Amtrak and ARC have notified all the old-timers. The official announcement says, “Amtrak Announces Discontinuation of Legacy GDS Connections and Support of Paper ATB Tickets.” Allow us to translate.

With Monday’s announcement regarding its switch to a revenue-based frequent flier program, American Airlines has joined Delta Air Lines and United Airlines. (Those three do sure do a lot together!) The great American airline triumvirate has spoken: we are valued for our wallets. But they’re not alone - all the other major players – Virgin, JetBlue, and even the everyman’s best friend, Southwest, have already made the plunge.

Forget baseball. THIS is our National Pastime: Hurry up and wait. We’ve done everything we can, as a nation, to improve efficiency and limit wait times. Unsurprisingly, it’s coming back to bite us.

We've all been there.

Find the entry program that’s best for you.

There are four major entry programs for U.S. citizens (and some others).

Meetings and events is your next frontier. And combining your meetings program and your transient program just might save you money.

Convention Season Is Coming.

You know that sinking sensation you get when you arrive at your hotel and there are a lot of people around? Like, a lot a lot? And then, as you’re waiting in an ungodly long check-in line, you hear the group of people in front of you (who all seem to know each other, and will all miraculously have rooms ready, even though you’ll be told to come back at 3PM to get your room key) drop the name of an organization or event that sounds HUGE.

Written by Kristen Koenig, Director of Sales, Global Meetings & Events

The time to start paying attention to Strategic Meetings Management is now.

A lot has changed in the Meetings industry over the last 10 years. The evolution, particularly when considering technology integration, has been rapid, and we’re really beginning to reap the benefits of a decade of advancement. Personally, I am someone who thrives on innovation – if there is anything new or exciting that allows my customers or me to become more efficient, I want to know about it!

New Cat10 Combo Fares Giving You Heartburn? Call Your Agent.

Written by: Kevin Martin
EVP Business Development, World Travel, Inc.

The trades are picking up on last week's airline misdirection trick. CBS MoneyWatch covered the basics of the issue, but forgot to lay out your best options. You're a busy travel manager - you can't ask all your travelers (or rely on all your travelers) to painstakingly purchase the correct series of one-ways, and then manage them if their plans change.  Which brings me to my point:

When Will U.S. Carriers Commence Commercial Service to Cuba?

Written by  Maribeth L. Minella
EVP & Corporate Counsel, World Travel, Inc.

Answer: Maybe as soon as August 2016.