Safe and Secure: Why Hiring a Licensed and Insured Transportation Company Like Olam Limousine Matters When it comes to transportation, whether for business, leisure, or special occasions, your safety and comfort should never be left to chance. Unfortunately, not all companies in the industry operate with the proper licenses, insurance, or professionalism. At Olam Limousine , we’re here to provide peace of mind with reliable, legal, and high-quality transportation services that prioritize your safety. Here’s why hiring a licensed and insured company like Olam Limousine  is essential—and how we go the extra mile to deliver excellence in every ride. 1. Operating Legally with Proper Licensing and Insurance Choosing a company that operates legally and holds the proper commercial insurance is not just a smart decision—it’s a critical one. At Olam Limousine , we are fully licensed and insured, ensuring that every ride is compliant with local, state, and federal laws. Illegal operators, on the other hand, often skip these requirements, leaving passengers unprotected in the event of an accident. Worse yet, these operators risk being stopped by the TLC Police (Taxi & Limousine Commission)  or other regulatory agencies, especially at New York airports  like JFK, LGA, and EWR. How Does This Affect You? When an illegal operator is stopped for verification of licenses, insurance, and compliance with Pre-Arranged Reservation regulations , it can result in significant delays  for passengers. Imagine trying to make your flight on time while your driver is tied up in a legal inspection. With Olam Limousine , you’ll never have to worry about these disruptions. Our chauffeurs and vehicles are fully compliant with TLC and Nassau County regulations, ensuring smooth and worry-free drop-offs and pick-ups every time. 2. How to Identify a Legitimate Transportation Vehicle in Long Island and NYC It’s important for passengers to know how to spot a legitimate transportation company in Long Island  and New York City . Licensed vehicles operating legally must display specific insignias and permits  as required by the TLC and Nassau County. Here’s what to look for: License Plates : Legitimate vehicles have special license plates  that clearly indicate their status. In Five Brought, the plate will say TLC  at the bottom. In Nassau County, the plate will say NCTLC  (Nassau County Taxi & Limousine Commission) at the bottom. In Suffolk County, the plate will say LIVERY  at the bottom of the plate. TLC or NCTLC Stickers : These decals are visible on the vehicle and confirm its compliance with local regulations. Illegal operators won’t have these markings, which is a clear red flag. When you choose Olam Limousine , all our vehicles are properly licensed and display the required signage, so you can trust that you’re traveling with a professional and compliant service. 3. Professional and Background-Checked Chauffeurs Your driver is not just a chauffeur—they’re an essential part of your journey. At Olam Limousine , we carefully select our chauffeurs to ensure the highest standards of safety and professionalism. All of our chauffeurs: Are thoroughly trained to provide top-tier service Pass background checks, criminal record checks, and fingerprint screenings Have clean driving records When you travel with us, you can rest assured you’re in capable, trustworthy hands. 4. 24/7 Live Dispatch Assistance We understand that questions and last-minute changes can happen at any time. That’s why Olam Limousine  offers 24/7 live dispatch assistance . Unlike companies that outsource to generic call centers, our dispatch team consists of real people who are employees of our company. They are available around the clock to provide immediate solutions and ensure your experience is smooth from start to finish. Whether you’re booking a last-minute trip or need assistance during your ride, we’re just a call or text away. 📞 Call or SMS us at 631-657-9609 📞 Toll-Free: 855-592-8622 📧 Email: reservations@olamlimo.com 5. Well-Maintained Vehicles for a Comfortable Ride The safety and comfort of your ride depend on the quality of the vehicle. At Olam Limousine , we maintain a fleet of modern, clean, and reliable vehicles that undergo regular inspections and rigorous maintenance checks. From luxury sedans to SUVs and limousines, our vehicles are kept in pristine condition to ensure you travel with confidence and comfort. 6. Comprehensive Coverage Across Airports and Cruise Ports At Olam Limousine , we proudly serve: New York City airports : JFK (John F. Kennedy International), LGA (LaGuardia), and ISP (Long Island MacArthur Airport) Farmingdale Airport (Republic Airport)  and the Hamptons' airports New Jersey's EWR (Newark Liberty International Airport) Cruise terminals in New York City  and New Jersey Additionally, we provide transportation throughout Long Island , New York City , and surrounding areas. No matter where your journey begins or ends, we’re here to get you there safely and on time. The Risks of Hiring Illegal Operators Unfortunately, the rise of unlicensed operators in the transportation industry poses a serious threat to passenger safety. These companies often: Operate without proper commercial insurance, putting passengers at financial risk in case of an accident. Employ untrained or unverified drivers. Use poorly maintained vehicles that could break down or fail inspections. Delay your trip due to legal stops by authorities like the TLC Police. The Long Island Limousine Association  has launched a public awareness campaign to educate passengers about these risks. Their message is clear: Protect yourself by choosing a licensed, insured, and accountable operator like Olam Limousine . You can learn more about this campaign here . Why Choose Olam Limousine? At Olam Limousine , our goal is to provide more than just transportation—we aim to deliver peace of mind . Here’s what sets us apart: Fully licensed and insured for your protection Professionally trained and background-checked chauffeurs 24/7 live dispatch for round-the-clock assistance Pristine vehicles maintained to the highest safety standards Coverage across airports, cruise ports, and beyond When you ride with us, you’re not just a passenger—you’re part of our family. Your Journey Starts with Olam Limousine Don’t settle for anything less than safe, secure, and reliable transportation. At Olam Limousine , we’re here to take the stress out of your travel plans and deliver an experience you can trust. Whether it’s an airport transfer, a ride to a cruise port, or transportation for a special event, our team is ready to serve you. 📞 Call or SMS us at 631-657-9609 📞 Toll-Free: 855-592-8622 📧 Email for reservations: reservations@olamlimo.com 📧 General inquiries: info@olamlimo.com Travel smart. Travel safe. Travel with Olam Limousine . #OlamLimo #Safe #FreeStress #LegalOperator #Professional #Executive #Luxury #Insured #licensed #limoService #BestEver

When it comes to hiring a limousine service, there is more to consider than just the vehicle itself. The quality of service, the professionalism of the chauffeurs, and the company’s commitment to customer care all play critical roles in ensuring a smooth and luxurious experience. Here's why selecting the right limousine company matters and how it impacts your journey: 1. Trained Chauffeurs: Your Safety and Comfort First A limousine experience is defined not just by the luxury of the car but by the skill and professionalism of the chauffeur. Trained chauffeurs are essential for: Safety:  Professional training ensures that chauffeurs know how to handle various road and weather conditions, making your journey safe and worry-free. Courtesy and Discretion:  Experienced chauffeurs are well-versed in etiquette, providing polite, respectful, and discreet service. Timeliness:  Trained drivers understand the importance of punctuality, ensuring you arrive at your destination on time, every time. When you choose a limousine company with trained chauffeurs, you’re investing in your peace of mind and a truly premium experience. 2. Exceptional Customer Service: The Dispatch Team Behind every seamless limousine ride is a dedicated dispatch team. A company that prioritizes customer service stands out in these key ways: 24/7 Live Dispatch:  The ability to reach a live person anytime ensures immediate assistance, whether it's adjusting your reservation or addressing last-minute changes. In-House Dispatch Teams:  Unlike call centers, in-house dispatch teams are company employees who are deeply familiar with operations, vehicles, and routes. This ensures personalized and accurate service every time you call. Responsiveness:  A skilled dispatch team ensures that any issues are resolved promptly, leaving no room for frustration. 3. Accessibility and Availability: Always Open for You Life doesn’t stop at 5 PM, and neither should your transportation service. A limousine company with a 24/7 live office provides unmatched convenience: Immediate Booking:  Whether it’s a last-minute airport transfer or an urgent meeting, having access to a live team ensures your needs are met promptly. Emergency Assistance:  A 24/7 office can handle unforeseen situations such as flight delays or changes to your itinerary. Real-Time Updates:  From tracking your chauffeur’s location to making adjustments to your trip, around-the-clock availability enhances your overall experience. 4. Company-Owned and Operated Systems: The Value of Internal Teams Companies that employ their own dispatchers and drivers, rather than outsourcing to call centers or third-party operators, offer a higher level of accountability and service quality: Consistency:  Internal teams understand the company’s standards and deliver a consistent experience. Reliability:  When dispatchers and drivers work directly for the company, there is better communication and coordination. Trustworthiness:  You can trust that the people handling your ride have been thoroughly vetted and trained. 5. Why These Elements Matter Choosing a limousine company with trained chauffeurs, in-house dispatch teams, and 24/7 availability ensures: Safety:  Your well-being is prioritized at every step. Reliability:  You can depend on the company for prompt and professional service. Luxury:  The focus remains on providing a seamless and comfortable experience. Accountability:  You’ll have peace of mind knowing the company takes full responsibility for every aspect of your journey. Why Choose Olam Limousine? At Olam Limousine, we take pride in offering all the features mentioned above and more. Our team of highly trained chauffeurs, 24/7 live dispatchers, and a commitment to customer satisfaction ensures that every trip with us is exceptional. Key Benefits of Choosing Olam Limousine: Trained and professional chauffeurs for your safety and comfort. A 24/7 live office with in-house dispatchers to address your needs anytime. Luxury vehicles maintained to the highest standards for your comfort. Reliable service with a focus on timeliness and professionalism. Ready to Book Your Next Ride? Experience the Olam Limousine difference today. Click the link below to make a reservation:👉 Book Now Or contact us directly: 📞 631-657-9609 📧 reservations@olamlimo.com Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can make your next journey exceptional. #OlamLimo #executive #Service #airport #professional #luxury #reliable #safe #fullyinsurance #nyc #longisland

