Delta Accused Of Kicking Muslim Family Off Flight — International Treaty Means They Never Get Their Day In Court
A Maryland appeals court ruled that the 1999 Montreal Convention, which governs international airline liability, bars damages for wrongful deplaning when no physical injury or death occurs. Delta argued the Rome‑Atlanta‑Baltimore itinerary fell under the treaty, and the court agreed, also applying the convention’s two‑year statute of limitations. Plaintiff Hisham Kassab, who alleges his Muslim family was removed from a Delta flight without cause, sought over $100,000 but was barred from recovery. The decision, though unreported, underscores the treaty’s narrow scope for non‑physical harms.
Stop Studying for the Test: Why Restaurants Must Make Food Safety a Daily Routine
A former NYC health inspector reveals that most restaurants treat food safety as a reactive, exam‑style task, fixing issues only when inspectors arrive. He argues that the real obstacle is limited managerial bandwidth, not lack of knowledge. Static checklists fail...
ALL Accor Meeting Planner Double Points At Sofitel, MGallery & EMBLEMS Through December 31, 2026
ALL Accor is offering meeting planners double ALL points for events booked at Sofitel, Sofitel Legend, MGallery and EMBLEMS properties between April 1 and December 31, 2026. Members must register and can apply the bonus to up to three qualifying meetings, earning two...
Etihad Guest to Be Dropped From American Express Membership Rewards Transfer Partners on 6/30/26
American Express Membership Rewards will cease Etihad Guest transfers on June 30, 2026, giving members a final window until June 29 to move points. The change trims one of Amex’s many airline partners, though Etihad’s award program is already limited...
Delta Adds New York Times To Seatback Screens — ‘Free Access’ Is Really A Subscription Pitch
Delta Air Lines has partnered with The New York Times to provide SkyMiles members aged 18 and older with free, all‑access NYT content through its seat‑back entertainment system, Delta Sync. The offer grants up to 24‑hour access and can be used up to...
New Hyatt Promo Worth Up To 100K Points, JetBlue Raises Bag Fees & Delta Is Ditching Starlink
Delta Air Lines and Amazon’s Leo platform announced a partnership to embed next‑generation connectivity and digital services across Delta’s fleet, signaling a strategic shift from satellite‑based solutions like Starlink. Hyatt’s Under Canvas brand launched a limited‑time promotion that rewards glamping...
Wells Fargo Choice Privileges 60,000 Points
Wells Fargo’s Choice Privileges Mastercard is offering a 60,000‑point sign‑up bonus for cardholders who spend $1,000 within the first three months, extending the promotion through April 7, 2026. The card earns 5X points on stays at participating Choice hotels, 3X on gas, groceries,...
Passengers Keep Stealing From Carry-On Bags On Hong Kong Flights — But Cabin Cameras Still Aren’t Standard
A passenger on a Hong Kong Express flight from Phu Quoc to Hong Kong caught a thief rummaging through carry‑on bags, prompting police to intervene after cash was discovered missing. Airline data reveal more than 15 theft incidents per month...
ALL Accor+ Explorer Dining Benefit Changes April 2026
Accor refreshed its ALL Accor+ Explorer program on October 1, 2025, lowering the flagship dining discount from 50% to a flat 30% for all members. The update also introduced extensive blackout dates and removed all Banyan Group hotels while adding JO&JOE and Morgans...
Radisson Rewards Europe 10K Bonus Per Stay Select Hotels March 30 – May 18, 2026 (Book By April 14)
Radisson Rewards is offering a limited‑time promotion that awards 10,000 bonus points—roughly $20 in value—for each stay at select European "Spotlight Hotels" between March 30 and May 18, 2026. Members must book the prepaid stay between March 30 and April 14, 2026, and the...
British Airways Passengers Stranded in Newfoundland For Two Days Slam Airline as an “Utter Disgrace”
British Airways flight BA195 from London to Houston diverted to St. John’s, Newfoundland on March 31 after a passenger became seriously ill. The 787‑10 Dreamliner, carrying up to 265 passengers, was forced into a two‑day layover while the crew awaited...
