Corporate Travel to Saudi Arabia Freezes as Riyadh Airport Stays Restricted

Airlinesskift.com21 Oct

Corporate Travel to Saudi Arabia Freezes as Riyadh Airport Stays Restricted

Almost all corporate travel to Saudi Arabia has been paused as attacks by Iran-aligned Houthi militia continue, travel industry executives say.

With few airlines still flying in and out of the kingdom, many stranded visitors are driving to neighboring Gulf countries to catch onward flights.

“There is no new travel being initiated to the kingdom and everything is on hold,” Subair Thekepurathvalappil, senior manager at UAE-based travel agency Wise Fox Tourism, told Skift. “Those who have gone to the kingdom are trying to return to the UAE by traveling to neighboring Bahrain by road and flying back from there. Others are traveling from Riyadh to Dammam by road for four hours and then to the UAE by road again for a further seven hours.”

The majority of visitors going to perform the Islamic pilgrimage of Umrah at Makkah and Madinah in Saudi Arabia are avoiding flights and going by road instead, he added.

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Tags: airports, business events, business travel, riyadh, saudi arabia, skift intelligence, terror attacks, uae

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Staysthepointsguy.com21 Oct

Credit card transfer partners: Guide to transferring points and miles to airlines

We love transferable credit card points and miles here at TPG.

The ability to transfer your rewards to a wide range of airline and hotel loyalty programs provides valuable flexibility to maximize your travel. You're not locked into a single redemption scheme as you plan your trips.

If you can't find the seats available in one program, you can choose another program before transferring any credit card points or miles. If a program devalues its currency without notice, you can switch to a different program for your next points or miles transfer.

With dozens of different transfer possibilities, it can be difficult to remember just how many options you have.

Here's a handy guide that highlights the best cards for transferable points and miles and breaks down which credit card points and miles you can transfer to which airline, hotel and rail programs, along with their respective transfer ratios.

We also list our latest valuation for each transfer partner so you can get the best value to maximize your hard-earned points and miles.

The best way to earn transferable credit card points or miles is with the right credit card. Here are some of our favorite options from each issuer:

Related: How I transitioned from cash-back rewards to my points and miles card strategy

You can transfer Citi ThankYou Rewards points to most partners at a 1:1 ratio with certain Citi cards, including the Citi Prestige® Card, the Citi Strata Elite Card and the Citi Strata Premier® Card (see rates and fees). Rewards with other Citi cards transfer at a 1:0.7 ratio to most partners.

The Capital One Venture X Business transfer to Emirates at a 4:3 ratio. All other transferable Capital One cards transfer at a 1:1 ratio.

The information for the Citi Prestige has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

There are a few important notes to highlight regarding these transfer partners:

Marriott Bonvoy points also transfer to more than 35 airline loyalty programs, generally at a rate of 3 Bonvoy points to 1 airline point or mile. Many overlap with the programs listed above, though Marriott does not partner with every program in the table.

You will receive an additional 5,000 airline points or miles for every 60,000 Bonvoy points transferred to most partners, except American Airlines AAdvantage, Avianca Lifemiles and Delta SkyMiles. United MileagePlus awards 10,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points transferred.

Related: Should you transfer hotel points to airline partners?

The hotel ratios shown are for premium Citi cards. Other eligible Citi cards transfer to Accor Live Limitless at a 1:0.35 ratio, Choice Privileges at a 1:1.05 ratio, Leaders Club at a 1:0.14 ratio, I Prefer Hotel Rewards at a 1:1.4 ratio and Wyndham Rewards at a 1:0.7 ratio.

Bilt Points currently transfer to World of Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio. This will change to 4:3 on Jan. 1, 2027.

World of Hyatt transfers remain 1:1 for Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ cardholders. They transfer at a 4:3 ratio for those with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card or the legacy Ink Plus® Business Credit Card.

The information for the Ink Plus Business has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

As with transfers to airline partners, most transfers to hotel partners are instantaneous, though you can read more in our previously mentioned guides to transfer times for Amex, Bilt, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Wells Fargo.

Related: Why you should master a few credit card transfer partners, and (most likely) leave the rest behind

You can add one of these popular cards from the top issuers to earn transferable points or miles. Here's a look at these options, broken down by issuer.

These are the most popular cards that earn American Express Membership Rewards points:

You can also earn Amex Membership Rewards points by signing up for Rakuten and setting your earning preference to Membership Rewards points instead of cash back.

You can transfer Amex Membership Rewards points to 16 airlines and four hotel partners. Three of our favorite Amex transfer partners are Air France-KLM Flying Blue, British Airways Club and Delta SkyMiles.

There are three cards that earn Bilt Points:

You don't need a Bilt card to earn Bilt points. You can also earn this currency by signing up for the Bilt loyalty program, linking your non-Bilt cards and transacting with certain Bilt partners (such as Bilt Dining restaurants).

Bilt has 19 airline partners (including Virgin Red), seven hotel partners and one rail partner. Some of the best-value options include Atmos Rewards and World of Hyatt.