By Eyewitness News Marcus Solis has more ahead of the start of congestion pricing in New York on Sunday FORT LEE, New Jersey (WABC) -- Starting Sunday, most drivers entering the busiest part of Manhattan will have to pay a $9 toll. New Jersey's request for a temporary restraining order was denied by a federal judge on Friday. Governor Murphy's office plans to appeal the ruling, but the MTA will start the program as planned Sunday morning. The plan will launch with a reduced base fare of $9, down from the original plan of $15. Congestion pricing was designed to raise money for the MTA's capital plan, while reducing traffic in Midtown, by tolling drivers in Manhattan south of 60th Street. E-ZPass and Tolls by Mail Customers will be able to use their E-ZPass tags to pay the Congestion Relief Zone toll as they do today to pay tolls on other roads, bridges, and tunnels. Those without an E-ZPass tag will receive a Tolls by Mail bill to the registered owner of the vehicle. Tolls by Mail bills are more expensive and less convenient to pay. More details about the plan, exemptions, and discounts are available on the MTA website. The MTA is phasing in the toll structure over a six-year period with an initial $9 peak toll for cars. The toll will increase to $12 in 2028 and then $15 in 2031. Governor Hochul could not set the base toll lower than $9 without triggering a new federal environmental review that could allow the incoming Trump administration to block it. President-elect Donald Trump has openly and vehemently opposed congestion pricing, saying last May he would terminate the governor's plan in his first week of office. But it would become much more complicated for Trump to do that if the governor starts her plan before he is inaugurated in January. TRAFFIC Congestion pricing will begin on Sunday in New York City ByEyewitness News WABC logo Saturday, January 4, 2025 9:53AM Congestion pricing to begin on Sunday: What to know Congestion pricing to begin on Sunday: What to knowMarcus Solis has more ahead of the start of congestion pricing in New York on Sunday. FORT LEE, New Jersey (WABC) -- Starting Sunday, most drivers entering the busiest part of Manhattan will have to pay a $9 toll. New Jersey's request for a temporary restraining order was denied by a federal judge on Friday. Governor Murphy's office plans to appeal the ruling, but the MTA will start the program as planned Sunday morning. The plan will launch with a reduced base fare of $9, down from the original plan of $15. Congestion pricing was designed to raise money for the MTA's capital plan, while reducing traffic in Midtown, by tolling drivers in Manhattan south of 60th Street. Eyewitness News brings you a special dedicated to congestion pricing, and everything you need to know about the tolls set to kick in Sunday. Here's the breakdown of how congestion price will work: Time of day The peak period toll rate will apply from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends. The overnight toll rates will be 75% less than the respective rates in the standard peak period for all drivers entering the Congestion Relief Zone. Type of vehicle Passenger and small commercial vehicles, and motorcycles The toll for passenger and small commercial vehicles (sedans, SUVs, pick-up trucks, and small vans) paying with a valid E-ZPass will be $9 during the peak period and $2.25 during the overnight period, when there is less congestion. The toll for motorcycles will be $4.50 during the peak period and $1.05 during the overnight period. These vehicles will be charged only once per day. Trucks and buses Small trucks (single-unit trucks) and some buses will pay a toll of $14.40 during the peak period and $3.60 during the overnight period. Large trucks (multi-unit trucks) and tour buses will pay a toll of $21.60 during the peak period and $5.40 during the overnight period. Eligible trucks and buses are exempt from the Congestion Relief Zone toll. Taxis and for-hire vehicles Instead of paying the daily toll, taxis and for-hire vehicles licensed with the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission will be eligible for a smaller per-trip charge paid by the passenger for each trip to, from, within, or through the Congestion Relief Zone. For both the peak and overnight period, the per-trip charge for high-volume for-hire vehicles will be $1.50. For taxis, green cabs, and black cars, the per-trip charge will be $0.75. Crossing credits A credit will reduce Congestion Relief Zone tolls for vehicles using a valid E-ZPass and entering during the peak period via one of the four tolled entries: Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel, Queens-Midtown Tunnel, and Hugh L. Carey Tunnel. The credit amount will be up to $3 for passenger vehicles, up to $1.50 for motorcycles, up to $7.20 for small trucks and charter buses, and up to $12 for large trucks and tour buses. No crossing credits will be offered overnight when the toll will be reduced by 75% from the peak period toll. Discounts and exemptions Discount and exemption plans are available for the Congestion Relief Zone. A discount plan is available for low-income drivers, and exemption plans are available for individuals with disabilities or organizations transporting people with disabilities, emergency vehicles, buses, and specialized government-owned vehicles. E-ZPass and Tolls by Mail Customers will be able to use their E-ZPass tags to pay the Congestion Relief Zone toll as they do today to pay tolls on other roads, bridges, and tunnels. Those without an E-ZPass tag will receive a Tolls by Mail bill to the registered owner of the vehicle. Tolls by Mail bills are more expensive and less convenient to pay. More details about the plan, exemptions, and discounts are available on the MTA website. The MTA is phasing in the toll structure over a six-year period with an initial $9 peak toll for cars. The toll will increase to $12 in 2028 and then $15 in 2031. Governor Hochul could not set the base toll lower than $9 without triggering a new federal environmental review that could allow the incoming Trump administration to block it. President-elect Donald Trump has openly and vehemently opposed congestion pricing, saying last May he would terminate the governor's plan in his first week of office. But it would become much more complicated for Trump to do that if the governor starts her plan before he is inaugurated in January. The new toll is expected reduce the amount of cars in the city by 80,000 and collect billions of dollars for much need transit improvements. "It's time to pay the piper here," New York Governor Kathy Hochul said. They're hoping to convince more commuters to take public transit. At a time, some high profile crime has been reported underground. "I used to go down to the subway without a care in the world and now I pay attention to my surroundings and stand back from the tracks," one commuter told Eyewitness News. Over the past two weeks, a man lit a woman on fire. In another case, a rider was pushed onto the subway tracks. Eyewitness News found murders have doubled from 5 in 2023 to 10 last year leading to a 100 percent increase. Most other crimes have gone down during the same time period. Grand larceny, robbery, and burglary are down by double digits. The governor says new transit cameras on every train and National Guard patrols have helped. "I'm acknowledging there are frightening crimes for people. I'm not allowing them," Hochul said. On Friday, she announced new legislation that would make it easier for hospitals to commit patients with severe mental illness and for courts to order outpatient treatment. It is unclear how the governor's plan will fare in the state Legislature, which is controlled by Democrats and begins its annual legislative session later this month. "We will have the resources to ensure that you have an efficient, on-time, better experience because we're going to make the investments that should have been done over decades that were never done because it was too costly," Hochul said. Hochul believes the tolls don't contradict her vision because she lowered the price of the new toll to 9 dollars. She added that more than 80 percent commuters already take public transit. #nyc #congestion #Relief #longisland #olamlimo #blog #executive #limoservice

By Adam Sabes Travel FOX News FILE - Airplane passengers line up for TSA security screenings at Denver International Airport in Denver, Colorado. (Robert Alexander/Getty Images) The Transportation Security Administration has recorded a record number of firearms found at airport security checkpoints throughout the country in 2022. A TSA press release states that as of Dec. 16, the agency has prevented 6,301 firearms from getting past security checkpoints this year, adding that over 88% of them were loaded. In 2021, 5,972 firearms were detected at security checkpoints, according to the agency, which states that it will stop around 6,600 firearms in carry-on bags from getting past security checkpoints when 2022 ends. TSA is also increasing the maximum civil penalty for a firearms violation to $14,950, which is determined on a case-by-case basis "based on the circumstances in each case." TSA SPENDS $18.6 MILLION ON ‘NON-BINARY SCREENING SYSTEMS’ SET TO ROLL OUT IN JANUARY "I applaud the work of our Transportation Security Officers who do an excellent job of preventing firearms from getting into the secure area of the airport, and onboard aircraft," said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. "Firearms are prohibited in carry-on bags at the checkpoint and onboard aircraft. When a passenger brings a firearm in their carry-on bag, this consumes significant security resources and poses a potential threat to transportation security, in addition to being very costly for the passenger." DELTA FLIGHT ATTENDANT TELLS WHEELCHAIR PASSENGER THAT TSA WILL MAKE HIM GET OFF PLANE 'WITH THEIR GUNS' Following the reduction in travel as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of firearms that have been stopped from passing through security checkpoints saw a sharp spike. In 2019, the number of firearms stopped was at 4,432. In one instance on Sept. 29, a man was stopped at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport outside Washington, D.C. after attempting to carry a 9mm handgun loaded with 14 bullets through the security checkpoint. Fox News' Leah Crawley contributed to this report.

