sodha travel usa

• Sodha Travel on Facebook
• Sodha Travel on Instagram
• Sodha Travel on YouTube
• Sign up for Updates From Sodha Travel
• USA +1 877 564 7526
• AUS +61 4 6699 2806
• Why Sodha Travel
• Philanthropy
• Destinations
• Signature Stays
• About India
• About Sri Lanka
• About Bhutan
• About Thailand
• About Vietnam
• About Nepal
• About Cambodia
• Family Tours
• Safe Travels
• Travel Blog
• Go! Girl Guides India
• Destination Guides
• Travel Insurance
• Get in Touch
• Design Your Trip
• Reservations

Sodha Travel Blog

Let's talk travel, blog categories.

• Featured Tours
• Accommodations
• Testimonials
• Transportation
• Food and Water
• Festivals and Holidays
• Communication
• North India
• Travel Tips
• Popular Indian Foods
• Weather and Climate
• Delhi Shopping Market
• Group Tours
• Royal Lifestyle
• South India
• Wildlife of India
• Architecture
• Ayurveda Retreats
• Best Travel Destination
• Bhutan Tourist Attractions
• Cambodia Travel
• Early Morning Breakfast in Delhi
• Food in Nepal
• Golden Temple's Langar Hall
• Golden Triangle
• Haveli Dharampura
• Hiking Specialist
• Home-stay in Bangalore
• Indian Rituals
• Life of Sherpas
• Phuket Tours
• Places to see in Nepal
• Private tours in India
• Seven Wonder of Thailand
• Talabgaon Castle in Rajasthan
• Thailand Travel Updates
• Tigers in Thailand
• Tips for Traveling To India.
• Tourist Train in India
• Tours to Oregon
• Train Travel
• Travel Company
• Travel Consultant
• Travel bucket list
• Travel to Vietnam
• Travel trivia
• Traveler Reviews
• Traveling with children to South Asia
• UAE Tour Packages
• UDAN Scheme
• Veddas in Sri Lanka
• Vietnam Travel Guide
• Windermere River House
• Women only tour
• best treks in Nepal
• dabbawalas of mumbai
• daily sherpa life
• eVisa Policy Updates
• sherpas in nepal
• sherpas of nepal
• spiritual places
• tiffin services
• travel destinations

Sodha Travel Now Offering Tours to Oregon, USA - Sodha Travel

For almost a decade, Sodha Travel has been offering private and custom tours to South Asia. Many of you know how our passion and expertise for the region creates unique and memorable experiences. Now, Sodha Travel has been recognized as the leading company in Oregon to offer USA tours to Indian travelers!

For Indians planning a holiday to the United States, Sodha Travel now offers private and custom tours in Oregon . Not familiar with U.S. geography? Oregon is located on the West Coast, nestled between California and Washington. Made up of seven diverse regions, the state’s landscape includes the ocean, mountains, valleys, high deserts, cities, small towns, and even wine country. Many people believe that Oregon is a hidden treasure on the West Coast, and we happen to agree!

Oregon truly has something for everyone, starting with the food scene. Portland, Oregon’s largest city, is considered the pioneer of the American food truck movement. In one city block you can sample cuisine from Vietnam, Peru, Mexico, Italy, Thailand, Morocco, Greece, South Korea, and Germany - just to name a few. At the 2016 Good Food Awards , an annual ceremony celebrating the most delicious, sustainable makers and growers in the country, Oregon took home 23 awards. Head outside and you will find hiking, fishing, skiing, running, camping, kayaking, windsurfing, boating, and endless green spaces. And for the shoppers, Oregon has no sales tax! Instant savings!

Our Oregon vacation programs are culturally sensitive for the Indian traveler. We can incorporate veg/non-veg cuisine, visits to temples and other places of worship, and language assistance that includes Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, and Telugu. Because Sodha Travel is located in beautiful Portland, our team is experienced in offering personalized and exciting travel itineraries throughout Oregon. Check out our sample itineraries below:

Seven Wonders of Oregon: 7 days/6 nights

Portland - Pendleton - Baker City - Bend - Medford - Eugene - Newport

From the Oregon Coast to Crater Lake, experience the Seven Wonders of Oregon

The Oregon Coast: 6 days/5 nights

Portland - Astoria - Cannon Beach - Newport - Brookings

The best of the Oregon Coast

Oregon Discovery: 11 days/10 nights

Portland - Cannon Beach - Newport - Eugene - Ashland - Crater Lake -  Bend - Hood River

