 The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has several Trusted Traveler programs that improve the passenger experience, enhance security, and increases system-wide efficiencies. The programs are customized based on travel needs and many of them have reciprocal benefits.
Do you primarily travel within the United States? Choose TSA Pre✓®. TSA Pre✓™ allows expedited screening at participating airports. If you are a Global Entry member, eligible NEXUS member or SENTRI member, enter your membership number (PASS ID) in the "Known Traveler Number" field when booking reservations, or enter it into your frequent flyer profile with the airline. The membership number enables Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Secure Flight System to verify that you are a legitimate CBP Trusted Traveler and eligible to participate in .
Do you travel within the U.S. and internationally? Choose Global Entry.
Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. At airports, program members proceed to Global Entry kiosks, present their machine-readable passport or U.S. permanent resident card, place their fingerprints on the scanner for fingerprint verification and complete a customs declaration. The kiosk issues the traveler a transaction receipt and then directs the traveler to baggage claim and exit.
Travelers must be pre-approved for the Global Entry program. All applicants undergo a rigorous background check and in-person interview before enrollment.
Do you primarily travel between the U.S. and Canada? Choose NEXUS.
The NEXUS program allows pre-screened travelers expedited processing when entering the United States and Canada. Program members use dedicated processing lanes and northern border ports of entry at NEXUS kiosks when entering Canada by air and Global Entry kiosks when entering the United States via Canadian Preclearance airports.
Do you primarily travel between the U.S. from Mexico? Choose SENTRI.
The Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Participants may enter the United States by using dedicated primary lanes into the United States at Southern land border ports. Travelers must be pre-approved for the SENTRI program. All applicants undergo a rigorous background check and in-person interview before enrollment
Click here for a comparison chart to see fees and process to determine your best fit.
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At an unprecedented pace, ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft have taken over as the preferred method of ground transportation for business travelers.
A new study analyzed more than 10 million business traveler receipts and expenses to collect data. This study monitors the emerging ride-hailing growth trend among U.S. business travelers since the first quarter of 2014. In Q2 of 2016, the study showed that Uber and Lyft took 49% of the ground transportation market. Taxis only took 14% of the market in the same quarter, which is 51% less than Q2 2014.
While Uber remains the dominant ride-hailing provider, its competitor, Lyft, was nearly up 3% and now accounts for more than 5% of all ride-hailing transactions in Q2 2016. The company is also growing at a faster rate compared to Uber, expanding 176% in the quarter to Uber's 145%.
As the ride-hailing market continues to grow, and direct marketing to business travelers increases, taxis may have little hope of improving their numbers in the quarters to come.
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Concur Hotel Rates: Are you comparing apples to apples?
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Concur may at times appear more expensive, but the rates you obtain are very comparable. Consider the example below. Concur displays the rate only by the price of your first night, while Expedia and other websites show the AVERAGE nightly rate. Upon examination, specific nightly rates are exactly the same, but the illusion is that Concur is more expensive.
In addition, many of our clients exclude rates that require advance purchase or non-refundable rates in their Concur sites, and for good reason. Due to uncertain nature of business travel, selecting a rate with a flexible cancellation policy can actually save money, even if it is more expensive upfront.
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New automated screening lanes - United Airlines is teaming up with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to install new screening technology at select airports around the country. As part of an effort to speed up wait times and improve security, Newark Liberty, Chicago O'Hare and Los Angeles International will get automated screening lanes as early as this fall. To view more about the new screening technology, click here.
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Fifth Consecutive Quarter Decline of U.S. Airfares - The average U.S. airfare has declined 7.8 percent year after year. According to the Department of Transportation, the first quarter of 2016 was the lowest inflation-adjusted level since 2010. Fares have declined every quarter since the fourth quarter of 2014. The average fare fourth quarter of 2014 was an inflation-adjusted $398, compared to first quarter of 2016 at $361.
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 Avoid travel to Zika-stricken part of Miami - Government health officials are warning that men and women trying to conceive or women who are pregnant should avoid travel to a part of Miami where Zika cases have occurred. There are 14 people (2 women and 12 men) who have been infected by mosquito bites in a small area just north of downtown Miami, the Wynwood arts district. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued a warning to encourage men and women who have recently visited this area to wait at least eight weeks before trying to conceive a child.
*Health officials do not expect a widespread outbreak in the United States. |
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LAST CHANCE.... Sign-up for New & Experienced
Travel Sessions August 24th & 25th
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