Where vaccinated Americans can travel now and in the near future. BY ALISON FOX TRAVEL LEISURE Editor's note: Those who choose to travel are strongly encouraged to check local government restrictions, rules, and safety measures related to COVID-19 and take personal comfort levels and health conditions into consideration before departure. As travel has been largely put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the rollout of the vaccine has become the game changer that'll hopefully help us resume canceled plans or even map out a whole new adventure soon. Although the rate of the vaccine availability has varied around the world, some countries are jumpstarting their tourism industries by inviting fully inoculated travelers to visit. Fortunately, some destinations previously closed to American tourists have opened their borders to those who are fully vaccinated. Travelers returning home from an international trip are required to test negative for COVID-19,regardless of their vaccination status. Below are the countries currently welcoming vaccinated Americans. Bahamas Level 4: Do Not Travel The Bahamas welcomes fully vaccinated travelers who received either the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, or AstraZeneca vaccines. Those who got the jab are exempt from any pre-arrival testing requirements as well as on-island testing protocols. The Bahamas also welcomes unvaccinated travelers, but requires them to show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than five days before arriving, complete a daily health questionnaire, and take a rapid COVID-19 antigen test on the fifth day of their trip. Children 10 and younger are also exempt from testing. All travelers to the Bahamas are required to apply for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa and opt-in to COVID-19 health insurance. Bermuda Vaccinated travelers heading to Bermuda must apply for a Bermuda COVID-19 Travel Authorization — which includes a negative PCR test for COVID-19 — one to three days before departure, which must be submitted 24 hours before travel. Upon arrival they will be tested for COVID-19 and will be required to quarantine until they receive their results. Following a negative test result, vaccinated travelers will not have to quarantine but must test on days four, eight, and 14 of their trip. Belize Level 3: Reconsider Travel Belize will waive COVID-19 testing requirements for travelers who can show proof they have been fully vaccinated, according to the Belize Tourism Board. International travelers must book their stay at a "Gold Standard Hotel" and download the country's health app. Belize is also welcoming non-vaccinated travelers, but requires them to have proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 test taken within 96 hours of travel or a negative rapid test from within 48 hours of travel. Alternatively, travelers can get tested upon arrival at the airport for $50. British Virgin Islands Level 3: Reconsider Travel The British Virgin Islands is welcoming fully vaccinated tourists with shorter quarantine measures in place as of May 15. Travelers will be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test from within five days of arriving, get tested upon arrival, and quarantine until that test comes back negative, according to the government. They will not be required to get tested again. Unvaccinated travelers are also welcomed, but must quarantine for four days and get tested again on the fourth day in addition to the pre-travel and arrival tests. Croatia Level 3: Reconsider Travel Croatia welcomes vaccinated travelers from countries, including the U.S., exempting them from pre-arrival testing or self-isolation requirements, according to Croatia's Ministry of the Interior. Vaccinated travelers must arrive at least 14 days after receiving their final shot of either a two-dose vaccine or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. All U.S. tourists, regardless of their vaccination status, must also show proof of a paid accommodation in a hotel, camp, private rental, or rented vessel. A reservation is not sufficient, according to the U.S. Embassy in Croatia, and must be paid for in advance. Alternatively, Croatia also welcomes American tourists who have not been vaccinated but requires them to either show proof of a negative PCR or rapid antigen COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours of arriving or show proof they have contracted COVID-19 and recovered within the last six months. Children under 7 years old with a parent or guardian are exempt. Those who arrive with a negative rapid test and stay longer than 10 days will have to get re-tested within those 10 days. Ecuador Level 3: Reconsider Travel Tourists with the COVID-19 vaccine can enter Ecuador and travel to one of its most popular island destinations: the Galapagos Islands. Unvaccinated travelers are also allowed to visit Ecuador and its famous island archipelago with proof of a negative antigen test taken within 72 hours of departure, or proof of recent recovery from COVID-19. Before visiting French Polynesia, foreign travelers must fill out an ETIS.pf form, uploading all the relevant information. Vaccinated travelers must have been in the U.S. for 30 days before heading to French Polynesia, and may be required to test on their first and fourth days in the country. Georgia Level 4: Do Not Travel Georgia welcomes U.S. travelers arriving by air who have received both doses of a vaccine, according to the U.S. Embassy in Georgia. Those who are fully vaccinated do not need to get tested prior to arrival or quarantine when they get there. Unvaccinated travelers can also visit the country, but must arrive with a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours, get a follow-up PCR test on the third day after arriving in the country, and complete an application with their contact details and travel history. Greece Level 3: Reconsider Travel Greece plans to welcome fully vaccinated tourists and other foreign visitors with coronavirus antibodies or negative test results just in time for summer travel. The country rolled out the welcome mat on May 14. Travelers must bring their vaccination card, or negative PCR test, as well as the QR code provided by the Greek government once visitors fill out a Passenger Locator Form prior to arrival. Vaccinated travelers must have completed their vaccination course at least two weeks prior to their arrival in Greece, or tested negative via PCR test no more than 72 hours before arrival. Iceland Level 3: Reconsider Travel Iceland has been welcoming fully vaccinated travelers from the U.S. since April 6 without the need to quarantine or undergo mandatory testing, according to the government of Iceland. Alternatively, the country will also welcome travelers who can show proof they were infected with COVID-19 and recovered. Israel Level 3: Reconsider Travel Israel will open its borders to fully vaccinated travelers starting May 23, according to the Israel Ministry of Tourism. At first, select tour groups will be allowed to visit. In July, the country expects to open to individual travelers. All visitors to Israel will be required to undergo a COVID-19 PCR test before boarding a flight as well take an antibody test "to prove their vaccination upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport." Seychelles Level 3: Reconsider Travel The Seychelles is welcoming fully vaccinated travelers to its pristine shores coming from any country. Travelers must prove two weeks have passed since they received their second dose. They must also show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken at an accredited laboratory within 72 hours of traveling, according to the island's tourism board. Travelers have to fill out a health travel authorization showing their certificate of vaccination, test results, flight confirmation, and accommodation details. The country will reopen to all travelers — vaccinated or not — once the majority of its population is vaccinated. Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. When she's not in New York City, she likes to spend her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. Follow her adventures on Instagram. #traveler #blog #olamlimo #travelleisure #blogger

FEATURES & ADVICELACEY PFALZDECEMBER 07, 2020 PHOTO: Family going on a road trip. (photo via monkeybusinessimages / iStock / Getty Images Plus) More people than ever this year have begun to travel for the holidays, but the destinations that were the most popular in the past few years no longer take the highest rankings. According to Trivago’s new data from November, interest in travel between December 20-25 grew with trends towards vacations closer to home and in less populated areas. Germany, France and the U.K. have been under new lockdown measures, which led to a dip in travel in those countries. In the U.S., however, searches for vacations closer to home are growing, with last-minute trips becoming more popular because of uncertainty and changing protocols. Trivago’s CEO, Axel Hefer, stated, “Unlike those who plan a trip a few weeks out, last-minute travelers usually don’t have to worry about changes in the location they’re heading (i.e., weather or COVID-19 restrictions), allowing for greater peace of mind.” Top destinations for the holiday season are Las Vegas, Orlando and New York, as well as more scenic and less populated destinations, such as seaside destinations. “Given current travel restrictions, the trends we have seen on our platform over the last few months and the uncertainty that lies ahead, last-minute coastal and domestic travel (inter-state) getaways are likely to continue through the upcoming holiday season,” said Hefer. “We’ve seen throughout the pandemic that domestic travel, coastal destinations as well as mountain locations/nature trips are most popular among travelers looking to stay away from the larger crowds commonly associated with big cities. For example, Playa Bavaro, Miami Beach, Pigeon Forge and San Antonio earned spots on the top ten destinations for Christmas searches.” According to Hefer, the number of searches made for Christmas vacations nearly doubled from the beginning of November to the end of the month, signaling that most travelers this holiday season will decide to travel on a last-minute basis, in keeping with this year’s trend. For more information, please visit Trivago.com.

CRUISE LINE & CRUISE SHIP NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE CLAUDETTE COVEY DECEMBER 07, 2020 Norwegian Bliss Norwegian Cruise Line unveiled CruiseFirst, a flexible program featuring savings certificates for bookings in 2021 and beyond. CruiseFirst certificates of $150 offer a $300 value and can be used three years from the purchase date on any new reservation The certificates can be combined with virtually all otherNorwegian Cruise Linepromotions, including 30 percent discounts off cruises on any ship. They can also be combined with all five Free at Seaoffers, which include free open bar, free specialty dining, free shore excursions, free credits, free WiFi and discounted friends and family rates “As we look at breaking free from the boundaries of 2020 and think of better days ahead, we want to inspire our guests to dream big about their future vacation at sea with us,” said Harry Sommer, Norwegian Cruise Line’s president and CEO. “Our CruiseFirst program, launched just in time for the holiday season, provides unbeatable value and serves as a great gift for those planning to turn their vacation daydreams into vacation reality.” Ten coupons “may be purchased per person with one coupon valid per reservation,” NCL said. The sailing date must be more than 120 days from the original purchase date. CruiseFirst certificates are valid for new reservations booked within three years of the original certificate purchase date.

Anyone coming to the state from one of 19 areas with high COVID-19 infection rates must say where they came from and where they are going. By Alex Costello, Patch Staff Travelers to New York must now fill out a form saying where they came from, where they're going and if they have any COVID-19 symptoms. If they don't, they can face a $2,000 fine and a summons. (Shutterstock) NEW YORK STATE — Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that New York would take stricter measures to track people who come into the state from areas with high coronavirus infection rates. People coming to New York from high-infection areas will have to complete a traveler health form, or face a summons and fines of up to $2,000. Beginning July 14, travelers to New York from 19 states will have to fill out a State Department of Health traveler form, which will be distributed by airlines prior to and upon boarding or disembarking. New York state enforcement teams will be stationed at airports across the state to ensure passengers have filled out the forms. The form is also available online. The form asks for traveler's names, how they came to New York, what their final destination in the state is, if they have been in states with high rates of infection in the last 14 days and if they have any symptoms of COVID-19. "New York's success in fighting the COVID-19 virus is under two threats: lack of compliance and the virus coming to New York from other states with increasing infection rates," Cuomo said. "We have already implemented a quarantine order for travelers coming in from states with the highest infection rates, but we are experiencing non-compliance with the order that can lead to outbreaks and threaten the tremendous progress we've already made." Travelers who leave the airport without completing the form will be subject to a $2,000 fine and may be brought to a hearing and ordered to complete a mandatory quarantine. Airlines have all pledged to help make passengers aware of the new requirement using pre-flight emails, pre-flight announcements, in-flight announcements and other methods. Additionally, travelers coming to New York from designated states through other means of transport, including trains and cars, must fill out the DOH traveler form online. You can find the list of states affected by this order here. On June 24, Cuomo announced a joint incoming travel advisory with New Jersey and Connecticut requiring that all people traveling from states with significant community spread of COVID-19 quarantine for 14 days from the time of last contact within the state. Currently 19 states meet the criteria for required quarantine based upon a seven-day rolling average of positive tests in excess of 10 percent, or number of positive cases exceeding 10 per 100,000 residents. More information on the state's travel advisory is available here.

