News & Announcements

American Revamps Elite-Tier Loyalty Requirements
Oct. 27, 2021

American Airlines is simplifying the requirements for reaching elite tiers in its AAdvantage loyalty program, now having a single set of points needed for each tier.

Starting next year, status with American will be based solely on "Loyalty Points," each the equivalent of one AAdvantage mile, which travelers earn by flying with…

University Travel Guidelines updated
Oct. 27, 2021

The Office of the Associate Provost for International Affairs and Operations updated its Pandemic-Period Permissible Travel Guidelines for Fall 2021 and Wintersession 2022…

Real ID Deadline Extended to May 3, 2023
April 29, 2021

The Department of Homeland Security has extended the REAL ID deadline and will not begin to enforce the use of REAL ID until May 3, 2023. 

Starting May 3, 2023, you must have a REAL ID compliant driver license/ID to fly within the U.S., unless you use a U.S. passport or another federally approved form of identification. As of that…

Delta Extends Middle Seat Blocking Through April 30
Feb. 9, 2021

Delta Air Lines will continue its capacity controls, including blocking middle seats, through the end of April, the carrier announced. The new date is a one-month extension of the carrier's previous update to the policy. Delta chief customer experience officer Bill Lentsch in a statement said travelers "continue to tell us that more space…

U.S. to Require Negative COVID-19 Tests for All International Visitors
Jan. 14, 2021

Effective January 26, 2021, the U.S. government will require all international airline passengers to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test before boarding flights to the United States.  

The CDC issued an order requiring all air passengers arriving to the U.S. from a foreign country to get tested no more than three days before their…

Airlines warn travelers: Emotional support animals will no longer be permitted
Jan. 12, 2021

U.S. air carriers are warning passengers they may soon have to leave their emotional support rabbits, hamsters, cats and turkeys at home.

New federal rules set to go into effect next week significantly narrow the definition of service animals. As a result, emotional support animals are no longer considered service animals, and…

United to Ask All Passengers for Contact-Tracing Information
Dec. 18, 2020

United Airlines during the next few weeks will begin asking all passengers during check-in to voluntarily provide contact information to assist any contract-tracing efforts, the carrier announced Wednesday. 

The program will allow the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention "immediate access" to passengers' volunteered email…

Amtrak Enables Digital Wallet Payments via Web and App
Dec. 9, 2020

Amtrak passengers can now pay for tickets via digital wallet services Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal, on Amtrak's website and mobile app. 

The new payment service integrations also provide another option for contactless booking, an increased point of emphasis amid hygiene and safety concerns amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. 

Amtrak is going cashless on board the trains and in the stations
March 26, 2020

Starting Friday, March 27, 2020, Amtrak is going cashless on board the trains and in the stations.  The Service Adjustments page on Amtrak.com has also been updated:  https://www.amtrak.com/alert/service-adjustments-due-to-coronavirus.html

Travel Program FAQs Related to Covid-19
March 16, 2020

The University Travel Program has developed a list of FAQs related to Covid-19. 

These FAQs address many of the questions we have received regarding trip cancellation and rebooking assistance, airline cancellation penalties and refunds, and travel…