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US PASSPORT WAIT TIMES RETURNING TO NORMAL
The US State Department has stated that processing times for passport applications are back to pre-pandemic levels, reports CNN. The return to normal wait times comes after several years of delays as the department worked through a backlog caused largely by COVID-19. Processing time for routine service is now six to eight weeks and two to three weeks for expedited service, the department said. The updated times apply for applications submitted on or after December 18. “With this update, we have fulfilled our commitment to return to benchmarks from March 2020. This reflects the work of dedicated employees working for the American people,” the department said. Processing times for passports reached 18 weeks in 2021 when the State Department faced unprecedented demand and a backlog of nearly 2 million applications. This October, processing times were reduced to eight to eleven weeks.
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NOVEMBER AVERAGE US AIRFARES CONTINUE DECLINE
The average price of a US domestic roundtrip ticket declined again in November, reports Business Travel News. According to Airlines Reporting Corporation's (ARC) latest report, November's fare was $547, down 2 percent compared with October 2022. The fare also was down 2 percent on a month-over-month basis. Total November 2023 US air ticket sales were up 3.4 percent year over year to nearly $6.8 billion but were down 6.6 percent compared with October 2023. The number of passenger trips were up 7.5 percent compared with November 2022 to nearly 20.5 million, but they too decreased roughly 5.6 percent month over month. Additionally, the number of November US domestic trips was up 7.4 percent year over year to nearly 12.9 million; however, those figures were down about 9 percent compared with October 2023. International trips were the only metric to increase both by year and by month. They were up nearly 7.6 percent year over year to nearly 7.6 million and were up 1.2 percent month over month.
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TSA PRECHECK ADDS FOUR AIRLINES
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has added four new airlines to its TSA PreCheck program, bringing the total number of participating airlines to 94, reports Travel Market Report. Travelers flying with Fiji Airways, Lynx Air, Norse Atlantic Airways, and Starlux Airlines can now use TSA PreCheck, allowing them to expedite the airport screening process if they are enrolled in the program. TSA PreCheck is available on flights departing from US airports. The program allows TSA PreCheck travelers to keep on their shoes, belts, and light jackets, and keep their large electronics, liquids, and food in their carry-on bags during the screening process. TSA found that about 99% of TSA PreCheck members spend less than 10 minutes waiting on line at airport checkpoints nationwide.
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BRAZIL ADDS NEW E-VISA OPTION FOR TRAVELERS FROM US, CANADA, AUSTRALIA
Brazil has launched an electronic visa platform for visitors from the US, Canada, and Australia when the waiver currently in place for those countries expires in January 2024, reports Business Travel News. For arrivals beginning January 10, 2024, visitors from US, Canada, and Australia can apply for visas via a system developed by the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and obtain them at the cost of $80.90 per person. The electronic visas allow multiple entries and will be valid 10 years for US residents and 5 years for Canadians and Australians. Brazil issued a visa waiver for all three countries in 2019, but that was contingent on a reciprocal waiver agreement from each country, which has not happened.
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DELTA AIR LINES AND LATAM ANNOUNCE NEW SERVICE TO RIO DE JANEIRO
Delta Air Lines, in partnership with LATAM, has announced the expansion of its network in Brazil with the addition of a year-round flight between Atlanta and Rio de Janeiro. Both routes are operated by a Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, with four cabins: Delta One, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+, and a Main Cabin. They are new additions to the daily direct services that Delta already offers from São Paulo (two frequencies to Atlanta and one to New York-JFK), now totaling five daily flights between Brazil and the US, the largest schedule ever offered by Delta in Brazil in its 26 years of operations in the country. “We are extremely happy with the return of Delta’s direct services between Rio de Janeiro and the United States, yet another demonstration of the recovery of the travel industry in both countries and proving the importance of Rio as a gateway for international tourists, as well as Delta’s focus on taking its customers to the places they most want to go,” said Danillo Barbizan, Delta Sales Manager - Brazil. “I also emphasize the great value and scope of our partnership with LATAM, which, with the capillarity of its network in Brazil, is helping us to supply these flights and ensure faster and more comfortable connections for our customers, which adds to the numerous reciprocal benefits for frequent flyers.”
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28 CYRIL MAGNIN STREET
SAN FRANCISCO
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Experience a contemporary boutique hotel with modern amenities in the heart of The City’s Union Square neighborhood, providing immediate access to Financial District and SoMa office locations. Axiom Hotel is a sustainability focused LEED Silver certified independent hotel that welcomes those who desire a digital lifestyle delivered through seamless technology and thoughtful service. Offering a perfect hub for business and leisure travelers alike, Axiom Hotel is located adjacent to the world-famous Powell Street Cable Car turnaround, steps from the Powell Street BART station and Market Street train cars, Financial District, Moscone Center, phenomenal dining/entertainment, and the best boutique shopping available in San Francisco.