Here are tons of fun things to do at home for the entire family. BY TANNER SAUNDERS / Travel Leisure It’s safe to say things are understandably weird right now. As the world reacts to the COVID-19 pandemic, people across the planet are staying home, quarantining, and practicing social distancing as an effort to slow — and hopefully stop — the spread of coronavirus. Though staying home is totally necessary right now, it means many of us have found ourselves with a lot of time on our hands. If you're struggling to figure out how to keep yourself occupied beyond your usual at-home hobbies of Netflix and chill, you're not alone. For us, we’ve taken this time to really lean into the leisure side of Travel + Leisure, and help our readers around the world realize that we’re all actually a lot closer than it feels right now. If you’re like us, the idea of not being able to get outside to explore is difficult, but we’ve found that virtual travel is not only fun and exciting, it’s helping us see and understand places we’ve only dreamed about going. From the comfort of your couch you can explore the depths of Carlsbad Caverns and other national parksbefore “jetting off” to a virtual tour of the Louvre in Paris. Afterwards join an online cooking demonstration from a world-famous chef before sitting down to a breathtaking performance from New York City’s Metropolitan Opera. The world’s the limit — really. So whether you’re at home trying to find educational stimulation for your kids, in a tiny apartment with your best friend from college dreaming about restaurants, or alone with your dog or plant calling everyone you know on FaceTime, we’ve gathered up a massive list of fun things to do at home during this time. From livestreams of animals to games to play virtually, these activities will keep you entertained, informed, and hopefully put a smile on your face. And we all could use a smile right now. Take a virtual trip at home With travel basically at a standstill, it’s time to embrace a new way to see the world — virtual travel and virtual tours. Thanks to the World Wide Web we can go pretty much as far as desired — all without a passport. Below we’ve rounded up the very best ways to experience the world outside our homes from the comfort of our couches, all broken down by different activity types to make it easier to get going. Go sightseeing around the world with these virtual destinations This Site Is a One-Stop Destination for World Tours, Classes, and Travel Experiences You Can Have from Home Discover the Mystery of Easter Island and the Beauty of Chile With This Interactive App Chicago Is One of the Coolest Cities in the Country — and You Can Take a Virtual Trip There Right Now How to Take a Virtual Trip to Montreal These Virtual Tours of Europe's Famous Castles Will Make You Feel Like a Royal, Even in Your Pajamas Watch These Relaxing 360-videos for a Moment of Waterside Zen Relax for a Few Minutes With a Virtual Visit to Saint Lucia Hotels Around the World Are Livestreaming Their Views to Make You Feel Like You’re on Vacation Explore Bucket-list Attractions Like Machu Picchu and the Taj Mahal Without Leaving Home Grab a Guinness and Take These Virtual Tours of Ireland and the Guinness Storehouse Take a Virtual Trip to Some of the Most-visited Stops on NYC’s Fifth Avenue Take a Virtual Trip to Puerto Rico to Salsa Dance, Mix Cocktails, and Master Your Cooking Skills How to Visit Japan While You're Stuck at Home Explore museums, art, theater, and culture at home Stuck at Home? These 12 Famous Museums Offer Virtual Tours You Can Take on Your Couch Discover Some of Banksy's Best Street Art Without Stepping Outside The Sydney Opera House Is Bringing Music, Education, and More to Your Living Room The Grammy Museum Is Now Offering Online Music and Video Production Classes This App Will Turn Your Phone Into an Interactive Museum You Can Play With for Hours The Neon Museum's Virtual Tour Will Light Up Your Living Room Like It's the Las Vegas Strip A Botanical Garden in Seattle Is Livestreaming Plants to Help You Relax Museums Around the World Are Sharing Their Most Zen Art on Social Media to Help People Relax The Metropolitan Opera Is Offering Free Virtual Shows BroadwayHD Is Letting You Watch Your Favorite Musicals For Free — for a Limited Time The Globe Theater Is Closed, but You Can Stream Shakespeare's Pla Get “outside” while stuck at home Need to Get Outside? These 5 National Parks Offer Virtual Tours You Can Take From the Comfort of Home This Virtual Tour of the Carlsbad Caverns Will Entertain You (and Your Kids) for Hours This Virtual Tour of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park Will Make You Feel Like You're on an Epic Island Hike Visit Glacier National Park Without Getting Off Your Couch Tour These 7 Beautiful Southern Gardens Virtually — Pollen Not Included Take a Virtual Tour of the Great Barrier Reef With David Attenborough As Your Guide You Can Now See Spring's Prettiest Cherry Trees in Full Bloom From the Comfort of Your Own Home How You Can Livestream the Northern Lights Right Now Take a Virtual Hike on the Great Wall of China From the Comfort of Your Couch Attention Nature Lovers: This New Site Can Help You Find Outdoor Experiences You Don't Have to Share Make Yourself a Margarita and Take This Virtual Tour of Florida's Best Beaches How You Can Watch the D.C. Cherry Blossoms Bloom From Home The Biggest Party in the U.S. Virgin Islands Is Going Digital — Here’s How to Celebrate Carnival Virtually What to eat and drink while stuck at home Whether your shelves are totally stocked or you're trying to figure out how to make dinner with a box of noodles, can of beans, and some cookie dough, don’t fret. World-class chefs and Italian nonnas are taking to social media to teach you how to cook — and has there ever been a better time to learn? Plus, breweries are hosting virtual happy hours, quarantini happy hours abound, and digital mixology classes are popping up left and right. Grab a Drink and Hang Out With Some of New York’s Beer Experts at These Nightly Virtual Happy Hours Bombay Sapphire Launches Online Platform for DIY Projects and Mixology Classes Amid Coronavirus Quarantine Celebrity Chefs Offer Online Demos to Help Us Work on Our Cooking Skills While We're at Home This Italian Chef Is Teaching Traditional Tuscan Cooking Classes on Instagram Take a Free Online Cooking Class From the World-famous Borough Market in London This Adorable Italian Nonna Offers Virtual Pasta-making Classes From Her Gorgeous Home Outside of Rome Cocktails With Friends Over Video Chat Is the New Way to Socialize — Here's How to Have Your Own Quarantini Happy Hour 10 Cookbooks to Satisfy Your Appetite for Travel Things to do at home with kids With most schools shut down and kids turning to online lessons, it’s obvious that little ones are also learning to adjust to this new normal. Luckily, we’ve found plenty of fun and exciting activities for parents to do with their kids — and digital adventures kids can get lost in on their own. Play some travel-inspired games to help them learn about landmarks or set them loose in a virtual children’s museum to let their imaginations run wild. Your Family Can Make Piñatas at Home With Help From This Luxury Hotel in Mexico Dolly Parton Will Read Children’s Books Online Every Thursday Night — and Our Hearts Are so Happy Neighborhoods Across the U.S. Are Organizing 'Stuffed Animal Safaris' to Entertain Local Kids This Children's Museum Is Helping Kids Travel the World From the Comfort of Their Living Rooms With At-home Programming Over 100 Museums, Libraries, and Galleries Are Offering Free, Printable Coloring Sheets Need a Travel-inspired Break? This Spot-the-difference Game Will Give You a Dose of Wanderlust Take a Virtual Field Trip With These Videos and Livestreams From the Kennedy Space Center 10 Travel-themed Puzzles That Are Perfect for Doing at Home #blog #credit #travelleisure #olamblog #travel #familytime #fun #thing #newyork #olamlimo #groundtranaportation #carservice #limoservice

by Dia Adam, Forbes Staff “What should I do about my trip?” It’s a question we are hearing often. In the short term, the State Department has answered the question for you: stay home. For travel into the summer and beyond, the answers aren’t crystal clear. The best you can do is be sure you’re making decisions based on the best available information. At this point, airlines are asking you to delay contacting them to change your flights unless you are flying in the next 72 hours. If you can’t get through via phone, try the airline’s social media channels. Many rebookings or refunds can be processed over Twitter, Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp. Keep in mind that if your flight departing from, arriving into or transiting the United States is cancelled by the airline, according to the US Department of Transportation you will be eligible for a cash refund, full stop. The European Union has a similar rule, commonly known as Rule 261, that provides for refunds for any flights that arrive into, travel through or depart Europe. On March 18, 2020 the European Union issued a clarification to Rule 261 reiterating that cancelled flights are eligible for refund to the original form of payment. If your flight isn’t in the next three days, it’s in your best interest to wait as you’ll have a better set of options available to you if your flight is actually cancelled vs. you initiating the change. There’s no harm at this point in holding on to your ticket until a week or less before your departure date as chances are high your flight will have significant changes if it is not cancelled entirely. It’s in the airline’s best interest to offer you “free changes” or a voucher as it prevents you from asking for a cash refund if/when the fight is cancelled. Some airlines, notably British Airways, have been accused of actively hiding the steps you can use to get a cash refund. Know your rights and don’t settle for a voucher. If you are expecting to fly internationally for business or leisure in March or April, we can safely tell you it’s not gonna happen. The focus of international flights at this point is repatriation. By the day more and more countries are closing borders entirely to non-citizens. Domestic service is being cut to bare-bones levels in March and April, with substantial cuts continuing through July. Flights are being cancelled by the thousands and the airlines are scrambling to keep up with the situation just as we all are. We can expect the massive service reductions to continue. Many countries, including Australia, Canada, and numerous European, South and Central American, Asian and Middle Eastern countries, have cancelled all flights except for their own citizens returning home. Entire airports, such as Paris Orly, are closing, and this will continue as well. This list continues to grow by the day. Things are fluid to say the least, but this list will be updated as the situation changes. If you are trying to get home to the US from abroad, your best source of information is the US Embassy in the country where you are currently located. Follow the State Department on Twitter @TravelGov to see where and when repatriation flights are taking place. This list will be updated as soon as possible after we find out about a policy change. This list is long and we are continually adding to it. The fastest way to find your airline is to press Control + F (Windows) or Command + F (Mac) on your keyboard to bring up a search menu. Type in the name of the airline you are looking for. For information about hotel policies check out our master list of hotel cancellation updates. Online Travel Agencies (OTA) updated policies are tracked in this post. Loyalty program updates are here. For more cancellation information about Sporting events, concerts, and other public gatherings check out our master list of event cancellations. U.S. Airlines Alaska Airlines Alaska Airlines has announced a 70% cut to their schedule in April and May. Cancelled flights are eligible for full refund. Alaska is allowing no-fee changes and cancellations to the following: Tickets purchased on or before February 26, 2020 for travel through May 31, 2020 have two levels of waivers: If you purchased a Saver fare for travel through May 31, 2020, you may cancel your trip without a fee and receive credit for future travel through February 28, 2021 . If you purchased a nonrefundable First Class, main or award ticket for travel through May 31, 2020, you