Know What's Happening in Hotels
Know What's Happening in Hotels
Marriott and Hilton face $7B liability from unredeemed loyalty points
Marriott and Hilton together carry nearly $7 billion in unredeemed loyalty points, with Marriott accounting for roughly $4 billion and Hilton about $3 billion. The liability stems from rapid growth in co‑branded credit‑card partnerships and soaring program enrollment that outpace point redemptions. Accounting treats the unredeemed “breakage” as a revenue source.
Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) is offering its Discovery Dollars (D$) for sale at a 15% discount through March 30, 2026. Members can purchase up to D$5,000 at a price of $0.85 per D$, which redeems at a 1:1 USD value. The D$ must be used within 24 months, cannot cover taxes, fees, or OTA‑booked rates, and purchases are non‑refundable. The promotion is accessible via the GHA website and processed through Points.com.
Collinson International’s Rohan Bhalla highlighted the growing influence of travel rewards on consumer behavior in a TTG Conversations interview. He explained that travel‑related incentives increasingly shape engagement outcomes across loyalty programmes. Bhalla noted a broad spectrum of brands—from airlines to...
Thailand showcased Muay Thai as a tourism driver at ITB Berlin 2026. The Sports Authority displayed four gyms offering stay‑and‑learn packages, emphasizing a minimum 21‑day training commitment. The 90‑day Muay Thai visa, launched three years ago, has attracted visitors from Australia, France and Singapore....
Egypt’s tourism sector is seeing a surge of Asia‑Pacific travellers, now accounting for over 70% of group bookings. Monthly tour groups have climbed from five to nearly thirty, driven by interest in classic itineraries featuring the Pyramids, the Grand Egyptian...
The Standard’s Hua Hin and Pattaya Na Jomtien hotels are repositioning as "playful wellness" resorts, blending fitness, relaxation and family‑centric activities. Guests can join family yoga, sunrise runs with pets, sound‑healing pool sessions and a DIY mud spa with mood‑matching...
Pan Pacific Hotels Group unveiled a new executive leadership team, appointing Craig Bond as chief operating officer, Celine Du as chief commercial and marketing officer, and Kate Loh as head of Development. The refreshed senior team, led by CEO Choe...
Parkroyal on Beach Road has launched a Rainforest Adventure Room Package that pairs wildlife‑themed family rooms with daily breakfast and complimentary entry to the new Rainforest Wild Asia attraction at Mandai Wildlife Reserve. The rooms feature rainforest décor, a king...
The ongoing US‑Israel‑Iran conflict has pushed tourism in the Middle East to the brink of collapse, with hotels reporting 70‑75% cancellations and some businesses receiving only a handful of bookings in a year. Entrepreneurs like chef Fadi Kattan in Bethlehem...
The Adventure Travel Trade Association’s Travel Trends Podcast launched Season 7 on March 4, introducing five new thematic tracks that explore Sun Holidays, Luxury Hotels, Agentic AI, Loyalty, and Experiences. Hosted by Dan Christian, the series brings founders, CEOs, and senior executives...
American Airlines’ Citi AAdvantage Globe Mastercard offers a $350 annual fee paired with four annual Admirals Club Globe Passes. The passes load automatically into the airline’s mobile app, grant 24‑hour lounge access for the primary cardholder and a guest, and require a...
Airport security wait times surged during the fourth week of the partial DHS shutdown, with Houston Hobby Airport experiencing average lines of nearly three hours. Atlanta’s Hartsfield‑Jackson and New Orleans’ Louis Armstrong airports reported hour‑long backups, while George Bush Intercontinental...
U.S. international tourism is contracting sharply, with arrivals down 6% in 2025 and early 2026 figures showing a further 5% drop, keeping roughly 11 million travelers away. Canadian visitors fell about one‑third year‑over‑year, while European arrivals also slipped, eroding demand in...
Airlines are grappling with record passenger demand while aircraft deliveries stall because of a severe engine production bottleneck, especially Pratt & Whitney’s GTF units. Boeing briefly reclaimed the lead in 2026, delivering 46 737 MAX jets in January, surpassing Airbus’s 19 A320neo...
A Department of Homeland Security shutdown has left TSA screeners working without pay, prompting many to miss shifts. Consequently, security lines at airports such as Houston Hobby, Atlanta, and New Orleans have stretched to as long as 3.5 hours. The...
A trilateral Innovation Hub linking Luxembourg, Switzerland and Lombardy has been launched to protect freshwater biodiversity through Certified SAFE Marine Areas and to remove plastic from lakes and rivers. The program combines direct field operations, scientific monitoring by OBRIA, and...
