Bits: New Korean Air Amex Offer, IHG Launches ‘Noted’ Brand, Radisson Opens on Lake Como
•February 20, 2026
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Companies Mentioned
Why It Matters
The cashback deal could lift Korean Air’s UK revenue ahead of peak travel, while IHG’s new brand broadens its upscale footprint and Radisson’s Como opening enhances its luxury offering for affluent guests.
Key Takeaways
- •£100 cashback for £750 Korean Air spend, bookings by 29 Mar.
- •IHG’s Noted Collection targets independent upscale hotels, 150 goal.
- •Radisson’s Lake Como hotel offers 70 rooms, rooftop dining.
- •New offers aim to capture high‑value leisure travelers.
- •Credit‑card incentives remain key airline revenue tool.
Pulse Analysis
Korean Air’s refreshed American Express cashback scheme is a classic example of airlines using credit‑card incentives to stimulate demand. By offering £100 back on a £750 spend for UK‑based bookings made before 29 March, the carrier hopes to fill seats on routes that may otherwise see lingering post‑pandemic weakness. The online‑only condition nudges customers toward the airline’s digital platform, reducing distribution costs. Compared with last year’s £100 off £900 spend, the lower threshold makes the deal more accessible, potentially boosting ancillary revenue and loyalty among British travelers.
InterContinental Hotels Group introduced its 21st brand, the Noted Collection, aimed at one‑off upscale and upper‑upscale independent properties that fall short of the Curio or Vignette standards. The brand promises curated experiences that act as ‘conversation pieces,’ echoing Hilton’s Tapestry Collection strategy. IHG’s ambition to sign up more than 150 hotels over the next decade reflects a broader industry shift toward portfolio diversification, allowing chains to capture niche luxury demand without heavy asset investment. Early traction appears limited, but the concept aligns with travelers seeking authentic, story‑driven stays.
Radisson’s latest addition, Palazzo San Gottardo Lake Como, reinforces the group’s push into high‑end, destination‑focused properties. The restored 1926 palazzo offers 70 rooms, a rooftop restaurant, and bespoke lake experiences, positioning it as a landmark for understated luxury. By leveraging the historic charm of Como and targeting affluent guests—especially those holding Radisson Rewards VIP status—the hotel can command premium rates starting at £270. This opening not only expands Radisson’s footprint in Europe’s luxury market but also demonstrates the value of heritage‑based properties in differentiating brand offerings.
Bits: new Korean Air Amex offer, IHG launches ‘Noted’ brand, Radisson opens on Lake Como
News in brief:
New Korean Air American Express cashback offer
Korean Air has brought back, and sweetened, its Amex cashback offer from last year. You will receive £100 cashback when you spend £750 on Korean Air flights departing from the UK.
Bookings must be made by 29th March although the flight can be at any time.
Only online bookings count, not telephone bookings. Cumulative spend is OK.
The offer has improved since the last time it ran, last summer, when it was £100 off for £900 spend.
It appears that the Virgin Atlantic flights to Seoul, which launch on 29th March 2026, are not available to book as codeshares via the Korean Air website, appearing as perennially ‘sold out’.
The Korean Air website is here.
IHG launches ‘Noted Collection’
IHG has added its 21st brand (which is very modest by current standards!) – Noted Collection.
IHG says:
Thoughtfully curated and individual by nature, Noted Collection brings together a collection of one-of-one upscale and upper upscale hotels, each one selected for the stories they reveal and the conversations they spark – each hotel becomes more than a place to stay; it becomes a conversation piece.
What this means in practice is ‘it’s for independent hotels which are not good enough for Vignette Collection’.
I am assuming that Hilton’s Tapestry Collection is the best equivalent, which is for hotels which can’t get into Curio Collection.
The announcement as part of IHG’s 2025 financial results, released this week. I’m not suggesting that IHG was desperate for something to pad them out, but the number of sign-ups to Noted Collection so far is …. nil.
As it says:
Initial discussions with multiple owners are already underway and we expect Noted Collection to reach more than 150 hotels around the world over the next decade.
I’ve no doubt that it will do OK, but to launch without a few hotels ready to go is a little odd.
Radisson opens a hotel by Lake Como
We rarely cover Radisson openings outside the UK, but at present many HfP readers have top-tier VIP status with the group via either Club Avolta, SAS EuroBonus or Avanti West Coast (all offers are now closed).
VIP status with Radisson Rewards guarantees you an upgrade to the best available room – some hotels include suites – at check-in, so it is worth knowing about new properties where you could take advantage.
This is why I wanted to flag the opening of Palazzo San Gottardo Lake Como, A Radisson Collection Hotel.
Radisson says:
Ideally located between Piazza Cavour and Piazza Volta, only steps from Como’s historic city center, the restored historic palazzo offers 70 refined rooms and suites, three distinctive dining concepts including a rooftop restaurant, an intimate urban spa and exclusive private lake experiences, positioning it as a new landmark for understated luxury on Lake Como.
Originally opened in 1926, the historic palazzo reflects the architectural refinement of early 20th century Como. The restoration thoughtfully preserves original façades, rounded corner volumes, stone cornices, and geometric motifs while introducing clean lines, premium materials, and a warm, contemporary palette. Inside, Italian craftsmanship and bespoke furnishings create a refined atmosphere where heritage and modern design coexist.
Guest rooms and suites showcase contemporary Italian elegance with curated views of the city, historic piazzas, and charming streets. Select suites include generous living areas and furnished balconies, ideal for relaxation or celebrating special moments.
The hotel is well located for the Duomo di Como, the Teatro Sociale, the lakeside promenade and the funicular to Brunate. You can also make boat journeys to lakeside villages such as Torno, Blevio and Moltrasio.
The Palazzo San Gottardo website is here. Rates start at £270.
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