving all change fees for travel impacted by coronavirus. This applies to all domestic and international travel departing in March, April or May 2020, as well as all tickets purchased between March 1 and April 15, 2020.

[03/27/20]   Did you know…
Due to circumstances resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and the national emergency declaration, the Department of Homeland Security, as directed by President Donald J. Trump, is extending the REAL ID enforcement deadline beyond the current October 1, 2020 deadline. The new deadline for REAL ID enforcement is October 1, 2021.
For details by state please visit: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id

Research Travel's cover photo

[03/12/20]   As of March 12, 2020, we have some updates from several airlines in regards to cancellations and change penalties. These come straight from the airlines web-sites. If you have further questions or concerns, we recommend contacting the airline directly. These policies can change on a daily basis. We will try our best to keep you updated on any further changes.

Delta policy if tickets were purchased between March 1, 2020 and March 31, 2020
• Affected Customers: All Tickets Purchased between March 1, 2020 – March 31, 2020
• Impacted Travel Date(s): March 1, 2020 - February 25, 2021
• Ticket Can Be Changed One-Time To An Alternate Itinerary. Must Be Re-issued On/Before: February 28, 2021
• Rebooked Travel Must Begin No Later Than: February 28, 2021
Delta policy if ticket was bought before March 9, 2020
• Affected Customers: All Tickets Issued on or before March 9, 2020
• Impacted Travel Date(s): March 1, 2020 – April 30, 2020
• New Ticket Must Be Re-issued On/Before: Dec 31, 2020
• Rebooked Travel Must Begin No Later Than: Dec 31, 2020

American Airlines
If you purchased a ticket on American Airlines between March 1, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. CT and March 31, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. CT, you may change your flight once without paying a change fee. Tickets must be purchased for travel between March 1, 2020 and January 30, 2021.
Exception policy
• We will waive the change fee only on published Non-Refundable Fare tickets.
• Tickets must be purchased between March 1, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. CT and March 31, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. CT, with original travel between March 1, 2020 and January 30, 2021.
• Changes must be made prior to the departure of your original flight.
• New travel must be completed within 1 year of original ticket issue date.
• Any difference in fare will apply.

United
All change fees waived for tickets issued on or before March 2, 2020
Original travel dates
March 9, 2020 - April 30, 2020
Additional information
FLIGHT CHANGES:
• New tickets must be reissued on/before December 31, 2020 or 12 months from original ticket date, whichever is earlier
• Rebooked travel must commence within 12 months from the original ticket issue date
ORIGINAL TICKET MUST BE ISSUED ON OR BEFORE:
March 2, 2020

JetBlue
Customers with existing bookings now have additional flexibility. Due to continued concerns about the coronavirus, we will waive change/cancel fees for customers traveling March 10, 2020 through April 30, 2020.

Customers may rebook their flights for travel through October 24, 2020 online in the Manage Trips section of jetblue.com or contact us prior to the departure time of their originally scheduled flight. Original travel must have been booked on or before March 10, 2020. Fare difference may apply. For cancellations, funds will be issued as a JetBlue Travel Bank Credit, valid for one year from date of issuance.
Due to continued concerns about the coronavirus, we have suspended change and cancel fees for all new flight bookings made between March 6, 2020 and March 31, 2020 for travel through September 8, 2020.

The change/cancel fees suspension still applies for bookings made between February 27, 2020 and March 5, 2020 for travel through June 1, 2020.

Southwest
Southwest never had change fees

Lost Bag? Overbooked Flight? 3 Air Passenger Rights You Didn’t Know You Had

Lost Bag? Overbooked flights? Read for further information on passenger rights that you might not know.

https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/save-money/passenger-rights-you-should-know-about-airlines/?aff_id=86&aff_sub3=22286&aff_unique2=ITR-2100364&utm_medium=email&utm_source=daily&utm_campaign=DAILY191223&utm_content=save-money&sms=unsubscribed

thepennyhoarder.com Have holiday travel plans? Know your airline passenger rights beforehand — and get compensation for delays and lost baggage.

The Navigator: Soon, airline loyalty will cost you

I read this and found it very interesting on how the airline programs may be changing and not in your favor................................

washingtonpost.com Delta becomes the first legacy airline to calculate loyalty points based on money spent, not just miles flown.

Are airlines withholding seats so you'll pay a premium?

Are you aware of why it is so hard to get good seats on a plane? Read this and let us know what you think......

travel.usatoday.com Now that paying extra for your seat selection has become common practice, securing your reservation is just half the battle.

[03/18/12]   Are you looking for a 5 night cruise with a great price? Research Travel has a special on Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas departing on May 5, 2012 from Bayonne, NJ to Bermuda. Call Ellen at 301-251-0370 for prices and more information. We have limited amount of cabins so please contact us this week......

[02/16/12]   Are you getting ready to fly somewhere? Do you know what your airline is charging to take your luggage with you? Go to www.researchtravel.com and click on "Airline Baggage Policies" to find out. Always remember to call Research Travel for all your travel needs.

[01/26/12]   Are you ready to go on your vacation? Are you sure you have everything you need? Did you get travel insurance, a cell phone that works in another country, a rental car, a city tour, rail tickets or transfers in the city you are arriving in? If you said no to any of these or need help making further arrangements feel free to contact Research Travel so we can complete your vacation needs.

[11/24/11]   Research Travel wants to say " THANK YOU " to all our clients and friends. We hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday weekend. If you are traveling this weekend be safe and may all your travels go smoothly.