may Change your trip without a fee. New travel must be completed by February 28, 2021. A fare difference may apply to your new itinerary. You can also cancel your trip without a fee and receive a credit  for future travel. New tickets purchased between February 27, 2020 and March 31, 2020: Non-refundable first class, main cabin and award tickets may be changed for no fee, with new travel completed by February 28, 2021, or cancelled with travel funds placed into your Alaska Account or a credit card certificate via email. Fare difference applies. Alaska Airlines Award Ticket Policy Alaska normally charges $125 to change or cancel a ticket booked with Mileage Plan miles. Under its coronavirus fee waiver, you can change or cancel your ticket for free if you booked before February 26 for travel through March 31, or if you booked a ticket between February 27 and March 31 for travel anytime in the next year. You’ll need to pay for any difference in the mileage cost. Note that if you cancel, any cash you paid for taxes and fees as part of your award ticket may be returned in the form of Alaska Airlines credit rather than refunded to your credit card. Alaska Airlines’ Full Policy American Airlines American Airlines has announced 75% cuts in international capacity until at least May 6. In addition, domestic capacity is planned to be reduced in April and May by 70 to 80%. Cancelled flights are eligible for refund. We are also seeing reports that American is offering a bonus for those customers who choose fight credit as opposed to a cash refund. American Airlines is allowing customers who bought tickets before March 1, 2020 with scheduled travel until May 31 to rebook without a change fee. Tickets need to be changed and travel must start before December 31, 2020. You’ll have to pay for any fare difference. Cash tickets booked between March 1 and April 15, 2020 for any date can also be changed fee-free. American is also allowing changes and refunds for tickets to: Europe, including the United Kingdom: tickets purchased on March 11 or earlier for travel through May 31, 2020. Italy or South Korea purchased on or before February 24, 2020 Hong Kong purchased on or before January 28, 2020 China bought on or before January 24, 2020 American Airlines Award Ticket Policy American normally allows you to change your travel dates for free on award tickets (except for Web Special fares) as long as you keep the same origin and destination. With its current coronavirus waiver (valid for tickets booked before March 1 for travel through April 30, or for any tickets booked in through April 15), you should also be able to change your origin and destination without a fee; if your new trip requires more miles, you’ll need to pay the difference. We are hearing from multiple readers that American is waiving change and cancel fees for reward tickets with the same parameters as cash tickets, but other readers are being told the standard policy of $150 for the first ticket and $25 for each additional ticket on the same PNR. We will update as American clarifies its policy. American Airlines’s Full Policy Delta Air Lines Delta has announced a 80% cut in flights over the next few months. Cancelled flights are eligible for refund. Tickets for travel until May 31, 2020 can be changed without a service fee. Tickets must be re-issued and travel must begin by December 31, 2020.  Fare difference will apply if your new departure date is after June 1, 2020. Tickets purchased between March 1 and April 15, 2020 for travel until February 25, 2021 are also eligible for fee-free changes. If you are traveling soon and can’t reach a Delta specialist, Delta has announced that all changes will be processed and applicable credits will be issued, even if you do not reach customer service before your flight. Delta Air Lines Award Ticket Policy Delta usually charges $150 to change or cancel an award ticket. However, award flights that qualify for a change fee waiver will have mile redeposit fees waived. Delta’s Full Policy Frontier Airlines Tickets may only may be modified or refunded for flight credit one time. Fare differences will apply. Frontier’s flight credits are only valid for 90 days from the cancellation date. For changed flights, travel must be completed by November 9, 2020. Between ticket for travel between May 1 and May 30, customers may make a one time date change, provided they make the change before March 31. Tickets changed after April 1 will incur standard fees. Flights booked between March 10 and 31, 2020 for travel through November 9 may be changed. Frontier has an existing policy that tickets can changed more than 60 days before departure without a rebooking fee. Frontier’s Full Policy Hawaiian Airlines Hawaiian Airlines has announced almost an entire suspension of flights from the mainland through the end of April. Cancelled flights will be refunded. If you were unable to contact the airline to cancel or rebook your trip before your flight departure time, your ticket number automatically becomes credit for future travel if you do not take your scheduled flight. Tickets purchased between March and May 2020: No change fees for any changes made within one year of the original ticket purchase date. Tickets purchased before March 1, 2020 with travel dates between March and May 2020: No change fees for rebooked travel that begins on or before Dec. 31, 2020. Tickets must be changed no later than Dec. 31, 2020 or one year from the original ticket purchase date (whichever is earlier). Hawaiian Airlines has additional waivers for flights to Europe, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and China. Europe (Schengen): Your ticket that was purchased on or before March 11, 2020 for travel between March 13 and May 31, 2020 will have no change fee. New flights must commence by December 31, 2020 New Zealand and Australia: Hawaiian Airlines has widespread cancellations to New Zealand and Australia. Cancelled flights will be refunded. If your flight has not been cancelled, your ticket that was purchased on or before March 13, 2020 for travel between March 13 and June 30, 2020 will have no change fee. New flights must commence by December 31, 2020 Japan: Flights booked for new travel on or before June 30, 2020 will have no change fee and no fare difference. Flights booked for new travel on or after June 30, 2020 will have no change fee but will be charged fare difference. Tickets must have been issued by March 6, 2020 and must be rebooked by April 12, 2020 to qualify. South Korea: Flights rebooked for new travel on or before October 31, 2020 will have no change fee and no fare difference. Flights booked for new travel on or after October 31, 2020 will have no change fee but will be charged fare difference. Tickets for scheduled travel between February 24, 2020 to May 1, 2020. New travel must be booked by October 31, 2020. China: Flights rebooked for new travel on or before May 31, 2020 will have no change fee and no fare difference. Flights booked for new travel on or after May 31, 2020 will have no change fees but will be charged fare difference. Tickets must have been issued prior to January 27, 2020 with affected flights scheduled between January 27, 2020 and March 31, 2020. New travel must be rebooked by March 31, 2020. Hawaiian Airlines’ Full Policy JetBlue Jetblue has announced at least a 55% reduction in capacity in April and May 2020. Cancelled flights are eligible for refund. JetBlue is waiving cancellation and change fees for all flights based on the purchase date. Travel dates until May 31, 2020, regardless of the ticket purchase date. For new bookings between March 6 and 31, 2020 for flights before September 8, 2020, change and cancellation fees are also waived. Customers may rebook their flights for travel through October 24, 2020. Refunds are issued as JetBlue credit, valid for one year from the issue date. This is the longest window of any US airline, as most others’ credits are valid for one year from ticket purchase date. JetBlue Award Ticket Policy If you used JetBlue TrueBlue points to book a ticket, normally you’d have to pay a fee of $75 to $200 for changes and cancellations, depending on the original cost of your ticket. Under its coronavirus travel waiver, you can change or cancel your ticket for free if you’re booked to travel before April 30 or if you book a ticket in the month of March. You’ll have to pay any difference in the mileage cost, and any cash you paid for taxes and fees will be deposited into your JetBlue wallet, valid for one year. JetBlue’s Full Policy Southwest Airlines Southwest Airlines is suspending international flights to the Caribbean and Mexico starting March 22, 2020. This is part of a wider cut of 1,000 flights—25% of Southwest’s operation. These cuts are expected to remain in place until at least May. Southwest Airlines it already offers the most generous change and cancellation policies in the airline industry.  As long as you change your ticket ten minutes before flight time, you can get your flight re-booked or refunded into travel credit without penalty. You’ll just have to pay any fare difference that applies when you re-book your flight.  Note that travel funds are good for one year from original departure date and must be used by the person whose name is listed on the ticket. That said, Southwest has made special accommodations for COVID-19. If you would like to rebook, you may change your travel up to 60 days from your original flight. Flights that have seats available will display as “Available.” However, if you want to rebook be sure to check the price of the new flight first. Many times it will be cheaper than what you paid for your original ticket. In that case, you are better off refunding your ticket and spending the travel funds you receive towards the new ticket. Customers' funds that have expired or will expire between March 1 – May 31, 2020, will now expire June 30, 2021. Any travel funds created because of a flight cancellation between March 1 – May 31, 2020, will have an expiration date of June 30, 2021. If you used Southwest Rapid Rewards points to book your flight, you probably already know that you can change or cancel your ticket for free at any time before departure. If you do plan on traveling, be sure to check ticket prices occasionally—if fares drop, you can change your ticket or cancel and rebook and get the difference in miles back. Southwest’s Full Policy Spirit Airlines Most of Spirit’s international network services countries that have issued either travel bans for non-citizens or quarantine orders for people arriving into the country. Because of this, most of Spirit’s international flights are cancelled into April. Cancelled flights are eligible for refund. Unlike the other airlines, Spirit has not instituted a date-specific change policy. Instead, they are extending an offer of a one-time fee-free change or cancellation.  Fare difference will apply. If you choose to cancel, you will receive flight credit that is valid for six months. Note that this means you have six months to book your flight, so effectively you will have 9 to 12 months to use it based on how far in advance Spirit has posted its schedule. Spirit’s Full Policy United Airlines United Airlines has announced 95% cuts to its international schedule and extensive cuts to its domestic schedule over the next few months. Cancelled flights are eligible for refund. Tickets purchased from March 3 to 31, 2020 can be changed or canceled without fees for dates through the end of schedule. All tickets purchased prior to March 3, 2020 for travel until May 31, 2020 can be re-booked for a year from the original ticket issue date or December 31, 2020 (whichever is earlier). Tickets booked to China and Hong Kong with a travel date before April 30, 2020 are eligible for fee-free rebooking or a cash refund, even on non-refundable fares. Tickets to Italy and South Korea before April 30 are eligible for re-booking without fees, but not for cash refunds. A fare difference will apply for more expensive tickets. If the new ticket is cheaper than the one you purchased, the difference will not be refunded. In that case you are better off cancelling the ticket and rebooking at the cheaper price. Canceled tickets retain their original value for travel on United 12 months for following their original issue date.  