Discover the trails and treasures of Oregon

Seven Wonders of Oregon plus Las Vegas and Grand Canyon: 11 days/10 nights

Portland - Pendleton - Baker City - Bend - Medford - Eugene - Newport - Portland - Las Vegas/Grand Canyon

An extension of Seven Wonders of Oregon, plus Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon

For Sodha Travelers living in the Portland area, join us at India Day 2016 when we officially launch our USA tour department! Stop by and enter to win an overnight in Newport, Oregon, including accommodations and tickets to the Oregon Coast Aquarium. We hope to see you on August 14th!

Topics: Tours to Oregon

Written by Allison Sodha

As the President of Sodha Travel and author of Go! Girl Guides India, Allison has spent almost two decades exploring South Asia. She has a passion for creating experiences fueled by a deeper understanding of local communities.

Recent Posts

Sodha travel.

• U.S. +1 877 564 7526 or
• A.U.S. +61 4 6699 2806 or

FAX: 480.772.4696

Terms and Conditions Copyright © Sodha Travel, 2019. All Rights Reserved.

Sign up for news, updates, and special offers!

Sodha Travel

Location & Hours

Suggest an edit

Portland, OR 97229

You Might Also Consider

The Bucket List Rack

Ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure and create memories that will last a lifetime? Connect with our dedicated team today! read more

in Travel Agents

Elite Town Car

Kathy D. said "Yes, it costs more than an Uber or Lyft, but... very nice and comfortable vehicle and great driver. Rasheed was waiting when I got outside the terminal at PDX. He already knew I had called and changed my destination. The…" read more

in Airport Shuttles

Unforgettable Honeymoons

4.7 miles away from Sodha Travel

Mary F. said "My husband and I are celebrating our 5 year anniversary and decided to take a trip to Fiji with less than 60 days notice. After some initial research we narrowed down to Qamea and then saw a raving review on TripAdvisor to use Renee…" read more

in Travel Services

About the Business

Business owner information

Business Owner

Private tours and custom packages to South Asia, including India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives and Thailand Travel Insurance Consultations India Adoption Travel Special Interest Tours …

Ask the Community

Ask a question

Yelp users haven’t asked any questions yet about Sodha Travel .

Recommended Reviews

• 1 star rating Not good
• 2 star rating Could’ve been better
• 3 star rating OK
• 4 star rating Good
• 5 star rating Great

Select your rating

Overall rating

Allison Sodha is highly organized, knowledgeable and she keeps all promises made. We enjoyed a two week vacation in Thailand and Laos with help from Sodha Travel. Allison did not dictate how this trip was to go. She didn't have a one-size fits all agenda for our vacation. What she did was listen to our needs and worked with me to plan a fabulous vacation. She arranged for guides and vehicles in select cities. In each case the guide was wonderful. We enjoyed a day on the Mekong River visiting remote villages. We really felt like Allison's guides took us "behind the scenes", away from the typical tourist haunts. She booked a wonderful hotel for us in Laos. And she handled all of our airline tickets. She made sure everything came together -- saved me a lot of time and stress. We will work with Sodha Travel again. India is calling our names!!

See all photos from Michael H. for Sodha Travel

Allison is so WONDERFUL to work with!! She planned our entire 2 1/2 week itinerary, had the best excursions to choose from, and the hotels she booked for us were perfect!! She took the time to meet with us, and talk about what we wanted out of the trip, and made communication a breeze throughout the planning process. I couldn't be more pleased with this experience. This was a trip of a lifetime, and I'm SO happy I went with Sodha Travel!!! Thank you Allison!! :)

Allison arranged a trip to Madurai to visit our daughter - we gave her the parameters and locations we wanted to go and left the rest to her. The trip exceeded our expectations!!

We are a couple who spent $13000 on a 17 night trip in India and Nepal arranged by Sodha Travel. It excluded airfare from and to the US which cost us another $7,000. For this we received a full day with a driver who could not speak english and used hand signs in Kolkata, were sent to a completely different hotel than were scheduled to go to without ever mentioning it to us. Then here agents/international partners did not provide the services and housing that was originally promised and she confused us by saying were were getting different service. Her agents event asked a hotel to lie to us about what was available (they did not) and stressed us out by constantly revising and lying to us. Then when we complained, she continued to lie to us and did all the wrong things. Professional? Not in your life!