You Can Now View TSA Checkpoint Wait Times Directly in the United Airlines Mobile App At These Seven Airports
United Airlines has added estimated TSA checkpoint wait times to its mobile app for seven major hub airports, covering both standard security lanes and TSA PreCheck. The feature appears on the app’s ‘day of travel’ page, giving passengers a quick...
Performance Max for Hotels: Pros & Cons To Consider
Google Performance Max (PMax) consolidates ads across Search, Display, YouTube, Discover, Gmail and Maps into a single AI‑driven campaign for hotels. Independent properties can leverage the platform to broaden reach, automate bidding and creative optimization, and capture more direct bookings....
The WhatsApp Trap: Why Hotel Operations Slip Through Cracks
Hotels increasingly rely on consumer messaging apps such as WhatsApp, LINE, and Signal for daily coordination, but these informal tools lack the structure needed for reliable operations. The article highlights how fragmented chats hide critical updates, leading to missed tasks...
Wyndham Rewards 5X Lufthansa Miles&More Miles April 1 – August 31, 2026 (Book By May 31)
Wyndham Rewards is offering Lufthansa Miles&More members a 5‑mile‑per‑USD bonus for stays booked between April 1 and May 31, 2026 and completed by August 31, 2026. Members must register for the promotion, switch their earning preference to Miles&More, and can earn the multiplier on up...
World Of Hyatt 20% Award Rebate Las Vegas Area Stays April 3 – July 31, 2026
Hyatt has introduced a World of Hyatt award rebate that returns 20% of points for stays at participating Las Vegas‑area hotels booked and completed between April 3 and July 31, 2026. Members must register for the promotion between April 1 and July 31, 2026, and...
American Airlines Refreshes Lounge Menus Across Major Airports This Spring
American Airlines is rolling out spring‑inspired menu updates across its Flagship® and Admirals Club® lounges at major U.S. airports, adding dishes such as braised short rib at LAX, carrot‑coconut soup at Chicago, and tamagoyaki French toast at Dallas. The refresh...
The Standard Is Set to Debut in Texas With Transformation of South Congress Hotel
Hyatt’s lifestyle brand The Standard will debut in Texas by converting Austin’s South Congress Hotel into a new property slated to open in spring 2027. Located at 1603 South Congress Avenue, the redesign will blend the hotel’s historic identity with...
Significant Changes to Air India Maharaja Club Effective Immediately
Air India announced sweeping enhancements to its Maharaja Club loyalty program, effective immediately. The airline reduced Maharaja Points required for award flights and cabin upgrades on over 90% of routes, introduced a simplified tier‑based rescheduling policy, and lowered flight‑count thresholds...
Grow Your Hotel Brand: Essential Facebook and Instagram Strategies
Hotels are urged to treat their Meta presence as a growth engine, adopting a business Instagram profile, strategic captions, location tags, and a balanced mix of professional and user‑generated content. The article stresses concise, emoji‑enhanced captions, limited but relevant hashtags,...
The New Billboard Effect: ChatGPT the Next Front Line of Distribution
The hospitality industry’s distribution model is shifting from OTA‑driven discovery to AI‑powered conversation, with ChatGPT becoming the first point of contact for travelers. Guests now pose natural‑language queries—e.g., “recommend boutique hotels in Milan under €200” (≈ $218)—and receive curated, reasoning‑based...
Earn 25,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points Per Stay With Vacations by Marriott in Hawaii or Florida
Marriott International is offering a limited‑time promotion that awards 25,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points for each stay of at least four consecutive nights at participating resorts in Hawaii or Florida. The bonus applies to reservations booked through Vacations by Marriott...
United Launches Real-Time TSA Wait Time Tracker in Mobile App
United Airlines has added a real‑time TSA wait‑time tracker to its mobile app, launching a pilot at its seven major U.S. hub airports. The tool displays up‑to‑the‑minute estimates for standard security lines and TSA PreCheck, helping travelers decide when to...
American Express Centurion Lounge Updates (New Lounges At BOS, CLT & Expansion At DFW)
American Express announced a series of Centurion lounge developments, including a two‑story lounge with an outdoor terrace at Boston Logan Airport slated for 2029, a new sidecar lounge in Charlotte Douglas International’s Concourse A opening in 2027, and a 50 % larger...