Here are the cards that currently earn transferable Capital One miles:

Capital One miles transfer to 15-plus loyalty program partners. Our favorites include Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Singapore KrisFlyer and Virgin Red.

The information for the Capital One Spark Miles for Business and the Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Here are the cards that earn fully transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards points:

However, if you have one of these cards, you can also combine your rewards from cash-back cards like the Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees) and the Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees) in a single account, effectively converting those cash-back earnings into fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points.

Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to 10 airlines and four hotel loyalty programs. Some of the highest-value Chase transfer partners include Air Canada Aeroplan, United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt.

These are the cards that earn Citi ThankYou Rewards points, which transfer to most partners at a 1:1 ratio:

However, as with Chase Ultimate Rewards points, you can combine your Citi ThankYou Rewards points in a single account for select products. This unlocks the full transfer ratios. If you transfer from one of these cards without holding a premium Citi card, you'll get a 1:0.7 transfer ratio to most partners:

Citi points can be transferred to 16 airlines (including Virgin Red) and five hotel loyalty programs. Some of our favorites include American Airlines AAdvantage and Wyndham Rewards.

The information for the Citi Custom Cash Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Though Wells Fargo offers multiple credit cards, including several that earn cash rewards, you can currently only earn transferable Wells Fargo Rewards points with the following cards:

Wells Fargo Rewards points can be transferred to nine airlines (including Virgin Red) and two hotel loyalty programs. Some highlights include Air France-KLM Flying Blue, British Airways Club and Iberia Club.

Related: How to choose the best credit card for you

Many transfer options are available among the major credit card loyalty programs. Transferable points and miles are generally more valuable than any single airline, hotel or rail currency because they give you the added flexibility to choose where to send your rewards — and when to do it.

Bookmark this cheat sheet so you know your options when applying for your next transferable points- or miles-earning credit card or deciding on your next redemption.

Related: These apps and websites make award redemptions easier to find

Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.

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Staysskift.com22 Oct

Yotel Plans Upscale Brand and YotelAir in City Centers as It Targets 100 Hotels: Exclusive

Yotel is developing new hotel formats as it aims to grow from about 24 properties to 100 by 2031, with a more upscale take on its compact rooms and a smaller city-center hotel modeled on its airport-focused YotelAir brand. Asia is a growing priority.

Yotel is in talks to launch a more upscale hotel that keeps the brand’s tech-focused, compact-room approach but would open in better locations and charge higher rates, CEO Phil Andreopoulos told Skift in an exclusive interview.

“There’s definitely demand for an upgraded product,” Andreopoulos said. “We’re in a couple of active conversations about what that might look like.”

The proposed upscale format would feature “slightly bigger rooms,” including upgraded bathrooms and food and beverage, while retaining Yotel’s lean staffing model.

Yotel currently operates three brands: Yotel, airport hotels YotelAir and its long-stay format YotelPAD.

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Tags: asia monthly, Early Check-In, hilton, india, skift exclusive, yotel

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Airlinessimpleflying.com22 Oct

Qantas First Class: What A Seat On The Longest Flights Really Costs

Qantas First Class has long occupied the upper end of commercial aviation, offering travelers an exclusive cabin, spacious suites, and a level of service designed to make lengthy international journeys more comfortable. However, securing one of these seats comes at a considerable price, particularly on flights connecting Australia with the US, where the airline's flagship Airbus A380 aircraft operate some of its longest premium routes.

The financial equation is about to become even more interesting as Qantas prepares to introduce Project Sunrise, an ambitious program built around non-stop flights between Australia and major destinations in Europe and North America. With journeys expected to approach 20 hours, a smaller first class cabin, and a premium attached to avoiding a connecting flight, the new service could redefine how much passengers are willing to pay for the airline's most exclusive seats.

Qantas First Class is currently a relatively exclusive offering, as it is only available on the airline's Airbus A380 fleet rather than across its entire long-haul network. The aircraft operate selected routes from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) and Melbourne Airport (MEL) to the likes of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).

This gives travelers flying between Australia and the US an opportunity to experience the carrier's highest cabin. For passengers departing from other Australian cities, accessing this product can require an additional domestic connection before the international journey begins. The airline's Airbus A380 features 14 first class suites arranged in a 1-1-1 configuration.

As such, each passenger receives a separate space rather than sharing a conventional row of seats. This arrangement creates a quieter, more private environment, while the relatively small cabin allows the crew to concentrate on individual passengers throughout the flight. The oneworld carrier's business class can already offer substantial comfort on long-haul journeys.

However, first class distinguishes itself through its additional space, dining experience, and more personalized service. Availability remains an important part of the pricing equation because not every flight offers the same opportunity to purchase a first class ticket.

A passenger traveling on a route served by an aircraft without first class cannot simply pay more to secure a suite, making aircraft assignment and departure schedules important considerations. For travelers determined to experience the product, the limited network also means that the journey may need to be planned around the airline's operating pattern rather than the most convenient departure time.

The cost of Qantas First Class becomes particularly striking on the airline's long-distance services to the US. The 8,578-mile journey between Australia and Dallas is among the routes where passengers can face first class fares exceeding $18,000 one-way, depending on the departure date, availability, and applicable fare conditions.

