# May 22, 2026

16 signals merged on this day.

## Earn 75,000 Transferable ThankYou Points With the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card

May 22 · 1 source · ThankYou Points, Citi Strata Elite, Citi, credit card, loyalty program

Citi is offering 75,000 transferable ThankYou Points as a welcome bonus for the Citi Strata Elite card, with the offer dated May 22, 2026

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/earn-75-000-transferable-thankyou-points-with-the-citi-strata-elitesm-card)

## Kimpton Summer 2026 Social Password: 'In Bloom and Out of OFFICE'

May 22 · 3 sources · IHG One Rewards, Kimpton, promotion, hotel, loyalty program, promo

The Kimpton Social Password for Summer 2026 is 'In Bloom and Out of OFFICE', valid for stays at any Kimpton property worldwide from May 22 to August 29, 2026. Guests can mention the phrase at check-in for variable perks like welcome drinks or late checkout

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/kimpton-summer-2026-social-password-in-bloom-and-out-of-office)

## Air India Opens First Signature Maharaja Lounge Outside India at SFO

May 22 · 1 source · Air India, SFO, hotel, airline, hotel opening

Air India's new Maharaja Lounge at SFO's International Terminal officially opens on May 23, 2026. The 3,300 sq ft lounge features dining, an Aviator's Bar, and Indian-inspired design

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/air-india-opens-first-signature-maharaja-lounge-outside-india-at-sfo)

## Best Credit Cards for Fast-Tracking Airline and Hotel Elite Status

May 22 · 1 source · American Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, Hilton, Hilton Honors, IHG, IHG One Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy

The Points Guy outlines credit cards that accelerate elite status, including Citi's AAdvantage Executive card's Loyalty Point structure, Delta Reserve's MQD boost, and cards offering automatic status like the Hilton Aspire and IHG Premier

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/best-credit-cards-for-fast-tracking-airline-and-hotel-elite-status)

## British Airways to Raise Award Ticket Surcharges Starting May 27

May 22 · 1 source · British Airways, Avios, British Airways Executive Club, Amsterdam, Cape Town, Europe, London Heathrow, New York JFK, Rome, loyalty program

British Airways is increasing cash surcharges on award tickets effective May 27, 2026. The hike includes a $134 increase for London-New York Club World and higher fees for other routes

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/british-airways-to-raise-award-ticket-surcharges-starting-may-27)

## American Airlines Credit Card Eligibility Rules: Best Strategy For Citi Approval

May 22 · 1 source · American Airlines, AAdvantage, Citi AAdvantage, American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp, Citi / AAdvantage Business World Elite Mastercard, Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard, Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard, Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard, Barclays, Citi

American Airlines has moved its co-branded credit cards exclusively to Citi following the discontinuation of Barclays cards. Eligibility now follows Citi's rules: 48-month bonus rule per card, max one Citi card every 8 days, and max two every 65 days

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/american-airlines-credit-card-eligibility-rules-best-strategy-for-citi-approval)

## Delta Amex Cards Adding Free Second Checked Bag Benefit Starting June 4, 2026

May 22 · 1 source · Delta Air Lines, Delta Connection, Delta SkyMiles, Delta SkyMiles American Express Card, American Express, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, U.S., U.S. Virgin Islands

Eligible Delta SkyMiles Amex cardholders will receive a free second checked bag on Delta and Delta Connection flights within the U.S. starting June 4, 2026

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/delta-amex-cards-adding-free-second-checked-bag-benefit-starting-june-4-2026)

## Thailand Signals Limiting Visa-Free Entries to Two Per Calendar Year

May 22 · 1 source · Thailand, policy change, service policy change

The Thai government is signaling a potential policy change to limit visa-free entries to just two per calendar year for most nationalities, raising concerns among frequent travelers

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/thailand-signals-limiting-visa-free-entries-to-two-per-calendar-year)

## Alaska Airlines Launches Nonstop London Heathrow to Seattle Service

May 22 · 1 source · Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, JAL, Japan Airlines, Qantas, Royal Jordanian, SriLankan Airlines

Alaska Airlines has launched new nonstop service between London Heathrow (LHR) and Seattle (SEA), effective May 22, 2026. This adds Alaska to the oneworld alliance's presence at LHR, operating out of Terminal 3

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/alaska-airlines-launches-nonstop-london-heathrow-to-seattle-service)

## British Airways Increases Cash Component for Avios Award Flights Effective May 27, 2026

May 22 · 1 source · British Airways, Avios, Amsterdam, Cape Town, Europe, London Heathrow, New York JFK, Rome, loyalty program, policy change

British Airways will raise the cash portion of Avios award tickets starting May 27, 2026. Examples include a Club World roundtrip to JFK requiring £499 cash and Euro Traveller to Amsterdam requiring £2.50

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/british-airways-increases-cash-component-for-avios-award-flights-effective-may-2)

## Amex Platinum Adds Marriott Bonvoy Gold Status, Increases Clear and Resy Credits

May 22 · 1 source · Marriott Bonvoy, Clear+, Resy, Amex Platinum Card, American Express, Chase, U.S., United States, credit card, hotel

American Express is updating the Platinum Card benefits, increasing the Clear+ statement credit to $209, raising the Resy credit to $400, and adding complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite status

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/amex-platinum-adds-marriott-bonvoy-gold-status-increases-clear-and-resy-credits)

## Amex Removing Etihad as a Transfer Partner Worldwide

May 22 · 1 source · American Airlines, Etihad, Etihad Airways, American Express Membership Rewards, Etihad Guest, American Express, Worldwide, loyalty program, policy change, airline

American Express is removing Etihad Guest as a transfer partner for American Express Membership Rewards worldwide, eliminating the ability to transfer points directly to the airline

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/amex-removing-etihad-as-a-transfer-partner-worldwide)

## EVA Air Buy Miles At Up To 30% Discount Through June 10, 2026

May 22 · 1 source · EVA Air, Star Alliance, UNI Air, Infinity MileageLands, Canada, promotion, airline, loyalty program, elite status, promo

EVA Air is offering up to 30% off miles purchases for Infinity MileageLands members through June 10, 2026. The price per mile is 2.8 cents, with a 50% usage cap on awards

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/eva-air-buy-miles-at-up-to-30-discount-through-june-10-2026)

## Air France & Airbus Found Guilty of Corporate Manslaughter Over 2009 AF447 Crash

May 22 · 1 source · Air France, Air France-KLM, France, airline, industry news

A French appeals court has sentenced Air France and Airbus to pay €225,000 each for corporate manslaughter regarding the 2009 AF447 crash, overturning a 2023 lower court verdict

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/air-france-airbus-found-guilty-of-corporate-manslaughter-over-2009-af447-crash)

## Buy Garuda Indonesia GarudaMiles Miles with Up to 100% Bonus Through June 2

May 22 · 1 source · Garuda Indonesia, GarudaMiles, Chase, promotion, airline, loyalty program, credit card, award redemption, promo

Garuda Indonesia is offering up to a 100% bonus when buying GarudaMiles directly, valid through June 2

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/buy-garuda-indonesia-garudamiles-miles-with-up-to-100-bonus-through-june-2)

## Thai Airways Extends Royal Orchid Plus Gold & Platinum Status Through June 30, 2027

May 22 · 1 source · Thai Airways, Royal Orchid Plus, loyalty program, policy change, airline, elite status, award redemption, promotion, program change

Thai Airways is extending Gold and Platinum status for Royal Orchid Plus members whose status expires between June 1 and December 31, 2026, through June 30, 2027

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/thai-airways-extends-royal-orchid-plus-gold-platinum-status-through-june-30-2027)

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