Mar 30, 2020

It's very unfortunate that Jackie felt the need to lash out in this way, when a simple conversation would have generated a much different outcome. It's difficult to respond to Jackie, because she is certain that her version is the truth - even though our documentation and correspondence proves otherwise. A few key points: 1. This is the second trip the client took with our company. We almost had to fire her as a client during the planning of her first trip, after false accusations, insults, and emails laced with profanity. Her travel partner apologized for her behavior and asked to keep the trip, and we did. All went fine, and on the last day of the trip Jackie sent us an email from the plane in Delhi with an emotional testament to how much she loved India, our services, and the people. She said that India had changed her, and for that reason we decided to work with her again. 2. Sodha Travel did not reserve her flights; Jackie worked with another Seattle-based consolidator. The clients were very frustrated when they had to try and change their return flights due to the border closure and pay additional $$ to return home. We did not have access to their reservation. 3. As a courtesy, Sodha Travel provided a complimentary private vehicle for Jackie on a day at leisure. As outlined in the travel documents, drivers are always conversational in English but may not be fluent. On the other days, Jackie had a guide accompany the driver (who is fluent in English) so communication was more streamlined. 4. Honestly, we are still trying to understand Jackie's hotel concerns because it just doesn't make sense. We had offered her two properties in Pokhara - Pavilions Himalayas and Lakeview. We decided to let the clients decide how many nights they preferred to stay at each property instead of US making the decision for them. I'm not sure if there was a language barrier at the property, or what Jackie understood, but this somehow translated to her believing we lied about availability? We are still trying to piece this together, because nobody on my team can understand and Jackie refuses to correspond with us. We have her text message and email threads and it all seems pretty clear, but if it wasn't, all she had to do was ask for clarification. 5. Our agents never lied to Jackie. We personally know the manager of Pavilions who she claimed said this, and he only communicated how difficult she was to manage as a guest. Nothing they offered made her happy. Jackie insulted me, my colleagues, and my friends in India and Nepal. Jackie and her companion traveled during the spread of Covid-19 when borders were closing, hotels were suspending services, and flights were being cancelled. She likely felt anxiety about all of it and deferred that on us. We want to believe this was the reason for her erratic behavior? We are incredibly proud of the thousands of Sodha Travelers who we have worked with in the past 13 years. In fact, we have received hundreds of notes of kindness and encouragement from our clients during this pandemic - a challenging time for the travel industry. It is a humbling reminder that good prevails, and we look forward to continuing our tradition of proudly serving the communities of South Asia.

Sodha Travel was like finding a diamond in a haystack! I found countless travel agencies using eye catching websites with promises of dream vacations but I was having a difficult time choosing the company I would actually plunk down my hard earned travel deposit. It had taken me months to save for my trip to Thailand and I wanted this trip to be extra special! Allison, from Sodha Travel was thoughtful, timely and had a follow-through quality that is rarely seen these days. After an initial meeting in which Allison asked us questions about our likes, dislikes, past travels and personality traits we decided to hand over the planning aspect of our Thailand vacation to Sodha Travel so that we could focus on more important things; such as finding the perfect swim suit and rock star sunglasses! Allison drafted a fantastic 12 night itinerary with multiple in-country flights. 3 nights in an all-inclusive luxury tent resort in Khao Sok National Park! A 1/2 day bicycle ride through Phuket and a visit to Phuket's Gibbon Rehabilitation Center! Kayaking inside Phang Nga Hong through tunnels and lagoons! Private guided temple tours in Chiang Mai. Private tours! Did I mention PRIVATE TOURS???? Allison didn't simply add us to a 50 person travel bus tour. She found us a private guide! Each hotel Allison selected was clearly chosen using the information she gleaned from our initial meeting. She was patient with my questions and politely and kindly made any changes I requested. Although, I must admit, there were very few changes due to Allison's impeccable skills and travel planning! I highly recommend Sodha Travel. The peace of mind you will experience after you hand over the planning details of your trip to Sodha Travel will be worth every penny you spend as you invest in your dream vacation. Heidi

