Stanford Travel Updates and Hot Topics Posted November 13, 2025

Effective Nov. 13, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines are now available on Stanford Travel Connect (STC), allowing Stanford travelers to link their Atmos™ Rewards loyalty accounts to the Stanford Travel Program. These airlines join STC as the fourth and fifth major carriers, enabling travelers to book university-sponsored travel directly on Alaska Airlines website or app while accessing Stanford-negotiated discounts and benefits.

Get the latest details on Stanford Travel Connect, including resources to help you get started, or learn more and launch the STC portal.

In Sept., 2024, Alaska Airlines completed its merger with Hawaiian Airlines and recently announced a new joint loyalty program, Atmos™ Rewards. Atmos™ Rewards replaces Alaska’s Mileage Plan and, as of Oct. 1, 2025, also replaces HawaiianMiles. Through STC, Stanford travelers can link either loyalty account, book directly with Alaska Airlines, and earn or redeem rewards across both carriers. Learn more about Atmos™ Rewards on the Alaska Airlines website.

Did you know Stanford students can use the Stanford Travel Program to book travel and access university discounts and benefits? In addition to booking travel related trips for their studies, students can also use the program for university-related travel, such as trips between home and campus or select personal travel options.

To further support student travelers and travel arrangers, the Stanford Travel team has updated Fingate resources, including:

• Stanford Travel Program – An overview of the booking options, their benefits, and exclusive discounts and offerings.
• Planning and Booking Travel – Step-by-step guidance for students planning, booking, and traveling for university-sponsored trips.
• Stanford Travel Program Desk Guide – A printable, two-page summary of the booking options, benefits, resources, and university travel services.

These updates provide clearer guidance, available offerings, and details on discounts and benefits for students.

For support or guidance with university-sponsored travel and other types of university-related travel, contact the Stanford Travel team.

Delta Air Lines is committed to becoming the first major airline to achieve carbon neutrality, targeting net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Key initiatives include adopting Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to reduce lifecycle emissions, modernizing its fleet with fuel-efficient aircraft, and driving innovation through the Sustainable Skies Lab, which develops and tests new sustainable aviation technologies. Additionally, Delta is actively reducing waste by eliminating single-use plastics on board and investing in recycling programs while engaging in community conservation efforts.

Through these comprehensive sustainability initiatives, Delta is not only enhancing the travel experience for passengers but also making substantial progress toward a greener future in aviation. Travelers can feel confident knowing their journeys support responsible air travel practices. For more information about Delta's sustainability efforts, visit Delta's website.

For helpful tips on how to reduce your travel footprint, visit Responsible Purchasing – Travel Tips.

Many members of the Stanford community are preparing for upcoming travel. Whether you're heading to a conference, field research site, or international program, a little preparation can make all the difference. Below are some key tips and resources to help university travelers stay organized, informed, and ready to go.

1. Check travel identification requirements
Make sure that the identification is up-to-date. For domestic air travel, REAL ID enforcement started on May 7, and a REAL ID-compliant identification or an acceptable alternative (like a passport) is required to fly within the U.S.

2. Review visa and travel authorization needs
International travelers should confirm visa requirements well in advance. Processing times can vary, especially during peak travel seasons. Don't forget to check whether the destination requires special travel authorizations or entry forms. The university has discounted rates with CIBT visas.

3. Renew passports early — and online
Passports should be valid for at least six months beyond your return date. If a traveler’s passport is expiring soon, take advantage of the U.S. Department of State’s new online passport renewal service, which can help streamline the process.

4. Know your airport resources
Before heading to the airport, check TSA wait times, security checkpoint updates, and available services. Tools like Mobile Passport Control (MPC) can expedite travelers’ arrival at select international airports.

5. Download supplier apps
Airlines and Stanford Travel booking options often send real-time updates through their apps. Download and log in to travel supplier apps before the trip for information on flight delays, gate changes, and other key information that is typically available first via mobile notifications.

6. Use Fingate for travel guidance
Stanford travelers can use Fingate for essential travel information, including reimbursement policies, allowable expenses, and pre-trip checklists. Bookmark the Stanford Travel Program overview for quick access to booking options and Travel team contact information.

