Travel hasn't become effortless, but the small persistent frictions we once accepted no longer need to exist. Here are the apps and tools that quietly remove mental load from award travel — from finding sold-out hotel rooms to knowing about delays before the gate agent does.

IHG offers a range of dining rewards to IHG One Rewards members, providing discounts, and the opportunity to earn points at restaurants in their hotels and resorts in several countries worldwide.

Hilton's Go Hilton program offers some crazy discounts for Hilton employees (and other Team Members), as well as their friends and family. It's basically a win-win situation for everyone involved.

January isn't just about recovering from New Year's Eve parties. A strategic move made now can secure elite status that lasts through the end of 2027—here's exactly how to make it happen.

Bangkok Airways' loyalty program FlyerBonus is celebrating 20 years with an aggressive points sale. Members can redeem award flights at just 20% of the usual cost for travel throughout 2026—but the booking window is only 10 days.

Your loyalty programs now talk to each other, turning everyday spending—from ride-shares to coffee runs—into your next free flight or hotel night. Here's your complete checklist to linking accounts for maximum returns.

Emirates is running a Boxing Day promotion for UK travellers, offering double Skywards Miles on flights departing from any of its eight UK gateways. Book between December 26-31, 2025 for travel in Q1 2026.

Taj Hotels is marking the new year with a 26% discount on stays across its entire portfolio—from palaces in Udaipur to safaris in Bandhavgarh. Book by January 31 for stays throughout January 2026.

The Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMI) is finally open after years of delays. Here's the Day 1 report, the current soft-launch reality, and the definitive guide on whether you should book BOM or NMI for your next trip.

Accor ALL members with any Mastercard can save 15-20% on stays at Accor's upscale brands throughout Greater China. The offer runs for a full year and covers Fairmont, Sofitel, Pullman, and more.

ITC's Master Key package bundles your room, all meals, drinks during specific hours, and snacks into one prepaid rate. It's designed for travelers who want to check in and forget about their wallet until checkout.

Marriott Bonvoy members can link accounts with Shinsegae Duty Free before December 31 to receive up to ₩215,000 in shopping vouchers and an instant status match. The partnership also offers ongoing points earning at Korean duty-free locations.

IHG has excellent hotels in India, but their loyalty ecosystem is running on an outdated version. From credit card math to free status giveaways, here's why Indian travelers are choosing Marriott and Accor instead.

The Flipkart x Marriott Bonvoy partnership promises hotel points for your online shopping. But with a laughably low annual cap of just 500 points and transfer ratios that burn value, this might be one of the most underwhelming loyalty launches of the year.

Last Chance: ITC Hotels is offering a straightforward status match to Club ITC Gold for anyone holding Gold tier or higher with any major hotel or airline loyalty program. Valid through December 31, 2025, this promotion gives you mid-tier elite status with one of India's premier luxury hotel chains—at zero cost.

Marriott Bonvoy members can earn 15,000 bonus points on stays of 4 nights or more at participating All-Inclusive resorts in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Book by January 9, 2026 for travel between January 17 and April 26, 2026.

The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa is running a tiered bonus points promotion through early February 2026. Depending on your room type, you can earn between 2,000 and 6,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night, plus complimentary access to Doha Sands Beach with round-trip transportation included.

American Express India is temporarily suspending its online travel booking service from January 27, 2026. If you need to book Fine Hotels & Resorts or The Hotel Collection stays, you'll have to call the Platinum Travel Service instead.

Marriott Bonvoy partnered with Air India to surprise Mumbai-bound passengers with personalized gift hampers at the baggage carousel. Each box, tagged with the passenger's seat number, contained festive treats—a charming reminder that loyalty programs can still deliver genuine delight.

Scapia's lifetime-free add-on cards turn ₹10,000 monthly spend into unlimited airport lounge access or ₹1,000 shopping vouchers—per card.

IHG has launched a dining-inclusive package for stays across Saudi Arabia and the Middle East during Ramadan 2026. The "Discover Beyond" rate includes daily Iftar and Suhoor meals with flexible cancellation policies.

Taj Hotels is running a holiday-themed staycation package across 60+ properties in India and Sri Lanka. The offer stacks 20% discounts on meals, spa, and F&B on top of your room rate for stays through March 2026.

The fire at Birch by Romeo Lane is a tragic reminder that tourists often assume open venues are safe. Here's how to run a quick safety audit on your vacation without killing the vibe.

A sophisticated scam is surging in Bangkok where well-dressed couples with children approach tourists, feigning interest in foreign currency. They use sleight of hand or counterfeit USD swaps to steal your money. Here's how to spot it and stay safe.

