Smart Travel: Global Entry Returns, Airline Prices Surge, Mexico Travel Resumes, Route 66 Celebrations Go Green

We have good news and bad news this week. Returning from that international conference could be easier now that Global Entry doors have reopened, even if fewer TSA officers are showing up for their shifts during the partial shutdown. Normal travel is also returning to large swaths of Mexico. But those trips may be more expensive as increasing gas prices caused by the conflict in the Middle East make their way to booking sites. If your group is looking for a more grounded experience, get your kicks on the road that was honored in verse and prose—Route 66—with a Deep Drive Webinar Series from Brand USA.

Global Entry Returns

International travelers will see some relief as Customs and Border Protection reopened Global Entry services on Wednesday after a 17-day suspension due to a funding impasse in Congress that still has not been resolved. The lack of an agreement to fund The Department of Homeland Security—and therefore pay Transportation Security Administration staff—could still result in limited staffing at some airports. The decreased capacity and increased demand during prime Spring Break months could impact business travelers.

U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff welcomed what he called the affirmation of the value of Trusted Traveler Programs. “Over the last two weeks, the travel industry has been clear about the role programs like Global Entry and TSA PreCheck play in both security and efficiency. Through outreach to members of Congress and administration officials, collaboration across the travel sector and strong public engagement, we highlighted a simple reality: Trusted Traveler Programs enhance security while keeping travel moving,” he said.

He urged Congress to support the transportation security officers who keep the aviation system functioning. “These essential employees continue to report to work without pay during the partial government shutdown and they deserve to be compensated without delay,” he said.

Prepare for Drastic Flight Increases as Fallout from Middle East Conflict

Jet fuel prices are increasing even faster than crude prices with the Argus U.S. Jet Fuel Index up 72% over the last month. That increase resulted in more than doubling of average cross-country ticket prices, according to calculations by Business Insider.

An LAX to IAD flight that was listed as $150 on Feb. 27 is now going for $502 for the same 21-day window. Transcontinental airline tickets are up 40% to 177% with volatility showing week over week.

The Points Guy website is advising travelers to lock in rates for summer flights now as the bottleneck limiting oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz is lot likely to ease anytime soon and prices were already rising in January.

Travel Returns to Large Parts of Mexico

The U.S. State Department lifted shelter-in-place alerts for American citizens three days after violent incidents in parts of Mexico made headlines around the world following the death of a cartel leader Feb. 24. Air travel quickly resumed to Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta and cruise ships are in operation as the popular tourist destinations are excluded from the warning. This week, the U.S. State Department’s Travel Advisories Map showed wide swaths of Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) designations in place of Level 3 and 4 warnings. That includes Baja California, Nayarit (including Punta de Mita), Oaxaca and Veracruz.

The Jalisco Secretariat of Tourism confirmed the full restoration of its main tourist destinations and reports that the state shows sustained progress in consolidating its tourism activity, with positive indicators in air connectivity, mobility, destination operations and event agendas.

The U.S. Embassy also updated its communication noting the regular operation of the Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta airports, the availability of their services and the absence of reports of road closures ordered by local authorities.

Route 66 Celebrations Rev Up

Brand USA hits the gas pedal this month on commemorating the 100^th anniversary of the naming of The Mother Road, Route 66 with a virtual series highlighting American Dream stories that happened on the coastal byway.

Although the highway was officially decommissioned in the 1980s, you can still trace much of Route 66 today, including this EV-friendly itinerary and a classic Route 66 road trip from Visit California.