Travel

E-Travel News

To search E-Travel Newsletter stories use the Search box above.

Starting in 2018, the format of the E-Travel Newsletter has been revised to a web-friendly format. News posts will continue to be comprised of articles of interest to State Travelers, Travel Administrators, and management. Previous issues of the E-Travel Newsletter will continue to be available online.

2021 Issues

• October 2021 - Volume 13, Issue 3
  • Changes to State Car Rental Contracts
  • Unused Ticket Credits Q&A
  • Statewide Travel Office Cost Savings Analysis
  • Suggestions Lead to Enhancements in E-Travel Online
  
  
• May 2021 - Volume 13, Issue 2
  • REAL ID Requirements Pushed to May 2023
  • Know Before You Go
  • Rental Car Shortage
  
  
• January 2021 - Volume 13, Issue 1
  • Personal Vehicle Mileage Rate for 2021
  • New AAM Policy for Personal Deviations
  • No-Show Reminder for State Travelers

2020 Issues

• November 2020 - Volume 12, Issue 6
  • E-Travel Online Enhancements
  • Year-End Taxable Travel Reimbursement Reminder
  • Employee Reimbursements (Travel, Non-Travel, and Moves)
• September 2020 - Volume 12, Issue 5
  • Creating a Fare Quote for Deviated Travel
  • Airlines Eliminate Change Fees
  • Web Browser Recommendation for E-Travel Online
• July 2020 - Volume 12, Issue 4
  • Alaska Airlines Announcements
  • Alaska Marine Highway System Service Notice
  • Employee Reimbursements
  • New Travel FAQ
  • Travel Arranger Homepage
• May 2020 - Volume 12, Issue 3
  • CTM Office Updates
  • Cancelled Travel Credit
  • Reminder When Booking Rural Air
  • Air Carriers Safety Protocols
  • OTPAY Documentation
• March 2020 - Volume 12, Issue 2
  • E-Travel Login
  • No-Show Reminder for State Travelers
  • SeaTac Modernization and Renovation
  • Airplane GSA Rate and Dry Rate
• January 2020 - Volume 12, Issue 1
  • Elite Frequent Traveler Status for 2020
  • Personal Vehicle Mileage Rate for 2020
  • Preferred Hotel Program
  • Alaska Air Contract
  • E-Travel Customer Satisfaction Survey

2019 Issues

• November 2019 - Volume 11, Issue 6
  • Traveling during Winter Weather
  • AAM 60 Updates [Travel, Moving, Fringe Benefits]
  • FY 2020 Q1 Travel Savings Report
  • Tips for Staying Healthy Onboard
• September 2019 - Volume 11, Issue 5
  • CTM Fee Consolidation
  • State of Alaska Per Diem Rates Update
  • REAL ID Reminder
  • Code Share Flights
  • Prepare your Travelers for a Successful Trip
• July 2019 - Volume 11, Issue 4
  • FY 2019 E-Travel Program Savings
  • Federal Per Diem Changes – Effective June 1, 2019
  • CTS Authorization Requirements
• May 2019 - Volume 11, Issue 3
  • Economy Fares Removed from E-Travel
  • Managing Your Travel Profile
  • Ravn Alaska Increases No-Show Charges
  • Traveling in Rural Alaska
• March 2019 - Volume 11, Issue 2
  • Form Update: Moving Expense Reimb Payroll Report
  • No-Show Reminder for State Travelers
  • E-Traveler Profiles
  • E-Travel FAQs
• January 2019 - Volume 11, Issue 1
  • Federal Per Diem Rate Change
  • 2019 Mileage Rate Adjustment
  • Real ID for Alaska Residents
  • More E-Travel Training Options in 2019