At that level, the ticket represents a substantial expense even for travelers accustomed to premium international cabins, particularly when compared with the cost of traveling in business class. Prices are not fixed, however, and the amount a passenger actually pays can depend on seasonal demand, booking timing, and the number of seats remaining for sale.

A departure during a busy travel period may command a much higher fare than a quieter flight, while limited first class inventory can make inexpensive promotional opportunities difficult to find. Travelers considering the experience therefore need to distinguish between a published or observed fare and a guaranteed price that will remain available when they are ready to book.

For passengers paying personally, an $18,000 one-way ticket requires more than a passing interest in comfortable travel. After all, the same money could finance multiple international holidays or several business class journeys.

Corporate travelers, luxury vacationers, and passengers prioritizing privacy and convenience may find the proposition easier to justify, particularly when the flight replaces a full day of travel. Nevertheless, the ticket price reflects an exclusive product rather than a universally practical way to cross the Pacific, and its value depends heavily on each passenger's priorities.

Project Sunrise represents a major shift in the airline's long-haul strategy, with Qantas planning non-stop services from Sydney and Melbourne to both London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). These journeys are expected to take approximately 20 hours, eliminating the need for passengers to change aircraft at an intermediate airport.

For first class travelers, the appeal extends beyond saving time, since an uninterrupted journey also means fewer boarding procedures and a more consistent onboard experience. The new services will use the Airbus A350-1000ULR, a long-range aircraft configured specifically for these demanding routes. Unlike the existing Airbus A380, which offers 14 first class suites, the new aircraft will feature just six.

This substantial reduction in capacity makes the first class cabin even more exclusive, although it also limits the number of seats available to passengers willing to pay the premium. Qantas expects its first aircraft around the end of 2026, with non-stop Sydney to London services scheduled to begin in 2027, followed shortly after by flights to New York.

The proposed fares have attracted attention because the airline has indicated that non-stop tickets will cost more than existing connecting services. Indeed, the carrier's CEO, Vanessa Hudson, has indicated that Project Sunrise fares could carry a premium of approximately 20%.

This is in comparison to the current one-stop Sydney to London journey via Singapore Changi Airport (SIN). Qantas has not published official first class prices, so any figures remain estimates rather than confirmed fares, but the anticipated premium provides a useful starting point for understanding the potential expense.

Using the anticipated 20% premium as a guide, Project Sunrise first class suites could cost as much as $14,000-17,000 one-way. Return journeys could approach $40,000 at the upper end, putting these tickets among the most expensive options for passengers traveling between Australia and Europe or North America.

The final amount will depend on the fare structure, availability, and demand once the new services enter commercial operation. The price is particularly notable because passengers will be paying for a non-stop journey as well as the first class cabin itself. A connecting flight can break up a long journey and provide an opportunity to leave the aircraft, but it also adds airport time and another boarding process.

For passengers who value arriving sooner and avoiding a connection, the premium may be worthwhile, especially when traveling for important business commitments or particularly time-sensitive personal trips. However, the estimated figures should not be mistaken for a published price list, and the actual cost could differ once reservations become available.

Airline pricing is influenced by demand and inventory, while the launch of a highly anticipated route can create considerable interest among premium travelers. A $40,000 return ticket would place the experience firmly in the luxury travel market, although passengers seeking the product will need to wait for confirmed fares to understand precisely what Qantas intends to charge.

The new first class cabin is designed around a more private experience, with six suites providing considerably more exclusivity than the existing Airbus A380 arrangement. On a journey approaching 20 hours, personal space becomes especially important because passengers need somewhere comfortable to eat, relax, work, and sleep.

The smaller cabin also reinforces the distinction between first class and the larger premium cabins, where more passengers share the available space and crew attention. Qantas has emphasized the importance of its premium offering as it prepares for these exceptionally long flights, where comfort will play a major role in the overall experience.

Nevertheless, the benefits should be considered in practical terms rather than assumed to justify any price automatically. Passengers will still spend a significant portion of the journey inside an aircraft, and the value of the additional privacy, service, and non-stop convenience will vary according to individual expectations and travel requirements. There is also a commercial reason to keep the cabin small.

With only six suites available, Qantas can offer an exclusive product while reserving most of the aircraft's capacity for other passengers. The airline has reportedly barred its top executives from occupying the six first class suites, ensuring that they remain available for paying customers. That policy underlines how valuable each seat could become when the aircraft operates some of the world's longest commercial flights.

Passengers who do not want to pay five-figure cash fares may consider using Qantas Points to book a Classic Flight Reward as part of the airline's loyalty program. On comparable first class routes, a reward booking costs 227,800 Qantas Points for a one-way first class suite. This provides another route into the cabin, although the points requirement is substantial and reward availability can be much more restrictive than the availability of ordinary paid tickets.

The value of a reward booking depends on how many points a passenger has accumulated and what those points could otherwise provide. Someone with a large balance may consider redeeming points for first class a worthwhile use, particularly when the equivalent cash fare is exceptionally high.

However, points have an opportunity cost, and passengers must also consider a

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