Travel Loyalty News

Read Skift’s in-depth coverage of the world of travel loyalty. Discover the latest news about airline loyalty programs, hotel loyalty programs, points strategies, and other programs that vie for repeat consumer business.

Airlines

How Holiday Packages are Boosting EasyJet and British Airways

Once snobbishly consigned to the ‘bucket and spade brigade,’ package holidays are one of the fastest-growing products in UK travel. This lucrative opportunity to diversify revenue has not gone unnoticed by British Airways or easyJet, with both airlines rapidly expanding their highly profitable holiday divisions.

Pranjal Pande and Gordon Smith, Skift | 6 days ago

Podcasts

Airline Loyalty Probe, Thomas Cook Sale and Hyatt Property Deals

Today's podcast looks at a probe into U.S. airlines loyalty programs, a $40 million acquisition of Thomas Cook, and a step toward owning fewer properties for Hyatt.

Rashaad Jorden | 7 days ago

Online Travel

Skift Power Rankings: Ariane Gorin

Gorin distinguished herself by leading Expedia’s key business to business segment. Now, as CEO, Gorin’s in the early days of running the whole show.

Dennis Schaal | 1 week ago

Online Travel

The Shifting Landscape of Travel Bookings: Skift Research

Direct bookings surge as travelers prefer supplier websites over OTAs. This means OTAs will need to innovate to stay competitive.

Varsha Arora | 1 week ago

Tourism

Visa Enters Partnership to Skill India’s Tourism Workforce Amid Shortage — India Report

Skilling programs are necessary. However, training them to take up jobs in tourism cannot be the only focus: the industry also needs to figure out how to retain the talent.

Bulbul Dhawan | 1 week ago

Airlines

Star Alliance Fires Back at SAS Defection with Loyalty Status Match

With the ink barely dry on the divorce papers, Star Alliance is wasting no time in luring back some of SAS’ most loyal - and profitable - passengers. The aim of this neatly timed promotion is business continuity and customer retention, but it remains to be seen how many frequent flyers will take up the offer.

Gordon Smith | 2 weeks ago

Airlines

United Airlines Raises Concerns Over Alaska-Hawaiian Merger

United’s issue is its multiple business agreements with Hawaiian — including one on loyalty. Alaska CEO Ben Minicucci has previously said he envisions a loyalty program that would house the two brands if the merger is approved.

Meghna Maharishi | 2 weeks ago

Airlines

Air France-KLM Now Owns 20% of SAS: 3 Big Changes to Watch

Air France-KLM’s significant stake is more than just a strategic move—it's the latest stage of deepening consolidation in Europe's airline industry. With SAS defecting to the SkyTeam alliance and expanding cooperation with new partners, expect tighter network integration in the months ahead.

Gordon Smith | 2 weeks ago

Airlines

Who’s Winning the U.S. Airline Loyalty Game?

Running a profitable airline in the U.S. is increasingly about loyalty, not just logistics. All of the ‘Big Three’ lean heavily on frequent flyer programs and co-branded credit cards to help drive revenue - but who came out on top in Q2?

Pranjal Pande and Gordon Smith, Skift | 3 weeks ago

Hotels

Hotel Loyalty Race: Marriott Leads

Marriott leads in the competition for the largest membership in a hotel loyalty program, with over 210 million members. But its rivals are hot on its heels.

Sean O'Neill | 3 weeks ago