My wife & I got a package to India in a charity auction. 2 birds in 1!. Good cause and we got a nice trip out of it. The package was a sponsored from Sodha travel. I can guarantee it was the most memorable trip we ever had. (Of course we dumped out kids at our parents in India :-)). Our trip was super well planned. Allison gave us a well planned itinerary, Her staff in India who greeted us, was very professional, and made us feel safe. We covered the Golden triangle, Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Ranthanbore national forest. Accommodation was provided at Oberoi... world class! She is a true professional and goes above and beyond to make sure your vacation turns out best. She doesn't forget after the trip is over, but makes that connection and checks back on what went well and if there is anything she could have done to make it better. Superlative experience!..

Allison is a delight to work with. I needed help with coordinating International and domestic flights for my boyfriend and myself flying out of east and west coast, and she tailored a perfect itinerary to maximize our time together. She was very fast, efficient, professional and simply put- absolutely wonderful. I highly recommend Allison. She knows her stuff.

Allison Sodha of Sodha Travel is the bomb! The beauty of dealing with Allison is that she strives to create lasting relationships with clients. She really listens to each request and creates a unique and affordable trip that will live on in your memories for a lifetime. Whether one prefers a comprehensive touring package or an independent schedule, Allison encourages her clients to interact with the locals and truly explore the destinations. Sodha Travel's vast network of connections helps you traverse any destination comfortably and safely. The vast majority of Sodha Travel's new clients come as referrals from past clients. I'm one of her most recent clients and I tell anyone who asks that, even for a native of India, the expertise and personalization that Sodha Travel offers is above and beyond anything a tourist could envision. Seek out Sodha Travel, and make your dreams of India come alive beyond your wildest imaginings.

We just got back from a three week trip to Sri Lanka and India, all planned by Sodha Travel. I can't say enough good things about Allison Sodha and her colleagues in India and Sri Lanka who made this trip absolutely seamless and wonderful. We spent a week touring Sir Lanka and went to most interesting places, with a great guide and driver that made our trip outstanding. Then in India, the tour company that met us at the airport, hotels, provided guides, drivers and itinerary were outstanding. I am so fortunate that I found Allison Sodha's travel agency on the internet amidst the sea of other possibilities. I would use Sodha travel for any trip I make in the future to asia, india or far east. They are true professionals and very reliable. This was our experience. Thank YOU! This was a dream trip come true.

15 other reviews that are not currently recommended

Delta Town Car

Krista T. said "We used Delta for a ride to the airport and a day exploring the Columbia River Gorge. Our driver was Mo for both days. He was a wonderful driver and made the day exploring relaxing. He stopped for me to jump out of the car to take…" read more

in Town Car Service, Wine Tours

Anytime Airporter Shuttle Service

Rachel L. said "Sam saved my day!! I was stranded in Hood River, trying to get to PDX in time for my return flight home. Uber was unavailable. All other services were closed or unable to take me. I was absolutely distraught. Within minutes of…" read more

People Also Viewed

Journeys Around the World/Global Travel

Island Journeys

International Travel & Tours

Great World Travel

Willamette International Travel

Bridgeport Travel

Ya’lla Tours USA

Travel Parent

Bliss Travel Service

World Travel

Best of Portland

Things to do in Portland

Other Travel Services Nearby

Find more Travel Services near Sodha Travel

Browse Nearby

Restaurants

Airport Shuttles

Travel Agencies Near Me

People found Sodha Travel by searching for…

Travel Agency Portland

Related Cost Guides

Town Car Service

• Sodha Travel on Facebook
• Sodha Travel on Twitter
• Sodha Travel on Instagram
• Sodha Travel on YouTube
• Sign up for Updates From Sodha Travel
• USA +1 877 564 7526
• AUS +61 4 6699 2806
• Giving Back
• About India
• About Sri Lanka
• About Bhutan
• About Thailand
• About Vietnam
• About Nepal
• Family Tours
• Destination Guides
• Travel Insurance
• Design Your Trip
• Reservations

Learn about India

Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea

Capital: delhi; also called new delhi, population: 1.13 billion, area: roughly 1/3 the size of the u.s., government: federal republic, legal system: based on english common law; separate personal law codes apply to hindus, muslims and christians, official language: hindi is the national language, but there are a total of 22 official languages.

