Traveling internationally is an entirely different ballgame than continental travel. From prep to safety, there are many things to keep in mind to ensure a secure and successful trip. Before traveling abroad, make sure you have all your bases covered with these helpful tips from the business travel agents at GTI Travel. Passport Apply for your passport well in advance of travel to avoid excess fees. Your key identification, always store a backup copy separate bag from the original, leaving one at home in case of loss/theft as well. Schengen Visa U.S. citizens may travel to the 26 member countries of the European Schengen area for up to 90-days with no need to apply for a business Schengen visa. U.S. residents of another nationality may require a visa, however, depending on heritage. U.S. Global Entry Skip long lines at customs when reentering the country, getting home faster with the U.S. Global Entry program. A few months in advance, fill out the application, go through the screening process, and pay the $100 fee (5-year term), and all you’ll need to reenter the U.S. after business travel abroad is a quick check-in via electronic kiosk. This will also qualify you for a TSA PreCheck, speeding up the security screening process as well. Learn more. Phone Service Even if you don’t plan on making calls during business travel, be sure your phone offers international calling, verifying rates or purchasing a temporary phone that will work at your end destination. Phone service is essential in travel emergencies. Transportation Public transportation and taxis aren’t as reliable in other parts of the world. Before you leave, be certain your corporate travel planners have lined-up reliable transportation by a licensed driver. Vaccinations Depending on where you are traveling you may need additional travel vaccinations to ensure you don’t contract contagious diseases. Stay safe with our Travel Vaccination Guide. Travel Insurance Your current health insurance policy may not cover your care if you get sick/injured abroad. Avoid insurance surprises with additional travel insurance. Travel Advisories With today’s rapidly changing political climate, as well as climate extremes, it is essential to stay abreast of the latest travel advisories before and during international travel. Learn how you can stay connected. Emergency Contact Information Before leaving, arm yourself with the address and contact information of your destination’s U.S. embassy/consulate, nearby hospitals, and evacuation centers, keeping them with you at all times. Also keep numbers for your manager and loved ones back home. Valuables Leave any unnecessary valuables, such as jewelry and tech, at home. These can make you a target. Necessary valuables, such as your passport and cash/cards, should not be carried together. Separate money and identification and carry these in separate spots on your person so you don’t lose everything in the event your wallet/purse is stolen. Avoid using your back pockets. Keep items at your front, on your lap, or directly under your feet. Track cash, cards, and your passport, checking their whereabouts regularly and carefully. Ensure your upcoming international trip is a success with the help of the corporate travel management services of GTI Travel today. This blog was originally posted at https://www.gtitravel.com/traveling-internationally-business-things-keep-mind/
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Are you overlooking travel risks intimately linked not only to today’s polarized social and political climate, but environmental issues such as floods, fires, earthquakes, and other natural disasters as well? Trends show, while travelers frequenting business travel services worldwide are becoming increasingly aware of travel dangers, business owners and managers are living in ignorance of or simply overlooking how close their workers are coming to danger. Rising Trend Leading business travel agencies are taking note of an Inofact poll of 7,400 people across Europe. The survey unveiled nearly half (48-percent) of business travelers would decline traveling for work if those travels took them to and locale they considered unsafe based on their perceptions or official government travel advisories. Even more horrifying, 16-percent of Dutch travelers, 19-percent of Italian travelers, and 23-percent of British travelers revealed they were involved in or close to serious incidents while away traveling for work last year. For French travelers, the number was significantly higher, at 35-percent. Overall, 18-percent of travelers were in close proximity to or involved in situations like floods, earthquakes, health epidemics, riots, and terrorist attacks. Business Blinders Encountering dangerous social or political scenarios while traveling abroad for work comes with serious ramifications. When there is a flood, health epidemic, or riot, employees may be unable to access critical medications such as those for diabetes, cancers, and severe respiratory issues like asthma. These things put the traveler’s well-being and ultimately their life at serious risk. And employers often fail to realize what role corporate ‘duty of care’ responsibilities play when their employees are involved in travel incidents, completely dismissing them in the worst cases. In Europe as a whole, when travelers were involved in such events, no action was taken by employers in 17-percent of cases. Concerns may have been listened to, but nothing was done. For 6-percent of the whole, and a staggering 21-percent of Brits, their concerns were neither acknowledged or attended. Are You Overlooking Duty of Care Responsibilities Alongside Today’s Travel Risks? Employers have a moral and legal responsibility for the health, safety, and security of business travelers beyond common boilerplate of travel expense policy guidelines. Those that wish to stand the test of time understand the ultimate corporate expense management solution ensures the functionality and success of their business over the long-haul. To that end, it is essential to remain aware and attentive to today’s top business travel risks. Are you overlooking…
