Last week Southwest received from the Hawaiian Department of Transport the permission to land in Honolulu. This is the first step to bring service to the Hawaiian Islands. The airlines is working on clearance to flying the Trans-Pacific route. It is still anticipated that service will begin sometime in 2018 but no other details have been released. We do know that the flight will originate somewhere on the West Coast, and if I had to take an educated guess, i would say service would be from Los Angeles, given the fact that we have seen expanded service to/from the LA area in recent months.
*Update* Travel Warning to Playa del Carmen
Many of you heard about the travel warning that was released back on March 7th. The US Consulate was shutdown due to explosive devices found on the ferry from Cozumel. In fact, one of the devices did detonate back in February injuring 25 people.
Since then, there have been updates but none of it has been release by the US media. It was announced that the consulate has since reopened in Playa del Carmen and the warning/restriction has been eased. In other words, there is no more warning. Like many other US tourist destinations, you still need to use common sense when traveling - whether domestic or international.
It was discovered that the devices found were not terrorist in nature but in retaliation toward one of owners of the ferry company. Who, at one time, was the governer of the state who was brought up on charges of corruption. This was someone who was upset with the owner and the company and did what he could to get back at him. Sounds familiar these days, I'm sorry to say.
For those of you, who are have already booked your travels or have been on the fence about booking since this warning/restriciotn was announced, you are gonig to be safe gong to the Playa del Carmen area..
No matter where you travel internationally, we do recommend that you do register your travels with the State Deparment, in the event that something should happen abraod in your area. This way they know who is in the area and can reach out to you.
If you have more questions or would like to talk more about this topic, please email or call us.
Omaha to Angels
It was announced last week that #Southwest Airlines will expand it's nonstop service from #Omaha to #LosAngeles from a seasonal basis to year round. The schedule will vary upon season but now you have more access to the West Coast. I wonder if this is going to help coincide with the new service to #Hawaii later this year?? Hmm....
Passport "Fees" set to increase
The State Department has reviewed the costs involved to create and maintain Passports so effective April 2nd, it will cost $10 more to get and renew your Passport. With the issues involving the REAL ID Act, many more people are opting to get a Passport for both domestic and international travel. (Mind you, a Passport is required to fly internationally). If you have been considering getting your Passport or needing to renew it, you will want to get on it sooner than later, or it will cost you more in the end.
City of Brotherly Love is a nonstop flight away
American Airlines recently announced that it will begin new nonstop service to 6 cities starting June 7th. Two of those cities are Omaha and Des Moines. I have already seen how this will benefit us in getting to international destinations like Cancun and London. There could be either some short or long layover times but in the end it does keep a few more dollars in your pocket. In the case of one client, they could meet in Philadelphia and fly over to Europe together and not have to find a common connecting city. In certain cases, I've seen Des Moines offer slightly lower pricing because they are closer to the East which means less time and fuel lost/used.
Delta makes changes to Basic Economy
If you haven't seen it or experienced it yet, Delta, as with many of the other major airlines have introduced a new fare called #BasicEconomy. This can be the least expensive option in some markets but there is a catch to get the lowest fare. No changes are allowed whatsoever and all you are allowed is your carry on and/or personal item. There are no preassigned seats and won't get your boarding pass until you check in that day.
But for some flights, but primarily for international flights, you will now pay $60 to check in a bag and $100 for a second bag when you have a Basic Economy ticket. So, while you may be saving money on your ticket, you may end up paying more in the end if you have to check a bag or two. So, make sure double check but know that we will always check all your flight options to make sure you are getting the best benefit from your ticket.
