Travel Brief
American Airlines Ends Mileage Earning on Basic Economy Fares
American Airlines will no longer allow passengers flying on Basic Economy tickets to earn miles or loyalty points, marking a major shift in its frequent flyer strategy.
Discover concise, fast-moving updates that highlight the most important developments across the travel industry. This section delivers short, focused briefs on airlines, hotels, destinations, cruises, and policy changes, giving readers a quick but clear understanding of what’s happening now. Designed for travelers and professionals who want timely insights without the noise, Travel Briefs offers a streamlined snapshot of the stories shaping today’s travel landscape.
American Airlines will no longer allow passengers flying on Basic Economy tickets to earn miles or loyalty points, marking a major shift in its frequent flyer strategy.
MAST Travel Network has named longtime cruise and hospitality executive Andrew Davis as its new president and COO, effective January 2.
Delta Air Lines president Glen Hauenstein will retire in February 2026 after two decades, marking the end of a leadership era that reshaped the airline’s global network.
Corporate travel platform Navan announced a CFO transition shortly after its IPO, alongside strong revenue growth and continued demand in the corporate travel market.
Gulf Air has unveiled an enhanced mobile app designed to make managing flights and journeys faster, smarter, and more intuitive for travelers.
Google is testing real-time speech translation through wireless headphones, a feature that could significantly reduce language barriers for travelers worldwide.
Envoyage will enroll all 200 of its advisors in ASTA’s Verified Travel Advisor certification program, doubling down on professional standards amid industry change.
Air France is set to open a new premium lounge at London Heathrow’s Terminal 4 in spring 2026, expanding its global lounge network for premium and loyalty travelers.
Michele Saegesser has returned to Viking as vice president of sales and national accounts, resuming the role she held for more than two decades before retiring last year.
Virgin Voyages has launched a new status match program, offering instant elite recognition to travelers with top-tier status across more than 35 airline, hotel and cruise loyalty programs.
Club Med will open a new all-inclusive ski resort in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, in December 2028, marking its second Canadian mountain property.
The U.S. Travel Association has partnered with The Great American Road Trip initiative to inspire domestic exploration ahead of America’s 250th birthday.