2018 Issues

In the News - Travel Headlines

• November 2018 - Volume 10, Issue 6
  • Alaska Airlines Up Their Baggage Fees
  • Rental Car Reminders for State Travelers
  • Private Lodging Platforms (Airbnb™)
  • New Security Screening Technology
• September 2018 - Volume 10, Issue 5
  • E-Travel Online Booking Fee Change
  • Federal Per Diem Changes – Effective September 1, 2018
  • Hotel Booking Tips for E-Travel Planners
  • Real ID for Alaskans
• July 2018 - Volume 10, Issue 4
  • Airport Check in Reminder for Juneau Travelers
  • E-Travel Online Booking Fee Change
  • Ravn Alaska Air Agreement
  • When E-Travel is Optional - Rural Air Carrier Update
  • E-Travel Training Enrollment Process
  • TR/TA Form Update
• May 2018 - Volume 10, Issue 3
  • Advance Purchase Statistics
  • Unused Ticket Automation
• March 2018 - Volume 10, Issue 2
  • TR/TA Form Update
  • "Smart Bags"
  • Traveler Profiles
• January 2018 - Volume 10, Issue 1
  • Advance Purchase Reporting
  • 2018 State Preferred Hotels
  • Airline No-Show Policy

2017 Issues

• November 2017 - Volume 9, Issue 6
  • No Call – No Show – No Value, Employee Travel Reimbursements, and REAL ID Update for Alaskans
• September 2017 - Volume 9, Issue 5
  • Trip Templates in E-Travel Online, Taxable Travel Processed Incorrectly, and CTS Authorization for Car Rentals
• July 2017 - Volume 9, Issue 4
  • Real I.D. Act, E-Travel Online Changes, Ridesharing FAQs, and CTS Authorization for Car Rentals
• May 2017 - Volume 9, Issue 3
  • Advance Purchase Recommendations, AAM 60.050 Travel Purchase Policy, and TRIPS for Travel Coordinators
• March 2017 - Volume 9, Issue 2
  • OTPAY Workflow in IRIS HRM, AAM 60.210, Federal Per Diem Changes – March 1, 2017, and E-Travel Online Redesign and Mobile Functionality.
• January 2017 - Volume 9, Issue 1
  • 2017 E-Travel Preferred Properties, Sending Hotel CTS Authorization, 2017 Mileage Rate Changes, and Car Contract Benefits

2016 Issues

• November 2016 - Volume 8, Issue 6
  • Booking Rural Air, New Fee Structure, and Real ID Act
• September 2016 - Volume 8, Issue 5
  • Unused Ticket Value, AAM 60 Updates, and Purchasing Error Message
• July 2016 - Volume 8, Issue 4
  • New E-Travel Contract, American Air Mileage Program Change, and Traveling in Rural Alaska
• May 2016 - Volume 8, Issue 3
  • AAM 60 Policy Changes Effective May 16, 2016, A Tip for Back-up Travel Planners, and Travel Planner Reminder
• March 2016 - Volume 8, Issue 2
  • Code Shared Flights, State of Alaska Vehicle Users, and Delta Airlines News
• January 2016 - Volume 8, Issue 1
  • 2016 E-Travel Lodging Program, Search by Schedule Function, RAVN Alaska and Rural Carriers, and 2016 Mileage Rate Change

