How AAA, Travel Partners and the Industry Are Changing Cleanliness Standards

TRANSPORTATION

By Air

Most airlines are enhancing health and safety standards. Adjustments include restricting the number of passengers, limiting in-flight materials that require disinfection, changing food and drink service, increasing cleanings and filtering the air in most planes with HEPA filters that catch bacteria or particles. Some airlines may require the use of masks. Check with individual airlines or your AAA Travel Agent for the latest information, and consider taking direct flights when possible to limit the amount of people you’re around.

By Rail (Amtrak Vacations)

Amtrak Vacations is a AAA preferred travel partner that utilizes the rail. Travelers should confirm plans before the trip, such as checking current conditions and procedures. Standards for cleanliness now include frequent deep cleaning and sanitization at high-touch points using disinfectants approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). To reduce contact, the travel experience—from booking to departure and arrival—has been designed to be contact-free. This means payments are cashless while booking and boarding can be done via a mobile app. For the latest destinations, visit . Trips offer maximum flexibility so that members can visit any North American destination on any date or length of time and reschedule or cancel trips “up to 5 days prior to departure without any change or cancellation fees.”

Some protocols to expect if traveling by rail:

• Bookings are limited in order to allow for physical distancing.

• Facial coverings and physical distancing are required in-transit and at stations, with plastic barriers up at customer counters.

• Food service is generally carryout, but physical distancing is in effect for longer routes; customers can opt-in to room service in private rooms during these long-distance routes.

• Onboard movement is contactless, so passengers can open doors by pressing a button with their feet. Trains have onboard filtration systems to allow fresh air exchange.

By Vehicle (Hertz)

AAA’s longtime partnership with Hertz makes the rental agency a good choice for AAA members who are planning to drive. Perks include a complimentary extra driver, infant or child safety seat, a reduced GPS fee, enhanced cleaning process and exclusive AAA discounts. The Hertz Gold Standard Clean 15-step cleaning and sanitizing process adheres to CDC guidelines to make sure each rental vehicle is cleaned, sanitized and ready to go. Hertz employees working with vehicles are certified before they are permitted to clean.Members who join the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program can enjoy an entirely touchless rental process. Visit for details. Touchless car rental benefits available to AAA and Gold Plus Rewards members include the following.

• Hertz Gold Plus Rewards members can skip the counter and go straight to their car.

• Travelers can drop off the car and receive an email receipt; a neighborhood location may send someone to pick up the car.

• All vehicles have been sanitized before the Hertz Gold Standard seal is added, so travelers are assured that no one else has had access after a cleaning.

HOSPITALITY

AAA's Best Of Inspected Clean

Only the most discerning AAA Diamond designated properties—inns, hotels, resorts, etc.—go that the extra mile to exceed customer expectations and earn a Best Of Inspected Clean designation. However, all participating properties receive periodical, unannounced visits from an inspector who reviews physical condition as well as cleanliness and ATP surface testing. This involves randomly checking eight surfaces within guest rooms and bathrooms during the inspection process. Properties designated Inspected Clean must receive an acceptable surface testing pass rate of at least 75 percent. To further refine your hotel search and find a clean hotel with superior housekeeping services, go to .

Where to Stay

A number of hoteliers are changing the way companies clean, both internally and organizationally. One of the larger initiatives by the American Hotel & Lodging Association, “Safe Stay,” launched in late April and focuses on enhanced cleaning and social practices and workplace regulations to meet the new health and safety challenges. Chains and individual hotels have stepped up to show they are concerned with updated health and safety procedures by implementing new standards.

Below are a few AAA preferred lodging partners and their plans for addressing health and safety.

Best Western

Although “I Care Clean” has been around since 2012, new protocols are in place following recommendations by the CDC, EPA, Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Health Canada. Protocols associated with the new “We Care Clean” initiative include disinfecting surfaces more frequently; having staff, notably housekeeping and laundry personnel, wear personal protective equipment; and offering guests prepackaged foods and contactless ways to connect via mobile app. Guestrooms are left empty and secured for 24 to 72 hours without entry. All unnecessary items, such as notepads and pens, have been removed, and high-touch spots, such as faucets and light switches, are sanitized with approved chemicals.

Marriott

The Commitment to Cleanliness encompasses six focus areas—public spaces (going above and beyond in cleaning frequency), hand sanitizer stations, social distancing measures (with signs and check-in partitions), guest room cleaning and sanitization (with hospital-grade chemicals and stocking rooms with disinfecting wipes); new cleaning technology (electrostatic sprayers for sanitization) and a process testing UV light for sanitizing guest keys and other frequently used objects; and a mobile app allowing for physical distancing and contact-less check-in and room access.

Hyatt

The Global Care & Cleanliness Commitment by is being enhanced by an accreditation process with the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) in tandem with guidance from a team of health care experts and professionals. Plans include measurable sanitization and disease prevention efforts, continual cleanliness auditing with the GBAC STAR accreditation program, sanitization specialists at hotels, and a new panel of experts in medicine and industry to support employees and offer guidance.

Hilton

MGM Resorts

The “Seven-Point Safety Plan” by has been worked on by health care professionals with safety in mind to prevent disease spread and address any cases. New processes include screening and training employees; requiring masks and other protective gear for employees; encouraging guests to wear masks in public spaces; limiting drinking and eliminating eating in casinos; implementing social distancing and partitions; enhancing cleaning, including the use of electrostatic sprayers and hand-sanitizing stations; and monitoring air quality with HVAC systems, adjusted with advice from scientists or officials to reduce virus transmission.

Start Your Next Vacation with AAA

AAA Travel provides peace of mind for travelers—from the first mile of the journey to the last. Get inspiration for your next road trip with AAA’s TripTik Travel Planner, or browse pre-planned itineraries on AAA.com/RoadTrips. Estimating fuel costs for your trip is easy with the AAA Gas Cost Calculator, and if your car needs a quick tune-up before the trip, find a AAA Approved auto repair facility near you at AAA.com/AutoRepair. For printed maps, AAA TourBook guides and trip planning advice, visit your local AAA office.