This blog was originally posted at https://www.gtitravel.com/risk-travel-company-even-considering/ Think being up-to-date on routine vaccinations means you’re a go for travel? If you’re visiting a foreign country, you may be in for a nasty surprise. Seasoned global event travel agencies know those traveling abroad can be exposed to illnesses rarely encountered in the U.S. Luckily, it is not difficult to get the protection you need with travel vaccinations. Travel Vaccines Are Anything But Routine The best corporate travel companies ensure travelers in-the-know. Seasoned agents are aware those going abroad need more than routine vaccinations, which protect you from common, serious diseases. Oftentimes travel vaccines for diseases that are uncommon in the U.S. are necessary to protect you from diseases rampant in other parts of the world. Plan for Success Most vaccinations need to be taken ahead of time to give you full protection against disease. Talk to your healthcare professional as soon as you are aware you’re traveling abroad, at least a month before international travel. Bring your current vaccine records to each appointment. Some vaccines require multiple doses for maximum effect, or a specific period of time to elapse before your body is able to build immunity. Those not up-to-date on routine vaccines, which are also necessary prior to travel, may require a number of vaccinations over a longer time period. To protect your health, if you know you’ll be traveling abroad schedule necessary appointments quickly. Your doctor may not stock some rare travel vaccines, and additional visits to a travel clinic may be necessary. Determining Which Travel Vaccines You Need Corporate travel planners know necessary travel vaccinations vary depending on where you are traveling to, the activities you plan to engage in while you are away, and the state of your health. Thus, the recommended vaccinations for two people traveling to the same country may be different. In addition to ensuring you are current on all routine vaccinations, you should research disease outbreaks specific to your continent of travel. You may need any one or more of the following common travel vaccines, in addition to some which may not be listed here:
Required Vs. Recommended Vaccines CDC-required vaccines must be taken for travelers to enter a country. In many circumstances, this includes the yellow fever vaccine, a virus transmitted by mosquitoes affecting the liver and kidneys that is often fatal. Only registered providers can administer this vaccine, which MUST be taken at least 10-days before travel. However, there may also be vaccines required by the country to which you are traveling. These are designed to prevent visitors from bringing illnesses into the country. Based on outbreaks, these requirements are subject to change. Recommended vaccines are those vaccines recommended by the CDC to protect your health, but not required for travel. Typhoid is a commonly recommended vaccine, which is spread by contaminated food and water and causes serious illness. Ensure safe travel. Get the business travel planning assistance you need with GTI Travel today. This blog was originally posted at https://www.gtitravel.com/need-travel-vaccinations-guide-travel-vaccinations-ensure-safety-abroad/ As investigations continue into the second fatal Boeing 737 Max 8 crash in just 5 months, a number of these aircraft have been grounded globally. Until the investigation is complete, it remains unknown how long these planes will remain out of commission. This has left corporate travel agents scrambling to meet the needs of their business travel clients. How severely will your staff be affected? The Problem at Issue A report from the Wall Street Journal citing multiple unnamed sources and released March 29th indicates preliminary findings on the crash of the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing Max 8 Flight 302 crash point to a flight control feature automatically activating before the plane took a nose-dive. This feature, the MCAS system, automatically lowers the nose of the aircraft after receiving a signal from sensors that the aircraft is flying too steeply/slowly. This data was reportedly retrieved from the flight’s black boxes. This shows similarities to an earlier Lion Air crash a few months prior. The findings are not final, and the investigation continues. To-date, Boeing officials state their audits indicate nothing of concern. The Number of Planes Grounded The grounding order includes not only Boeing 737-8 models, which were involved in the accidents but also larger but also Boeing 737-9s, which are similar in design. The first models of these planes hit the air only in 2017, and while the number of planes affected isn’t massive, it may still have a significant impact. How many planes were grounded in the U.S. and globally, and how far will they stretch your travel expense policy guidelines?