[11/21/11]   Do you already miss seeing Regis every morning? Well you can meet him on a cruise. .Crystal Cruises will host TV personality Regis Philbin on the March 13 cruise from Hong Kong to Osaka. Crystal announced the news on Nov. 18, Philbin’s last day hosting his daytime show, “Live with Regis and Kelly.”

Philbin, who holds the Guinness World Record for “most hours on camera,” will deliver talks about his life and legendary career and have a Q&A with cruisers. His wife, Joy, will accompany him.

The “Kingdoms of Silk & Jade” Crystal Serenity sailing includes overnights in Hong Kong before visiting Xiamen, Shanghai (overnight), and Dalian, then heads inland to Beijing for a complimentary three-day inland adventure, followed by calls in Seoul/Incheon (overnight), Nagasaki and Osaka (overnight). For more information call us at 800-446-4200 so we can book you a cabin.

Airlines nickel and dime flyers with fees

After seeing this on the Today Show about fees and I wanted everyone to know they can go to www.researchtravel.com and check out what they will pay for their luggage to travel with them.

Sept. 21: NBC’s Tom Costello reports on a new survey which finds that passengers are fatigued by extra fees for baggage, legroom, meals and more.

[02/03/11]   Enough of this cold weather, contact us and let us take you away. We have a GREAT deals on all inclusive vacations with Palace Resorts. Ask us how to get you resort credits on top of the great rates they are offering........................................

[02/02/11]   What do you think? Airlines are considering dedicating sections of their planes to family travelers. What is your opinion?

[02/02/11]   Snow is causing all kinds of cancellations across the midwest and northeast. Did you purchase travel insurance?

The Homestead

[11/10/10]   How would you like to go to an all inclusive resort and never leave the country. CLUB MED is reopening it's doors in Sandpiper, Florida in December. Call Research Travel so we can tell you all about the great specials they are offering.................

[11/08/10]   Book a stay at Elbow Beach in Bermuda between October 15 and November 30 for arrival from October 30, 2010, to April 30, 2011, and receive the following exclusive benefits*:3rd Night Free
Daily Full American Breakfast for Two
$ 100 Spa Credit per stay! So if you like Bermuda call us...........................................

[11/05/10]   Did you know that Disney is opening in China? Share your thoughts with us.

[10/01/10]   Saw this posted on the Today show: Airline passengers in Russia reportedly chose to stand for the duration of a 5 hour flight rather than wait for another flight. What extremes have you gone to to get to your destination? We'd love to hear from you!!!!

[09/27/10]   Have you heard that Southwest Airlines wants to buy Air Tran, what do you you think about that?

Transportation Security Administration | U.S. Department of Homeland Security

As of Sept. 15th, American Airlines and United Airlines will require TSA'a Secure Flight information to be in every record. Please make sure that you provide your full name as it appears on your government ID, gender, and date of birth. If you travel internationally, you will be required to provide your passport information: passport number, expiration of passport, nationality of passport and nationality of traveler. Please refer to the TSA link for further information.

tsa.gov Transportation Security Administration (TSA) protects the nation's transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce. TSA's regulations, restrictions, and job openings are listed here.

www.delta.com

Delta Air Lines is
eliminating award
ticket redemption fees for SkyMiles frequent flyer members. Effective
immediately, members will no longer pay fees of up to $150 for award
tickets
redeemed within 20 days of departure. Before this change, the fee to
book an
award ticket for travel within three days was $150 per ticket; for
travel
within four to seven days the fee was $100; and for travel within eight
to 20
days the fee was $75. Award tickets booked 21 days or more before
departure
continue to have no redemption fee. Delta also has changed award ticket
redeposit and reissue fees to make them consistent with fees for
non-award
tickets. These fees, which have increased from $100 to $150, will
continue to
be waived for SkyMiles Diamond and Platinum Medallion members. For more
information, visit www.delta.com/awardtravel

delta.com

British Airways - Flights and Holidays - ba.com

The Cabin Crew of British Airways is intending to strike between May 18 and June 9, 2010. They have announced the flight to/from London. Take a look at their website for further details.

britishairways.com British Airways, the full service global airline, offering year-round low fares and an extensive global route network to many holiday destinations and more all around the world.

Research Travel

Our last days on board the Carnival Pride have been posted to our blog. I hope you find some information that will be useful towards your next Carnival Cruise.

researchtravel.blogspot.com

[05/04/10]   Coming back to the agency today was hard to do after being on the cruise for a week. There is no one here to bring me my meals or clean my room. There is nothing like being on a cruise to get yourself pampered! Where can Research Travel send you so you can have your dream vacation?

Research Travel

Check out our blog to see some updated information on Day 4 and Day 5 of our Carnival Cruise. The final days will be posted later.

researchtravel.blogspot.com

Research Travel: Carnival Cruise April 2010 Day 1-3

Currently we are on the Carnival Pride, cruising to the bahamas with our red hat ladies. Tara and I are working very hard escorting these vivacious women. We have included some photos from our trip and please refer to our blog for more details.

researchtravel.blogspot.com

Spirit Airlines - cheap tickets, cheap flights, discount airfare, cheap hotels, cheap car rentals, c

Did you hear the news from Spirit Airlines? They will be charging you for carry on bags and here is the information about their new policy. Check this out if you fly on Spirit because it could cost as much as $40.00 to carry your bag on the plane with you. We can only hope the other airlines will not duplicate this policy.

spiritair.com Spirit Airlines customers may bring one (1) carry-on bag plus a personal item (such as a purse, briefcase, or laptop computer) on board at no charge. A carry-on bag must fit under your seat or in the overhead bin. ...

[04/01/10]   For all of you traveling on this holiday weekend, give yourself a little extra time at the airports because it is a very busy time and the lines may be longer than normal when going through security.