You could then use the remainder towards a new ticket. For any customer whose international travel is disrupted by more than six hours because of schedule changes resulting from government restrictions, they will retain a travel credit equal to the value of their ticket. That credit can be used towards any flight, to any destination, for 12 months from the time of purchase. If the customer chooses not to use the credit, they will receive a cash refund at the end of that 12 month period. This position seems at odds with DOT regulations regarding refunds for cancelled flights. We will update we United clarifies the policy. United Award Ticket Policy United normally charges $75 for changes or cancellations 61 days prior to departure and $125 for changes or cancellations within 60 days of departure, with discounts for passengers with MileagePlus elite status. Under its coronavirus travel waiver, you can change your ticket without penalty if it was issued before March 2 for travel through April 30, or for new tickets booked between March 3 and March 31. You’ll still need to pay the $75 to $125 redeposit fee if you want to cancel and get your miles back. United’s Full Policy Other American Airlines Air Canada Air Canada has announced a shutdown of almost all of its international network in response to Canada’s border closing. In addition, flights from the US are reduced from 53 cities to 13. Cancelled flights are eligible for refund if they touch the US or EU. Otherwise the Canadian government has given guidance that a 24 month voucher is appropriate compensation. If you made a flight booking before March 31st, 2020, and you want to cancel it, you can do so with no cancellation fee. You will receive full credit, which you can use towards future travel. This credit is valid for travel before March 31st, 2021. Book any flight with confidence now, knowing that if the situation with COVID-19 changes, you can adjust your travel plans accordingly. Any booking made until March 31st, 2020, for travel until March 31st 2021, can be changed without a fee. For non-refundable fares, you will get a credit towards future travel. Note that travel must be completed by March 31, 2021. Air Canada’s Full Policy Aerolineas Argentinas Aerolineas Argentinas has suspended flights until at least March 31, 2020. Only limited repatriation flights will take place. Cancelled flights that touch the United States or the European Union are eligible for refund to original form of payment. Passengers of Aerolíneas Argentinas with CANCELLED FLIGHTS who wish to change their tickets to travel to/from the United States, Europe and Asia may make changes without penalty or fare/miles difference to travel and return up to November 30, 2020 or one year from issue of ticket, whichever comes first. Fare differences apply if they decide to fly after December 1, 2020. Tickets purchased with miles + pesos may only obtain a refund. Passengers of NOT CANCELLED FLIGHTS who wish to change their tickets to travel to/from the United States, Europe and Asia with original scheduled date up to August 31, 2020. Changes: without penalty, paying a fare/miles difference, if any, to fly up to November 30, 2020. (*) Tickets purchased with miles + pesos may only obtain a refund. Passengers who purchase tickets to and from Europe and the United States from March 10 to March 31, 2020 can change their flight once without penalty. Fare difference will apply. Aerolineas Argentinas’ Full Policy AeroMexico AeroMexico is offering flexibility for all ticket purchases during March 2020. To and from the United States: Changes are permitted with no change fee on flights issued before March 15 with travel dates before April 30, 2020 may rebook for flights until February 25, 2021. Fare difference applies. Rescheduled travel must take place before February 28, 2021. To and from all other destinations: Changes are permitted with no change fee on flights with travel dates between March 9, 2020 and May 31, 2020. Fare difference applies. Rescheduled travel must take place before October 31, 2020. AeroMexico’s Full Policy Avianca Avianca has announced that it will cease to operate passenger flights beginning on March 23, 2020 through at least April 12. Avianca is offering the option to change itineraries purchased between March 4 and 31, 2020 with cash or miles without penalty on routes to and from the United States, Canada and Europe or between March 11 and 31, 2020 on routes to and from other international routes operated by Avianca. The new trip must be completed by December 31, 2020 and can only be changed once without a fee. At least 15 days of notice to the original flight date must be given. Fare difference will apply. For flights booked prior to March 10 for international travel scheduled from March 10 to April 30, 2020, Avianca is offering the option to rebook for travel for one year from issue date or December 31, 2020, whichever comes first. Fare difference will apply. Avianca’s Full Policy Copa Copa is suspending all flight operations from March 23, 2020 to April 21, 2020. All passengers requiring travel through March 22, 2020 can make unlimited changes to their reservation free of charge, regardless of fare or destination, in order to help them repatriate. Copa is currently offering flexibility for tickets purchased until March 31, 2020 for travel on or before June 15, 2020. You can change your flight dates, use your ticket toward a future trip, or receive a refund of your ticket if permitted by the fare terms. Fare difference applies. Changes must be completed by June 15, 2020 and the new itinerary must start before December 31, 2020. Copa’s Full Policy LATAM LATAM has suspended 90% of international flights. LATAM has a variety of policies depending on when your ticket was purchased and where you are traveling, but flights cancelled by the airline are eligible for refund. If you purchased your ticket on or before March 14, 2020 and your flight is before April 30, 2020; you may reschedule your flight without penalties up to December 31, 2020. Any fare difference must be paid. If you purchased your ticket between March 15 and March 31, 2020; you may reschedule your flight without penalties up to December 31, 2020. Any fare difference must be paid. If you are uncertain about your new travel date, please call us before your original flight date. You are entitled to the option of keeping the ticket value as a personal credit for future travel up to December 31, 2020. LATAM’s Full Policy WestJet On Sunday, March 22 at 11:59 p.m. MDT, WestJet will suspend scheduled commercial operations for all international and transborder flights for a 30 day period. Cancelled flights are eligible for refund if they touch the US or EU. Otherwise the Canadian government has given guidance that a 24 month voucher is appropriate compensation. WestJet is offering flexibility for both existing reservations and new reservations. Flights booked before March 3, 2020 for travel in March or April 2020 are eligible for a one-time fee-free change. The change or cancellation must be made at least 24 hours before departure. The value of cancelled flights will be put in your travel bank. Fare differences apply to flight changes. For new bookings, WestJet is allowing a one-time fee-free change for all new flight bookings made between March 3, 2020 and March 31, 2020. The change must be made at least 24 hours before flight departure. If you were unable to reach the airline before your flight and decided not to fly due to Coronavirus (COVID-19), you may be eligible for a credit. WestJet’s Full Policy European Airlines Numerous European countries are imposing travel and border restrictions. As those restrictions take effect, airlines are either slashing service or suspending it entirely. In cases of cancellation you are eligible for a refund according to EU Rule 261. We are hearing reports of some airlines steering customers towards accepting a voucher as opposed to making refunds available easily. Know your rights. If you want a refund for a cancelled flight, you are entitled to one. European Arrival Restrictions The most important thing to know is that U.S. citizens and legal residents are allowed to travel to the United States from Europe. However, with rare exception flights are focused on repatriation. Any U.S. citizen or lawful U.S. permanent resident returning to the United States who has traveled to one of the Schengen Area countries within the previous 14 days must enter the United States through an approved airport. The list of airports currently processing flights from COVID-affected areas are: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Illinois San Francisco International Airport (SFO), California Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Washington Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), Hawaii Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), California Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Georgia Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Virginia Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), New Jersey Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Texas Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), Michigan Boston-Logan International Airport (BOS), Massachusetts Miami International Airport (MIA), Florida Foreign nationals who have visited the following European countries in the last 14 days preceding their entry are affected by the new restrictions. This list includes: Austria Belgium Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Italy Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland United Kingdom Aegean Starting March 26, 2020, Aegean will suspend all commercial international flights. Aegean appears to have removed all date limitations regarding rebookings. Any ticket booked on Aegean may be exchanged for a voucher for future travel. Aegean’s Full Policy Aer Lingus Aer Lingus expects to reduce capacity by 80% through May. Cancelled flights are eligible for refund. Flights prior to May 31, 2020 may be rebooked without fees. Fare difference will apply. Aer Lingus’ Full Policy Aeroflot Aeroflot has issued waivers for flights to China, South Korea, Iran, Israel, Italy, Germany, France and Spain. Passengers holding tickets for travel on or before March 20, 2020 may rebook or request a refund by April 30, 2020 at no additional cost. Passengers with tickets to travel on or after March 21, 2020 may rebook or request a refund during the entire validity period of the ticket. Aeroflot’s Full Policy Air Europa Customers with new reservations booked from March 4 to April 30, 2020 are eligible for rebooking for travel up to 12 months after original booking date.  Fare difference will apply. Customers with tickets to or from the U.S. dated between March 14 and April 30, 2020 may rebook until June 15, 2020 and only pay the difference in fare.  