Patrick Clarke travel tips

WHY IT RATES: The industry veteran is already working hard to guarantee excellent customer contact delivery through a variety of channels.—Patrick Clarke, TravelPulse Senior Editor

Traveler satisfaction with North American airports climbed this year despite numerous challenges from an ongoing pilot shortage to record passenger volumes.According to the J.D. Power 2023 North America Airport Satisfaction Study released Wednesday, overall satisfaction improved by 3 points to 780 on a 1,000-point scale. The rise was propelled by improvements in three key areas, including terminal facilities, food and beverage and retail service and baggage claim.The study, currently in its 18th year, examines overall traveler satisfaction with mega (33 million or more passengers a year), large (10 to 32.9 million passengers a year) and medium (4.5 to 9.9 million passengers a year) North American airports across six factors, including terminal facilities; airport arrival/departure; baggage claim; security check; check-in/baggage check; and food, beverage and retail.The big winners among North American airports were Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (800) Tampa International Airport (832) and Indianapolis International Airport (843), which ranked highest among mega, large and medium airports, respectively. 2023 marks the second straight year that Tampa and Indy have won their respective categories.

Southwest Airlines aircraft approaching San Jose International Airport. (photo via Andrei Stanescu/iStock Editorial/Getty Images Plus)

WHY IT RATES: Beutler brings tremendous experience and a history of success to his new role and is poised to help drive growth for the leading travel supplier.—Patrick Clarke, TravelPulse Senior Editor

Shoulder season is bringing with it lower airfares.Domestic airfare for the fall is down 29 percent from the summer, which is welcome news for travelers looking to book a flight ahead of the busy holiday travel period."That's about $87 per ticket less expensive than trips taken in June, July, August—the peak summer months," Hopper economist Haley Berg told ABC News.The coming weeks will offer some of the best chances for cheap flights."You should be monitoring the price of your holiday travel now and expect to book in the next 4 to 6 weeks," added Berg.

It's no secret that the Caribbean is one of the world's premier regions for breathtaking nature.

Hotels are always opening across the U.S. as hospitality giants such as Hilton, Marriott and Hyatt expand their footprint and charming new boutiques pop up.

Scott Pauli. (Photo Credit: Island of Hawai‘i Visitors Bureau)

As fall brings cooler temperatures, many travelers will be seeking a Caribbean getaway this season.Puerto Rico should be high on their list as Americans can visit without a passport. That's a significant advantage given the current extended wait time for a new travel document.Routine processing times are up to 10-13 weeks while expedited processing (for an additional $60) can still take as long as 7-9 weeks."Since Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, American citizens and permanent residents don't need a passport to travel to the island," Discover Puerto Rico reminds travelers. "However, they must always travel with a valid ID, such as a driver's license or a state ID card."International travelers such as residents of Canada or Mexico will still require a valid passport to visit. Additionally, visitors to the island no longer require proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test result to enter.Amid Atlantic hurricane season running through November 1, travelers will also want to be aware of any restrictions due to weather conditions. Hurricane Lee is projected to pass north of Puerto Rico this week with minimal impact. "All major airports in Puerto Rico are fully operational, as are cruise ports with cruises/ferries operating normally. Similarly, all major hotels and venues are thoroughly prepared for inclement weather and have generators," according to Discover Puerto Rico.

As of September 1, travelers visiting Jamaica are being required to complete the country's Immigration and Customs Declaration or C5 form ahead of time online or using paper upon arrival.They can do so ahead of their trip for free by visiting EnterJamaica.com. Barcode readers will be available upon arrival at the airport in Jamaica.

Rental Escapes is celebrating World Tourism Day (September 27) this month by rolling out its biggest offer yet for travel advisor partners.Throughout the entire month of September, travel advisors can earn up to $5,000 bonus commission plus double reward points through the full-service luxury villa company's Rewards Program.The special bonus commission offer is valid for bookings made between September 1-30, 2023, for travel from September 8, 2023, through December 31, 2024. Advisors will earn reward points for each $1 booked which can then be used towards their own personal villa vacation.Rental Escapes recommends advisors encourage bookings now for the month of December to lock in travel dates as select villas are still available."In line with World Tourism Day’s theme of ‘Investing in People, Planet and Prosperity,' we are pleased to offer our biggest promotion yet, acknowledging the invaluable role played by travel advisors in the advancement of the tourism sector," Rental Escapes CEO Brian Schwimmer said in a statement."We deeply value the profound impact they wield within the industry, and as reciprocation, we’re excited to double down in our commitment to providing indispensable tools and avenues for growth."