This spring, the Johns Hopkins managed travel program is unveiling a series of updates aimed at modernizing the travel booking experience and improving traveler safety. The updates reflect years of work by Johns Hopkins Travel Services and are designed to make business travel more efficient, more secure, and more accessible for all faculty and staff.
"We're offering new, better booking opportunities that support the diverse travel needs of our community," says Amy Page, director of Travel and Expense Programs.
A modernized booking experience
One of the biggest updates is the expanded integration of TripLink—a tool that allows travelers to book directly with preferred providers such as Amtrak and Marriott while still receiving Hopkins-negotiated rates—so that travel data automatically syncs with Concur for expense tracking and with Healix for emergency support.
"It's seamless," Page says of the new process. "You get the discount, your travel is tracked for safety, and it all integrates back into your expense report. It's a game changer."
Alongside TripLink, a revamped version of the SAP Concur Travel booking tool will roll out in July. The new interface offers a more modern, user-friendly experience and improved accessibility. Training resources and how-to guides will be available in coming months in the Johns Hopkins travel portal, where users also can explore policy information, card management, and step-by-step instructions for using travel tools.
Emergency help wherever you are
Traveling on behalf of the university comes with automatic access to Healix, its duty-of-care provider. Healix offers 24/7 emergency assistance worldwide, from rebooking flights during geopolitical unrest to helping replace lost passports or coordinating urgent medical care abroad.
"If you find yourself in a remote area needing medical help, Healix can step in," Page says. "[It] will front medical expenses in countries where care is cash-only and can coordinate reimbursements through university insurance."
The Healix app is available for domestic and international travelers and can be found under the Tools tab on the travel portal.
REAL ID and new visa requirements
Travel Services urges members of the Hopkins community to double-check their travel documentation, especially with new requirements coming into effect this spring.
Starting May 7, the REAL ID Act, which was passed by Congress in 2005, will be enforced by the Transportation Security Administration. To pass through airport security, travelers flying domestically will need a REAL ID–compliant driver's license or an alternative form of accepted ID.
"It's critical that travelers check now whether their ID is compliant," says Julie Phillips, Travel Services manager. [Note: Maryland residents can learn more about REAL IDs here.]
International travelers should also be aware that the United Kingdom and Brazil have introduced new visa requirements for U.S. passport holders. These conditions are automatically flagged in the Concur booking process; additional details and assistance are available on the travel portal. For last-minute needs, Hopkins partners with two passport and visa services.
"We want to make sure our travelers are aware and prepared before they go," Phillips says.
To learn more about the changes and to explore the full range of travel services available to you, visit the Johns Hopkins travel portal. More updates are expected later this year.
