I posted previously about the TSA PreCheck identifier beginning to appear on boarding passes for those who qualify for the program. And having just checked in for my United flights, I can report a slight change from what the TSA announced.

From the TSA blog (bolding mine):

Eligible passengers will see a TSA Pre✓™ indicator on all boarding passes, even when flying out of an airport where TSA Pre✓™ is not available.

But on United, at least, the PreCheck indicator only appears on my boarding passes (both mobile and paper) from departure airports where PreCheck is available.

Paper Boarding Passes With & Without PreCheck ID

Mobile Boarding Pass Without PreCheck ID

Mobile Boarding Pass WITH PreCheck ID

This isn’t anything earth-shattering for those of us in the know, but it should help eliminate confusion for the infrequent, yet PreCheck-approved fliers.

Related posts:

TSA PreCheck for International Itineraries to Begin, Plus More

United MileagePlus, TSA Secure Flight Names Must Now Match

There’s good news out of the TSA today that those of us approved for PreCheck will no longer be denied access to the lanes if we’re on an international itinerary. Well, I should say most international itineraries.

According to their announcement today (bolding mine):

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today that beginning May 7, 2013, in addition to domestic travel, TSA Pre✓™ participants will be eligible for expedited screening on select international travel itineraries.

The TSA, of course, didn’t expand on what “select” encompasses. Also from the release, inbound passengers to the U.S. with PreCheck will be able to use the lanes after clearing customs:

In addition, passengers with connecting domestic flights who arrive in the United States on an international flight may use the TSA Pre✓™ lanes when going through the screening process at participating airports after being cleared by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Also, the new identifier on printed and most mobile boarding passes denoting PreCheck acceptance should be in place for Delta, United and US Airways fliers by this week.

TSA PreCheck Boarding Pass Identifier

I’m flying United later in the week and should be able to confirm. Have you seen it on your boarding passes yet?

• Southwest Airlines and AirTran are (finally) linking systems, which will allow for passengers to book a single itinerary with segments on both carriers. To avoid baggage fees when flying exclusively on AirTran, book on Southwest.com.
• The latest domestic airfare initiated by Delta has failed due to lack of participation. It was the third attempt this year by an airline to raise airfares. Rick Seaney of FareCompare.com said, “Given the weak economic numbers, it is likely that airlines are concerned that overcooking airline ticket prices right now could stunt demand.”
• Passengers on the Carnival Triumph were finally able to disembark last night in Mobile, Alabama. Most were either bussed or flown to New Orleans and Galveston, where the cruise originally departed last Thursday. Each passenger will reportedly get $500 in cash, among other compensation.
• Ever leave loose change in the bins after going through airport security? The TSA reported travelers left more than $500,000 in change at checkpoints last year, up about $45,000 from the previous year. And the TSA gets to “keep the change.”
• And finally, in rather odd news, a study was conducted showing that it’s actually beneficial to… uh… pass gas onboard a flight. I know, not “notable” at all, but it caught me off guard that a study actually took place. Here’s my favorite line from the article: ” ‘If the pilot restrains a fart, all the drawbacks previously mentioned, including diminished concentration, may affect his abilities to control the airplane,’ the researchers say.” Is there a Federal Aviation Regulation for that?

Related posts:

Notable Airline, Hotel and Travel News: February 14, 2013

Notable Airline, Hotel and Travel News: February 12, 2013

Notable Airline, Hotel and Travel News: February 11, 2013

This morning I arrived off a red eye, went to the United Club and had a mini panic attack when logging into United.com and seeing this:

United Identification Inconsistencies

I’m in the beginning of a mileage run (of sorts… more on that in a future post) that includes international travel and that was a message I didn’t want to see. I calmed quickly after reading through it realizing United is looking to sync up MileagePlus account names with those transmitted as part of the TSA Secure Flight program.

For me, the only discrepancy between the two is the use of my full middle name (as used in my Secure Flight profile) vs. just the initial (as on my MileagePlus account). I was given a choice of which to use going forward and I selected the full middle name option, as that is indeed what matches my driver’s license and passport and will now be required going forward as my MileagePlus name.

For others, the change will require those MileagePlus account holders named Bob Smith, such as the example provided by UA Insider on Flyertalk, to become Robert Smith (if Robert is their legal name).

As I’m mid-trip, the only thing I worry about having made my selection is whether my current travel as Darren K. Booth will credit properly to my “new” MileagePlus account bearing my full middle name. In retrospect, perhaps I should’ve waited to make the change until after this trip since the language in the screen capture above reads, “To ensure that you receive mileage credit and other MileagePlus benefits, the name on your MileagePlus account must exactly match your travel documentation.” But I think I recall the middle name vs. middle initial not being part of “exact” in the past. I dunno, fingers crossed.

Others on the Flyertalk thread are bringing up additional concerns, such as the impact to PreCheck, use of a suffix and being presented with three options to choose from, two of which are identical (?!).

Hopefully UA Insider will answer some of those questions and update the post.

