In Travel News for November 4th, 2022 we talk more about pilot strikes in the U.S., the REAL ID deadline for Air Travel, and a new way to earn Alaska Airlines miles.
REAL ID Deadline May 2023
Starting on May 3rd, 2023 to travel by plane domestically within the United States travelers will need a T.S.A. approved form of identification. Passport or a Passport card will work, state issued identification such as a drivers license or state id will only work if it is REAL ID compliant. REAL ID has a special seal that indicated that the traveler has been screened and approved based on standards set by the Federal Government. While the deadline has been pushed back numerous times to give states extra time to implement the standard, and travelers time to upgrade their drivers licenses or state id’s, there doesn’t appear to be any further delays. If you plan on traveling by air on or after May 3rd next year you will need a REAL ID or you will need to travel with your passport. Otherwise you will be denied access during the TSA security screening.
Alaska Airlines Partners with Lyft
Recently Delta Air Lines and Starbucks partnered to give miles and other bonuses to travelers that have linked both rewards programs together. Now Alaska Airlines is expanding their mileage program by partnering with Lyft. Frequent flyers with Alaskan Airlines can ear one mile for every dollar spent on most Lyft rides in the United States and Canada. And that’s not all, as a holiday special, Alaska will be increasing the reward to 2 miles for every dollar through December 31st. To take advantage of this program travelers will need to link their Alaska Airlines and Lyft accounts and select Alaska Milage Plan as their preferred travel partner in the rewards section of the Lyft app.
Possible Pilot Strikes
A disruption across the big three U.S. airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines, could devastate Air Travel. The perfect storm of airline disruptions could be building. All three airlines are facing difficulties coming to terms with their pilots on a new contract. Delta pilots recently voted to authorize a Strike action if negotiations continue to fail. And both United and American have had their most recent offers rejected by the pilot unions. Now U.S. law has a mandatory cooling off period of 30 days before a strike could take place, so there is no chance this will disrupt thanksgiving air travel. Christmas travel disruptions are a little more likely. We are keeping a close eye on this and we will cover any changes when they occur. If you haven’t already subscribed to our channel, now might be a good time.