The national currency of India is Rupees (Rs).

India's time zone is GMT + 5.5. The country does not apply Daylight Savings Time.

The most common religion practiced in India is Hinduism:

Hindu - 80.5 % Muslim - 13.4% Christian - 2.3% Sikh - 1.9% Buddhist - 1.2% Other - 0.7%

The Constitution of India declares that the country must support the right of its citizens to freely worship any religion. Separate personal law codes apply to Hindus, Muslims, and Christians. Although inter-religious marriage is not common, Indians are generally tolerant of all faiths.

Festivals and Holidays

Because India is such a multicultural and diverse society, various holidays and festivals are celebrated throughout the country. There are three national holidays in India:

January 26: Republic Day August 15: Independence Day October 2: Gandhi Jayanta

Additionally, there are local festivals and holidays in each region dependent on the religious and ethnic demographic.

Indians are some of the friendliest people in the world. We encourage you to speak to the locals throughout your journey. They are always excited to engage in delightful conversation with foreigners, and it will allow you to learn more about India's colorful culture.

Beggars are common. Many cities have homes that teach this craft as a scam, especially by manipulating children. If you feel compelled to give, we recommend donating money to a reputable charitable organization that will disperse the funds to the community. Please ask your guide or representative about recognized places to donate.

For more information on traveling to India, please read our FAQ's .

• Destinations

Recent Posts

Sodha travel.

• U.S. +1 877 564 7526 or
• A.U.S. +61 4 6699 2806 or

FAX: 480.772.4696

Copyright © Sodha Travel, 2019. All Rights Reserved.

Sign up for news, updates, and special offers!

US restricts travel of embassy workers in Israel as Iran retaliation looms

Editor's Note: This page is a summary of news on the Israel-Hamas war for Thursday, April 11. For the latest news on the conflict in the Middle East, view our story for Friday, April 12 .

The U.S. State Department issued a security alert Thursday for its personnel and their families in Israel, limiting where they can go amid increased concerns of an Iranian attack.

“Out of an abundance of caution, U.S. government employees and their family members are restricted from personal travel outside the greater Tel Aviv (including Herzliya, Netanya, and Even Yehuda), Jerusalem, and Be’er Sheva areas until further notice,’’ the alert says. “U.S. government personnel are authorized to transit between these three areas for personal travel.’’

There’s no reference in the alert to an impending Iranian strike, but Tehran has signaled it will retaliate for the April 1 assault on its consulate in Damascus, which killed seven senior Iranian military officers. Israel is widely believed to have launched that attack, although it has not claimed responsibility.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken reached out in the last day to the foreign ministers of China, Saudi Arabia and Turkey “to make clear that escalation is not in anyone’s interest and that countries should urge Iran not to escalate,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters Thursday.

With the Israel-Hamas war still raging past the six-month mark, the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem is also urging American citizens to be mindful of the risks of traveling to Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, warning against visiting the embattled Palestinian territory.

“The security environment remains complex and can change quickly depending on the political situation and recent events,’’ the alert says.

Israel to 'flood Gaza with aid': War of words with Iran also heats up

Developments:

∎ Thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews demonstrated near a Jerusalem enlistment office, protesting a recent court ruling that means "Haredim" men will be drafted for the first time since Israel was founded in 1948.

∎ Israel is prepared for military confrontations beyond Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday, amid concern that Iran was getting ready to strike Israel. "Whoever harms us, we will harm them," he said.

∎ The Israel Defense Forces said it began a "precise, intelligence-based operation to strike terrorist infrastructure and eliminate operatives in central Gaza'' overnight into Thursday.

∎ Russia urged countries in the Middle East to show restraint to avoid "complete destabilization" of the region. Russia also warned its citizens against traveling to the Middle East.

Iran says it must punish Israel because UN didn't condemn embassy attack

Tehran must retaliate for the deadly attack on its consular compound in Damascus last week because the U.N. Security Council failed to condemn the strike or take any action against Israel, Iran’s U.N. mission said in a statement posted Thursday on the X platform.

“Had the U.N. Security Council condemned the Zionist regime’s reprehensible act of aggression on our diplomatic premises in Damascus and subsequently brought to justice its perpetrators, the imperative for Iran to punish this rogue regime might have been obviated,” the statement said.