Lasting Service Disruption Potential According to recent reports, business travel agencies and their customers could suffer flight cancellations for weeks or months. Though United isn’t expecting any current or future cancellations due to the grounded planes, American Airlines is canceling around 90 flights a day. Those affected can request refunds if they prefer not to rebook. Southwest is canceling about 130 of its 4,000 daily flights at present, rebooking with no extra fees or fare differentials. Most American services aren’t offering a timetable on how long such flight issues could continue, as it remains unknown when the grounded planes will be allowed to return to service. However, neighbor Air Canada has expressed its flight cancellations could last well into the summer travel season, as its fleet of 737 Max planes make up 12% of its fleet. Possible Price Increase Looms on Horizon Those looking for corporate expense management solutions will be saddened to know, in light of increased summer demand, if lost seating and cancellations continue due to the grounded aircraft, summer airfares will likely rise. Ensure your employees stay safe with minimal disruptions to business travel. Learn more about the business travel services of GTI Travel today. This blog was originally posted at https://www.gtitravel.com/boeing-737-max-jet-grounding-faa-impacts-business-travelers/ Passports open the door to a world of opportunities. Without one, however, the door to those opportunities could be closed in your face. If you lose this all-important document, you may miss out on a travel event, or have great difficulty returning home. How can you keep your passport safe? 8 Essential Passport Safety Tips Treat your passport as if it is irreplaceable, keeping it safe with the following tips:
This blog was originally posted at https://www.gtitravel.com/8-essential-passport-safety-tips/ With a new year of business, comes a new year of business travel planning, and your business has a moral and legal responsibility to ensure the safety of traveling employees. Before planning work endeavors for employees abroad, it is essential to always verify the safety of travel destinations, especially when travel is to a foreign country. How to Ensure Safety The best travel management companies know how to keep your employees safe, staying abreast of the latest travel advisory levels. What are travel advisory levels? The U.S. Department of State issues travel advisory warnings based on international dangers, updating the status when changes occur with the concern/situation at hand. Conditions can change rapidly at any time, from natural disasters to political unrest, terror threats, crime, health risks, and more. Travel Advisory Levels to Watch Out for: The latest system, revised in January of 2018 to include every country in the world, breaks down advisory levels into the following categories:
Top 10 Destinations on the Most Recent U.S. Travel Advisory List The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends AGAINST travel to the following regions, assigning them each a ‘Level 4: Do Not Travel’ in their most recent travel advisories:
Other countries designated a ‘Level 4’ risk at this time also include Afghanistan and Yemen, updated in July of 2018. All of those countries designated a ‘Level 4’ risk are environments suffering serious issues such as war, famine, political unrest, and other perilous dangers. What to Do if Travel to Affected Regions is Necessary The U.S Department of State and top business travel agencies recommend the following when employees must visit a country with a standing travel advisory:
This blog was originally posted at https://www.gtitravel.com/top-10-destinations-us-travel-advisory-list/ Tired of listening to complaints from employees burned out on lugging heavy baggage through the airport as they rush to make connecting flights? For those wishing for a better travel management solution, the future holds promise. Thanks to the invention of self-driving car technology, ‘autonomous travel suites’ may soon follow on the horizon. These self-driving hotel rooms could revolutionize the way we travel. Autonomous Hotels Customized, comfortable, and time-saving, these hotel rooms on wheels could eliminate a host of travel headaches, making business travel a lot less stressful. And consumers can’t wait to board – top travel management companies will be vying to be among the first to offer access to such cutting-edge accommodations. The brainchild of Steve Lee of Aprilli Design Studio in Toronto, this revolutionary idea was inspired by a hospitality industry design competition, winning this year’s Radical Innovation Award. In it for the Long Haul Lee, who viewed self-driving vehicles more as a mobile room than today’s typical car, designed the autonomous travel suites (ATS) in range of sizes to accommodate a host of traveling scenarios: Solo passengers, couples, families, and even pets. Featuring many of the elements found in a hotel room, they are bedecked with memory foam beds, work stations, small kitchens, an entertainment zone for gaming and movies, and even a toilet and sitting shower. Travelers can enjoy the view through a vehicle’s panoramic smart glass window encasements, or dim them for privacy. Drive-through, selecting start/end points, or plan stops at gyms, restaurants, and sights along the way, traveling in comfort for 6 to 10-hour journeys. Amazing On-Suite Amenities 'Parent suites,’ static units featuring amenities such as swimming pools, gyms, restaurants, and meeting rooms will be available for docking by mobile ATS units for overnight stays. Problem? Owners of ATS travel chains will offer critical on-road services including roadside vehicle maintenance, water provision, and waste removal. If vehicles are powered by electricity, service vehicles will replace batteries when juice is running low. If hydrogen-fueled, longer potential driving times between