White house tips

The U.S. travel industry will soon have an official voice at the highest levels of federal policymaking under the newly-created assistant secretary of travel and tourism. 

The clock is ticking to fill the assistant secretary of commerce for travel and tourism position before its allocated funding becomes unavailable after September 30, the end of the federal government’s 2024 fiscal year.

The U.S. government has increasingly taken aim at junk fees, charges levied by travel service providers that are considered unnecessary or excessive and not clearly communicated to travelers.

U.S. federal employees should rent electric vehicles and opt for rail trips when feasible on government travel to sharply reduce emissions, the White House said on Thursday.

The Biden administration took another step to combat so-called junk fees. The Federal Trade Commission on Wednesday unveiled a proposed rule that would ban businesses – including hotel and lodging companies, short-term renal providers, and car rentals – from charging misleading fees. Businesses would also be required to show consumers the full price of their purchase up front, as well as whether fees are refundable.

The White House said on Monday that Vietnam Airlines’ deal to buy 50 737 Max jets from U.S. planemaker Boeing is worth $7.8 billion.

President Joe Biden went to war against hotel resort fees and other consumer fees this past fall. He directed federal agencies to find a way to clamp down on or ban them.

The White House said Tuesday it opposes legislation before Congress that would end a requirement that most foreign air travelers be vaccinated against Covid-19.

United Airlines has launched a new seat map feature that dynamically finds available adjacent seats at the time of booking, while a new policy will allow passengers to switch flights for free if none are available.

The White House on Monday urged Republicans who control the House of Representatives to drop a provision in aviation legislation that would let airlines advertise the price of tickets without including government fees and taxes and to include new consumer protections for passengers.