2015 Issues

• November 2015 - Volume 7, Issue 11
  • Flying “À la Carte” with Ancillary Fees, Moving, Mileage, and Per Diem Reimbursements, Event Travel Management Contract
• October 2015 - Volume 7, Issue 10
  • AAM 60 Updates and Industry News
• September 2015 - Volume 7, Issue 9
  • What Went Wrong?, Travel Authorization Updates, and Travel Agent Fees in IRIS
• August 2015 - Volume 7, Issue 8
  • State of Alaska Service Fees Reduced, FY15 Cost Savings Analysis, and Noncommercial Lodging
• July 2015 - Volume 7, Issue 7
  • Unused Tickets, Traveler Arranger Homepage Redesign, One Card Chip Technology, and Airline Industry News
• June 2015 - Volume 7, Issue 6
  • Lodging and Car Rental Reminders, Alaska Airlines: Preferred Plus Seating, IRIS Information, E-Travel Enhancements
• May 2015 - Volume 7, Issue 5
  • Meeting the Market Share, Expedited TSA Screening, and Understanding Codeshare Agreements
• April 2015 - Volume 7, Issue 4
  • Tenth Anniversary of the State Travel Office and Airline Industry: 10 Years of Change
• March 2015 - Volume 7, Issue 3
  • Rural Hotels in E-Travel, Round Trip Ticketing Rules, and Traveler Tips
• February 2015 - Volume 7, Issue 2
  • Changes to E-Travel Training, Personal Use of State Vehicles, and Hotels in E-Travel Online
• January 2015 - Volume 7, Issue 1
  • Cancelling an Itinerary, AAM 60.240 Update, 2015 Mileage Rate Change, and Benefits of Booking State Car Contracts

2014 Issues

• December 2014 - Volume 6, Issue 12
  • Winter Travel Packing – Part 2, Delta Expands Service in Alaska, Ridesharing, and AAM 60 Reminder – Involuntary and Voluntary Changes
• November 2014 - Volume 6, Issue 11
  • Winter Travel Planning – Part 1, Ravn Policy Reminder, Moving, Mileage, and Per Diem Reimbursements, Alaska Airlines Self-Tag Express, and Introducing Corporate Travel Management
• October 2014 - Volume 6, Issue 10
  • Wings of Alaska Offers a "Use-It-or-Lose-It Fare", Mobile Hotel Check-In, Benefits of Booking Preferred Hotels, and New E-Travel Training
• September 2014 - Volume 6, Issue 9
  • USTravel Changes its Name, Reminder for Meeting Planners, WSCA Car Rental Reminder, E-Travel Online Browser Alert, and Hotel Reminders
• August 2014 - Volume 6, Issue 8
  • Trip Template Functionality, Understanding Trip Templates, Travel Pocket Guide, In the News, and FY 2014 Savings Analysis
• July 2014 - Volume 6, Issue 7
  • In the News, Federal M&IE Changes, Statewide Travel Costs, E-Travel Website Updates, and E-Travel Online Feedback
• June 2014 - Volume 6, Issue 6
  • CTS Authorization Form, E-Travel Online Enhancements and FAQs, Lower Your Average Ticket Cost, and Delta in the news
• May 2014 - Volume 6, Issue 5
  • E-Travel Online Hotel Redesign, E-Travel Air Search Tip, New Per Diem FAQ #24, and Updated Per Diem FAQ #8
• April 2014 - Volume 6, Issue 4
  • New and Revised Travel FAQs, Flight Options Increase this Spring, 2014 Preferred Hotel Program, Spring Travel Reminders, and State Car Contracts
• March 2014 - Volume 6, Issue 3
  • Rural Contract Rates vs. Published Fares, Sold Out Flights, Elite Benefits, Era Rebrands as Ravn Alaska, and AAM 60.080 – Interruption or Deviation for Traveler Convenience
• February 2014 - Volume 6, Issue 2
  • Digital Luggage Tags, Changes to Itinerary Remarks, Letter to State of Alaska Vehicle Users, and Tips and Tricks for E-Travel Users
• January 2014 - Volume 6, Issue 1
  • Unused Tickets, Changes to Mileage Rates, Tips and Tricks for E-Travel Users, and Travel Trends

