On the Go – August 11, 2022

Industry News – Click on the title to read the full article. Many of the sources below require a free registration to gain access to the article. If a paid registration is required, the individual source will be noted.

Airlines

American Airlines Becomes Latest Carrier to Cut Flights (Source: Travel Market Report)
American Airlines this week announced that it would join the growing list of airlines dropping capacity this year, cutting its September and October schedules.  The cuts are primarily flights from Philadelphia, a hub that will see its American schedule reduced by about 3% in September and another 5% in October. That totals just about 200 canceled flights for September and another 375-plus for October.

JetBlue to Add Second European Destination (Source: The Points Guy)
JetBlue will soon add a second European destination according to CEO Robin Hayes. “It’ll be announced in the next couple of months,” Hayes said, as the airline began service from Boston to London.

General Interest

Hong Kong Hotel Quarantine Will Drop From 7 Days to 3 (Source: CNBC)
Hong Kong’s current seven-day mandated hotel quarantine for travelers will be cut to three days as of Friday, with four days’ “home medical surveillance” added, the government announced Monday. “We have to strike a balance between risk level as well as our economic activity,” Chief Executive John Lee said.

Airports

Indianapolis Airport Begins $190M Runway Reconstruction (Source: The Indianapolis Star)
Indianapolis International Airport has begun a $190 million runway reconstruction project that is expected to be completed in late 2024. The project will be funded by a $56 million federal grant and the fees airlines pay to use the airport.

Hotels

Study Finds Robot Staff Clicking With Hotel Guests (Source: Mobile Marketing Magazine)
Robot service has been a hit with hotel guests, according to a survey of nearly 10,000 patron reviews by Durham University in England. “Previous opinion has been that customers felt uneasiness and discomfort when being served by robots; however this research suggests that customers actually, on the whole, have more positive interactions with robots and enjoy the experience of being served by one,” says marketing professor Zhibin Lin, who led the project.

Sacramento’s Historic Citizen Hotel Gets a Redesign (Source: MeetingsNet)
The updated hotel, along with a newly renovated convention center, adds to the city’s meeting appeal.  For meetings in the California capital, The Citizen Hotel has just completed a full renovation of its 196 guest rooms and 9,900 square feet of group space.  The property, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, opened in 2008 in the 1926 Cal-West Insurance Building, a downtown location that’s just two blocks from Sacramento’s capitol building and four blocks from the Safe Credit Union Convention Center. The center completed a major renovation in September 2021.

Ground Transportation

Hertz Sharply Devalues Its Loyalty Program With Little Warning to Members (Source: The Points Guy)
In the fast-paced world of points and miles, the landscape is always shifting. Good deals can abruptly emerge — or expire — overnight.  Two days ago, on Aug. 7, Hertz sent a nondescript email to its loyalty members with a small blub mentioning an adjustment to Hertz Gold Plus Rewards points values. Some investigation shows that these changes are notably bad. You can count on your Hertz points being worth almost 30% less.

They’re Finally Here – Driverless Rental Cars in Vegas (Source: Auto Rental News)
Las Vegas-based Halo.Car has started a transportation service that allows customers to rent vehicles piloted by a remote driver, according to a report by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The remote driver operates the vehicle from Halo.Car’s office.

Leisure Travel

10 Best Things To Do In Los Angeles (Source: SmarterTravel)
Tucked between desert, mountains, and sea, Los Angeles is a popular travel destination for its endless summer weather, celluloid-famous beaches, and possible celebrity sightings. The sprawling city offers all those things and more. Beyond what you see in the movies, you can immerse yourself in spectacular nature, experience a cultural enclave, or celebrate the best of the art world. Here are the 10 best things to do in Los Angeles. 

California For The Wine Enthusiast: Best Tips For Your Trip (Source: Drift)
Did you decide to visit California, and are you researching the best wineries to visit? You’ve come to the right place! Check out our blog for all the information you need to plan your dream trip, including the best time to visit, what to pack, and where to stay.  When it comes to wine regions, California has it all. From Napa Valley to Sonoma County, there are endless options for wine lovers to explore. And with over 3,000 wineries statewide, you’re sure to find the perfect bottle (or two) of wine to bring home with you.