You could also receive a voucher good for travel until December 31, 2020. If your ticket has been issued before 01/04/20 and you plan to fly before 30/06/20, you may change the date or route by paying only the fare difference. Air Europa’s Full Policy Air France/KLM Due to increasing travel restrictions, and faced with a sharp decline in demand, Air France and KLM will be reducing flight capacity by up to 90%. This capacity reduction is currently planned to last at least into May. Air France and KLM have instituted a flexible booking policy for all tickets issued up to May 31, 2020. Tickets may be rebooked by September 30, 2020 for a later date up until November 30, 2020, or passengers have the option to receive a non-refundable voucher good for 12 months. The voucher can be used interchangeably on Air France, KLM, Delta or Virgin Atlantic. Air France and KLM are steering passengers into accepting a voucher. EU 261 clearly states that cancelled flights are eligible for cash refund. You may have to demand that the airline honor that rule. Air France/KLM’s Full Policy Alitalia Customers who have booked tickets by April 3, 2020 for any flight departing February 25 to May 31, 2020 may rebook until December 31, 2020 or receive a voucher good for one year from original ticket issue date. Cancelled flights are eligible for refund. Alitalia’s Full Policy Austrian Airlines Austrian Airlines has announced a suspension of operations starting March 18, 2020. Cancelled flights will be refunded. Note the Lufthansa Group info below for rebooking options for upcoming flights. British Airways British Airways expects to reduce capacity by 80% in April and May 2020. Cancelled flights are eligible for refund. If you’re booked to travel until May 31, 2020, you have the option to receive a voucher for future travel. Vouchers are good for 12 months from original departure date. Tickets purchased between March 3 and May 31, 2020, can be either rebooked within 12 months of departure or refunded via flight voucher. The flight voucher is good for 12 months from original date of departure. British Airways’s Full Policy Brussels Airlines Brussels Airlines has suspended operations until at least April 19, 2020. Cancelled flights will be refunded. Note the Lufthansa Group info below for rebooking options for upcoming flights. Brussels Airlines’ Full Policy EasyJet EasyJet customers who wish to change their travel plans can now move their flights to alternative dates and/or an alternative destination without a change fee. If the new fare is higher customers would only be required to pay the fare difference. This waiver applies to both existing and new bookings until further notice. EasyJet’s Full Policy Finnair Finnair has reduced its capacity by 90% for the upcoming weeks. Flights booked with Finnair until June 30, 2020, may be rebooked without charge up until November 30, 2020. Fare difference will apply. In the case of cancellation your ticket price will be refunded. Finnair’s Full Policy Iberia Iberia expects to reduce capacity by 80% in April and May 2020. Cancelled flights are eligible for refund. If you would like to request a voucher for future travel (not a full refund), you can do so via Iberia’s online form if you are currently booked to travel before April 30. If you have a ticket issued until March 11 to fly between March 1 and May 31, you have the ability to change the dates or request a voucher for the amount of the ticket, valid through March 31, 2021. This means you will have to pay more for tickets that cost more than the voucher, even if the departure and arrival cities are the same. Changes of your ticket are also allowed for travel before March 31, 2021 with the following exceptions: April 30 to May 2; July 1 to August 15; October 9 to 12; December 4 to 9; December 19 to January 10,2021; and March 24 to 31 2021. LEVEL, Iberia’s affiliate airline, has announced a 100% shutdown effective March 20, 2020. LEVEL has not announced a flight resumption date. Affected flights are eligible for refund. Iberia’s Full Policy LOT Polish Airlines All LOT flights, from both Poland and Hungary, will be suspended until March 28, 2020. Cancelled flights will be refunded. Flights booked on March 6 or later for travel before April 24, 2020 are eligible for rebooking for travel until December 31, 2020.  Fare difference will apply. LOT’s Full Policy Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, Brussels, Air Dolomiti (Lufthansa Group) Lufthansa Group has grounded international service with the exception of repatriation flights until at least April 19, 2020. Cancelled flights are eligible for refund. If you hold a ticket for a cancelled or an existing Lufthansa Group flight, you can keep the ticket without having to commit to a new flight date right away. Existing bookings will initially be cancelled, but the ticket and ticket value will remain unchanged and can be extended to a new departure date up to and including 31 December 2020. You can also rebook to another destination. The new flight must be booked until 31 August 2020. In addition we offer you for every rebooked ticket a discount of 50€ on the ticket price. Rebooking fees will still not be charged, regardless of which fare was booked. Should the rebooked fare be more expensive due to a change of destination (e.g. rebooking from short-haul to long-haul), change of class of travel or similar, an additional payment may be necessary despite the discount. Lufthansa Group’s Full Policy Norwegian Airlines Norwegian expects to cancel 85% of its flights between mid-March and mid-June. In the case of cancellation you are eligible for a full refund. All flights to and from the U.S., Austria and Italy before August 31, 2020 are eligible for rebooking before November 30, 2020. All international flights booked from March 6 to March 22 are eligible for one free rebooking with travel that must be completed by August 31, 2020. Norwegian Airlines’ Full Policy Ryanair Ryanair has announced a suspension of service starting March 24, 2020. Cancelled flights are eligible for refund. Ryanair has scheduled a limited number of repatriation flights and will only answer queries regarding these in the short term. From March 13 to April 30, 2020, Ryanair will waive the flight change fee for customers who wish to change their travel plans due to the current COVID-19 outbreak. This policy applies to all existing and new bookings. Ryanair’s Full Policy SAS, Scandinavian Airlines SAS has put most of its operations on hold starting Monday March 16. Tickets for cancelled flights will be refunded. Tickets booked before March 5, 2020 for travel until April 30, 2020 to, from and within Europe (except within Scandinavia) are eligible for rebooking for a departure date before November 30, 2020. Tickets booked between March 6 and 19, 2020 for travel until November 30, 2020 may be changed for a different flight date until November 30, 2020 without a fee.  Fare differences apply and destination and return must be the same. SAS’s Full Policy TAP Air Portugal TAP has announced a 90% reduction in capacity for April and May. Cancelled flights are eligible for refund. For all tickets issued up to March 8, 2020 for departure before May 31, 2020, a reservation change can be made up to 24 hours before the departure of your first flight, rescheduling the new trip to any destination and flying until December 31, 2020. Tickets purchased after March 8, 2020 require 21 day notice for changes. Fare difference will apply. TAP is steering passengers into accepting a voucher. According to EU Rule 261, cancelled flights are eligible for refund, full stop. You may need to remind TAP of this fact. TAP Air Portugal’s Full Policy Turkish Airlines Turkish Airlines has suspended most flight operations. Turkish has a fee-free change policy for all international bookings. If you purchased your ticket before March 20, 2020, you can re-book for a travel date until February 28, 2021 provided you make the request before December 31, 2020. Fare differences may apply. Turkish’s Full Policy Virgin Atlantic At this time Virgin Atlantic has announced an 90% reduction in service. Cancelled flights are eligible for refund. All flights through May 31, 2020 may be rebooked for travel until April 30, 2021. Fare differences apply. Virgin has announced, “If you can't get through to us before your flight we will apply the same policies when we get to you.” Virgin Atlantic’s Full Policy Related: Compare & Buy Travel Insurance for 2020 Asian Airlines China will close its borders to foreign nationals starting the last weekend in March. Foreign airlines will also be restricted to flying a single route, with no more than one flight per week. Each Chinese airline is likewise permitted a single route with no more than one weekly flight. Air China All flights purchased before January 28, 2020 are eligible for refund. That said, reports on social media indicate that Air China’s customer service department is overwhelmed with requests and that refunds are slow in coming. Air China Full Policy All Nippon Airways (ANA) Flights to and from Japan issued before March 19, 2020 for travel until April 30, 2020 are eligible for rebooking or refund. Flights to and from China and Hong Kong issued before February 26, 2020 for travel until April 30 are eligible for rebooking or refund. Flights to and from India and South Korea issued before March 6, 2020 for travel until April 30, 2020 are eligible for rebooking or refund. ANA Full Policy Asiana Airlines Flights to and from the U.S. ticketed before February 25, 2020 for travel before April 30, 2020 may be rebooked for travel until August 31, 2020. Fare difference will apply. Tickets purchased from March 10 to April 30 will be eligible for a one time fee-free rebooking or refund. Fare difference will apply. Tickets to specific countries that have COVID-19 restrictions are eligible for refund. Check full policy for details. Asiana Airlines Full Policy Cathay Pacific Cathay Pacific has announced a 96% reduction in capacity for April  and May 2020. Flights booked before March 17, for travel before May 31, 2020 are eligible for refund. All flights booked between March 9 to April 20, 2020 are eligible for free rebooking for travel until December 10, 2020. Cathay Pacific Full Policy China Eastern Airlines China Eastern is allowing full refunds for all flights to and from the U.S. between January 24, 2020 and June 30, 2020. China Eastern Full Policy China Southern Airlines China Southern Airlines is allowing full refunds with the following conditions: Flights that visit or transit Wuhan, China for travel until March 29, 2020 Flights that visit or transit restricted countries for travel until June 10, 2020 All tickets purchased before January 28, 2020 for travel until March 29, 2020 Medical personnel, people with a fever or respiratory illness or people who have had close contact with a COVID-19 patient with tickets for travel until March 29, 2020 China Southern Airlines Full Policy EVA Airways EVA has suspended all international transit service via Taiwan effective March 24, 2020. This suspension is anticipated to remain in effect until April 7. Cancelled flights from the US are eligible for refund. Hainan Airlines Hainan Airlines is offering full refunds of tickets purchased before January 24, 2020 for flights after January 1, 2020. Hainan Airlines Full Policy Japan Airlines (JAL) All tickets to, from and through Japan issued on or before March 6, 2020 for travel until April 5, 2020 are eligible for rebooking or refund. JAL Full Policy Korean Air Korean Air has announced an 85% reduction in international flights up to at least the end of March. Cancelled flights that touch the U.S. or the European Union will be eligible for refund. All tickets to and from the Americas issued before March 9, 2020 for travel until June 30, 2020 can be rebooked without penalty for travel until December 31, 2020. Fare differences will be waived if booking is in the same fare class. Tickets from July 1 to December 31, 2020 may be rebooked for a new flight date until December 31, 2020, but fare differences will apply. Passengers who are ill, who are in the military or who are medical personnel are eligible for flight refund for travel until June 30, 2020. Korean Air Full Policy Malaysia Airlines The government of Malaysia has prohibited citizens from leaving the country and prohibited foreigners from entering the country from March 18 to 31. Transit passengers are still allowed, but Malaysia Airlines has limited services to bare-bones capacity. Cancelled flights will be refunded. Malaysia Airlines is offering a one time fee-free rebooking for flights booked before March 31 for travel until December 31, 2020. Booking must be changed by June 30, 2020 with the new date of travel being December 31, 2020 or earlier. Selected destinations in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe are also eligible for rebooking or refund. Malaysia Airlines Full Policy Singapore Airlines Singapore has cancelled a long list of flights through May. Cancelled flights that touch the U.S. or the European Union are eligible for refund. Singapore has also closed its border and will not allow passengers to transit Singapore beginning March 23, 2020. Customers who have tickets issued before March 15, 2020 to fly before May 31, 2020 may receive a voucher for the value of their ticket good until March 31, 2021. Tickets booked between March 6 and 31, 2020 are eligible for free re-booking with travel through March 31, 2021. Fare differences will apply. Singapore Airlines Full Policy Thai Airways At this time Thai is extending waivers to cities in Asia and Europe. If you are flying Thai to a destination other than Thailand, you may be eligible for rebooking. See full policy for details. Thai Airways Full Policy Middle Eastern Airlines Emirates Emirates will suspend most flight operations on March 25, 2020. Customers who made bookings on or before March 31, 2020, will be eligible for fee waivers on changes to their itineraries or a travel voucher with validity of 12 months from date of issue. Full Emirates Policy Etihad Effective March 24, only UAE citizens and diplomats are able to board flights to the UAE. Transit passengers are no longer allowed. Etihad has