2013 Issues

• December 2013 - Volume 5, Issue 12
  • Stay Healthy Onboard, Alaska Airlines Advisories, Hotel Reminders, Winter Weather, Innovation at Security Checkpoints
• November 2013 - Volume 5, Issue 11
  • E-Travel Fees & Services, Exchange Ticket Eligibility, TripCase, TSA Pre✓™, Statewide Mileage
• October 2013 - Volume 5, Issue 10
  • Upcoming GetThere Enhancements, Delta Airlines, New Car Rental FAQs
• September 2013 - Volume 5, Issue 9
  • FY13 Cost Savings Analysis for E-Travel, Visions Meeting and Event Management, Alaska Airlines Fare Agreement, Introducing TripCase, Farewell Kathy
• August 2013 - Volume 5, Issue 8
  • AAM 60.250 (Prorated M&IE Allowances), New E-Travel FAQs, One Round Trip Reservation per Ticket, In the News, Tips & Tricks
• July 2013 - Volume 5, Issue 7
  • GGU Contract Per Diem Change, Denali Flight Seeing Tours, Unused Ticket Tips, E-Travel Online Purpose of Trip
• June 2013 - Volume 5, Issue 6
  • Budget Rentals, Virtually There, GetThere Tips & Tricks, Overbooked Hotel Tips
• May 2013 - Volume 5, Issue 5
  • Carrier Rules & Changes, TSA PreCheck, GetThere Tips & Tricks, Seattle Airport Realignment
• April 2013 - Volume 5, Issue 4
  • GetThere Update, What is WSCA?, New GetThere FAQs, GetThere Resources, E-Travel Satisfaction Survey
• March 2013 - Volume 5, Issue 3
  • New E-Travel Booking Tool, Managed Spend Cards, American Airlines/US Airways Merger, Unused Tickets
• February 2013 - Volume 5, Issue 2
  • Anchorage Airport Parking, Alaska Airlines Baggage Policy Update, Personal Use of State Vehicles, Seattle Airport Realignment Project, Beware of Email Phishing Scams
• January 2013 - Volume 5, Issue 1
  • New Baggage-Check Policy & Amendments, New Year Resolutions, Alaska Airlines Contract, Unauthorized Resissues

2012 Issues

• December 2012 - Volume 4, Issue 12
  • Emergency Travel Assistance, Helpdesk, Jet Lag, CTS Authorization Reminder, Rental Car Contract Changes
• November 2012 - Volume 4, Issue 11
  • Delayed or Cancelled Flights, Veterans Day, Holiday Travel Tips, Medical Travel Tips
• October 2012 - Volume 4, Issue 10
  • Carrier Class of Service, Alaska Airlines PFD Sale, Reservation Cancelations, Credit Card Scam Alert, E-Travel Satisfaction Survey
• September 2012 - Volume 4, Issue 9
  • E-Travel Cost Savings Analysis, Rental Car Contracts, Itinerary Modifications, AAM 60.240 / Hotel $300 Limit, Hotel Incidentals, Per Diem FAQ #23
• August 2012 - Volume 4, Issue 8
  • Rental Cars and CTS Accounts, Travel Updates, TSA Precheck Program, In the News
• July 2012 - Volume 4, Issue 7
  • Visions Meeting & Event Management, E-Travel Fees & Services, Airline News
• June 2012 - Volume 4, Issue 6
  • Alaska Airlines Self-Bag Tagging Service, Sea-Tac Rental Car Facility, Lost Savings Analysis, E-Travel Online Sort Options, Accident FAQ, Wings of Alaska Cancellation Policy
• May 2012 - Volume 4, Issue 5
  • Managed Travel & Fees, E-Travel Satisfaction Survey, Managed Travel Savings, Reporting a Rental Car Accident, Practical Rent-A-Car, Seat Assignments
• April 2012 - Volume 4, Issue 4
  • You Asked, We Listened, Delta Air Lines Baggage Allowance, E-Travel Online Air Preference Settings, Providing a CTS Form of Payment to Vendors
• March 2012 - Volume 4, Issue 3
  • Car Rental Contract Awarded to Budget, New CTS Authorization Form, AAM 60.120 Rental Cars, 3rd Quarter Survey, Virtually There ®
• February 2012 - Volume 4, Issue 2
  • Alaska Airlines Check-in Tips, Update on the E-Travel Surveys, TSA Body Scanners in Alaska, Using Mileage from the Statewide Pool
• January 2012 - Volume 4, Issue 1
  • Sabre Update, Survey Response, Travel Arrangements, Considered Confidential, Non-Commercial Lodging, 2012 Preferred Hotel Program

