Hyatt’s New Perks, TikTok’s Hotel Play and Spirit’s Struggles
Good morning from Skift. It’s Tuesday, August 26. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.
Hyatt announced on Monday that its loyalty members can now earn and redeem rewards on experiences at hundreds of hotels worldwide, writes Senior Hospitality Editor Sean O’Neill.
World of Hyatt members who book designated “Find Experiences” earn 10 points per dollar spent, while other experiences generate 5 points per dollar. O’Neill notes Hyatt’s move is part of an industry-wide push to generate revenue beyond traditional room bookings.
Hyatt has teamed up with Austin-based startup Way to combine its separate booking systems for non-room offerings. A Hyatt executive said several of its properties using Way have already generated millions in ancillary revenue.
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Next, TikTok users in the U.S. can now book hotels through Booking.com via the TikTok app, reports Executive Editor Dennis Schaal.
A Booking.com spokesperson said the company and TikTok are teaming up to further Booking’s efforts to reach travelers on popular trip planning platforms. Schaal writes if a TikTok creator posts a video about a hotel, users can click on the location pin, and that will bring them to the hotel’s Place page.
Users would then see information about the hotel, and upon selecting “book,” they would go to the Booking.com mobile website. Schaal adds the tie-up with Booking.com is also available if you search for a certain hotel on TikTok.
Finally, Spirit Airlines’ future is in doubt just months after it emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, writes Airlines Reporter Meghna Maharishi.
Spirit recently released a “going concern” notice that said it may not be able to survive within the next 12 months unless it receives more funding. The ultra-low-cost carrier is also exploring another restructuring after having filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last year to restructure close to $1.1 billion in debt.
Spirit reported a net loss of a little more than $245 million during the second quarter. Maharishi notes the carrier has seen relatively weak domestic demand this past year.
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