stops could be possible. When Can You Book a Stay in these Hotel Rooms on Wheels? The technology necessary to produce fully-autonomous vehicles is predicted to be available as soon as 2021. However, though business travel agents have customers ready to book a suite yesterday, the infrastructure necessary to support ATS units on the public road system will not be in play for at least a decade. Where will they hit the road first? East and West Coast areas where infrastructure will be integrated soonest. Cities such as Boston, New York, Pittsburgh, and Washington D.C., where air and road-weary travelers are yearning for relief and a more comfortable, less stressful, time-efficient mode of transportation. Tired of the same old same old? Open the door to a whole new world of travel opportunities with the help of the best business travel agency in Philadelphia. Contact GTI Travel today. This blog was originally posted at https://www.gtitravel.com/things-will-revolutionize-travel-beyond-2020/ In light of Australia’s Bestjet fiasco, which left thousands of consumers with empty pockets after plane tickets previously booked went up in a puff of smoke alongside refund dollars following the company’s collapse, travelers are increasingly wary of travel scams. In a world where even seemingly legit businesses leave travelers bereft, is there any way to truly protect oneself when securing travel services? Ensuring Protection Against Travel Scams The thought of travel scams is enough to make anyone sick. Sadly, travel fraud rose 16% in 2017, from airline to hotel booking scams and credit card data theft. It continues to accelerate at a rapid pace alongside the popularity of online booking services, not all of which are legitimate. Making oneself aware of common types of fraud, however, can help travelers guard against these increasingly common troubles:
Protect yourself from travel scams with the help of a trusted business travel agency. Contact GTI Travel, learning more about how our services can help you guard against travel fraud today. This blog was originally posted at https://www.gtitravel.com/prevent-falling-victim-travel-scams/ In today’s digital era, business travel planners are increasingly turning to technology to gain an advantage, whether in price, commute speed, convenience, or securing unique accommodations. Forty-one-percent of business and 60% of leisure travel arrangements are made in the digital travel ecosystem. Top travel management companies know how to use this technology to their advantage, staying on top of up-and-coming e-travel services to deliver the results travelers are searching for and provide a delightful, unique travel experience. What Evolving E-Travel Tech Ensures an Edge Over the Competition?
This blog was originally posted at https://www.gtitravel.com/top-e-travel-technology-trends-watch-2019/ For those frequently traveling for work, ‘elite’ business class status is a welcomed perk. This perk, however, may be short-lived. Earlier this fall, airline programs began to quietly change the way customer loyalty programs awarded elite status, leaving some flyers by the wayside, and travel planners scrambling for business travel solutions to keep frequent travelers within the top tier requirements. The High Life Now Requires Higher Expenditures Does your corporate travel policy now make elite business class status more difficult to achieve? For United Airlines passengers, elite status qualification required travelers to fly 100,000 miles and spend $12,000 in 2018. In the coming year, expenditure requirements will soar 25% further to $15,000. Other airlines have quickly followed United’s suit, with American Airlines requiring the same of its top-tier Executive Platinum Diamond-tier members. Driving the changes: The hope of leveling the playing field with Delta, who requires top-tier travelers spend $15,000 and fly 125,000 miles for Diamond status. The Good Some don’t mind the new changes, viewing the $12,000 to $15,000 bump as minimal, especially when traveling on the company dime. For event travel services, international business flights, and tickets booked on relatively short notices, meeting the ramped up elite status obstacles won’t be tough to surmount – even for those utilizing multiple carriers. Still more welcome the changes, believing there are too many elites gumming up the works. With fewer elites in the pool, it is hoped that the lounge and boarding zone congestion will clear, granting the best customers easier access to high-end perks and upgrades. The Bad Some aren’t so thrilled with the changes, however. For those on a budget, who must book flights ahead to ensure the cheapest possible ticket price, top-tier status will be difficult to achieve – even for those flying over 100,000 miles. Due to the increased difficulty of earning elite status on the two carriers, some corporate flyers are attempting to book their own travel arrangements, in search of travel policy loopholes that can help them stay in the top tier of travelers by keeping their sky miles and dollars under the same carrier umbrella. The Ugly Such under the radar changes have also left a bad taste in the mouths of many budget-minded consumers, leaving them to feel airlines don’t care about those who don’t shell out for business class tickets anymore. As maintaining status is near impossible for tight-fisted travelers, this has led to rapidly waning carrier loyalty. As budget-minded travelers give up the ghost, only time will tell how these changes could affect overall ticket sales. No one likes the cheap seats. Is your travel management company making decisions in the best interest of your employees? Ensure enjoyable, comfortable travel arrangements that fit within your budget with the help of GTI Travel today. This blog was originally posted at https://www.gtitravel.com/airlines-quietly-changing-standards-elite-status-affect/ |
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