Travel Payments

Travel Payments
Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo Join Forces in One Loyalty Program
July 17, 2023

Expedia Group has unveiled a new loyalty program that rewards travel and hospitality business across the company’s portfolio. This single loyalty program called One Key unifies the travel brands Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo into one rewards program, allowing travelers to earn and use rewards more...

Travel Payments
Mastercard and Nirvana Travel Team on Digital Payments in Middle East
July 14, 2023

Mastercard and travel agency Nirvana Travel and Tourism are partnering to provide a payment solution to customers who book travel services in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan. The collaboration combines digital and contactless payment technology for consumer and business travel, the companies said in a Thursday...

Travel Payments
Hotel Equities Partners With Grazzy and Visa Direct for Digital Tipping
July 11, 2023

Hotel Equities has launched a digital tipping platform powered by Grazzy and Visa Direct. The platform provides guests staying at any of the firm’s hotels with a convenient, secure and cashless way to leave tips for housekeeping, front desk, and other hotel staff, Hotel Equities said in...

Travel Payments
Decision Brief: Empowering Direct Suppliers in the Travel Space With Seamless Online Payment Strategies
July 06, 2023

Introduction: As the travel industry experiences a post-pandemic resurgence, direct suppliers, such as airlines and hotels, are focusing on capturing consumer attention and spending to mitigate the costs associated with online travel agencies (OTAs) booking and platforms, which still dominate the industry. Managing payments across...

Travel Payments
Japan Airlines Trials Clothing Rental Service to Promote Sustainable Tourism
July 05, 2023

International travelers heading to Japan are being offered a convenient — and sustainable — way to dress for their visit. On Wednesday (July 5), Japan Airlines (JAL) announced the launch of a rental clothing service called “Any Wear, Anywhere,” for foreign tourists and business travelers using JAL-operated flights. Launched...

Travel Payments
Wheels Up Stock Plummets, Hires Restructuring Lawyers
June 23, 2023

Wheels Up Experience shares have taken a significant hit, dropping by 60.38% in value to close Thursday (June 22) at $1.24 a share due to the reported recent hiring of restructuring lawyers, which has sparked market speculation about its financial stability. In a brief statement issued on...

Travel Payments
When Cheap Flights Cost More Than Consumers Bargain For
June 16, 2023

When budget airlines experiment with route changes, the customer may ultimately pay the price. Picture it: After months of planning and saving, you finally book that hard-earned vacation. Hotel, ground transportation and itinerary are all planned and reserved. Just when you think you can simply...

Travel Payments
France to Close Tax Loophole for Airbnb and Short-Term Rentals
June 09, 2023

France is taking steps to close a tax loophole and end the more favorable tax treatment short-term furnished rentals such as AirBnB receive compared to long-term rentals. “We are going to reform the tax rules and I will make proposals. When a windfall gets too...

Travel Payments
Shift in Business Travel Forces Airline to Rethink Corporate Model
June 05, 2023

The rise of the connected economy, and the blurring of lines between digital and “in-person” realms, is shaking up the corporate travel market. Zoom — and video calls in general — has proven to have staying power even as the pandemic recedes and economies (not...