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Venezuela to Introduce Tourist Exchange Rate
Currency exchange rate, yet to be announced, will apply to up to US$10,000 a year in cash exchange and credit card transactions.
The Venezuelan government plans to introduce a separate exchange rate for foreign travelers, which will apply to up to US$10,000 a year in transactions made by cash, check or foreign-issued credit card.
The government plans to set up currency exchange points in airports and other points of entry, and incoming travelers will be able to buy bolivars loaded onto cards, which can then be used in cash and card machines. When leaving the country, travelers will have the option of "buying back" up to 25% of the dollars they had originally sold. Other transactions on foreign-issued credit cards will use the same rate, which the government has not yet published.
The government in February devalued the bolivar by 32%, leaving the official exchange rate at 6.3 bolivars per U.S. dollar. However, tourists often receive as much as 57 bolivars per dollar on the black market.
Tips for currency exchange in Venezuela, including a look at black market exchanges
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Frequent Traveler: Karen Alamo 
A public relations professional who promotes luxury brands in Latin American markets never leaves home without her bikini and has learned to say "thank you" in many languages.
By Mark Holston
A native of Chile who has lived in the U.S. for the past seven years, Karen Alamo has worked on marketing campaigns for real estate ventures, high end spirits and, now, premium television. She travels frequently to destinations throughout the region.
What's a good, basic tip for first-time business travelers to the region?
Always be nice to locals. The first word I learn in every language when traveling is "Thank you." Even if you pronounce it funny, it is highly appreciated.
You are much attuned to customer service and what separates one firm from another based on how they treat their clients. Does that influence your decision about what hotel to book?
Yes, definitely. For instance, one of my favorite hotels, the Unique in São Paulo, has a design that I love and very comfortable rooms, but the winning factor is the extremely friendly staff. I also like the
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Hotel Faena, Buenos Aires
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Hotel Faena in Buenos Aires for the same reason; it's an Argentine classic, and boasts a great location, amazing ambiance and a very cordial staff. Another favorite is the Hotel W in Mexico City. From the manager down, the team is spectacular and truly lives the "whatever, whenever" philosophy.
People either love or hate various airports. What about you?
In this region of the world, I really like Miami International, especially if the waits are long, because it has nice stores and restaurants, which make it very pleasant. My least favorite is one that I, unfortunately, travel to quite frequently - São Paulo's Guarulhos. Travelers who have experience there know the many reasons why!
Even if your trip is heavily scheduled with business activities, what do you do to get away from the grind for a while?
My advice is that even if you are on a very tight schedule, try to find some free time to see a little of the city and just relax. Even if you need to get back to work immediately, try to book a later flight so that once you finish with the business responsibilities, you can take a few hours to visit a park, a restaurant, a local market or even the cathedral that's always at the center of the city! Try to take in a little bit of where you are.
What city do you really like for its culinary treats?
I'm very fond of Mexico City, where I lived for a few months. I highly recommend Jaso (their desserts are AMAZING) and Dulce Patria (especially when they have a particular menu, dramatically narrated by its owner!).
What kind of gifts, for yourself or others, do you look for? 
I travel a lot and I don't like, unless something is really special, local crafts as décor. But I'm a huge coffee lover, so I bring back the Starbucks mug from each country or city.
What's always in your suitcase?
I'm still trying to master the art of packing. After all, I'm a girl, I always pack too much! But I can't leave without my hair straightener and a bikini. I always dream I'll find time for the hotel pool!
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Travel News
New Airline Routes and Route Changes
U.S.-based JetBlue Airways will begin daily nonstop service between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida and Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima, Peru on November 21.
American Airlines will add flights between Los Angeles, California (U.S.) and São Paulo on December 16.
American is also waiting for final approval from Mexican authorities to begin five weekly nonstop
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flights between Miami and Cozumel, Mexico on November 21.
Mexican low-cost airline Volaris will launch new service
between Guadalajara, Mexico and San Antonio, Texas (U.S.) on December 14.
