# May 18, 2026

15 signals merged on this day.

## Emirates Asked to Set Up Base in Israel, Fly to New York & Bangkok

May 18 · 1 source · Emirates, Israel, Middle East, route network, airline, safety & operations, new route

Israel's Ministry of Transportation has proposed that Emirates launch seventh freedom flights from Tel Aviv to New York (JFK) and Bangkok (BKK), allowing transport between those cities without connecting in Dubai

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/emirates-asked-to-set-up-base-in-israel-fly-to-new-york-bangkok)

## Transfer Citi ThankYou Points to Preferred Hotels and Resorts I Prefer With a 30% Transfer Bonus

May 18 · 3 sources · Preferred Hotels and Resorts I Prefer, Wyndham Rewards, Citi ThankYou, Citi ThankYou Points, Citi ThankYou Rewards, Citi credit cards, Chase, Citi, transfer bonus, loyalty program

Citi is offering a 30% transfer bonus when moving Citi ThankYou points to Preferred Hotels and Resorts I Prefer. The promotion allows users to boost their point balance for hotel redemptions

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/citi-to-end-thankyou-points-sharing-feature-on-may-17)

## Atmos Rewards Summit vs. Citi / AAdvantage Globe: Which airline card should you get?

May 18 · 1 source · Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, AAdvantage, Atmos Rewards, Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite, Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard, Chase, Citi, credit card

A side-by-side comparison of the Atmos Rewards Summit and Citi/AAdvantage Globe cards, detailing their respective welcome bonuses, annual fees, earning rates, and key perks like lounge access and companion certificates

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/atmos-rewards-summit-vs-citi-aadvantage-globe-which-airline-card-should-you-get)

## Buy IHG One Rewards Points With a 100% Bonus Through June 6

May 18 · 2 sources · IHG, IHG One Rewards, Chase, promotion, hotel, loyalty program, credit card, elite status, promo

IHG is offering a 100% bonus on point purchases, effectively costing 0.5 cents per point, valid through June 6

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/ihg-buy-points-100-bonus-sale-through-june-6-2026)

## Wells Fargo Autograph Cards Gain New Airline and Hotel Transfer Partners

May 18 · 1 source · Aer Lingus, Avianca, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Qatar Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Choice Hotels, Choice Privileges, Wyndham

Wells Fargo has expanded its Autograph card benefits by adding travel transfer partners, allowing points to be moved to airline and hotel loyalty programs at 1:1 ratios (with some exceptions), offering better redemption value than the standard 1 cent per point

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/wells-fargo-autograph-cards-gain-new-airline-and-hotel-transfer-partners)

## Chase Ink Premier Card Offers $1,000 Cash Back Welcome Bonus

May 18 · 2 sources · Chase Ultimate Rewards, Chase Ink Business Cash, Chase Ink Premier Card, Chase, credit card, loyalty program, fee change, promotion

The Chase Ink Business Premier Card offers a $1,000 cash back welcome bonus after spending $10,000 in the first three months. It is a cash-back only card with a $195 annual fee

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/chase-ink-business-cash-review-75-000-bonus-points-5x-categories)

## United Expands Japan Service With New Sapporo & Tokyo Flights

May 18 · 2 sources · ANA, Air Canada, United Airlines, Asia, Canada, Chicago, Chicago O'Hare, Japan, San Francisco, Sapporo

United Airlines is launching seasonal nonstop service from San Francisco to Sapporo starting December 11 and adding daily year-round service from Chicago O'Hare to Tokyo-Narita beginning October 24

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/united-unveils-new-tokyo-route-nonstop-us-flights-to-japan-s-top-ski-destination)

## Fairmont “Endless Summer Memories” Sale: 20%–30% Off Stays Through December 2026

May 18 · 1 source · Accor Live Limitless, Fairmont, Canada, Middle East, United States, promotion, hotel, promo

