Last year brought some wins for travelers. New rules made it easier for passengers to get a refund if they can’t travel due to flight cancellations or delays. And travelers got more flexibility to renew their passports online.

With the new year, travelers should expect a bit more paperwork and additional fees depending on their destinations.

THE Scott Keys, Airline Pricing Expert and founder of the cheap flight service Going, predicted that the year will bring both good news (fewer overcrowded planes, cheaper flights to Europe) along with bad (slightly higher airfares overall).

He attributes his assessment of air fares to the difficulties faced by low-cost airlines. For example, Spirit filed for bankruptcy last year.

“Spirit and other carriers had acted as a drag on the market, forcing Delta and United and others to charge less than they wanted” said Keys. However, as some low-cost airlines curtail their schedules, this could have an impact.

Here are other developments travelers should keep an eye on this year.

New license to travel to the UK

Americans and other non-visa-exempt travelers who do not hold European passports must secure an electronic travel authorization before departing for a UK airport.

The measure came into effect on January 8 and will also apply to those with European passports from the beginning of April.

The new permit, which can be processed through an app or online, can take up to 72 hours. It costs 10 pounds, or about $12.50, and is valid for two years.

Deadline for Real ID certification for air travel

After years of delays, the deadline to obtain a Real ID for air travel is set for May 7. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) says passengers must present identification that complies with minimum security standards set by a 20-year-old law.

While the TSA says it “fully intends” to begin enforcement in early May, a new rule allows the agency flexibility to take a “phased approach.” According to federal government documents, just over 56% of IDs in circulation are compliant with the standards as of January of last year. A phased approach introduces a “temporary warning period” for people without proper ID.

The agency urges travelers to obtain proper identification or other acceptable identification, such as a passport or Department of Homeland Security trust card, by the deadline. The TSA warned in a press release last year that travelers who do not have a compliant ID “may experience delays at airport security checkpoints” after the deadline.

John Rose, chief risk officer for travel agency Altour, said he understands if travelers have put off getting the required ID. However, he added that they should not wait any longer.

“The reality is that this will be implemented. It’s the next evolution of IDs and makes traveling super easy“, he said. “There’s almost no point not having it.»

Keys said he has seen warning signs about the need for a Real ID for years. His license is due for renewal at the end of the year and he said he will upgrade to the new version then.

“If this comes into effect sometime in the middle of the year, I might have a few trips that I need to remember to get my passport on“, he said.

More fees to popular European destinations

Protests have targeted over-tourism in some European cities over the summer, and officials are continuing efforts to tackle overcrowding at peak times.

Venice said it would reintroduce a fee for day visitors on certain dates from April to July and impose the fee on more days than last year.

Visitors booking four or more days in advance will pay €5, but the price will increase to €10 for guests booking closer to the date of visit.

In Greece, daily taxes will rise in hotels by occasion to 15 euros in the summer, and the tax per day for short-term rentals will rise to 8 euros between April and October, Reuters reported. Cruise passengers visiting the islands of Santorini and Mykonos during the busiest season will face a €20 surcharge.

New cruise fees to Mexico

A new fee of $42 per person for cruise passengers in Mexico is expected to go into effect on July 1, although cruise lines and an industry group oppose its implementation. The Associated Press reported that cruise passengers were previously exempt from this fee, which is an immigration tax and will go mostly to the Mexican military.

The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association said the fee had already been delayed from the beginning of the year to the summer. However, the group warned that the additional fee on cruise travelers would “deter visitors, alter cruise itineraries and create economic consequences for communities that depend on cruise tourism.”

A union of maritime agents in Mexico has also opposed the end. CNN reported that Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, said the fee is an adjustment to existing fees and cited inflation as a factor.

Reservations on Southwest

The airline’s famous open-seat system is going away, but not until the first half of 2026. Later this year, though, travelers should be able to select seats when they book their future flights, rather than waiting until they get on the plane as they do now. Southwest announced the change over the summer and revealed the timing of its implementation in September.

While many loyal customers have expressed their disappointment at the loss of this signature feature, the airline said the move is aimed at attracting more travelers. According to Southwest, 80% of its own customers and 86% of passengers on other airlines want assigned seats.

New application for travel to Europe

Americans heading to 30 European destinations are among the travelers who do not require a visa and will need to reapply for a travel permit when it goes into effect. The new rules affect 1.4 billion potential visitors, according to the European Union.

The timing of the delayed European Travel Information and Authorization System remains uncertain; it is expected to start six months after a new digital entry and exit system, expected sometime this year, which will use biometric data.

As part of the new travel permit, applicants will have to fill out an online form, pay 7 euros (about $7) and provide standard personal information as well as additional details such as education level, occupation and any criminal convictions.

Rose said the new system would improve “security and tracking” of people moving in Europe.

“It’s also a great upgrade for travelers in terms of how fast it works at the border“, he said.

He recommends working with a travel advisor once the system is in place so they can monitor the requirements.

“Failure to comply can lead to delays in their journey, which is why it’s a bit confusing“, he said. “Anytime there is something new, I recommend talking to experts.»

Keys said the biggest concern will be travelers forgetting to go through the process.

“But I think the airlines will work to proactively inform people“, he said.