Despite its threats, Iran has indicated to the U.S. through an intermediary that it will respond in a manner that avoids an escalation of hostilities with Israel and wouldn’t rush into it, Reuters reported. The U.S. has maintained it was not involved in or given advance notice of the attack.

Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for the April 1 attack on an Iranian consulate annex building adjacent to the Iranian embassy in Syria that killed seven high-ranking Iranian military officers, including Gen. Mohammad Reza Zahedi of the elite Quds Force. Tensions between the nations have increased, and Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned Wednesday that “the evil regime made a mistake and must be punished.”

The top U.S. commander for the Middle East reportedly arrived in Israel on Thursday for meetings with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and other senior defense officials to discuss an anticipated military response from Iran,  Haaretz.com  reported. Gen. Erik Kurilla’s trip comes a day after Blinken spoke with Gallant and “reiterated the United States’ support for Israel’s security and made clear that the U.S. will stand with Israel against any threats by Iran and its proxies,” the State Department said in a statement.

U.S. Central Command, in an email to USA TODAY, declined to confirm Kurilla’s trip: “We do not discuss flag officer travel for operational security.”

Hamas official says cease-fire needed to account for hostages

A senior Hamas official on Thursday deflected questions from journalists concerning fears that many hostages could be dead. The possibility gained traction after Hamas said it was not sure it could provide 40 living Israeli civilian captives as part of a cease-fire proposal. Dr. Basem Naim, a member of political bureau of Hamas, said a cease-fire agreement is needed to provide time and safety to collect information on the captured Israelis. They are held in different places by different militant groups − and some are "under the rubble, killed with our own people" and heavy equipment is required to find them, he said.

No one is asking about the thousands of Palestinians kidnapped by Israel since the Hamas-led attack Oct. 7 that ignited the war, he said.

"The most outrageous is the repeated questions regarding the hostages in Gaza, how many alive or dead, does Hamas rejected the proposal because it can’t release 40 hostages in the first phase, etc ..." he said in a statement posted on Telegram. "The lives of their people aren’t more precious than ours."

UNICEF aid convoy hit with gunfire, turned back from Gaza

A UNICEF convoy was hit by gunfire Wednesday as it tried to deliver aid to northern Gaza, the latest in a series of violent obstructions faced by aid workers in the enclave.

"The incident has been raised with relevant Israeli authorities," UNICEF said in a statement. "Sadly, humanitarians continue to face risks in delivering lifesaving aid."

The incident occurred nine days after a World Central Kitchen aid convoy was attacked by Israeli rockets, killing seven workers − and the same day Israel promised to greatly increase the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a USA TODAY request for comment on the incident.

UNICEF spokesperson Tess Ingram told Al Jazeera she was in one of the vehicles at a “holding point” area at a checkpoint. She said three rounds hit the car where she was sitting. The mission had been authorized and the Israeli authorities knew about the convoy, Ingram said. After the shooting, Israeli authorities continued to delay the convoy and it eventually was forced to return to Rafah.

“So those life-saving supplies never made it to the children in northern Gaza,” Ingram said.

Israeli commander pitches aid plan to Red Cross, other agencies

Israel's Southern Command chief, Major General Yaron Finkelman, met with representatives of U.N. agencies, the Red Cross, IMC, USAID and the American Humanitarian Coordinator as part of "increasing coordination and cooperation on the issue of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip," the Israeli military announced.

The meeting comes as Israel announced plans to greatly increase access to humanitarian aid for Gaza residents. Plans include a new border crossing designed make it easier to bring humanitarian supplies from overseas and from Jordan to the east.

“These breakthroughs have a direct impact on the flow of aid – we plan to flood Gaza with aid," Gallant said. "It will also streamline security checks and strengthen our work with international partners.”

Contributing: Reuters

• Weird But True
• Sex & Relationships
• Viral Trends
• Human Interest
• Fashion & Beauty
• Food & Drink

trending now in Lifestyle

Ozempic use appears to be changing people's personalities...

I'm 61 but have the body of a 38-year-old — here's how I...

I can't stop having sex with my friends' wives — cuckolding...

My husband's groomsman gave us the most disgusting wedding gift...

Mom of 12 can't afford all her kids with her food bill now $24K a...

Popular snacks could be banned in certain states over cancer fears

Brazilian woman brazenly wheels elderly man's corpse into bank to...