Delta Basic Economy to charge $60 for first checked bag on certain International flights
Omaha to offer first international flight
Beginning May 1, 2018 #Omaha will begin nonstop service to #Toronto on #AirCanada. Departure from Toronto will depart at 2:30pm and the flight from Omaha will depart at 4:30pm. This is the first international flight for the Omaha airport in it's history. While this is a great addition for Omaha, it will not make Omaha an international airport. There are specific rules and regulations and currently the airport as it stands does fall short. Again, I have heard talks about moving the airport in between Omaha and Lincoln but with all the renovation and expansions going on, it doesn't look like it will happen anytime soon. Does bring up a good question about if this gives strength to having a rail system between Omaha and Lincoln.
New Nonstop Service to Toronto
Cabo San Lucas Group Trip - October 7-21, 2017
We have tried the past couple of years to host a trip to somewhere warm and fun but it never seemed to work out mainly from a timing stand point. This year we got everything to line up and made our first host trip to Cabo San Lucas this past October. It was a short and sweet trip of 4 night to the Riu Santa Fe in Cabo.
The cost seemed to be a great motivating factor for couples and friends - being under $1000 per person. For a single traveler, it was just over $1009 but still not bad considering you were getting an Oceanview room. Overall, the time away was perfect for most - an extended weekend. For others, it worked out even better as it was over Columbus Day so a free day of vacation.
Talking with the group - everyone had a good time overall. There were a few concerns but nothing from a safety standpoint when it comes to alcohol. Some said that it tasted a bit more watered down but you kept a good "buzz" throughout the day - and not something that made you ill or pass out. The biggest concern was the quality of the food at some of the restaurants. The best meal I was told was at the steakhouse, which is a bit surprising but not totally. Besides, who doesn't love a good steak!?
Some of the group did an excursion off property - a sunset booze cruise. It wasn't the huge boat that had you in like sardines but a smaller catamaran style with just enough people to interact but not claustrophobic. No big meals but simple finger food - of course enough chips & salsa for everyone. Those who went said it was a lot of fun. In fact, was told that one of the "bigger" booze cruises there needed up being stopped by the local police because they had too many people on board. Not sure what happened in the end but I'm sure many people were upset.
One of the big things I was told by the group was that they had more fun off property than onsite. That they would bring more money next time to go explore the town and places to eat. One said, they had to leave the resort to find something more to their taste and dietary needs. Again, they said, that the resort was nice but wouldn't be a choice for them in particular in the future.
Also, during this time was a huge event - for those of you rock fans - it was Sammy Hagar's 70th birthday party. Yes, many of us are old or not old enough to know the name. Cabo was practically sold out for a week and this with a tropical storm that had come in a month prior which dumped a year's worth of rain. The big thing to take from this is that there were no security issues at this time. People were going into town and having a great time. So no matter what the government may say about "travel warnings", you need to talk with those who have been there or deal with this on a day to day basis. Remember, the media and government's job is to scare you - and they do a good job most of the time. If you hear of news about warning or safety issues, get in touch with someone, like myself, who is in the travel industry. We have our contacts in these areas who can give us first hand knowledge of what is really going on.
Thank you to everyone who went on this group trip and had a great time in Cabo plus made a few new friends at the same time. We will be doing this again and hope to have details shortly after the new year.
Safe Travels - Bon Voyage!
New Passport Process in Omaha - Effective October 1, 2017
As many of you know, for awhile to apply for a Passport in Omaha meant you had to go to specific Post Office locations to make an appointment. Then tings changed a few years ago - there is now a central location to apply which is the Omaha Passport Center. This is/was a Postal Impression located at 5346 S 136th St in Deerfield Plaza (Millard). You had to call to make your appointment but now another change has come. Effective October 1, 2017 you now set your Passport Application appointment online. I've provided a link below for your convenience.
The online scheduler also applies to the one post office location in Bellevue as well as in Council Bluffs. However, if there are no appointments available soon enough for you, the other option I highly recommend is going to the Sarpy County Courthouse - Clerk of the Court. No appointment is necessary - they will accept applictions during their normal business hours.
https://tools.usps.com/go/pages/schedule-appointment/index.jsp?locationId=1378217
