United Devalues Awards + India's Lux Travel Boom + When Rooms Aren't Ready

The Travel Industry's Daily Agenda-Setting Newsletter

June 30, 2017 View in browser

Note from the Editor Simplicity was nice while it lasted. After holding out, United announced Thursday it will join competitors in making its loyalty program more expensive (and complicated) by charging for some domestic flights based on popularity. Hyatt had better news for its loyalty members: The hotel company has started integrating the wellness-focused Miraval brand, which it acquired in January, into the new World of Hyatt program. And for those travelers who find themselves caught between the plane and hotel without an immediate place to land, several companies are providing innovative solutions to fill in the gap. Our story offers a guide to navigating those "in-between moments" when you need a place to meet, shower, nap, or recharge. — Hannah Sampson, News Editor Missed Our Research Reports This Month? This month Skift launched two brand new Research Reports. One focused on the ecosystem of payment systems within travel, while the other took a deep dive look into TripAdvisor. Get these two reports along with early access to our daily news when you become an annual Skift Research Subscriber now. Learn More Top Stories Many United Airlines Awards Flights Will Soon Cost More Miles Starting July 1, United will begin hawking Chase-branded credit cards on board, with flight attendants earning a $50 commission for each approval. Will the flight attendants remind customers that they'll need a lot more miles for some trips starting later this year? We doubt it. India's Luxury Sector Poised for Exponential Growth India is ready for a jump in luxury travel, but it will need to catch up in terms of the accommodations and services that it can offer while also being conscious that local residents, not just multinationals, benefit from this growth. Hyatt Adds Miraval to Make Its Loyalty Program More Attractive It's a relatively small addition for now, but as Hyatt grows the Miraval brand, no doubt its members will appreciate the access to Miraval's wellness offerings. Now, we just have to wait and see what happens with Hyatt and Expedia. Business Travel Startups and Services for Those In-Between Moments A series of innovators are trying to address the moments between arrival and check-in, work and play, and other found moments. The Los Angeles Times Looks for Revenue From Luxury Travel Packages The new Los Angeles Times venture is yet another example of a journalistic organization looking to tourism to save the day. Beyond expanding revenues, the trips offer an extra benefit to star reporters — "free" travel. Are Travel Managers Missing Out When They Don't Solicit Business Traveler Feedback? Many travel managers do not solicit feedback from their travelers, which seems like a missed opportunity. The evidence, however, shows that reacting to traveler feedback doesn't necessarily lead to more satisfied travelers. Travel Ban Has Arbitrary Restrictions Meant to Be as Exclusionary as Possible The form of the travel ban approved by the U.S. Supreme Court will separate family members on a whim. These seemingly arbitrary restrictions will likely be cause for another round of lawsuits by those affected. A Busy Week for Ban News — Skift Corporate Travel Innovation Report As external forces disrupt the world of corporate travel, we think it's wise for travel managers to check in with employees and see how satisfied they are with travel policy. Still Popular Female Travelers Finding Creative Solutions in Homesharing Economy Solo female travelers often pay more to be safe on the road. Paying less for safety is certainly novel, and if Overnight can get enough female-friendly listings onto its platform, that could be promising. Skift Backstage Podcast: What Next-Level Hotels Have in Common Listen for insight on the trends, design choices, and amenities that help hotels stand out. Chefs+Tech: Resy's CEO Talks the State and Future of In-Restaurant Technology No longer just a reservations startup, Resy has emerged as a thoughtful leader in restaurant tech. Expect much more as they continue to work with top-tier partners like Union Square Cafe to develop hospitality technology that quietly powers guest experiences. For Gmail users: If you are using the tabbed inbox, Skift emails may be pushed to the 'Promotions' tab. To get updates from Skift direct to your primary inbox, drag and drop this email to that tab. You received this email because you are subscribed to Skift Daily Newsletter from Skift.

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