Pro tip: Always double-check the itinerary and document requirements at least two weeks before departure to avoid last-minute surprises.

Wherever your travel takes you, a little planning now can lead to a smoother, more enjoyable journey.

The Stanford Travel booking options Egencia and Key Travel simplify the process of monitoring and managing individual carbon emissions associated with university-related air travel.

• Egencia includes a built-in carbon emissions estimator tool that provides travelers with clear visibility into the environmental impact of their flight choices. For each flight listed, the platform displays the estimated total carbon emissions to help travelers identify the most carbon efficient flight for that route. Additionally, the Egencia Air-Rail Display enables travelers and travel arrangers to choose rail as a more sustainable alternative to flights on select routes and airlines.
• Key Travel offers a carbon emissions sort feature, allowing travelers to sort flight options based on their environmental footprint, from the lowest to the highest emissions. In addition to individual flight data, Key Travel provides the total carbon emissions for an entire trip.

Together, Egencia and Key Travel provide Stanford travelers with valuable insights into carbon emissions of air travel, enabling them to make more environmentally conscious flight choices.

Stanford Travel is excited to announce an exclusive offer for Stanford travelers through a partnership with National Car Rental. Stanford travelers enrolled in the Emerald Club loyalty program can now book directly with National, offering greater flexibility and convenience while still enjoying access to Stanford-negotiated discounts and exclusive benefits.

To take advantage of these discounts and benefits, Stanford travelers must enroll in the Emerald Club loyalty program or update their existing profile. Discounts will be automatically applied at the time of booking and are intended solely for university-sponsored travel.

Learn more or enroll or update an existing profile. 

Are you planning an international trip soon? Preparing for international travel involves advance planning and organization to ensure a smooth journey. The Stanford Travel team recommends that travelers review the International Affairs Travel Checklist prior to booking travel to determine entry/exit requirements for their destination.

Renew a U.S. passport online
The U.S. Department of State recently launched online passport renewal services for eligible U.S. adults who meet certain criteria and want routine service to renew a regular 10-year passport.

Visit the U.S. Department of State's website for a full list of online renewal requirements, including current processing times for routine service.

Get help with travel documents
VisaCentral by CIBT offers a fast and easy way to obtain a visa, passport, and other documents for international travel. Special rates are available for Stanford travelers online, or through the local office. Learn more. Standard visa fees and services are reimbursable travel expenses.

Beginning January 8, 2025: New UK travel authorization requirement for US travelers
Travelers from 49 non-European Union countries, including the United States, must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to visit the United Kingdom. This will replace the current Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) program.

Similar to the US Electronic Travel System Authorization (ESTA) and the EU European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is for non-visa travel visits and requires travelers to apply at least three days before visiting the UK. 

Launching in October 2025: New biometric entry-exit system for the European Union
The Entry-Exit System (EES) is a biometric system that uses digital photos and fingerprints to register travelers from non-EU countries, including the U.S., crossing the EU's external borders. This enhanced security measure will apply to both short-stay visa holders and visa-exempt travelers. Review the EES fact sheet for more details.

Starting in the last quarter of 2026: New travel authorization requirement for European travel
The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) for non-EU visitors will require travelers from more than 60 previously visa-exempt countries, including the U.S., to have a travel authorization. Travelers will need to apply. Once the application is processed and approved, the travel authorization will be linked to the traveler's passport, which will be valid for up to three years or until the passport expires. This requirement will apply to short-term stays which are 90 days or less and within any 180-day period.

As a reminder, obtaining travel documents for university-sponsored business is considered a permissible expense.

These requirements are subject to change. Be sure to check the links in this article for the latest information. For additional support with entry requirements, contact VisaCentral by CIBT.

From March 1 to December 31, 2025, Stanford faculty and staff have the opportunity to fast-track their Alaska Airlines elite status through an exclusive Stanford Travel promotion. This offer provides bonus elite-qualifying miles (EQMs) on eligible domestic, select international long-haul flights, and business or first class flights.