A frequent flyer booked three domestic first‑class award tickets on American Airlines, but one friend was involuntarily downgraded to economy after the flight was cancelled. American refunded 8,400 AAdvantage miles, exactly 40% of the 21,000‑mile award fare, citing a downgrade‑refund...
Virgin Atlantic announced it will suspend its London‑Heathrow to Dubai service until the end of March due to escalating Middle East conflict and persistent airspace closures. The decision follows a forced U‑turn of flight VS400, which diverted to Budapest after...
Saxon Air, a Norwich Airport‑based private charter operator, has bolstered its fleet with a brand‑new 2025 Agusta AW139 helicopter (registration G‑MCFC). The medium‑twin aircraft will serve executive charter flights across the UK and key European destinations such as Paris, as...
DoubleTree by Hilton London – West End has launched Tales & Teacups, a children‑focused afternoon tea created with Macmillan Children’s Books. The experience blends storytelling, a curated "Book Butler" trolley of titles, and a classic tea menu of sandwiches, scones...
The Global Business Travel Association reports that North American firms are rapidly replacing bulky travel manuals with AI‑driven tools. AI video explainers and agentic platforms now translate complex policies into short clips and automatically negotiate itineraries within corporate budgets. Real‑time...
MSC Cruises announced that its MSC Musica will sail from three new Brazilian homeports—Paranaguá, Itajaí and Rio de Janeiro—during the 2026‑27 winter season. The ship will run seven‑night itineraries visiting popular coastal spots such as Búzios, Ilha Grande and Ilhabela, filling...
Frequent Miler’s Ask Us Anything episode on March 4, 2026 tackled the imminent Hyatt award‑chart overhaul and which properties savvy travelers should lock in now. Hosts Stephen and Carrie also fielded questions about convincing reluctant travel partners, optimizing Chase Ultimate Rewards points,...
The author likens Southwest Airlines to Applebee’s, positioning it as America’s reliable, budget‑friendly airline. Like the neighborhood grill, Southwest delivers a consistent experience—open seating, low fares, and a no‑frills service that appeals to families and cost‑conscious travelers. The piece emphasizes...
Andrew Carey argues that 2026 could become a turning point for hospitality investment as interest rates retreat and debt constants settle between 7% and 9%, reopening the door to positive leverage. However, cap‑rate expectations have not yet risen, keeping pricing...
Airport pro tip: there was a long, wrap-around line at Einstein’s Bagels this morning to order from a single kiosk, not even a person. The first thing I did is check if this airport has online ordering. I was able...
World of Hyatt remains one of the most valuable hotel loyalty programs, offering over 1,400 properties across 80+ countries and a tiered award chart that recently shifted to a five‑tier pricing model. Members can earn points through stays, two co‑branded...
A reader asks whether to spend an extra €2,760 on a Lufthansa flight to Japan to guarantee renewal of Miles&More Senator status, versus a €2,760 cheaper Air France/KLM option. The author advises taking the cheaper flight and highlights Lufthansa’s paid...
Airbus has dominated thin transatlantic routes with the A321LR/XLR, but Boeing’s 737 MAX is now making a serious push across the pond. Icelandair already flies more than 3,500 MAX flights to Europe and is phasing out wide‑bodies, while WestJet is adding...
Air traffic controllers in Barbados staged an unsanctioned walkout on March 7, shutting the island’s airspace for roughly 7.5 hours. The strike forced several carriers—including Air Canada, WestJet, United, JetBlue, and Delta—to turn back, divert, or cancel flights destined for the Caribbean....
FS Treni Turistici’s Espresso Riviera sleeper service will resume on June 4, 2026, running nightly from Rome to the French Riviera through September. The vintage‑styled train offers sleeping berths, private lounges and a restaurant car, echoing the classic Orient Express aesthetic. Frequency has been increased...
The article introduces the “Player Two” model, where a partner or family member joins a points‑and‑miles strategy to amplify earnings and redemption options. By sharing credit‑card applications, referral bonuses, and pooled balances, households can sidestep limits like Chase’s 5/24 rule...
Hyatt’s partnership with Vietnam‑based Wink Hotels has more than doubled its presence in the country, expanding from four to ten properties under the Unscripted by Hyatt soft‑brand. Wink, a midscale lifestyle chain launched in 2021, differentiates itself with a 24‑hour...
