Delta loosens basic economy
Delta Air Lines is loosening restrictions on basic economy tickets to reduce the deluge of frustrated travelers facing hourslong waits on customer service phone lines. The airline allowed more flexibility for basic economy during the pandemic, but that policy ended earlier this year. Starting Wednesday, however, Delta will temporarily allow changes to basic economy tickets for travel through Dec. 31, 2021, "to help address call wait times as we increase staffing," CEO Ed Bastian wrote in an update to customers. The changes can be made online without paying a change fee. Delta is also extending its elite frequent fliers' Medallion status through Jan. 31, 2023, and their upgrade certificates. SkyMiles credit card holders with unused companion certificates will also see their expiration dates extended to Jan. 31, 2023.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Masks at Disney, Las Vegas
If you're going to Disney World, you will have to mask up. As of Friday, Disney guests must wear masks while indoors and on resort transportation, regardless of vaccination status. The updated guidelines are in alignment with the CDC's latest recommendations following a nationwide surge in COVID-19 cases due to the delta variant. Disney's updated mask policy reverses its June guidelines that allowed vaccinated guests to go maskless in most places. Nevada, including Las Vegas, and Kansas City, Mo., were among the other locations that moved swiftly to re-impose indoor mask requirements following Tuesday's announcement from the CDC.
Orlando Sentinel/ Associated Press
Epic cruises
Emerald Cruises has announced new "Epic Voyages" for 2022 and 2023 that are 15 to 26 days long. All Epic Voyages combine two or three complementary itineraries to create a seamless adventure that visits multiple countries. The 15-day "Discover the Rhine and Rhône Rivers" includes the castle-studded Rhine Gorge and lavender fields of Provence to the historic city centers of Lyon and Amsterdam. Other itineraries include the 16-day "Discover the Treasure of the Danube" between Bucharest and Nuremberg and the 15-day "Discover the Rivers of France and Portugal" between Nice and Porto. The new 100-guest superyacht Emerald Azzurra will operate the 26-day "Discover Gems of the Mediterranean Coastlines" that visits four countries. The 18-day "Discover the Wonders of the Red Sea" will sail between Aqaba and Limassol, with ports of call in Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Cyprus and a transit through the famed Suez Canal.
TravelPulse