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News Roundup
It’s time for another look at some interesting stories from around the web. This week we have a hotel review from Frequent Miler, a new gold-backed payment card from Tether, a surprising Choice Privileges devaluation in Japan, Hawaiian Airlines eliminating free meals in economy, and a look at why British Airways’ parent company wants Avios to become a billion-euro business.
Hotel Owners Are Rebelling Against Marriott’s Loyalty Program
Dozens of America’s biggest hotel owners are pressuring Marriott International to share more of the wealth from its lucrative partnerships tied to the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program. Marriott has said that fee revenue from its co-branded credit cards is expected to jump 35% this year to nearly $1 billion. Owners say that they previously believed the program was only breaking even and that the hotel giant is ripping them off.
➡️ Read more at WSJ
Star Alliance Slightly Updates Lounge Access Rules
United Polaris Lounges are now considered ultra-premium, exclusive lounges, and First Class passengers traveling on Star Alliance airlines don’t automatically have access to them (remember, United doesn’t have first).
➡️ Read more at Loyalty Lobby
JetBlue Announces Kent Hospitality Group and Four Clovers Hospitality Group as New Mint® Culinary Partners
JetBlue today announced the next evolution of its award-winning Mint® experience with the introduction of Kent Hospitality Group and its strategic partner, Four Clovers Hospitality Group, as JetBlue’s new onboard culinary partners. The collaboration brings a fresh, sophisticated and distinctly New York approach to inflight dining, elevating JetBlue’s premium business class experience with the creative forces behind some of the city’s most coveted restaurant reservations.
➡️ Read press release
Marriott International Introduces Ask Bonvoy™ a New AI-Powered Search Experience
Marriott International today announced the beta launch of Ask Bonvoy™, a new conversational, natural language search experience designed to help travelers more intuitively discover incredible destinations across the Marriott Bonvoy® portfolio of approximately 10,000 properties in 146 countries and territories.
➡️ Read press release
CLEAR Launches at Indianapolis International Airport
CLEAR announced today the launch of its identity verification technology at Indianapolis International Airport (IND), bringing a faster, more seamless travel experience to one of the nation’s best-rated airports and CLEAR’s newest market in the Midwest..
➡️ Read press release
Alaska and Hawaiian Introduce New Summer Drinks for Every Guest
Just in time for summer travel, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines are unveiling a thoughtful, hand-selected beverage lineup designed to enhance every journey no matter where guests are seated.
➡️ Read press release
Guru’s Wrap-up
This week’s stories highlight several trends that continue to shape the travel and rewards landscape. Loyalty programs remain focused on profitability, as evidenced by both the Choice Japan award increases and IAG’s plans for Avios. Meanwhile, airlines continue trimming traditional perks while experimenting with new revenue opportunities.