American Airlines changes passenger rules for earning miles —...

American airlines changes passenger rules for earning miles — and travel agencies are pissed.

• View Author Archive
• Get author RSS feed

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

American Airlines has multiple travel advisors up in arms after it announced plans to restrict AAdvantage Miles earnings for certain booking agencies.

The airline behemoth  announced  in February that flyers hoping to earn AAdvantage miles for their flights will have to do so directly through American, their airline partners, or preferred travel agencies recognized by the company.

The change will take effect on May 1, but American has yet to reveal which agencies will be included in its “preferred agencies.”

The change comes as part of the airline’s effort to minimize costs for agencies using older technology booking systems.

The airline has tried to convince agencies using the older booking systems to upgrade to newer platforms like the one American uses on its website.

While American  announced  a list would be shared in “late April,” agencies unsure if they’ll make the cut are expressing their distaste for the major change.

The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), Association of Canadian Travel Agencies and Advisors (ACTA), Foro Latinoamericano de Turismo (FOLATUR), and World Travel Agents Associations Alliance (WTAA) emphasized that any plans to restrict their clients’ earning miles could be detrimental to their agencies.

“It’s clear from the consensus among WTAAA, ACTA and FOLATUR, representing travel professionals around the world, the detriment that American’s decision will have on the travel industry globally,” President and CEO of ASTA, Zane Kerby, told  Travel and Tour World .

Kerby called out American for “operating in bad faith” and was “looking to pad its bottom line at the expense of our valued clients and the millions of consumers who rely on their trusted travel advisor.”

Henry Harteveldt, president of the travel industry market research firm Atmosphere Research Group, told  Fodor’s Travel  the move is a “very inward-looking” perspective on American Airlines.

“It’s not a very consumer-friendly approach, and American is being a bit of a bully here,” Harteveldt explained — adding the move will put loyalty airline members in the crossfire of the company’s dispute with agencies.

Harteveldt believes the move is also being monitored by the company’s competitors, who may adopt the change if it’s a success or whose sales teams may swoop in to poach any American flyers unpleased with the new method.

“As risky as American’s actions are, a lot of airlines are watching to see if it works out well for them, because if it does, I would not be surprised to see United and Delta copy it in certain ways,” he told the outlet.

While the airline is deadset on the change, Brett Snyder — author of the popular travel industry blog Crankyflier and CEO of the travel assistance service Cranky Concierge — said the move could cause “confusion” for the company’s flyers who already are trying to navigate their “frequent changes.”

“The biggest impact will likely be on business travelers who may not have a choice of where to book depending upon company policy,” Snyder told the outlet.

“The fact that American still hasn’t told everyone who is or is not preferred adds more to the confusion.”

As the airline industry waits to hear who American will list as their “preferred agencies,” occasional travelers may also feel the weight of the change, Snyder explained.

He worries that some agencies may not disclose that to their customers during the booking process.

Also, the move could affect cruise lines that book airfares as part of their packages, who may opt against using certain agencies not listed as one of American’s preferred agencies.

The changes will only affect travelers who collect AAdvantage Miles for their flights on American.

Flyers using corporate accounts with American will continue to earn miles for their flights no matter which booking channel they use unless they book a Basic Economy fare.

Travelers collecting miles from other Oneworld partners—the global airline alliance American is a member of with 13 other Airlines, such as British Airways, Qatar Airways, and Malaysia Airlines—will continue to earn miles for American Airlines flights regardless of booking channel.

Share this article:

Advertisement

Advertisement

The U.S. issues new travel guidelines, warning that Iran will avenge the killings of senior commanders.

The State Department has barred its employees from traveling to large parts of Israel. Iran has repeatedly vowed to strike back over the deadly bombing this month of an Iranian Embassy complex in Syria.

• Share full article

By Liam Stack and Eric Schmitt

• April 12, 2024

Several countries including the United States have issued new travel guidelines for Israel and the surrounding region, as the Israeli military said its forces were “highly alert” for a possible Iranian strike in retaliation for the killings of several commanders.