2011 Issues

• December 2011 - Volume 3, Issue 12
  • New FAQ / Personal Travel, E-Travel Surveys, Hotel Issues, Winter Travel Tips
• November 2011 - Volume 3, Issue 11
  • E-Travel Audit, Alaska Airlines Club 49, Bed Bugs, In the News, Tips & Tricks
• October 2011 - Volume 3, Issue 10
  • USTravel Switching to Sabre, E-Travel Satisfaction Survey, Meals Provided to Travelers, CTS Payments, Airport Connection Times
• September 2011 - Volume 3, Issue 9
  • Traveling with Pet Allergies, Changes to Upgraded Tickets, What is that Ticket Number?, My Hotel is Oversold
• August 2011 - Volume 3, Issue 8
  • Federal Excise Tax—Temporary Reduction, Delta Vacation Package for Personal Travel, In the News, What is a Manual Reservation Hotel?, Tips & Tricks
• July 2011 - Volume 3, Issue 7
  • Codeshare Flights / Market Share, SOA Research / Problems / Complaints, Charge Card Tips, Tips & Tricks
• June 2011 - Volume 3, Issue 6
  • State of Alaska Wins Recognition, Alaska Airlines Fare Agreement, Travel E-Qs, AAM 60.020 Emergency Travel, Budget Vehicle Return Policy, Tips & Tricks
• May 2011 - Volume 3, Issue 5
  • DOA Piloting DATABASICS, Trip Cancellation Notification, Rural Travel, Rural Air Request Form, Tips & Tricks
• April 2011 - Volume 3, Issue 4
  • New Out-of-State Hotel Rates, USTravel’s Client Appreciation Event, First Class Fare Code, $30 Noncommercial Lodging, Change to M&IE Breakdown
• March 2011 - Volume 3, Issue 3
  • Managed Spend Cards, Alaska Airlines Auto Upgrade Robot, Price Comparison, New TA Form, Tips & Tricks
• February 2011 - Volume 3, Issue 2
  • Hotel Payments, ViewTrip, AAM 60.040 Travel Completion Approvals, Checked Baggage Charges, Expense Management Update
• January 2011 - Volume 3, Issue 1
  • Alaska Airlines Contract, Farewell from Sunny, Travel Expense Management, Taxi Payments, Baggage Tip

2010 Issues

• December 2010 - Volume 2, Issue 12
  • Refueling Charges, Travel Credits, Traveler Confidentiality, Buyer Beware, Tips & Tricks, Debit / Charge Card Blocking
• November 2010 - Volume 2, Issue 11
  • AAM 60.120 Rental Cars, Personal Property Liability, Special Kudos, New TSA Screening at Sea-Tac Airport, Holiday Travel Tips, Tips & Tricks
• October 2010 - Volume 2, Issue 10
  • E-Travel Office Following in Giant Footsteps, Special Kudos, Contract of Carriage, Booking a Budget Rental Car in a Template
• September 2010 - Volume 2, Issue 9
  • TSA Secure Flight, USTravel Saves the State Money, Delta Vacations, Delta SkyMiles Status Match, Market Share Tip, Tips & Tricks, Special Kudos!
• August 2010 - Volume 2, Issue 8
  • New E-Travel User Home Page, 24-Hour Hold Function, Travel via Toll Roads, Booking Rural Air / Ferry, TSA Tip - Pack Smart, Tips & Tricks
• July 2010 - Volume 2, Issue 7
  • E-Travel Online’s New Look, Rate Rules, Booking Travel with the Contract Rate, Meeting the Market Share, Tips & Tricks
• June 2010 - Volume 2, Issue 6
  • Award for Outstanding RESX Site, EDI Electronic Payments, Getting the Best Hotel Rates, E-Travel Online Updates, Tips & Tricks
• May 2010 - Volume 2, Issue 5
  • Travel Deviation Policy Change, Car Rentals and CTS Accounts, Travel EQs, Top Hotel Spend by Vendor, Reissue Rule Change, Tips & Tricks
• April 2010 - Volume 2, Issue 4
  • Ticket Name Changes, USTravel’s Client Appreciation Evening, Travel E-Qs, Tips and Tricks, Hotel Credit Card Authorization, Join the Club
• March 2010 - Volume 2, Issue 3
  • Nationwide Rental Car Contracts, Airline News, Alaska Airlines’ Awards, Tips & Tricks
• February 2010 - Volume 2, Issue 2
  • Alaska Airlines Contract, E-Travel Online, Ticket Name vs. Government ID, Reservation Cancellations, Tips & Tricks
• January 2010 - Volume 2, Issue 1
  • E-Travel Online Surpasses Expectations!, E-Travel Bookings, E-Travel Fees, Unused Tickets, Tips & Tricks

