Travel briefings
What changed, and what to do about it
Short briefings on changes to loyalty programs, carriers and travel rules, with sources, written for the people who run a company's travel.
Briefings
Latest briefings
Updated Oct 12, 2026 · 4 min read
Hotel loyalty in 2026: spend now counts toward status, and award prices vary more
Hilton now rewards spend as well as nights, and Hyatt and Wyndham have changed what a free night costs. Here is what that means for executives who stay on the company's account and for families who redeem the points.
Read the briefing →Updated Oct 12, 2026 · 4 min read
Airline status now follows the money, including when the company buys the ticket
American, United, Delta and British Airways now tie status mainly to money spent rather than miles flown, and Alaska plans to offer spend as one option. When the company pays for the ticket, that shift raises policy questions as well as travel ones.
Read the briefing →Updated Oct 12, 2026 · 4 min read
Cruise loyalty for family trips and company reward sailings: the 2026 changes
Most cruise programs still reward nights at sea, but Carnival has moved to spending and Royal Caribbean Group has made its three brands more interchangeable. For families and for companies planning reward trips, the details decide who earns what.
Read the briefing →Updated Oct 12, 2026 · 4 min read
Staying connected abroad: carrier passes, travel eSIMs and local SIMs in 2026
AT&T and Verizon now charge $12 a day to roam, eSIM-only phones are common, and Verizon has changed how long phones stay locked. For staff on the road and families with several devices, the right choice depends on trip length, data needs and who owns the phone.
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