Loyalty tips

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) predicted Friday that a recent deal would effectively double its presence in Germany and provide a foothold for stronger growth.

Marriott, IHG, and Hyatt joined other hotel companies in releasing earnings or giving financial updates this week. Here are the highlights. Note: All numbers are for the first quarter.

 MGM Resorts executives enthused Wednesday about the likely impact of their newly minted licensing deal with the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program.

Airbnb’s Brian Chesky has entered his next innovation era. He sat down with Skift this week at a product event in Los Angeles for a wide ranging interview on AI, loyalty programs, Airbnb for corporate travelers and his billion-dollar pay package. We also talked about the company’s launch of almost a dozen immersive, experience-based homes that they’re calling ‘Icons.’

Airbnb CEO and co-founder Brian Chesky says a points-based loyalty program is not in the company’s future.

Hyatt has struck a deal with Peloton to feature the fitness company’s bikes and rowing machines at 800 properties. Members of the hotel group’s loyalty program will earn points for Peloton workouts at participating hotels.

American Airlines was poised to stop enabling customers of certain travel agencies to earn loyalty points on the airline’s bookings starting May 1, but said Tuesday it is extending that deadline until July 11.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts said Tuesday it’s taking steps to improve how companies book and manage group bookings, meetings, events, and business travel at its North American hotels.

How do you turn a net negative into a positive? That’s the challenge faced by Air India’s Chief Marketing Officer, Sunil Suresh. 

Air India’s ongoing transformation is one of the most closely watched developments in the aviation world – and rightfully so. The recently privatized airline, which serves a country of 1.4 billion people, is playing catch-up with its international peers. 

Travel metasearch companies used to be among the hottest things in travel. They enabled consumers to compare hotel or flight prices from multiple vendors at a glance, and many online travel agencies saw the need to acquire one.

Good morning from Skift. It’s Wednesday, March 27. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.

Breeze Airways announced Tuesday it would launch a co-branded credit card and a re-branded loyalty program, an ambitious step for the young low-cost carrier. 

Hilton said Tuesday it plans to let travelers book upscale outdoor lodging, or “glamping,” through its website and app later this year thanks to a licensing deal with operator AutoCamp. The hotel group will let members of its loyalty program earn and redeem points at the campsites run by AutoCamp, featuring amenity-filled tents, cabins, and Airstream trailers.

Marriott said Monday that the 200 millionth person had joined its loyalty program as the company aims to retain its title as having the world’s largest hotel rewards program.

Marriott International is the world’s largest hotelier, but Hilton Worldwide is a close rival. The following are noteworthy details from the latest annual 10-K filings for Marriott and Hilton.

In December 2019, Ariane Gorin, president of Expedia Business Services, moderated a fireside chat with Chairman Barry Diller and Vice Chairman Peter Kern at an all-hands employee meeting. Expedia Group had just parted ways with its CEO and CFO, and Kern would soon be named CEO.

After a sleepy holiday season, it was the biggest week in a while for startup funding in travel. 

Expedia CEO Peter Kern pled his case to hotel owners Monday: Take seriously the billion-dollar issue of wholesale rates being misused online.

The Venetian Resort Las Vegas is revamping its loyalty program in March, replacing its Grazie Rewards program.

Traveler sign-ups for hotel loyalty programs have soared in the past five years, and Hilton and Marriott have enjoyed some of the greatest gains.