To earn EQMs, Stanford travelers will need to book flights and complete travel by December 31, 2025.

The additional bonus miles will be automatically credited to travelers personal Mileage Plan account:

• 25% elite-qualifying miles bonus on domestic flights 
• 50% elite-qualifying miles bonus on select international flights (starting March 15)
• 75% elite-qualifying miles bonus on business or first class flights

This offer is exclusive to university-sponsored business flights booked through the Stanford Travel Program. Registration is not required. 

Learn more about this Alaska Airlines offer, including terms and conditions.

The Stanford Travel team is excited to announce several new enhancements to the Stanford Travel hotel program. 

On February 1, 2025, the Stanford Travel hotel program introduced an exciting new partnership with Hyatt hotels. This new partnership extends Stanford Travel’s negotiated rates beyond the local area, offering Stanford employees, students, affiliates, and visitors a 10% discount at all Hyatt properties chainwide.

The Stanford Travel hotel program, recently refreshed for 2025, continues to offer savings with competitive rates at hotels in Palo Alto and the surrounding areas for university-sponsored travel booked through the Stanford Travel Program. The hotel program now includes the Grand Bay Hotel in Redwood City. Discounts vary by hotel and are subject to availability.

We are also excited to announce that, as a new benefit of the Stanford Travel Program, Stanford faculty, staff, and students can now use Egencia to book personal hotel reservations at significantly discounted rates. This exclusive benefit is available to all university travelers, making it easier and more affordable to plan your personal trips. 

Visit the Stanford Travel Hotel Program page to see all participating properties and discount rates.

Visit the Lodging page for information about hotel rate maximums and guidance on booking hotel accommodations outside of policy.

Air travel is a major contributor to global carbon emissions. University travelers can help reduce their impact by selecting flights that prioritize lower emissions, supporting the university’s sustainability values and goals.

As a preferred airline supplier of the Stanford Travel Program, United is one of the leading airlines committed to reducing travelers’ carbon footprints. Their goal is to reduce 100% of their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 without relying on the use of voluntary carbon offsets, by investing in:

• Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) as an alternative to fossil fuels, reducing lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80%.
• Direct carbon capture technology, which can transform CO2 extracted from the atmosphere and industrial emissions into sustainable aviation fuel.
• Energy-efficient aircraft, expected to improve fuel efficiency per seat by approximately 20% compared to older models. 

Learn more about United’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

Read more tips for traveling more sustainably.

Launched on February 10, Stanford Travel Connect is a portal that enables travelers to link multiple personal airline loyalty accounts to the Stanford Travel Program. Once linked, travelers can book university-sponsored travel directly on the airline’s website or app and access Stanford-negotiated discounts and exclusive benefits.

Stanford Travel Connect is available to all active Stanford faculty, staff, and students.

Stay updated on the latest details about Stanford Travel Connect, including the three major airlines available for linking, or learn more and launch the Stanford Travel Connect portal.

Register for the March 4 Information Session: Stanford Travel Program Updates and Enhancements to learn more about Stanford Travel Connect.

Beginning January 8, 2025, travelers from 49 non-European Union countries, including the United States, must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to visit the United Kingdom. This will replace the current Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) program.

Similar to the US Electronic Travel Authorization (ESTA) and the EU European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is for non-visa travel visits and requires travelers to apply at least three days before visiting the UK through the UK ETA website. Once approved, the ETA is valid for two years, and travelers will be able to:

• Spend up to six months in the UK for business and academic purposes, tourism, or visiting friends and family.
• Spend up to three months in the UK on the Creative Worker visa concession.

Travelers will be denied boarding if they do not secure the ETA prior to departure. 

According to recent guidance from the U.K.’s Visas and Immigration office, released January 17, travelers do not need an ETA if they are transiting through the UK, including flights with connections in the UK, unless they pass through border control.

Obtaining an ETA for university-sponsored business is considered a permissible expense.

These requirements are subject to change. Be sure to check the links in this article for the latest information. For additional support with entry requirements, contact VisaCentral by CIBT.