Skift Daily Briefing
Skift
Everything you need to know about the business of travel today. Each episode covers new travel stories from Skift's editorial team. Listen to the latest developments at hotels, airlines, destinations, online booking sites, and more.
Published Tuesday through Friday by 5am ET. Presented by Lodgify.
For ongoing coverage, please visit Skift.com/news.
Published Tuesday through Friday by 5am ET. Presented by Lodgify.
For ongoing coverage, please visit Skift.com/news.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 9, 2025 • 4min
Middle-Class Lodging Fades, Uber Trains AI with Agents, Hotels Cut Waste with AI
The middle of the U.S. lodging market collapses, Uber quietly hires travel agents to train its AI, and hotels use smart food-waste tech to cut emissions and costs.
On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy explores how America priced out the classic middle-class road trip, why Uber is building the invisible infrastructure behind trip planning, and how AI-powered kitchen tools are becoming one of the industry’s most effective sustainability strategies.
This episode is brought to you by Amazon! To learn more, go to advertising.amazon.com
Articles Referenced:
How U.S. Lodging Abandoned the Middle Class
Uber’s AI Solutions Arm Is Recruiting Travel Agents
AI Food Waste Trackers Help Hotels Avoid Tons of CO₂ Emissions
Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG
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Dec 5, 2025 • 4min
Alaska Goes Global, Southwest Rebrands, Marriott Eyes 2026
Alaska Airlines pushes into long-haul flying, Southwest reshapes its identity for a new era, and Marriott signals confidence despite a softer quarter.
On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down Alaska’s unexpected global ambitions, Southwest’s transition from quirky challenger to convenience-first carrier, and Marriott’s outlook as it prepares for a stronger 2026 boosted by international demand, luxury travel, and major global events.
This episode is brought to you by Amazon! To learn more, go to advertising.amazon.com
Articles Referenced:
Alaska Airlines Leans on Hawaiian For Global Expansion
Southwest Airlines Exec Defends Changes, Says Network Is a ‘Huge Differentiator’
Marriott CFO: Year-End Softness, Sonder Lessons, and 2026 Rebound
Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG
Connect with Skift
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Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Dec 4, 2025 • 4min
Canadians Turn Away, Hotel Loyalty Evolves, Eventbrite Gets $500M Reboot
Canadian travelers are pulling back from the U.S., hotel loyalty enters a new era of personalization, and Eventbrite gets a $500 million reboot.
On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why the U.S. is losing its most reliable inbound market, how loyalty programs are shifting from points to experiences, and what Eventbrite’s acquisition signals for the future of event tech.
This episode is brought to you by Amazon! To learn more, go to advertising.amazon.com
Articles Referenced:
The Unraveling of U.S.-Canada Travel
The Great Reinvention of Hotel Loyalty
Bending Spoons to Acquire Eventbrite in $500 Million Cash Deal
Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG
Connect with Skift
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Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Dec 3, 2025 • 4min
TSA Adds $45 ID Fee, Expedia Hires AI Chief, Delta Expands Elite Perks
TSA introduces a new $45 fee for travelers without Real ID, Expedia hires its first Chief AI and Data Officer to accelerate its tech shift, and Delta sweetens perks for its top-tier loyalists.
On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down how identity verification is changing at airports, why Expedia is making a bold AI move, and how Delta is doubling down on premium customers as loyalty becomes a bigger revenue engine.
This episode is brought to you by Amazon! To learn more, go to advertising.amazon.com
Articles Referenced:
TSA to Charge $45 to Flyers Without Real ID or Passport
Expedia Hires Former Google VP as First Chief AI Officer
Delta Adds More Perks for Top-Tier Flyers: Here’s What to Know
Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG
Connect with Skift
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
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Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Dec 2, 2025 • 4min
Marriott Leads, Hilton Gains, AI Pricing Probed, Flying Taxis Take Off
Marriott keeps its global lead as Hilton accelerates, AI airfare pricing draws scrutiny in Washington, and flying taxis move from sci-fi to real-world service.
On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down the shifting race among the world’s biggest hotel groups, why lawmakers are uneasy about the future of AI-driven pricing, and how Joby’s electric aircraft are positioning Dubai — and possibly the U.S. — for commercial air taxi launches as early as 2026.