Rycrofte’s Restaurant Brings Modern British Cuisine to New London City Hotel This Month
Rycrofte’s Restaurant, Coffeehouse and Bar will debut in 2026 at The Derby London City, a Curio Collection by Hilton hotel on Great Tower Street. Named after Sir John Rycrofte, the venue blends modern British cuisine with historic references, featuring seasonal...
Hyatt Chase Offers: Save up 15% at Park Hyatt and Unbound Collection
Chase has introduced two new card‑linked offers that give 15% cash back on stays at Park Hyatt and the Unbound Collection. The Park Hyatt offer applies to bookings over $450 and caps at $70, while the Unbound offer applies to...
Southwest Quietly Expanded Its Privacy Policy — Now Customers Fear Dynamic Pricing And Biometric Tracking
Southwest Airlines announced an update to its privacy policy, expanding data collection permissions. The revised terms allow the airline to gather session replay, mouse movements, Wi‑Fi usage, location data, and even audio/video at airports. Analysts fear these capabilities could enable...
Southwest Switches Back to Open Seating
Southwest Airlines announced it is reverting to its classic open‑seating model after just over two months of a pilot assigned‑seat program. The reversal is framed as a move to recapture the free media buzz that the airline relies on for...
How Oil and Gas Prices Affect a Restaurant Bill
Rising oil and gas prices are inflating every stage of the restaurant supply chain, from farm production to transportation, which pushes food costs higher. Higher fuel costs also strain restaurant labor as employees face increased commuting expenses, prompting turnover and...
GHA Discovery Double D$ For Stays At Select Hotels In Europe & North America April 1 – May 31, 2026
GHA DISCOVERY is offering double Discovery Dollars (D$) for stays booked and completed between April 1 and May 31, 2026 at select hotels across Europe, North America, the Caribbean and Latin America. Members earn both the base D$ and an equal promotional amount,...
The Future of Hotel Growth Is Wellness Driven
Hotel Mogel’s Adam Mogelonsky joins Lisa Starr on the StarrCast podcast to explore how wellness is reshaping hotel growth strategies. The discussion frames wellness as a property‑wide initiative rather than a standalone amenity, influencing guest experience, operational models, and revenue...
IHG One Rewards Double Points & Nights Offers April – May 2026
Chase has launched limited‑time conversion bonuses for points transferred from Ultimate Rewards to Air Canada Aeroplan and IHG One Rewards, offering a 20% boost for Aeroplan and a 70% boost for IHG. The promotions run through April 30, 2026, and...
Alaska Airlines: 30% Off Select Flights With Promo Code FLY30
Alaska Airlines is rolling out a limited‑time promotion that slashes base fares by 30% on select nonstop routes to Hawaii and a slate of U.S. transcontinental cities. The discount, accessed with promo code FLY30, applies to travel between April 22 and...
Delta One Lounge At JFK Makes Guests Check Bags Before Dinner — Then Asks Them To Tip In SkyMiles
Delta’s flagship Delta One lounge at JFK has introduced a new “no‑bags‑allowed” rule in its dining room, requiring guests to check luggage before entering. The airline also rolled out a digital tip prompt that lets passengers tip staff with SkyMiles,...
Save Up to 35% In India and Nepal With Radisson Rewards — Plus…
Radisson Rewards is offering up to 35 % off room rates at participating hotels in India and Nepal from May 1 to June 30 2026, with nightly prices as low as $37.89 and breakfast included. The promotion also grants members an extra 2,000 points...
Air India Will Start Weighing Flight Attendants — Overweight Crew Will Be Pulled From Flights Without Pay
Air India will enforce a new Cabin‑Crew Health and Fitness Compliance Policy starting May 1, requiring flight attendants to maintain a BMI between 18 and 24.9, with conditional allowances up to 29.9. Crew members with a BMI of 30 or higher...
Ryanair Says Its Going to Stop Trolling Passengers and Celebrities On Social Media
Ryanair announced it will abandon its notorious trolling approach on X and Facebook, adopting a more corporate and professional tone. The shift follows years of aggressive "trashposting" that targeted passengers, celebrities, and even sparked a public spat with Elon Musk...