Related posts:

New IRROPs Guidelines Reportedly Introduced at United

United’s Premier Accelerator Rates Have Dropped… But Still Pricey

United to Prioritize Meals Again for 1Ks

• Following up on the big reveal of their new image yesterday, American Airlines launched a redesigned website today. Appropriately sporting the new logo, it’s much cleaner and very attractive, in my opinion. And more importantly, everything seems to work.
• American is reportedly matching Delta’s Diamond Medallion SkyMiles members to Executive Platinum, according to reports on Flyertalk. This may not be new, as American has been matching United 1Ks as well, but it certainly eases the pain for Delta fliers looking to switch elsewhere after they introduced a Medallion Qualifying Dollars requirement for 2014.
• MLT Vacations, the tour operator owned by Delta Air Lines, will be dumping United Vacations as it focuses on Delta Vacations and other partnerships with SkyTeam member airlines. No replacement has been named yet, but I’m certain competition for the business will be stiff. Personal note: I’m always intrigued by wholesaler/vacation-packager news since I worked for two such organizations in the 1990s.
• The TSA says they’ll be dumping the Rapiscan scanners by June, which are the X-ray backscatter machines that produce the “Nude-O-Scope” images. Full body scanning machines will still be in airports, but of the less invasive Gumby-image variety as seen at many airports today.
• A Marine recruit reportedly had second thoughts about boot camp by jumping a fence at San Diego Airport, losing his pants and hiding in a janitor’s van near the Southwest Airlines terminal. File this under weird airport news.

Related posts:

Notable Airline, Hotel and Travel News: January 17, 2013

Notable Airline, Hotel and Travel News: January 16, 2013

Notable Airline, Hotel and Travel News: January 15, 2013

• United Airlines plans to layoff workers in Guam. A United spokesperson said the airline remains committed to Guam, but plans to close the contact center, outsource cargo operations and reduce airport staffing. The contact center and cargo department employ 48 and 42 people respectively.
• When Apple debuted the iPhone 5 last week and went through the features of Passbook, Delta and American were featured and it was unclear whether United was still committed. I can’t find the specific article last week that mentioned United had “no comment” on the matter, but they were indeed part of the launch now available on iOS 6. Lufthansa and Virgin Australia are also currently supported.
• The Transportation Security Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection opened a temporary joint information center for PreCheck and Global Entry at Washington Dulles. It will be staffed for the next 90 days offering information on the two trusted traveler programs.
• This surprised me: Baltimore-Washington Int’l Airport is on track to outrank Washington Dulles as the region’s top airport in passenger traffic. Truth be told, I’ve never flown into BWI, but it still sort of shocks me given the significant international traffic at Dulles.
• Air Canada unveiled its new “Altitude” elite levels for 2013 Aeroplan program year. Seth has a good analysis of the changes from the existing Top Tier program.
• United Airlines announced new routes from its hub in Cleveland, perhaps giving a smidge of hope Cleveland won’t become a “spoke” city. The new service to Nashville and Oklahoma City will be operated by ExpressJet using 50-seater ERJ-145s.
• Two American Eagle flight attendants caused a four-hour delay after having on onboard tiff at JFK. The flight was taxiing when the pilots elected to turn around and head back to the gate due to the bickering. The “American” brand is having a rough, rough week.

• United Airlines had a major SHARES outage late this afternoon, bringing their website down and halting operations at some airports. United is apparently offering a travel waiver for impacted customers, but as of this posting, no link has been posted online. [Edited (thanks Kris): The waiver is now posted.]
• In other not-so-good United news, a Boeing 767 bound for Chicago returned to London’s Heathrow Airport after pilots reported an engine surge. Firefighters had to spray the smoking engine down upon landing.
• A gay couple is suing United Airlines for “severe emotional trauma” and “intentional harassment” after their bag made the rounds on the carousel with a rather large sex toy prominently displayed taped to the outside after the bag allegedly broke. My take on the lawsuit: really? First maybe consider leaving it at home and second, will the article with your picture prominently displayed on it not cause even more trauma? Get over it and move on. [Edited to add: Yes, I agree the baggage handlers were very wrong in their actions... more in the comments below.]
• Southwest Airlines is adding new routes. Beginning March 9, 2012, Southwest will add flights from Newark to Nashville, New Orleans and Austin. Also new will be Dayton to Orlando and Key West to New Orleans.
• Spirit Airlines also announced new routes. Service from Houston Intercontinental to Chicago O’Hare and Las Vegas begins in October. Service from Denver to Phoenix-Mesa Airport also begins in October, and flights between Portland and San Diego commence in November.
• JetBlue launched fixed-price “Go Packs,” where by September 6, you can buy blocks of 10 one-way tickets for a single price. Rates start at $899 plus $7 per flight for a “Pittsburgh to Boston and New York” pack to $2,499 plus $7 per flight for a “Boston or New York to Los Angeles and San Francisco” pack.
• Vienna’s first Ritz-Carlton hotel opened. The 202-room hotel includes 43 suites and a rooftop bar. And Malaysia’s first Grand Hyatt hotel opened in Kuala Lumpur, offering 412 rooms and 42 suites.
• The TSA fired six “officers” and suspended 14 others at Boston’s Logan Airport for inattention on the job. These agents all happened to work in the same checked bag screening room. Guess they missed the gay couple’s sex toy and can’t be blamed.
• Lufthansa flight attendants could strike beginning tomorrow after refusing the latest offer of a 3.5% pay raise from the airline. Flight attendants were looking for 5% after a three-year pay freeze.
• With business travel picking up and successful growth in overall market share, Virgin Australia enjoyed a AU$22.8 million net income for its recent fiscal year. Business travelers now make up 20% of the airline’s domestic revenue.

