Travel News Updates Provided By ASTA

United to accept credit, debit cards for onboard purchases - 3/2/09
After the spring-break season, United Airlines plans to stop accepting cash for onboard purchases on domestic flights as well as flights to and from Mexico, Canada, Central America and the Caribbean... Read More

Hoteliers launch lobbying effort for business trips - 2/27/09
Senior executives at Starwood, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, InterContinental Hotels Group and several other leading hotels have started a coordinated effort to make their case to members of Congress... Read More

Altour agents expect only a temporary downturn - 2/26/09
A recent survey of Altour agents found that most do not expect the slump in sales to continue for long.... Read More

Cruise lines tout value for corporate meetings - 2/25/09
The cruise industry, like hotels and convention centers, is concerned that the public backlash over lavish corporate retreats, incentive trips and other meetings will negatively affect its business. So far, however, the industry and travel agencies have reported an uptick in this area of operations... Read More

Travel agency groups expand air programs - 2/24/09
Ensemble Travel Group, Vacation.com and other travel agency marketing groups are beefing up their air programs to expand the revenue mix for their members. "Because air is a very important part of any travel that our agents are putting together for their clients... Read More

Noncommissionable fees continue to frustrate travel agents - 2/12/09
During the past decade, the noncommissionable portion of a cruise fare has crept up percentage-wise, creating an increasingly adversarial relationship between cruise lines and agents. Read More