Emirates becomes one of the first airlines in the world to trial IATA Travel Pass, a digital platform for COVID-19 updates and test verification

Emirates and the IATA (International Air Transport Association, they basically make all these long flights work with everyone else) have started a trial of an "International Covid Passport" that is being offered to all countries as a solution for verifiable negative tests, and also vaccines (which no country is accepting yet...). This, if widely adopted, and odds are it will be, would make life so much easier for everyone traveling and verifying travelers.

This is cool, and I'm looking forward to it.

Additional details available at emirates.com

Qatar Airways to Resume Atlanta Services and Increase Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Miami, San Francisco and Seattle Frequencies

Qatar is going back to Atlanta, and increasing it’s existing frequency of flights to cities still being serviced, noting an uptick in demand even with the new restrictions entering the USA in place soon. At least Qatar has a lounge in ATL, no other Oneworld brands have anything significant for premium travelers.

Seems people are finding ways to make this happen, and as a traveler, and a Covid survivor, I’m pretty well positioned for these changes coming into effect.

More details at qatarairways.com

Some all inclusive resorts are offering Covid testing and a 14 days extra stay free if you flag.

Many resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean are adapting to the new CDC requirements for testing and quarantine buy extending an all inclusive offering that gives you a Covid test for your return flight, and if you come back positive, complimentary 14 days more at the property to satisfy your quarantine requirements. This is pretty astounding, so far I found:

• The Hard Rock Rivera Maya with free testing and quarantine coverage
• Marriott in the Caribbean is offering access to testing through the hotels
• Sandals is offering on property testing and quarantine coverage
• Melia hotels have free onsite testing and free travel insurance to cover 15 days more
• Playa offers free testing and 50% off if continued stays are required
• Omg, just so so many have adopted this, you’re going to find a property near where you’d like to go

Accor sets ambitious line-up for new hotel openings in 2021

Accor is among now several hotel groups aggressively expanding in 2021, citing industry optimism that things are on the upswing, or at least we can manage the pandemic. Accor contains the SLS, Banyan Tree, Raffles, Sofitel and other luxury brands (I don’t pay attention too much to discount brands).

More information accor.com

Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test or Recovery from COVID-19 for All Air Passengers Arriving in the United States

Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test or Recovery from COVID-19 for All Air Passengers Arriving in the United States Air travel to the US from a foreign country is about to get a little more difficult. Beginning Jan 26th, all travelers (including US citizens) entering the nation from any foreign country are required to show proof they’re not a covid risk. That means You’ll need either to get a covid test within 3 days of departure – in a foreign nation, with a negative result or a document from your medical provider showing you had Covid in the last 3 months and are ok to travel. As of this point, a vaccination won’t cut it. Before you board your flight, show your test results to the airline employee and attest that the info you’re presenting is true. More details available on cdc.gov