Previous news:

Monday, August 27, 2012

Friday, August 24, 2012

Thursday, August 23, 2012

• American Airlines pilots are still talking with US Airways reps regarding a labor deal should the two airlines merge. The pilots’ union say they’ll hold a strike vote if American continues a path to throw out their contracts.
• Several airlines have issued travel waivers as Tropical Storm Isaac nears the U.S. The RNC convention might have a heck of a ride if it doesn’t relocate from Tampa.
• Despite millions of dollars in testing, the trusty TSA will still require shoes to be taken off through security. Apparently, new machines were ineffective in detecting “all the technology” used to blow up a plane. So why everywhere else in the world can I keep my shoes on?
• The U.S. State Department has lifted a travel alert for Egypt in place since March 29, 2012. Originally issued due to the possibility of political unrest in the run-up to Egypt’s presidential elections in May and June, things appear all clear. Pyramids, here I come.
• And believe it or not, I do indeed have an “air traveling idiot of the week” candidate today. I’m going to have to announce an awards ceremony or something because they just seem to keep coming daily. Anyway, this one is courtesy Southwest Airlines where a passenger got in a fight with a fellow seatmate and was subsequently arrested. This week seems extreme, doesn’t it? What’s up with people?

Have a great weekend.

Previous news:

August 23, 2012

August 22, 2012

August 21, 2012

• American Airlines has some pretty darn good first class fares out there today. In looking at flights from Los Angeles, nonstops to Miami are available for $388 one-way, Chicago $420 and Boston $454. Hat tip: Airfarewatchdog.
• United Airlines expanded the recent Southwest fare increase of $10 roundtrip to include domestic flights longer than 500 miles. No word as of this posting as to whether other airlines have matched.
• More airlines are moving to Las Vegas McCarran Airport’s swanky new Terminal 3. This week, United and Hawaiian move only their check-in facilities to the terminal. They will still use gates out of Concourse D and passengers will have to take an underground tram to reach them.
• JetBlue was fined $90,000 for failing to notify passengers sitting on a plane at the gate at JFK they could get off if so desired. Apparently a part of the tarmac delay rule, if a flight is 30 minutes or more past its scheduled departure time and further delays are expected, passengers must be advised they have the option to leave the aircraft. And this type of announcement must be made every 30 minutes.
• We have another candidate for “air traveling idiot of the week.” This one comes to us from Air Canada where an intoxicated business class passenger had to be restrained with wire straps and duct tape after grabbing a bottle of alcohol and becoming abusive. See… it’s not just those pesky coach people behind the curtain.
• United sent out an email today offering 40% off MileagePlus purchased miles. You have to buy at least 15,000 miles to qualify and it lasts through tomorrow. The email didn’t exactly makes it sound like it’s targeted, and many bloggers have already posted links. Check your email!
• A new report questions the value of the $6.5 billion the U.S. spent on aviation security in 2011. It highlights, “… while the US security system relies on a layered security strategy, more layers are not necessarily better than fewer.”
• In related U.S. airport security news and completely NSFW, check out this YouTube spoof of the TSA. It gave me a chuckle. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

In scanning around United.com today, I noticed a bit more information was added about the Global Entry compensation benefit since I last looked at that page. The benefit, available to Global Services, Premier 1K and Premier Platinum MileagePlus members, waives the $100 fee for program that speeds you through immigration and customs (assuming you’re approved).

Starting later in June, an automated process will be available that generates a code which can then be redeemed during the Global Entry application process. More details are reportedly coming soon, according to the description found here.

In the meantime, United is offering a $100 United.com TravelBank credit for people who want to apply now. To get the credit:

1. Complete your Global Entry application at the Global Online Enrollment System (GOES) found here.
2. Send an email to globalentrycredit@united.com, with the following information:
   1. Your MileagePlus number
   2. The name on your account
   3. A confirmation of your Global Entry application submission (payment summary snapshot, email confirmation, or approval letter)

Once United verifies your eligibility, they’ll deposit a $100 credit into your TravelBank account, which can then be used to book travel. It takes 2-4 weeks for United to complete the process.

The benefit is for GS, 1K and Plats who earned that status for the 2012 program year and applies to new applicants only. If you already have an existing Global Entry membership, you can take advantage of this benefit during your next renewal, which has a maximum value of $100 every five years.

Now if we can just get more information about when United will finally activate into the PreCheck program, I’ll be a happy traveler.