Marriott has brought its budget-lifestyle Moxy brand to Nepal. The Moxy Kathmandu opens in the upscale Durbarmarg district, offering Bonvoy members a modern, reliable option outside the chaos of Thamel.

Marriott is bundling daily breakfast and dinner for two into room rates at 112 hotels across China. Book by February 15, 2026, for stays through February 28, 2026, using promo code D60.

Get discounts on stay, dining and an elite status with Accor for your next trip to Asia Pacific. Accor Plus is one of the few programs that worth every penny.

Google Pay's new Flex credit card with Axis Bank looks beautiful but delivers a painful 0.2% rewards rate. Here's why this UPI-focused card might actually hurt your financial portfolio.

IHG unveils Holiday Inn 3.0 in Shanghai—a major design overhaul featuring social lobbies, smart rooms, and the signature "Smile Wall." While debuting in China, this Next-Generation product offers a glimpse into how IHG is modernizing its most famous brand globally.

Hilton Honors is offering bonus points at newly-opened properties. Earn 1,000 points per night or 5,000 points for stays of three or more nights at select new hotels.

Marriott Bonvoy members can earn 2X base points on vacation rentals booked through Homes & Villas. You'll need to book by February 1, 2026 for stays of four nights or more completed by September 30, 2026.

Singapore Airlines is offering 30% off KrisFlyer Saver award redemptions to dozens of destinations worldwide for January travel. Book by December 31, 2025 to lock in discounted mile rates across Economy, Premium Economy, and Business Class.

Eskimo, a Singapore-based eSIM provider, is challenging the industry's expiring data model with 2-year validity on all plans. New users get 500MB of global data free—no purchase required.

The usual trade-off between Lifetime Free cards and Welcome Bonuses doesn't apply right now. Scapia is offering ₹1,000+ in travel value just for signing up—plus a referral program with rewards like Apple Watch SE and GoPro.

Wondering what all those different hotel plans mean? Here's a simple guide to all hotel meal plans - AP vs MAP vs CP vs EP...

With January 1st staring us in the face, the window to lock in your elite status for next year is closing fast. This is the Mattress Run period—that weird time of year when booking a hotel room you might not strictly need actually makes financial sense.

If you're looking to book a stay for someone else using your IHG account, there are a few things you should know about what is allowed and what is not.

Courtyard and Fairfield may offer similar lodging experiences at a glance, but they also possess unique characteristics that distinguish them from each other.

Marriott Bonvoy and Starbucks Rewards have joined forces in a permanent partnership that lets you earn double Stars during hotel stays, collect Marriott points at Starbucks, and transfer points between programs. Here's exactly how it works and whether it's worth linking your accounts.

IHG One Rewards members can save 25% at InterContinental, Kimpton, Regent, Six Senses, and Vignette Collection properties across the Americas. Book by December 28 for stays through May 2026.

Marriott Bonvoy is rewarding Gold Elite members and above with 5,000 bonus points per stay at select properties across Europe and the UK this December. Use promo code E0G when booking through December 29, 2025.

The well-known Journeyhub hotel in Patong has officially joined the Accor network as Mercure Phuket Patong Journeyhub. While the reflag brings ALL membership benefits, travelers should be aware of persistent humidity issues in this older property. Meanwhile, the brand-new TRIBE Phuket Patong next door offers a fresher alternative.

Timing is the leverage that separates forever intermediates from top-tier elites. Here's why Q1 is the strategic window you can't afford to miss for status challenges, card renewals, and loyalty program resets.

Offer Extended Until December 15th, 2025. IHG One Rewards is running a week-long flash sale offering a 100% bonus when you purchase points. This brings the cost down to $0.50 per 100 points—one of the better rates you'll see for IHG points this year.

IHG One Rewards is kicking off 2026 with a straightforward points accelerator. Earn double points on every qualifying stay after your first, with no cap on how many you can stack. Pre-registration is now open.

The newly opened Ciel Dubai Marina is now the world's tallest hotel at 365 meters. But its decision to charge guests extra for rooftop pool access sets a troubling precedent for luxury hospitality. The good news? It's an IHG Vignette Collection property, so you can earn and burn points.

Planning a massive family reunion, corporate offsite, or wedding at an Accor property? Here's how to maximize points, negotiate perks, and pick the right hotel for your group.

Marriott Bonvoy expands into Central Africa with two new properties in Kinshasa—the Protea Hotel and Four Points by Sheraton. For travelers heading to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, you now have reliable options to earn points and elite nights.

IHG is offering up to 15% off stays at Iberostar Beachfront Resorts across Spain, Portugal, Montenegro, Morocco, and Tunisia. Book by 31 December 2025 for stays between April and October 2026.

IHG One Rewards members can save 15% on Reward Night redemptions at over 100 new and recently renovated hotels worldwide. No registration required—just log in and book.