Alaska Atmos Rewards Ascent Card Offering 85K Bonus
Alaska Airlines has refreshed its Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® card with an 85,000‑mile sign‑up bonus and a $99 companion fare after $4,500 of spending in the first 120 days. The card carries a $95 annual fee and offers 3X...
The Ritz-Carlton Studied 400,000 Guests and Found One Thing That Changed Their Brand.
The Ritz‑Carlton examined 400,000 guest comment cards and discovered that the very first interaction determines whether a guest will return or lodge a complaint. This insight led to the ten‑foot rule—employees must greet anyone within ten feet with a genuine...
JetBlue Unveils Subscription-Based Loyalty Perks and Expanded Redemption Options
JetBlue has launched TrueBlue Subscriptions, a recurring points program that lets members earn loyalty points through monthly or annual plans, with three tiered options offering higher earning rates and redemption rebates. The airline also broadened redemption possibilities, allowing points to...
Your Guests Are Calling. Is Anyone Answering the Phone?
Hotel operators are losing revenue because 10‑40% of inbound calls go unanswered, and 70% of callers hang up within a minute of hold time. Over half of travelers (52%) will abandon the property and book through an OTA if they...
The Revenue Impact Hiding in Your Venue Enquiry Response Time
Venue operators often overlook how response latency erodes revenue. With an average event contract of $18,901.62, three bookings a month translate to roughly $680,000 in annual income, yet planners award 35‑50% of events to the first venue that replies. Faster...
Creating a Customer Loyalty Culture with Lisa Checchio
Lisa Checchio, CCO of EBG, explains on Amazing Business Radio that a hospitality mentality—treating every interaction as welcoming and memorable—drives superior customer experience across B2B, B2C, and government sectors. She argues most loyalty programs focus on discounts, which create perk‑based...
ITA Airways Volare Now Gone – Becomes Part Of Miles&More & Star Alliance From April 1, 2026
ITA Airways has terminated its Volare frequent‑flyer program as of March 30, 2026, giving members a short window to redeem remaining points. Starting April 1, 2026 the carrier will become a full member of Lufthansa Group’s Miles&More program and join the Star Alliance network....
Significant Changes to United Airlines MileagePlus Program Effective As of April 2 2026
United Airlines is overhauling its MileagePlus program on April 2, 2026, cutting base mileage earn rates for non‑card members while boosting accrual for eligible United credit‑card holders. General members see a 40% drop to 3 miles per dollar, whereas Premier...
Why I Love National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions
Lindblad Expeditions, partnered exclusively with National Geographic since 2004, offers small‑ship expedition cruises that reach remote destinations inaccessible to larger vessels. Its fleet ranges from the 28‑guest Delfin II to the 148‑passenger National Geographic Explorer, providing intimate experiences across all seven...
You Can Earn 7 Free Nights From Hyatt Brand Explorer Perk
Hyatt’s Brand Explorer perk now awards up to seven category 1‑4 free‑night certificates after members stay at five different Hyatt brands, a jump from the original two‑certificate limit. The program currently spans 38 distinct Hyatt brands, from luxury Park Hyatt...
Hidden Gems of Manchester
Manchester, once the cradle of the Industrial Revolution, has reinvented itself as a cultural and creative hub. The city now draws tourists with its Roman ruins, historic canals, vibrant music scene, sports venues, and a thriving independent retail and culinary...
Get a 35% Bonus when Buying Choice Points (Buy Points for 0.76 Cpp)
Choice Privileges has opened a new points sale offering a 35% bonus on purchases of 18,000 points or more, bringing the cost down to roughly 0.76 cents per point. The promotion runs from March 30 to April 28, 2026, with...
Cathay Pacific Restarts Seattle Service
Cathay Pacific announced it will restart nonstop service between Hong Kong and Seattle on March 30, 2026, after suspending the route during the pandemic. The airline will operate five weekly flights using Airbus A350 aircraft, offering business‑class reverse‑herringbone seats, premium‑economy, and free Wi‑Fi. The...