Iran has repeatedly vowed to strike back at Israel over the bombing of an Iranian Embassy complex in Damascus, Syria, this month that killed three generals and four other military officers. An American official said on Friday that Washington expects an attack by Iran against Israel that would be bigger than recent attacks in the long shadow war between the two countries, but not so big that it would draw the United States into war. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

The U.S. State Department on Thursday barred its employees from traveling to large parts of Israel, the first time the U.S. government had restricted the movement of its employees in this way since the war in Gaza began more than six months ago.

On Thursday, Britain told its citizens that they “should consider leaving” Israel and the Palestinian territories “if it is safe to do so.” On Friday, India told its citizens “not to travel to Iran or Israel till further notice,” while France advised people not to travel to Israel, Iran or Lebanon and evacuated the families of French diplomats from Iran.

Asked about the U.S. travel warning , Matthew Miller, the State Department spokesman, said at a news briefing Thursday: “We have seen Iran making public threats against Israel in the past few days.” He declined to provide details about any specific information that prompted the warning.

The new guidelines bar U.S. government employees and their families from traveling to locations outside the Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Beersheba metropolitan areas “out of an abundance of caution” until further notice. The State Department said U.S. personnel could move among those areas for personal travel.

The top American military commander for the Middle East, Gen. Michael E. Kurilla, traveled to Israel to coordinate a response to possible Iranian retaliation, U.S. officials said.

“Our enemies think that they will divide Israel and the United States,” the Israeli defense minister, Yoav Gallant, said in a statement on Friday after meeting with General Kurilla. “They are connecting us and are strengthening the relationship between us.”

If Iran attacks, he added, “we will know how to respond.”

On Thursday, the Israeli military’s chief spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said that the armed forces were “highly alert and prepared” for any action Iran might take, even as the timing and scale of any response remained unclear. Analysts say that Tehran, which has long used a network of proxy forces to project power across the Middle East, wants to avoid igniting a full-fledged war that could drag in the United States and threaten the survival of Iran’s regime.

“For years, and even more so during the war, Iran has been financing, directing and arming its proxies — in Lebanon, Gaza, Syria, Iraq and Yemen — to attack the state of Israel,” he said. “An attack from Iranian territory would be clear evidence of Iran’s intentions to escalate the Middle East and stop hiding behind the proxies.”

Liam Stack is a Times reporter covering the Israel-Hamas war from Jerusalem. More about Liam Stack

Eric Schmitt is a national security correspondent for The Times, focusing on U.S. military affairs and counterterrorism issues overseas, topics he has reported on for more than three decades. More about Eric Schmitt

Our Coverage of the Israel-Hamas War

News and Analysis

Gazans released from Israeli detention described graphic scenes of physical abuse  in testimonies gathered by U.N. workers, according to a new report.

Britain, the United States, France and other allies of Israel have voiced their anger over the death toll in Gaza, but when Iran launched a missile barrage at Israel, they set it aside . At least for the moment.

The Israel pavilion at the Venice Biennale is closed this year, since its creative team decided not to exhibit work  until there was a cease-fire and hostage deal in Gaza, but it was nonetheless the site of a large demonstration .

Mobilizing the American Left: As the death toll in Gaza climbed, the pro-Palestinian movement grew into a powerful, if disjointed, political force in the United States . Democrats are feeling the pressure.

Riding Rage Over Israel: Jackson Hinkle’s incendiary commentary  has generated over two million new followers on X since October — a surge that some researchers say is aided by inauthentic accounts by the online celebrity.

Psychedelics and Trauma: Thousands of festival-goers were using mind-altering substances when Hamas-led fighters attacked on Oct 7. Now, scientists are studying the effects of such drugs at a moment of trauma .

Turmoil at J Street: The war in Gaza has raised serious concerns within the Jewish political advocacy group about its ability to hold a middle position  without being pulled apart by forces on the right and the left.

Alaska Air forecasts strong profit as travel demand booms

• Medium Text

Make sense of the latest ESG trends affecting companies and governments with the Reuters Sustainable Switch newsletter. Sign up here.

Reporting by Shivansh Tiwary in Bengaluru; Editing by Savio D'Souza and Devika Syamnath

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. New Tab , opens new tab

A Russian scientist who worked on hypersonic technologies was handed a seven-year jail sentence on Thursday for treason after he was accused of passing state secrets to foreign nationals.

Business Chevron

Automotive parts distributor Genuine Parts raised its 2024 profit forecast on Thursday, hinging on strong demand for parts and improving automotive sales in the United States.