This episode is brought to you by Amazon! To learn more, go to advertising.amazon.com
Articles Referenced:
Hotel Giants Race to Add Rooms: Marriott in the Lead, Hilton Gains Ground
Inside Aviation's New Third Rail: AI Pricing
Joby’s Air Taxi Milestones Are Real – But Big Hurdles Remain
Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG
Connect with Skift
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WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
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Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social
X: https://twitter.com/skift
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Nov 26, 2025 • 5min
Apple Boosts Bag Tracking, Capital One Buys Hopper Tech, Travel Skips COP30
Apple and Delta team up to make baggage tracking smarter, Capital One moves to take control of its travel tech as Hopper shifts deeper into B2B, and major travel brands are noticeably absent from COP30.
On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why Apple’s quiet systems-level influence is reshaping lost-bag operations, what Capital One’s software acquisition means for Hopper’s future, and how the travel industry’s no-show at this year’s climate summit could have long-term consequences.
This episode is brought to you by Amazon! To learn more, go to advertising.amazon.com
Articles Referenced:
Capital One Set to Acquire Hopper Travel Software and Hire Key Hotel and Engineering Staff: Scoop
Apple and Delta Join Forces on New Baggage Tracking Tech — Exclusive
Why Major Travel Brands Skipped the COP30 Climate Talks
Honorable Mention: Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast
Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG
Connect with Skift
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social
X: https://twitter.com/skift
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Nov 25, 2025 • 4min
World Cup Bookings Surge, Qantas Eyes 21-Hour Flights, Hotel Loyalty Evolves
World Cup fever is already driving massive booking spikes, Qantas prepares to launch its 21-hour Project Sunrise flights, and hotel loyalty finally enters its clarity era.
On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why short-term rental demand is surging months before the match schedule is even set, how Qantas is pushing the limits of ultra-long-haul travel, and why loyalty programs are shifting from confusing points charts to transparent value and experiential perks.
Articles Referenced:
Short-Term Rental Demand Climbing Ahead of World Cup
Project Sunrise: The Business of Breaking Aviation's Final Frontier
More Clarity, More Experiences: What’s Next for Hotel Loyalty
Honorable Mention: Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast
Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG
Connect with Skift
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews
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Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social
X: https://twitter.com/skift
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Nov 21, 2025 • 4min
Brand USA Funding Returns, Airlines Eye 2026, Peek Expands Experiences
Brand USA edges closer to restored funding, airlines brace for an uncertain 2026, and Peek makes a major play in the fast-growing experiences sector.
On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down the bipartisan effort to revive U.S. tourism marketing, the industry outlook heading into the next cycle, and how Peek’s new acquisitions and funding round signal a broader digital shift in tours and activities.
Articles Referenced:
Brand USA Funding Would Be Restored After 80% Cut Under New Bipartisan Bill
Airlines in 2026: Flying into Trouble, or Still Holding Altitude?
Experiences Company Peek Announces Two Acquisitions, $70 Million in Funding
Honorable Mention: Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast
Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG
Connect with Skift
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews
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Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social
X: https://twitter.com/skift
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Nov 20, 2025 • 4min
Marriott–Sonder Drama Continues, REI Returns to Travel, Hilton Expands in APAC
Marriott’s partnership with Sonder collapses dramatically, with more details unveiled in court filings. REI makes a major return to travel through a new alliance with Intrepid, and Hilton doubles down on a high-growth strategy across Asia Pacific.
On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy unpacks the chaotic final days of Sonder, why REI is betting big on guided adventures, and how Hilton is positioning itself for long-term dominance in Japan, India, and China.
Articles Referenced:
Sonder’s Final Days: Marriott Lays Out the Timeline in Court Docs
Intrepid Travel and REI Partner to Launch Adventure Tours
Hilton’s Asia Pacific Playbook: China vs. Japan vs. India
Honorable Mention: Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast
Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG
Connect with Skift
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social
X: https://twitter.com/skift
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Nov 19, 2025 • 4min
Hilton Revamps Loyalty, U.S. Drops Airline Payout Plan, World Cup Visas Fast-Tracked
Hilton unveils its biggest loyalty overhaul in years, the Trump administration rolls back proposed airline compensation rules, and the U.S. accelerates visa processing ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy explains how Hilton’s new elite tiers and confirmable upgrades could reshape traveler loyalty, why airlines are celebrating Washington’s regulatory reversal, and what World Cup fans need to know as visa demand surges worldwide.
Articles Referenced:
Hilton Overhauls Loyalty Program: Adds Top Tier, Lowers Bar for Status
U.S. Announces Fast-Tracked Visa Appointments for World Cup
Why Trump Scrapped Flight-Delay Compensation — and Other Biden Rules Axed
Honorable Mention: Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast
Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG
Connect with Skift
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social
X: https://twitter.com/skift
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
