Welcome
UNM Travel is The University of New Mexico’s travel management program providing UNM business travelers convenience, safety, value and a multitude of booking options both domestically and internationally. In partnership with Anthony Travel, the comprehensive travel booking tool Concur, is overseen by the Purchasing Department and automatically applies UNM negotiated prices and agreements with airlines, hotels and car rental companies.
All PCard Reconciliations and Reimbursement requests must be submitted in Chrome River.
- PCard transactions from BoA will continue to feed to the PCard holders eWallet.
Concur is an intuitive tool and provides UNM travelers with a single travel application to book and manage travel.
For assistance with travel related inquiries, please contact us at Travel@unm.edu
Announcements
U.S. Government Shutdown – What It Means for Travel
We want to keep you informed about how the recent U.S. federal government shutdown may affect business travel, as you might soon be receiving questions on this topic. Here’s what you need to know:
- Air travel is still running as usual. TSA agents and air traffic controllers are on duty, even though they are not getting paid. While everything is operational now, your travelers might experience longer security lines and flight delays if staffing issues arise down the road.
- For passports and visas, there is no immediate impact. These services are still up and running, but it’s a good idea to stay updated in case things change if the shutdown continues.
- Travelers might also see some slowdowns in infrastructure and operations. Agencies like the FAA could face delays in projects and planning, which might impact travel efficiency overall.
Economically, the travel industry could take a hit, with potential losses of up to $1 billion per week, depending on how long the shutdown lasts. This could have broader implications for the industry and travel plans.
Anthony Travel is keeping a close eye on the situation and will keep us updated on any developments that might affect your travel plans. If you have any questions or need help adjusting your itineraries, don’t hesitate to reach out.
You can find more information: 'U.S. Gov't Shuts Down: What Happens to Travel?' on Business Travel News.
Critical Updates for European Travel
Starting October 12, 2025, the European Union (EU) will begin implementing the Entry/Exit System (EES), a new digital border control system for non-EU nationals entering the Schengen Area for short stays.
- What’s Changing?
The EES will replace manual passport stamping with automated biometric checks. Upon first entry into the Schengen Area, travelers will be required to:- Submit four fingerprints
- Have a facial photo taken
This biometric data will be securely linked to their passport or travel document and used for future entries. The system will also track entry and exit dates to enforce the 90-day rule (maximum stay of 90 days within any 180-day period across Schengen countries).
- Who Is Affected?
This applies to all non-EU nationals, including U.S. citizens, faculty, staff, and students traveling for short stays. EU passport holders are exempt, along with a few other categories listed here.
If your institution is sending non-EU travelers to Europe, this change will apply to them.
- What Should You Do?
- Plan for delays: First-time EES registration may cause longer wait times at border crossings. Please advise travelers to allow extra time, especially when traveling for scheduled events or academic programs.
- Track Schengen days: The EES will make it easier for authorities to detect overstays. Ensure travelers are aware of the 90/180-day rule and monitor their time in the Schengen Area. When someone enters a country in the Schengen area, the 180-day period starts. They can enter Schengen area countries as many times as they want, but only stay for a total of 90 days, every 180 days.
- Communicate early: Share this update with your travelers and program coordinators to avoid surprises at the border.
- Consequences of Overstaying
Travelers who exceed the 90-day limit may face Fines, Deportation and/or Travel bans of up to 3 years.
Travel Insurance Information for University Employees
Currently, the University does not provide blanket travel insurance coverage for faculty or staff traveling on university-related business. However, coverage may be available through the University’s existing insurance policies. View the new Travel Insurance page for details.
UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Requirement
There has been an important update regarding travel to and from the UK. As of January 20, 2025, travelers connecting through UK airports no longer require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). However, if your travelers are planning to enter the UK, they will still need to obtain an ETA before their journey. Please keep the following link on file, as it provides the steps to apply for the ETA. Note that it may take up to 3 days to process.
Key details:
- The ETA comes with a fee
- It is valid for two years
- We recommend that travelers download the official app, ensuring they have their ETA readily available when asked to present it
It is the responsibility of travelers to ensure they have the correct travel authorization. For more details, including a list of nationalities eligible for the ETA, please visit gov.uk and the following links:
Apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) - GOV.UK
Who can get an ETA and how to apply
Factsheet on the latest UK ETA updates
Real ID Compliance Deadline
As of May 7, 2025, US travelers will be required to have a REAL ID - compliant license or another acceptable form of identification to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities. The Department of Homeland Security has proposed an extension to May 2027 due to ongoing concerns about adoption rates. However, at this time, the deadline for full enforcement of the REAL ID Act is still May 7, 2025.
US Passport Online Renewal Option
Here are some key highlights of the new service:
- 100% Online: Submit your passport renewal application, pay fees, and track the process entirely online.
- Faster Processing: Expect faster turnaround times compared to traditional renewal methods.
- Secure and Easy to Use: The online process is secure, user-friendly, and accessible 24/7.
For more information for you and your travelers, please visit the official U.S. Department of State page:
Online Passport Renewal Announcement
New Passport Sex Marker Policy
The U.S. State Department has provided clarification on the status of passports issued with the “X” gender marker and how future renewals will be handled. Key points from the updated guidance:
- "X" Gender Marker Passports: Passports with the “X” gender designation, issued to non-binary, intersex, and non-gender conforming individuals, will remain valid until their expiration date. However, no new passports will be issued with this designation moving forward.
- New Passport Renewals: Upon renewal, individuals holding a passport with the “X” gender marker will receive a new passport with an “M” or “F” designation that matches their biological sex at birth.
- Transgender Passport Holders: Passport holders with a gender marker that does not match their sex assigned at birth will continue to be allowed to use their current passport until expiration. However, any new passport applications will be issued with a gender marker corresponding to their biological sex at birth, based on supporting documents and prior records.
- Delays and Requests for Additional Information: Applicants requesting a sex marker that differs from their biological sex at birth may face delays or be asked to provide additional documentation.
New Travel Booking Tool
UNM Travel would like to announce a change in our travel booking tool and travel partnership. We are pleased to introduce Concur as our new booking tool effective September 1, 2024. When booking travel through this new tool, faculty and staff will have comprehensive travel management services including air and ground transportation, hotel accommodations, group travel, duty of care and 24/7 travel assistance.
The current ETTA booking tool will no longer be accessible as of August 31, 2024. Please ensure that you access your profile before this date and make note of any unused travel credits. You will need to contact the airlines directly to book travel with those credits. UNM travel will have record of all airline credit details if needed, please contact UNM Travel at travel@unm.edu.
Southwest Airlines Partnership
UNM Travel is excited to announce The University of New Mexico has partnered with Southwest Airlines, our preferred airline for air travel. The full suite of Southwest Airlines travel options is included in the Concur tool.
Local Hotel Partnerships Updates
The Local Hotel Partnerships have been updated to include new hotel partners and locations including Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Taos, Las Cruces and Gallup. Please visit the portal on the Purchasing website for more information.
Announcements Archive | Newsletter Archive
