Know Before You Go: Check Your Credit Card Information

To avoid having a hotel cancel your reservation, it is important to maintain updated credit card information when reserving your room. Hotels require a valid credit card to guarantee your room and some hotels even have systems to validate the credit card used to hold your reservation.  If the information is incorrect or outdated, the hotel may cancel the reservation without informing you or your travel agency.

If you have booked a hotel in advance and your credit card information has changed or you were issued a new card, be sure to contact your TMC and/or contact the hotel to advise of the updated credit card information.  It is also important to update your FedRooms.com account or travel agency profile with your most current credit card information including expiration date changes, new card numbers or any other account updates.

Becoming a loyalty program member may also help ensure your reservation status and rate, as some hoteliers guarantee there will always be rooms available for their frequent travelers. Keep your reservation safe by always maintaining up-to-date information.

TSA Begins Opening Automated Security Lines

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has partnered with airlines and airports to begin opening automated security screening lanes. Currently, lanes are available at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Los Angeles International and Newark Liberty International with plans to open more at airports across the country.

The automated screening lanes incorporate technology that enhance security effectiveness while simultaneously decreasing traveler screening time by 30 percent. Some of the unique features include automated belts that take bags into X-ray machines and then return the bags after screening completion. Bags that pose a potential threat are directed into a separate area to allow other bags to screen through without interruption. Because of the architectural design of some airports, however, the ability to expand these new screening procedures may be hindered by the space available. To learn more, visit https://www.tsa.gov/.

Issues with Your Hotel Room? Here's How to Handle it.

When staying at a hotel, there are times when your experience with the room or service may be unsatisfactory. Unmade beds, missing items, bursting pipes or bed bugs can lead to an unpleasant experience while on the road. If this is the case, what can you do to resolve the issue? Hotels want travelers to be satisfied with his/her stay, so there are a few steps you can take to get the issue resolved while you are still at the hotel.

If a problem arises with your room, it’s important to remain calm and either phone or walk down to the front desk to speak with a member of the staff. For issues that will interrupt your work or sleep cycle, it is acceptable to ask for a room change, but other difficulties might be solved by a visit from housekeeping. Keep in mind that if the hotel is at capacity, it may not be possible to accommodate a room change request. 

When complaints have gone unattended, it is appropriate to ask for management to step in to try to resolve. If the issue was not resolved to your satisfaction, please reach out to your TMC/CTO for assistance. If your issue has still not been resolved and you are staying at a FedRooms property, call the FedRooms Help Desk (1.800.226.1741) to speak about the problem.

New Acquisition Gateway for Government Solutions

Visit the Travel Hallway on the Acquisition Gateway for governmentwide solutions, program information, tools and best practices! If you already have an OMB Max account, you can access the Acquisition Gateway here, then click "Travel". 

If you do not have an OMB Max account, register now! 

Lots of Loyalty Love: Club Carlson and Wyndham Rewards

Club Carlson

Earn and redeem points seamlessly with Club Carlson™ the loyalty program from Carlson Rezidor Hotels. Experience benefits and earn points from more than 1,000 hotels worldwide. You can earn 20 Gold Points per U.S. dollar spent on eligible stays, meals and beverages charged to your room. By taking part in promotions, point earning is faster or you can book a rental car at participating car partners. Points can be redeemed for award night stays, airline miles, in-hotel express rewards such as upgrades, gift cards or to cover the cost of TSA PreCheck. To learn more visit www.ClubCarlson.com.

Wyndham Rewards

Wyndham Rewards was voted the number one hotel rewards program by U.S. News & World Report for 2016-2017. With over 7,800 locations across the world, a stay with Wyndham can earn 10 points per dollar or 1,000 points, whichever is more, on every qualified stay. You can also choose to earn airline miles or partner points instead. You will get a free night when you reach 15,000 points or you can use 3,000 points and cash to get a night. Points can be redeemed for hotel stays, gift cards, merchandise, donations or other travel perks. To learn more, visit www.wyndhamrewards.com.