Business Travel Tips

Hilton is offering its HHonors members Gold status after just four stays within a 90-day period.
It normally takes 16 qualifying stays in a calendar year to achieve this elite level of HHonors membership.

hiltonhhonors.com says: “As a valued American Express Corporate Cardmember, you can sprint down the fast track to Gold. Complete just two qualifying stays and pay with your Savings at Work eligible American Express Corporate Card within 90 days of enrollment to earn Silver VIP status, or stay four times within the same period to attain Gold VIP status—instantly.”

Details of this Hilton promotion are available at hiltonhhonors.com.

Canadian officials are banning most carry-on luggage for passengers heading to the US from Canada.

Passengers are allowed carry medical devices, small purses, cameras, laptop computers, canes, walkers, diaper bags, musical instruments and bags containing life-sustaining items. Technically, what is not included in this list is not allowed as a carry-on.

Transport Canada’s website reads: “The purpose of this is to alleviate the immediate pressures at the security checkpoint resulting directly from the temporary emergency measures announced by Transport Canada on December 26. Delays can be expected so passengers are advised to arrive at the airport three hours in advance of their scheduled flight. These measures are expected to be in place at least for several days.”

Some airlines are planning to waive most bag fees through December 30.

In the wake of the attempted terror attack on the Northwest Airlines flight Amsterdam-Detroit on Christmas Day, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has put additional security measures in place.

Passengers will likely face longer lines at checkpoints. Also travelers flying into the United States can expect to see additional security measures at international airports.

The TSA website has published a Q/A list about the new additional security measures.

Q: What additional security measures is TSA taking domestically?
A: TSA has a layered approach to security that allows us to surge resources as needed on a daily basis. We have the ability to quickly implement additional screening measures including explosive detection canine teams, law enforcement officers, gate screening, behavior detection and other measures both seen and unseen. Passengers should not expect to see the same thing at every airport.

Q: What additional security measures are being taken for international flights to U.S. destinations?
A: TSA issued a directive for additional security measures to be implemented for last point of departure international flights to the United States. Passengers flying into the United States from abroad can expect to see additional security measures at international airports such as increased gate screening including pat-downs and bag searches. During flight, passengers will be asked to follow flight crew instructions, such as stowing personal items, turning off electronic equipment and remaining seated during certain portions of the flight.

Q: Do passengers need to do anything differently to prepare for checkpoint security procedures? Has anything changed in terms of what passengers can bring in their carry-on or checked bags?
A: At this time, security checkpoint requirements for passengers departing U.S. airports remain the same. Passengers do not need to do anything differently, but they may notice additional security measures at the airport.

Q: Should passengers plan to arrive at airports earlier than normal?
A: Passengers traveling within the United States should give themselves extra time to check in and proceed through the security checkpoint before their flight, especially during the busy holiday travel season. TSA advises that passengers traveling on international flights to U.S. destinations allow extra time for security and arrive an additional hour earlier.

Q: How long will these measures remain in place?
A: TSA will continuously review these measures to ensure the highest levels of security.

(source: TSA)

USA Today quoted a Food and Drug Administration source as saying: “There are 76 million cases of food-borne illnesses annually in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Preventionestimates. Most aren’t traced to the source and doing so is even harder with airport restaurants because customers scatter”.

A newspaper’s review of inspection records for nearly 800 restaurants at 10 airports found items such as tuna salad and turkey sandwiches stored at dangerously warm temperatures, raw meat contaminating ready-to-eat foods, rat droppings and kitchens lacking soap for workers to wash hands. Serious violations, which can increase the risk of illness, are common.

On the most recent inspections available online, 42% of 57 restaurants reviewed at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport had at least one “critical” violation. So did 77% of 35 restaurants reviewed at Reagan National Airport.

However health departments say airport restaurants are similar to others. New York City’s health department said, “Restaurants at JFK have had relatively few problems with rodents in comparison to restaurants citywide”. (source: USA Today)

rickseaney.com offers a helpful advice about delays and cancellations and the airlines’ winter weather policies.

“A number of airlines have altered their policies for travelers facing bad weather issues over the holidays, allowing for date changes without penalties for flights to specific destinations.
I put together a short list of links to some of the airlines’ winter weather policies and advisories. If you’re traveling over the next few days, monitor your flight status and contact your airline.”

- AirTran Winter Weather Advisory

- American Airlines Winter Weather Advisory

- Continental Airlines Weather Summary

- Delta Air Lines Winter Weather Advisory

- Midwest Airlines Winter Weather Advisory

- Southwest Airlines Winter Weather Advisory

- United Airlines Winter Weather Advisory

- US Airways Winter Weather Advisory
(source)