Fairmont is offering 20% to 30% off stays at select properties worldwide. Bookings must be made by September 15, 2026, for travel between May 18 and December 30, 2026

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/fairmont-endless-summer-memories-sale-20-30-off-stays-through-december-2026)

## Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways Update Tier Extensions, Rebooking Policies, and Bonuses Amid Iran War Operations

May 18 · 1 source · Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Emirates Skywards, Etihad Guest, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, Gulf, policy change, airline, loyalty program

Emirates extends Skywards tiers and pauses miles expiry until June 30, offers 20% bonus miles, and lowers qualification requirements until August 31. Etihad extends rebooking and lowers criteria. Qatar extends tiers and updates flexible rebooking policies

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/emirates-etihad-and-qatar-airways-update-tier-extensions-rebooking-policies-and)

## Delta and JetBlue Flyers Can Clear TSA in Framingham Starting June 1

May 18 · 1 source · Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, JetBlue Airways, TSA, Boston, Framingham, Massachusetts, policy change, airline, loyalty program

Landline and Massport open a remote TSA screening terminal in Framingham, MA, for Delta and JetBlue passengers starting June 1, with bus service to Boston Logan

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/delta-and-jetblue-flyers-can-clear-tsa-in-framingham-starting-june-1)

## French 'Palace' Hotel Status Updates: Three Losers, Five(ish) Winners

May 18 · 1 source · Airelles Château de Versailles, Airelles Val d’Isère, Bulgari Paris, Cheval Blanc Paris, Hotel du Palais Biarritz, Mandarin Oriental Paris, Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme, Ritz Paris, World of Hyatt, French Palace Distinction

France's official 'Palace' hotel distinction list updates on June 2, 2026. Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme, Mandarin Oriental Paris, and Hotel du Palais Biarritz will lose status, while new additions are expected

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/french-palace-hotel-status-updates-three-losers-five-ish-winners)

## Hilton Honors offers 12 U.S. road trip experiences for 250 points

May 18 · 1 source · Hampton by Hilton, Hilton, Hilton Honors, U.S., United States, promotion, hotel, loyalty program, app & tech, promo

Hilton Honors is launching 12 unique road trip experiences across the U.S. for just 250 points each. Packages drop May 26 on a first-come, first-served basis via the Hilton Honors Experiences platform

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/hilton-honors-offers-12-u-s-road-trip-experiences-for-250-points)

## United's 'Agent on Demand' Chat Feature Allows Audio Bleed, Causing Confusion

May 18 · 1 source · United Airlines, Agent on Demand, policy change, airline, loyalty program, safety & operations, service policy change

A viral United Airlines customer service interaction reveals that the 'Agent on Demand' chat feature allows agents' background audio to be heard by customers even when the customer is muted, raising questions about staff training and tech

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/united-s-agent-on-demand-chat-feature-allows-audio-bleed-causing-confusion)

## Citi AAdvantage Globe Card $100 Splurge Credit: How to Use and Eligible Retailers

May 18 · 1 source · American Airlines, AAdvantage Hotels, AAdvantage, Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard, Citi Strata Elite, Citi, credit card, airline, hotel, loyalty program

The Citi AAdvantage Globe Card offers a $100 annual Splurge Credit usable at 1stDibs, AAdvantage Hotels, Future Personal Training, and Live Nation. Cardholders must register and select up to two merchants

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/citi-aadvantage-globe-card-100-splurge-credit-how-to-use-and-eligible-retailers)

## Thai Immigration Warns of Fake Fast Track Services on Trip.com

May 18 · 1 source · EVA Air, JAL, SAWASDEE BY AOT, Thailand Privilege, Bangkok, Thailand, policy change, airline, loyalty program, promotion

Thai Immigration warns that Trip.com and other OTAs are selling fake Fast Track vouchers for Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport. Only official AOT services or Elite Visa holders have valid priority access

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/thai-immigration-warns-of-fake-fast-track-services-on-trip-com)

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