American Airlines will also add two flights from Miami to St. Kitts, and will change its schedule for New York-St. Kitts service, beginning November 21. The airline will also increase its service between New York and Antigua to a daily flight.
American Airlines will add a second weekly flight between Miami and Fort-de-France, Martinique on Wednesdays, between November 27, 2013 and March 26, 2014.
United Airlines has started daily nonstop service between San Juan, Puerto Rico and Chicago O'Hare International Airport in the U.S., beginning November 5. The U.S.-based carrier will add a second daily round-trip between December 4, 2013 and January 5, 2014.
Canadian airline WestJet now flies non-stop between Miami International Airport and Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with four weekly flights. Starting December 16, the airline will expand service to six weekly flights.
Other Airline News
On October 31, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration announced that airlines can allow passengers to use personal electronic devices on airplanes during takeoff and landing at airports in that country. Devices that can now be used from gate to gate include smart phones, e-readers (such as the Kindle and Nook) and tablets. However, talking and texting are still not allowed, and under certain low-visibility conditions, some airplane landing systems may not be able to tolerate use of personal electronic devices during landing. The FAA must approve carriers' planes for such electronics use, and expects to do so for most airlines by year-end. As of press time, the FAA had already approved gate-to-gate personal electronics use on Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways and American Airlines (with the exception of some American Eagle flights).
Alaska Airlines has tightened its check-in window, asking customers flying from most of its U.S. airports to check in at least 40 minutes prior to departure, whether checking a bag or not. The airline had allowed shorter check-in windows for passengers not checking luggage.
U.S.-based Southwest Airlines will soon begin allowing its customers to borrow an iPad2 during flights within the U.S., between Chicago Midway airport, Denver and Oakland, California.
Through the end of this month, Netherlands-based airline KLM will offer its annual "From Holland
Festival" in flight-menu of Dutch specialties in World Business Class on intercontinental flights from Amsterdam, Holland.
Doha-based Qatar Airways formally joined the Oneworld alliance, becoming the first of the major Persian Gulf-based carriers to join a global alliance.
Airport News
Miami International Airport received funding to buy
updated baggage scanning equipment, including 12 explosive-detection machines. The five-year project is expected to vastly speed up the airport's luggage screening process and cut down on the number of mishandled bags.
Orlando International Airport, which services destinations including Walt Disney World in central Florida, plans a five-year, US$1.1 billion, expansion and upgrade, including a new train depot, people mover and parking garage, as well as a renovated airside. The airport also plans to build a second terminal.
Dubai's second airport, Al Maktoum International, began operations earlier this month.
Loyalty Program Updates
U.S. carrier United Airlines is increasing the number of award miles required to obtain award flights, including frequent-flier tickets at its "Saver" and "Standard" levels, domestic stopovers and first-class and business-class tickets on Star Alliance Partners. The increases apply to all award tickets issued beginning February 1, 2014.
Dubai-based airline Emirates joined the American Express Membership Rewards loyalty program, which means that American Express card holders can now convert loyalty points earned through their purchases into frequent-flier miles in the airline's Skyward Miles program. American Express points transfer into Skyward Miles at a rate of one mile per point.
Hotel News
 The Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires finished the final phase of its yearlong, $49 million renovation, which includes seven new meeting/function rooms of various sizes, with a combined total of 11,528 square feet of space. The renovation also includes Nuestro Secreto, an all-glass-enclosed outdoor restaurant with open-fire barbecues (known as asados) on the hotel's rooftop garden, as well as the new CIELO Spa.
Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) opened the 128-room Holiday Inn Monclova hotel in Coahuila, Mexico. The hotel, which offers rooms with ergonomic workstations and data ports, includes a business center and two meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 500 people. It also has a fitness center, laundry and dry cleaning services.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is offering complimentary Internet access to guests who create an online profile and book via the hotel chain's official website. Those who book through Mandarin Oriental's travel agency partners will also receive complimentary Internet.
San Antonio, Texas by Wames via Wikimedia Commons; Kindle Fire HDX, courtesy Amazon.com, Inc; Doha, Qatar by Larry Johnson; Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires Function Room, courtesy Four Seasons Hotels
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