7 tips to stay travel savvy this year
1. Apply for Global Entry
For those who travel internationally, Global Entry will make your travel experience feel like a breeze. With expedited clearance privileges, you'll be able to skip long customs lines when entering the U.S. from international destinations. To apply, you'll need to complete a background check and an in-person interview. The membership costs $100 for five years. And the bonus: TSA Pre✓ ® is included.
2. Take advantage of loyalty programs
Earn award miles through a great selection of credit card products including the United℠ Explorer Card and the United MileagePlus® Club card. From free checked bags and priority boarding to United Club℠ passes and Premier Access®, you'll find an award program that fits your travel needs.
You don't have to have status to get into one of our United Club℠ locations, either. Purchase a one-day pass for $59 through the United app or at the lounge's front desk. Once inside, you can recharge in comfortable seats, grab a bite to eat, enjoy a complimentary beverage or catch up with work.
3. Utilize airport amenities
From world-class restaurants to relaxing retreats, many airport locations have amenities that are worth a visit. With major upgrades to restaurant and bar offerings, you'll soon forget you're in an airport terminal. Below are a few locations worth checking out:
- Vino Volo wine bars that offer great wines by the glass or flights, along with bottles (check for locations here)
- The relaxing yoga room at San Francisco International Airport, located in Terminal 2
- Olio, an upscale eatery known for paninis and soups that's the brainchild of award-winning Chef Monica Pope, located in Terminal C at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston
- Melange, a bakery and chocolatier, located in Terminal C at Newark Liberty International Airport
- Tortas Frontera by award-winning chef Rick Bayless, located in Terminal 1 at Chicago O'Hare International Airport
4. Download a travel app
There are currently thousands of apps designed to make your travel life easier. By utilizing more travel apps, you can make your trip more seamless, from packing more efficiently to easily finding great restaurants near you. Three apps you may want to consider downloading are:
- Gate Guru, which gives locations of restaurants and stores at the top airports in the world. There are also user reviews, and sometimes you can even get a discount coupon.
- Packing Pro, for those who want to be more organized when trying to decide what — and what not — to bring on a trip. There are customizable and sample packing lists that cover every contingency.
- United, may be thought of as solely a way to book flights and check in, but the app actually has a number of additional features, including a currency converter, airport maps and much more.
5. Pack smarter
Now that you've downloaded an app to help you pack smarter, next up is packing lighter. We've all overpacked at some point in our lives, but the trick that savvy travelers exercise when flying is that they always pack less. Try to maximize your carry-on for shorter trips and repeat outfits when going on longer trips. It may seem counter intuitive, but packing lists can be helpful — especially when planning out a longer trip where you'll be going from city to city lugging around a suitcase. Trust us, your back and travel companion will thank your future self.
6. Organize your travel documents
It goes without saying, but just in case it's not on your list, you should always photograph your travel documents including your ID and passport. You may take every precaution out there, but sometimes the unpredictable happens and your passport goes missing. Instead of scrambling to produce another copy, you'll rest assured with the second copy you made sure to pack away from your passport in case your luggage or personal backpack is stolen.
7. Use your vacation days
This may seem like an obvious tip, however, each year more than 700 million vacation days go unused in the U.S. If you've got the days, you should be using them. A long weekend trip offers you the chance to take a break from work and recharge, while also exploring a new city. Whether you visit a neighboring state or go abroad, you'll be able to get out and experience a new part of the world.
To our customers,
I hope this note finds you and your loved ones healthy and well.
It is safe to say these past weeks have been among some of the most tumultuous and emotional that any of us can remember in our lifetimes. The impact of the coronavirus outbreak has been felt by individuals and families, companies and communities, across the United States and around the world.
The response to this crisis has been extraordinary; as much for what it has required from our society as for what it has revealed of us as a people.
Far from causing division and discord, this crisis and the social distancing it has required, has allowed us to witness something profound and moving about ourselves: our fond and deeply felt wish to be connected with one another.
The role of connector is one we're privileged to play in the moments that matter most in your life – weddings and graduations, birthdays and business trips, events large and small – and it's that responsibility that motivates us most to get back to our regular service, as soon as possible.
That is why it is so important our government acted on a comprehensive relief act to ensure our airline – and our industry – are ready and able to serve you again when this crisis abates.
I want to relay to you, in as deeply personal a way I can, the heartfelt appreciation of my 100,000 United team members and their families for this vital public assistance to keep America and United flying for you.
This support will save jobs in our business and many others. And it allows us time to make decisions about the future of our airline to ensure that we can offer you the service you deserve and have come to expect as our customers.
While consumer demand has fallen, we have seen the need for our service and capabilities shifted. And, we've adapted to help meet those needs.
Right now, aircraft flying the United livery and insignia, flown by our aviation professionals, have been repurposed to deliver vital medical supplies and goods to some of the places that need it most. We're also using several of our idle widebody aircraft to use as dedicated charter cargo flights, at least 40 times per week, to transfer freight to and from U.S. locations as well as to key international business locations. At the same time, we are working in concert with the U.S. State Department to bring stranded Americans who are trying to return home back to their loved ones.
While much remains uncertain right now, one thing is for sure: this crisis will pass. Our nation and communities will recover and United will return to service you, our customers. When that happens, we want you to fly United with even greater pride because of the actions we took on behalf of our customers, our employees and everyone we serve.
Stay safe and be well,
Oscar Munoz
CEO
When and where possible, we are working to repatriate travelers who are stranded abroad in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. Our teams are working closely with government officials here in the U.S. as well as in other countries where flying has been restricted to gain the necessary approvals to operate service. In regions where government actions have barred international flying, we have coordinated with the the U.S. State Department and local government officials to re-instate some flights. Additionally, we have been operating several extra flights to countries in Central America and South America as we continue to play a role in connecting people and uniting the world.
This week, we are operating 21 flights from Panama City, Quito, Lima, San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa and Roatan, to bring nearly 2,500 Americans home. We will continue working with government officials to operate extra flights to Houston from Quito, San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa and from Lima to Washington Dulles. We continue to review more opportunities for flights between the United States and other countries to bring citizens home.
Video provided by the U.S. Embassy Ecuador of Americans returning home on United.
Additionally, our Customer Solutions and Recovery team is working with customers in the following markets to rebook them on flights back to the United States as capacity allows, either on our aircraft or on one of our airline partners' planes:
- Quito, Ecuador
- Managua, Nicaragua
- Roatan, Honduras
- San Pedro Sula, Honduras
- Amsterdam
- Brussels
- Munich
- Singapore
- Tokyo-Haneda
- Seoul, South Korea
- Melbourne, Australia
We also recently reinstated several international flights back into our schedule to support customers and essential businesses which depend on these routes. As a result, we will be the only airline to offer service between Newark/New York and London, San Francisco and Sydney, as well as Houston and São Paulo, Brazil.