2009 Issues

• December 2009 - Volume 1, Issue 2
  • E-Travel Online Profiles, Profile Information, 24-Hour Hold and Churning, Special Instruction Box, Tips & Tricks
• November 2009 - Volume 1, Issue 1
  • E-Travel Online Implementation, New Names, New Features in E-Travel Online, E-Travel Offers Traveler Options, Travel Web Site
• October 2009 - Volume 5, Issue 10
  • In the Spotlight: New Travel Contract Implementation, Fall Weather, TSA Screening Powder Substances, Government Exemption for Rental Car Tax, Southwest Airlines New Fee, Known Redress Number
• September 2009 - Volume 5, Issue 9
  • In the Spotlight: AAM 60.060 Payment Methods for Trans-portation and Expenses, Secure Flight Update, Emergency and After Hours Calls, Travel Tid-bits
• August 2009 - Volume 5, Issue 8
  • In the Spotlight: Secure Flight / Traveler Profiles, State of Alaska Signs New Contract with Delta Airlines, Unused Tickets, Travelport ViewTrip, Alaska Airlines Upgrades
• July 2009 - Volume 5, Issue 7
  • In The Spotlight: New STO Contract, More About Secure Flight, Passport Requirements, Delta Goes Paperless, One Card Program
• June 2009 - Volume 5, Issue 6
  • In the Spotlight: Survey, TSA Secure Flight Program, Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air Baggage Fee, ATM Locator, United Baggage Double Miles
• May 2009 - Volume 5, Issue 5
  • In the Spotlight: TSA Secure Flight Program, Coast Guard Requires Identification Number, Farewell to Debbie, Delta-Northwest Merger, STO Research vs. Problems vs. Complaints
• April 2009 - Volume 5, Issue 4
  • In the Spotlight: State Travel Office Fourth Anniversary, Airline Schedule Changes, Test Your STO Knowledge, Travel Management Contract RFP, ResX Upgrade, Travel Fees
• March 2009 - Volume 5, Issue 3
  • In the Spotlight: AAM 60.100 Airline Delays, Rescheduling, and Overheading, Traveler Tips for Airline Delays or Cancellation, Required Travel Identification, What is Airline Codesharing?, Airlines in the News, Rental Car News
• February 2009 - Volume 5, Issue 2
  • In the Spotlight Clarification of Personal Travel Deviation Changes, AAM 60.220 Travel Expenses and Required Receipts, 2009 Preferred Hotel Program, United Airlines Nonrefundable Tickets, Airport Minimum Connection
• January 2009 - Volume 5, Issue 1
  • In the Spotlight State of Alaska Signs New Contract with Alaska Airlines, AAM 60.080 Changes to Traveler Deviation, IRS Changes to 2009 Business Mileage Rates, TSA Secure Flight Program, New Year Resolutions

Previous issues of the Travel Newsletter can be requested via email. Please email the ETMT with your request.