# May 23, 2026

14 signals merged on this day.

## Emirates Skywards to Drop Condor as an Earning Partner

May 23 · 1 source · Condor, Emirates, Hilton Honors, Emirates Skywards, Europe, loyalty program, policy change, airline, hotel, award redemption

Emirates plans to stop allowing members to earn Skywards miles on Condor flights, effective early 2026

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/emirates-skywards-to-drop-condor-as-an-earning-partner)

## World of Hyatt Implements Major Award Pricing Changes, Costs Increase Up to 67%

May 23 · 1 source · Air New Zealand, Emirates, JetBlue, Qatar Airways, Riyadh Air, United Airlines, Aman, IHG One Rewards, World of Hyatt, Capital One

World of Hyatt has implemented significant award pricing changes this week, with some rates increasing by up to 67%. The update affects the program's award chart and redemption values

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/world-of-hyatt-implements-major-award-pricing-changes-costs-increase-up-to-67)

## Sturdy Savings Bank $150 Student Checking Account Bonus – Valid Until August 26, 2026

May 23 · 1 source · Sturdy Savings Bank, promotion, credit card, promo

Sturdy Savings Bank is offering a $150 bonus for opening a new student checking account in NJ branches. The offer is valid until August 26, 2026, and does not require direct deposit

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/sturdy-savings-bank-150-student-checking-account-bonus-valid-until-august-26-202)

## Chase Sapphire Reserve Welcome Bonus Jumps to 150,000 Points

May 23 · 1 source · Scandinavian Airlines, Swiss, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase, credit card, airline, loyalty program, devaluation, policy change

Chase Sapphire Reserve now offers 150,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points for new applicants who spend $6,000 in the first 3 months, a major increase from the recent 125,000-point offer

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/chase-sapphire-reserve-welcome-bonus-jumps-to-150-000-points)

## Qatar Airways Privilege Club Reduced Tier Retention & Upgrade Policy June 1 – November 30, 2026

May 23 · 2 sources · Qatar Airways, Privilege Club, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, Iran, loyalty program, policy change, airline, program change

Qatar Airways Privilege Club members can upgrade tiers with 10% fewer Qpoints or retain status at 16.7-18.3% off for expirations between June 1 and November 30, 2026

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/qatar-airways-privilege-club-reduced-tier-retention-upgrade-policy-june-1-novemb)

## Sheraton La Jolla Denying Marriott Platinum+ Welcome Gift Choice, Refusing $100 Cash Guarantee

May 23 · 1 source · Marriott Bonvoy, Sheraton La Jolla, loyalty program, policy change, hotel, lounge, program change

Sheraton La Jolla is systematically denying Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador members the 'Breakfast in the Restaurant' welcome gift option, substituting it with lounge access and claiming a corporate exception. The property is also refusing the mandatory $100 USD cash compensation for non-compliance

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/sheraton-la-jolla-denying-marriott-platinum-welcome-gift-choice-refusing-100-cas)

## Emirates Iran War Flight Flexibility Waiver Ends May 31, 2026

May 23 · 1 source · Emirates, Iran, policy change, airline, route network, app & tech, service policy change

Emirates is ending its special flight flexibility waiver for travel affected by the Iran conflict on May 31, 2026. Passengers with tickets booked between Feb 28 and May 31 must rebook or request a refund by this deadline

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/emirates-iran-war-flight-flexibility-waiver-ends-may-31-2026)

## Etihad Guest and Bangkok Airways Launch Reciprocal Frequent Flyer Partnership

May 23 · 1 source · Bangkok Airways, Etihad, Etihad Airways, Etihad Guest, FlyerBonus, Abu Dhabi, Asia, Middle East, Southeast Asia, Thailand

Etihad Guest and Bangkok Airways FlyerBonus have launched a partnership enabling members to redeem miles for award travel across both airlines' networks

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/etihad-guest-and-bangkok-airways-launch-reciprocal-frequent-flyer-partnership)

## HSBC Taiwan Points Transfer to ALL Accor Gets 50% Bonus Through May 31

May 23 · 1 source · ALL Accor, Accor Live Limitless, ALL Accor Loyalty Programme, HSBC Taiwan Traveller’s Points, HSBC TravelOne Credit Card, HSBC TravelOne Signature Credit Card, HSBC Traveller’s Infinite Card, HSBC Taiwan, Taiwan, transfer bonus

HSBC Taiwan cardholders transferring Traveller’s Points to ALL Accor receive a 50% bonus (1:1.5 ratio) from May 15 to May 31, 2026

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/hsbc-taiwan-points-transfer-to-all-accor-gets-50-bonus-through-may-31)

## Tipping Hotel Concierges: When Is It Appropriate, How Much Is Expected?

May 23 · 1 source · Hotel Concierges, Japan, policy change, hotel, service policy change

Guide on tipping hotel concierges, covering cultural norms, expected amounts ($5-10 per service or $20/day for luxury stays), and regional variations like Japan

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/tipping-hotel-concierges-when-is-it-appropriate-how-much-is-expected)

## SEA Airport Concourse C Expansion to Open Late May for FIFA World Cup

May 23 · 1 source · Alaska Airlines, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), other, airline, other relevant news

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) plans to open its expanded Concourse C in late May or early June 2026, just in time for the FIFA World Cup. The $399 million project triples the concourse size, adding new dining, retail, and an Alaska Airlines lounge

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/sea-airport-concourse-c-expansion-to-open-late-may-for-fifa-world-cup)

## Bolt Under License Review in Thailand Over Driver Scams and Fake Licenses

May 23 · 1 source · Bangkok, Thailand, policy change, safety & operations, service policy change

Ride-hailing platform Bolt is undergoing a 90-day license review by Thailand's Ministry of Digital Economy and Society due to complaints of driver scams and fraudulent licenses

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/bolt-under-license-review-in-thailand-over-driver-scams-and-fake-licenses)

## Qatar Airways Offers No Staff Bonuses Despite $2 Billion Profit, Citing Geopolitical Instability

May 23 · 1 source · Emirates, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Riyadh Air, Gulf, Iran, US, airline, industry news

Qatar Airways reported nearly $2 billion in profit for the fiscal year ending March 2026 but will not offer staff bonuses, citing regional instability. This contrasts with Emirates, which recently paid bonuses worth 20 weeks of pay

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/qatar-airways-offers-no-staff-bonuses-despite-2-billion-profit-citing-geopolitic)

## Citi Strata Elite Card Offers 75,000 Transferable ThankYou Points

May 23 · 1 source · ThankYou Points, Citi Strata Elite, Citi, credit card, loyalty program, promotion

The Citi Strata Elite card is currently offering 75,000 transferable ThankYou Points as a welcome bonus for new cardholders

[Full signal](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/citi-strata-elite-card-offers-75-000-transferable-thankyou-points)

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