Travel News and Tips
International Travel Resources from NU
As we have seen recently, extreme weather, emergencies, and unexpected events can wreak havoc on travel plans and leave travelers stranded, sometimes for days or weeks at a time. To help buffer some of the inconvenience and concern associated with this, we remind you of the benefits of several services and resources at Northwestern listed on our International Travel web page.
Important News for National Car Rental Services in France
In an effort to reduce drunk driving, France has enacted a new law requiring drivers on French roads, including tourists and business travelers, to carry disposable breathalyzer kits in their vehicles. Failure to do so will result in a fine of up to €11. As a result of this new law, National Car Rental has confirmed that all French locations will stock French NF standard certified breathalyzer kits effective November 1, 2012. More information is available on this flyer from National (pdf).
Beware of Malware While on Hotel Internet Connections
The FBI recently released a security warning to travelers who use their laptop computers on hotel internet connections. There has been an increase of malicious software that users are unknowingly installing on their laptops while traveling abroad. The FBI press release describes how this is done:
“In these instances, the traveler was attempting to set up the hotel room Internet connection and was presented with a pop-up window notifying the user to update a widely used software product. If the user clicked to accept and install the update, malicious software was installed on the laptop. The pop-up window appeared to be offering a routine update to a legitimate software product for which updates are frequently available.”
The FBI recommends that people who use their laptops when traveling abroad take extra precautions when using a hotel internet connection. They recommend that you perform any necessary software updates before traveling, and if you must update something while traveling, you should do so only directly from the software provider’s website. For more information, view the FBI press release.
Traveler Notification Services
United's Flight Status notification service alerts travelers to flight changes, cancellations, and delays.
- Alerts can be sent via text message, e-mail, or phone.
- Sign up at United's website to receive notifications.
Most major airlines offer similar flight notification services. Visit the airline's web page to sign up.
Transfer Your Elite Status to United Airlines
You can match your elite status on any of 40+ airlines with equivalent status in the United Mileage Plus Program (up to Premier or Premier Executive status).
To apply for the Corporate Status Match program:
- Complete the application
(doc). - E-mail your completed application (saved as a Word document) to premiermatch1@united.com with the subject line "Mileage Plus Corporate Status Match".
Travel Tips
- TSA Prohibited Items
Learn which items are not permitted in carry-on and checked baggage for air travel. - Tower Travel
Visit NU's corporate travel agent, Tower Travel, for daily updates that may affect business travel. - International Travel: Alerts and Fact Sheets
The U.S. State Department issues alerts about dangerous situations and other conditions that may pose security risks for American travelers. Country-specific general travel information is also available.