Axiom Hotel is pleased to offer Lawyers Travel clients a complimentary room upgrade upon arrival and courtesy late checkout until 2PM based on availability.
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EMBASSY SUITES BY HILTON WASHINGTON, DC - CONVENTION CENTER | |
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900 TENTH STREET NORTHWEST
WASHINGTON, DC
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Set in the city center, Embassy Suites by Hilton two-room suites are just blocks from the Washington, DC Convention Center. Downtown's National Mall, home to the White House, Washington Monument, and Lincoln Memorial, is only a mile away. Enjoy daily free made-to-order breakfast and complimentary evening receptions.
Brickstones Kitchen & Bar offers healthy inspired options and the ability to indulge, serving a varied menu including local favorites, burgers, flatbreads, healthy salads, and trendy bar fare.
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159 WEST 48TH STREET
NEW YORK CITY
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Please welcome to the stage New York City’s newest and brightest star, Hard Rock Hotel New York. Located between the Theatre District and Radio City Music Hall, their legendary lineup includes extraordinary entertainment venues, 446 guestrooms and suites across 36 floors, and innovative dining. Turn up the volume on the world’s most iconic skyline from RT60 rooftop bar and lounge. Experience the best of Midtown Manhattan with Broadway, Rockefeller Center, and Fifth Avenue shopping steps away. The hotel rooms and suites connect travelers to the rhythm of the city from music-inspired soundwave headboards to the Sound of Your Stay®. Appreciate music as it was intended on a Crosley record player with Wax®, listen to music with Tracks® featuring curated playlists, or jam with Picks®. Guests can even request a Fender guitar with over-ear headphones and an amplifier be delivered to their room. These musical amenities are guests to enjoy throughout their stay. | | |
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154 BERKELEY STREET
BOSTON
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Hotel AKA Back Bay seamlessly blends New England charm with modern luxury, offering an enchanting stay in the heart of Boston. Each guest room and suite exude elegance, capturing the essence of the region's heritage. Among the accommodations, the King Parlor Suite and the exclusive Back Bay Suite stand out, providing a lavish retreat. The hotel's allure extends beyond its rooms, with lifestyle amenities that include a vibrant restaurant and a cutting-edge fitness center, inviting guests to immerse themselves in Boston's desirable atmosphere.
Elevating the experience is the dedicated guest services team, ready to cater to individual preferences and share local insights. Precinct Kitchen + Bar's captivating historic backdrop sets the stage for savoring classic American fare and New England seafood specialties.
Lawyers Travel clients enjoy a complimentary upgrade to the next room category (based on availability) and complimentary Wi-Fi.
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INTERCONTINENTAL THE WILLARD WASHINGTON, DC,
AN IHG HOTEL
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1401 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE NORTHWEST
WASHINGTON, DC
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Experience the renewed InterContinental the Willard Washington, DC, an IHG Hotel with the iconic Peacock Alley and Crystal Room has been revitalized to pay homage to its 200-year legacy. These revered spaces, once graced by presidents and luminaries, have been meticulously restored and reimagined. Tradition meets innovation as Afternoon Tea beckons in the splendid Willard Peacock Alley, adorned with vintage elegance and a presidential feel. The illustrious Beaux Arts Crystal Room stands witness to a century of elegant galas and events. A vibrant palette, bespoke wallpapers, and a hospitable ambiance pay homage to the past while embracing the present. Join them to experience the renewed grandeur and enduring luxury of InterContinental the Willard Washington, DC, an IHG Hotel amid the capital's history and style. | |
MILLENNIUM HILTON NEW YORK ONE UN PLAZA | |
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ONE UN PLAZA
NEW YORK CITY
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Millennium Hilton New York One UN Plaza awaits the winter while sitting conveniently in Midtown East and adjacent to the United Nations Headquarters.
Enjoy some of NYC’s most vibrant dining, shopping and cultural options with a complimentary room upgrade based on availability for stays now through January 31, 2024.
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Welcome to the cultured, independent hotel in Covent Garden; the beating heart of London life. One Aldwych is one of the very few hotels in London (or indeed the world) that can say it’s truly independent. Everything the team creates, and curates is for the delight of their guests. The uplifting experience begins upon arrival at the hotel with arty, airy interiors and early morning arrivals can enjoy a delicious, complimentary breakfast before 10:30AM, giving guests time to relax ahead of check in. After settling into the surroundings, rejuvenate at the Health Club before setting out to explore. For culture and cocktails, head to The Lobby Bar to taste the Gallery Menu in the hub of an incredible art collection. The cocktails, much like the curation of the artwork, are unique, modern, and surprising and all from small British artisans. | |
SOFITEL MEXICO CITY REFORMA | |
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297 AVENUE, AV. P.º DE LA REFORMA
MEXICO CITY
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Sofitel Mexico City Reforma is a luxury hotel located in the heart of historic Reforma Avenue, offering a chic French-style experience immersed in the vibrant and lively Mexican culture. The hotel showcases an elevated and sophisticated French-inspired aesthetic, where every room is tastefully designed to blend style and functionality. With 56 exclusive suites, guests can indulge in added luxury.