Uber Eats announced its first delivery‑fee hike in a decade, raising the Lite tier from 15% to 20% and the Plus tier from 20% to 25% while keeping Premium at 30%. Custom contracts will see a 3% increase, capped at...
Zurich Airport has renewed its duty‑free and retail concession with Avolta until 2035, covering 17 locations and all food‑and‑beverage, convenience and duty‑free segments. The extension provides long‑term planning certainty and unlocks targeted capital for upgrading commercial spaces. Avolta will expand...
Malaysia Airlines announced supplemental Kuala Lumpur‑London Heathrow and Kuala Lumpur‑Paris Charles de Gaulle flights from 6‑8 March 2026, adding capacity amid widespread travel disruptions. The airline will operate the extra services with A350‑900 aircraft alongside its daily schedule, using alternative routes that...
The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts announced Tom Thrussell as its new Chief Marketing Officer, starting 1 February 2026 in Bangkok. Thrussell brings 20 years of experience across hospitality, travel, and financial services, previously leading brand strategy at Maybourne, American Express, and Centara. He will...
Bars are shifting from pure alcohol sales to becoming community hubs, a change driven by younger patrons who value belonging over drinking. The article cites the "third place" concept, urging establishments to act as informal gathering spots beyond home and...
Charcuterie boards have surged 84% on U.S. menus, prompting chefs to expand the category beyond cured meats. Chef Jenna McPartland at Joylark Plant Kitchen & Bar showcases how plant‑based boards can deliver the same sensory satisfaction using fermentation, marination, and...
Panama welcomed 3,004,266 foreign visitors in 2025, an 8.2% increase over 2024. Tourism earnings climbed to $6.6 billion, up 9.7% year‑over‑year, driven by stronger air connections, expanded cruise ship access, and a surge in business‑related trips. Tocumen International Airport recorded a...
In early 2026 travel brands began replacing traditional key cards with non‑fungible tokens that act as smart access passes, linking a guest’s digital wallet directly to physical entry points. The NFT‑backed system automates room entry, VIP lounge access, and on‑site...
French ski resorts maintained strong performance through February‑March 2026, averaging 80% occupancy despite a 4.5% dip caused by misaligned school holidays. The core two‑week period (Feb 14‑28) saw occupancy surge above 90%, outpacing the previous winter. International overnight stays rose 3.7%,...
IHG One Rewards is giving Chase IHG credit‑card members a 15% discount on award nights booked by March 9 for stays between March 7 and April 20, 2026. The reduction applies only to the points portion of a Points + Cash purchase and cannot be...
American Airlines will launch four new winter transatlantic routes to Amsterdam, Barcelona, Edinburgh and Lisbon using its Airbus A321XLR. The narrow‑body jet, capable of carrying 155 passengers, will operate from Philadelphia between late January and late March, filling seasonal demand that...
The Boeing 737‑700 remains a linchpin of low‑cost carrier strategy in 2026, offering a rare blend of range, speed, and operational simplicity. Its high‑performance wing, CFM56‑7B engines, and 41,000‑ft service ceiling deliver fuel‑efficient, high‑altitude cruising that outperforms many newer narrowbodies....
From 8 March Qatar Airways will operate limited flights to London Heathrow, Paris CDG, Madrid, Rome, Frankfurt and Bangkok. These flights are ONLY for passengers whose final destination is Doha, the airline said in a statement.
Cincinnati’s Fidelity Hotel is slated to open in July 2026, repurposing the historic 1913 Gwynne Building in the Fountain District. The project marks the brand’s second U.S. property after Cleveland, aiming to blend modern luxury with the building’s heritage. Leadership...
Marriott’s Carambola Beach Resort on St. Croix, long branded as a failing un‑branded property, is slated to close this summer for a $50 million government‑subsidized redevelopment. The resort’s troubles began when a U.S. Virgin Islands pension fund injected $15 million during the Great...
Vail Resorts unveiled a steep price cut for its 2026/27 Epic Pass, targeting Gen Z skiers and snowboarders in North America. The standard Epic Pass now costs $869, a $220 reduction, while the Epic Local Pass is $649, reflecting a...
The United States is banking on the 2026 FIFA World Cup to revive a hospitality sector that suffered a steep decline in foreign tourism, with Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Kansas City and Philadelphia among the cities preparing for a surge in visitors. In...
At the 60th ITB Berlin, Angola unveiled its new tourism brand “Visit Angola – The Rhythm of Life,” positioning the nation as a serious contender in global travel. Minister Márcio de Jesus Lopes Daniel called tourism the country’s “green oil,”...