suspended all flights from March 26, 2020. Etihad rebooking and cancellation policy depends on location and if there are any travel restrictions at the departure location or destination are in place. Cancelled flights that touch either the United States or European Union are eligible for refund to original form of payment. If you’re scheduled to fly with Etihad Airways before June 30,2020, you can rebook your flight for free, or use the value of your ticket as credit towards your next trip. You can use the credit until September 30, 2020, for travel until July 31, 2021. If you choose credit or rebooking before June 30, 2020, Eithad will reward you with 5,000 bonus Etihad guest miles. You can also cancel your booking and use the value as credit towards your next trip. Passengers can request a cancellation if flights have been cancelled, are prohibited to travel by local authorities or are denied entry into destination due to travel restrictions. In this case, the refund is without penalty on the unused portion of any tickets. Refunds for all other ticket holders will be based on applicable fare rules Bookings made with Etihad Guest miles: Customers who made bookings with Etihad Guest miles are also eligible to cancel or rebook flights if their travel is impacted by COVID-19 restrictions. Full Etihad Policy. Royal Jordanian Royal Jordanian Airlines is suspending all flights from March 17 to 31, 2020. Royal Jordanian is offering the option to reissue the value of the ticket to an EMD (Electronic Miscellaneous Document), to be used for future bookings. However, if the flight touches either the U.S. or Europe it is subject to the regulations of those entities, which require a cash refund for cancelled flights. Royal Jordanian Full Policy Qatar Airways Qatar Airways deserves special recognition for the immense work they have done assisting passengers of may countries repatriate. To date, over 100,000 passengers have gotten home thanks to Qatar’s efforts. The nation of Qatar has suspended all air travel from March 18 for a minimum of 14 days. Under the instructions of the Government of Qatar, effective immediately, entry into Qatar will only be permitted for Qatari nationals. Transit through Doha is still permitted. Qatar Airlines, to its credit, has become a major participant in repatriation flights. Cancelled flights will be refunded. Tickets for travel until September 30, 2020 may be rebooked for travel until September 30, 2020 or exchanged for a voucher valid for one year from issue date. If you receive a voucher, Qatar will add 10% to the value of your ticket. Cash refunds are also permitted, but can take up to 30 days to process. If you cannot reach Qatar before your flight date, don’t worry because you will still receive a voucher for future travel. Qatar Full Policy Pacific Airlines Qantas At this time Qantas has suspended 100% of international routes through May 2020. Cancelled flights are eligible for refund. Customers with existing bookings on any international or Australian domestic flight until July, 31 2020, who no longer wish to travel, can cancel their flight and retain the value of their booking as a flight credit. Cancellations must be processed by April 30, 2020. Flight credit is good until December 31, 2021. If you already have a credit, it will automatically be extended to December 31, 2021. Qantas Full Policy Air New Zealand Air New Zealand has cancelled 85% of international flights through June 3, 2020. All change fees for new tickets issued from March 5 to March 31, 2020 are waived (service fees and fare different will apply when rebooking). You may elect to receive credit that is valid for twelve months from original flight date. If you have international travel to a country restricted by a government imposed travel restriction for travel up to and including 31 March, you can hold your fare in credit for 12 months from the date you cancel your booking or Air New Zealand can provide you with a full refund. Existing long-haul bookings up to and including March 4, 2020 with travel prior to July 1, 2020 will have fee changes waived once per booking or customers can hold their ticket in credit for a rebooking within 12 months of the original date of issue. Air New Zealand Full Policy Air Tahiti Nui Air Tahiti Nui is requiring travelers who have visited select countries within 30 days prior of their trip to French Polynesia to provide a medical certificate no older than five days prior to travel certifying a condition of good health. Individuals who have not visited the select countries must still fill out a self-certified medical form and provide it at flight check-in. Air Tahiti Nui has a flight that travels from Papeete to Paris via Los Angeles. With the travel restrictions coming into effect some flights on this route has been modified to a nonstop flight bypassing Los Angeles. Customers with questions regarding reservation changes are encouraged to call the airline directly. Air Tahiti Nui Full Policy Virgin Australia At this time Virgin Australia has suspended all international routes through June 14, 2020. Guests who have booked flights on a suspended service will be contacted via email, prioritized by departure date, with alternative travel options. However, you are also eligible for a cash refund of cancelled flights that touch the USA or the EU. Full Virgin Australia Policy African Airlines EGYPTAIR International air traffic has been suspended in all Egyptian airports effective Thursday, March 19, at 12 noon with expectation to resume on March 31. This effectively shuts down EGYPTAIR during that period. Canceled tickets that touch the USA or EU are eligible for a full cash refund. Tickets purchased between March 7 and 31 are eligible for a one-time rebooking to a new travel date or destination, regardless of new travel date. At this time EGYPTAIR does not have a published policy for tickets issued prior to March 7, 2020. We will update as the situation changes. EGYPTAIR Full Policy Ethiopian Airlines Ethiopian Airlines has stopped flights to 30 countries due to COVID-19. Tickets for travel up to June 30, 2020 or earlier are eligible for free rebooking. Fare difference will apply. Ethiopian Airlines Full Policy Royal Air Maroc Following the Moroccan government decision, all Royal Air Maroc international flights are suspended, until further notice. Cancelled flights will be refunded. International tickets purchased before March 31, 2020 for travel before May 31, 2020 are eligible for a one-time fee-free rebooking to a different date, provided the new departure is no later than May 31, 2020. Royal Air Maroc Full Policy Bottom Line Based on the situation on the ground, it may be more likely that your flight gets cancelled than you having to rebook on your own. If your flight gets cancelled, you will be eligible for a cash refund. If you want to change your plans before flights are actually cancelled, these are the most recent policies. #airline #blog #forbes #blogger #olamblog #coronavirus #adivice #travel #newyork #nyc #longisland #newjersey #connecticut

Watch hit musicals like Kinky Boots and 42nd Street right from your living room. BY STACEY LEASCA Guess what. You’re probably going to be stuck at home for a while. And that’s okay because is it the right thing to do for your own health and the health of your neighbors. And, let’s not forget, there are plenty of things to entertain you while inside your house, like virtual museum visits, operas, and now, streams of all your favorite Broadway shows. BroadwayHD, a streaming service for theater fans started in 2015, has long been bringing Broadway performances to people’s living rooms. As the company explained in a statement, “BroadwayHD was created with the goal of making high-quality theater accessible to everyone globally.” On the platform, subscribers will find a combination of acquired performances including performances of Cats, The King and I, and Sound of Music, along with originals the platform filmed including performances ofKinky Boots and 42nd Street, from Broadway, The West End, and other elite venues around the world. And, the company announced, this month, in addition to its pre-existing library of nearly 300 productions, BroadwayHD will be curating two new playlists for anyone hoping to binge-watch some seriously stellar performances. To honor Women’s History Month, BroadwayHD curated a playlist featuring the works of female theater-makers and show-stopping performances including an all-female Shakespeare Trilogy, along with Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, A Night with Janis Joplin, Ann, Driving Ms. Daisy and more. Additionally, BroadwayHD is celebrating theater legend Stephen Sondheim for his 90th birthday and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 72nd with a special tribute playlist including some of their most beloved productions. The playlist includes Gypsy, Putting It Together, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,  Cats, Phantom Of The Opera, Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, and more. The platform is currently offering a free seven-day trial, along with a wildly affordable $8.99 monthly plan. So go ahead and watch as many times as you want. You can even sing along if you please because you’re in your own house, who’s going to complain? #blog #travelleisure #blogger #olamlimo #broadway #travel #book #theater #pointtopoint #rental #stretch #limo #sedan #suv #newyork #nyc #manhattan #longisland

by Joe Santos We all remember using a limo service for prom or for another special event in which we needed to arrive fashionably late, or perhaps, just fashionably. However, in recent years, with ride-share apps becoming popular and now, the norm, it seems that limos and other black car services have all but gone by the wayside. Well, they haven’t, and here are five reasons why you should use one. Personal Safety Professional car services put their employees through much more stringent background checks. While other rideshare companies do a background check as well, you can trust a tried-and-true car service to hire much more professional drivers to be at your service. Just be sure to check the ratings and do your research in order to find one that will work best for you. Luxury From the good ‘ol stretch limo to a bigger, and more luxurious SUV, a professional car service will have you covered no matter how big your party is. Looking for a Hummer limo to show up to your favorite bar on your bachelor party? No problem. By hiring a professional black car service, you can show up in fashion and on time. What better than to have an actual professional chauffeur take you through the city and open your door for you? Just remember to tip them. Better punctuality While rideshare drivers aren’t late all the time, it does happen on occasion. However, black car service and limo drivers are held to a much higher standard, so with the extra money comes extra responsibility and better punctuality. While we don’t live in a perfect world, hiring a luxury car service means that they will strive for perfection since you can make your travel arrangements in advance. This is especially handy if you need to make it to the airport on time. Dependability When hiring a black car service, the drivers are much more dependable. They will not only show up on time and get you to your destination on time, but they will know how to get there. Black car companies train their drivers well and also make sure that they have the most up-to-date navigation tools to get you around the city. Best value for the money Yes, we know that a black car service can be just about double what a normal Uber ride would cost, however, it’s the luxury that you’re paying for. Remember, it’s not just about the fancy car that you’re riding, it’s about the whole experience. You get what you pay for We are well-aware that rideshare companies like Uber have their own black car service (Uber Black), however, their company policies aren’t as strict when it comes to the type of vehicle used and the type of driver that you get. We wanted to bring to light that limo and black car services do still exist, and while they might cost more than the average Toyota Prius ride that you can opt for, you get what you pay for. And sometimes in life, you deserve more than just average. #blog #blogger #blackcar #limo #olamlimo #rental #sedan #suv #van #stretchlimo #luxury #professional #safety #newyork #nyc #longisland #newjersey #business #corporate #traveler