For business travelers, the hotel provides Club Millésime, an exclusive lounge that offers top-of-the-line business facilities, delightful culinary options, breathtaking city views, and personalized attention to ensure a comfortable and productive stay. Whether for leisure or business, Sofitel Mexico City Reforma is a sanctuary of indulgence and sophistication.
Discover ultimate relaxation at Sofitel Spa with L'Occitane, where local pre-Hispanic traditions blend with innovative treatments and French flair to create an ideal space for revitalization, rest, and rejuvenation. Additionally, onsite restaurants and bars offer a creative culinary journey, seamlessly fusing the best of French and Mexican cuisines.
Last but not least, don't miss the extraordinary culinary experience at Balta, where the classic preparations and flavors of the Mediterranean meet the coastal delights of Mexico. With a touch of smoky essence, the menu features shareable dishes crafted from flame-kissed ingredients from land and sea, creating unique textures and tastes.
Experience the best of both worlds at Sofitel Mexico City Reforma, where luxury, culture, and culinary excellence intertwine and enjoy 15% off at Balta and on the In-Room Dining Menu, which showcases beloved room service classics, deluxe culinary experiences, and delectable French-inspired dishes.
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206 SIXTH AVENUE
DES MOINES
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At Surety Hotel in downtown Des Moines, they combine modern elegance with nods to their roots as the Savings & Loan building in every room. Each detail and amenity have been thoughtfully considered for guests’ comfort and delight. Their hotel rooms boast remarkable views of downtown Des Moines, designed with a nod to midcentury modern elegance and filled with local amenities from some favorite Des Moines makers. In the private bar find Mo Crack Pretzels, Almost Famous Popcorn, Old Station Craft Meats Snack Sticks, Des Moines IPA, and Revelton Liquors, to name a few. | |
THE DRAKE, A HILTON HOTEL | |
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140 EAST WALTON PLACE
CHICAGO
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Built as the nation’s first urban resort located at the top of The Magnificent Mile and Oak Street Beach, this historic hotel offers amenities and services synonymous with Gold Coast living, including their fitness center featuring Pelotons. This timeless property affords guests easy access to Chicago’s exclusive shopping, nightlife, and dining. Start the day at Café on Oak, their breakfast nook overlooking Lake Michigan, and enjoy a warm breakfast. In a hurry? Stop by Lavazza for grab & go items. Be a part of history and enjoy the hotel's famed afternoon tea service in the classic setting of Palm Court. As the day comes to an end, enjoy a cocktail at the neighborhood favorite, Coq d'Or, before retreating to a spacious and elegantly designed guestroom, featuring deluxe bedding and marble bathrooms.
Make the legendary Drake Hotel home for any traveler’s next visit to Chicago and earn 3,000 Hilton Honors Points.
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250 FIFTH AVENUE
NEW YORK CITY
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A distinctly independent hotel, The Fifth Avenue Hotel shares the best of New York with the world—and the best of the world with New York via interiors by celebrated designer Martin Brudnizki Design Studio and culinary direction by acclaimed Chef Andrew Carmellini.
The Fifth Avenue Hotel premiers the highest level of luxury paired with unexpected whimsical touches in every detail. 153 exceptionally appointed guestrooms, including 43 Suites and six Terrace Suites. Each designed with their own personality with distinctive artwork, colorful furnishings, and cozy details that make this historic building feel like home. Each room is accompanied by marble bathrooms, 24 hour in-room dining, toiletries in their signature fragrance, and a complimentary assortment of their favorite snacks and soft drinks. The Fifth Avenue Hotel is a destination unto itself encouraging exploration, fascination, and wonder.
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GBT Travel Services UK Limited (GBT UK) and its authorized sublicensees (including Ovation Travel Group and Egencia) use certain trademarks and service marks of American Express Company or its subsidiaries (American Express) in the “American Express Global Business Travel” and “American Express GBT Meetings & Events” brands and in connection with its business for permitted uses only under a limited license from American Express (Licensed Marks). The Licensed Marks are trademarks or service marks of, and the property of, American Express. GBT UK is a subsidiary of Global Business Travel Group, Inc. (NYSE: GBTG). American Express holds a minority interest in GBTG, which operates as a separate company from American Express. | | | | |
