IDEAS: Shashi Takes a Bold Step with Loyalty Program

It might not have the biggest or best-known loyalty program out there, but Omni Hotels & Resorts revealed Thursday the first widespread changes to its Select Guest loyalty program in a decade — and it will likely have ramifications for the entire hotel orbit.

This series of articles about credit cards, points and miles, and budgeting for travel is brought to you in partnership with The Points Guy.

There are the typical Black Friday travel deals and discounts and then there is a showstopping new offer from Air Tahiti Nui, the flagship carrier of French Polynesia. In honor of 25 years of service, Air Tahiti Nu has developed a new multi-flight pass, for $1,525, which includes round-trip tickets to four international destinations to be used over the course of a year.

Hotel Indigo has launched a new program wherein residents in the US and UK who share a zip code, or postcode, with select Hotel Indigo’s are now able to “borrow” everyday essentials at no cost. 

The Jimmy Buffett-inspired cruise line that’s synonymous with carefree vibes and island-style living, Margaritaville at Sea is set to make waves with its new offering of three-night weekend voyages for August through December 2024.

When your clients embark on a river cruise with award-winning AmaWaterways, they will unpack once and explore a world of unparalleled experiences while cruising through Europe, Asia, Africa or South America. The picturesque summer months offer unique opportunities with this river cruise line along legendary rivers. Here are just a few reasons you should encourage your clients to embark on an AmaWaterways river cruise this summer! 

For the estimated 5.5 million Americans who use a wheelchair, it’s about to get a bit easier to travel by plane—at least with one U.S. carrier. United Airlines recently announced plans to release a new search filter on its website meant to make flying more equitable for travelers with mobility vehicles.

Southwest Airlines has been through a rough patch. But like John Belushi in Animal House after the latest fiasco at the Delta frat, the airline is bellowing “Road trip!” to its Rapid Rewards customers, with a new contest.

As revivals of quintessential Old West towns go, that of Deadwoood, South Dakota has been as robust as they get, with the Black Hills star buzzing with activity today. Some of what attracts 2.5 million visitors a year surely comes through the recent popularity of a period TV series, but the important key is that city leaders several decades ago decided to rescue a rich architectural heritage from decline.

When Ennismore launched a rewards program in July, the lifestyle hospitality joint venture with Accor said it wanted to stand apart from supposedly boring, generic loyalty programs — partly by adopting a paid subscription model instead. Ennismore on Monday introduced its latest twist.

In a fitting consensus for the first Condé Nast Traveler Points of View summit to be held in-person since 2019, travel editors and specialists alike came away with a relieving, reinvigorating declaration: that we are so back. It’s a grand “we,” one that encompasses the travel industry at large—those in attendance in our offices and online as well as everyone in the wider industry is basking in the knowledge that business is booming. But that does not mean it is time to get complacent—there is always work to be done to improve, to implement thoughtful changes that will better not only travelers, but the places they visit.

With respect to the true integration of Mr & Mrs Smith hotels with the World of Hyatt platform, one can't help but feel a bit like that popular meme from "Caddyshack": Well? We're waiting!