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Airbnb Can Now Be Booked Through Amex Travel in Its Deepest Loyalty Tie-Up Yet

By putting its search inside Amex Travel, and letting Amex's premium cardholders spend lodging credits on Airbnb Luxe, Airbnb boosts its high-end inventory and looks a lot more like a conventional lodging supplier than it ever has.

Who it impacts: Hotel loyalty teams, vacation rental managers, and card-linked portals chasing affluent bookers.

What changed: Amex’s $600 Platinum lodging credit now covers Airbnb Luxe; Amex closed Select Homes + Retreats.

What to watch: Whether Airbnb repeats this model elsewhere.

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Skift Aviation Forum · NYC · November 12

Airbnb just bought its way into Amex’s best cardholders. On November 12 at the TWA Hotel, JFK, the airlines fighting that same loyalty war settle it on stage: American, oneworld, and Air France-KLM on what points are really worth.

Luis Gallego, David Neeleman, Robin Hayes, in one room. Early-bird tickets end tonight.

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SPONSORED · TRAVEL GUARD

We polled over 1,000 industry decision-makers at Skift Global Forum 2026 to find out where they see growth, risks, and unresolved challenges.

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From Skift Research

Airbnb Grip on Short-Term Rentals Keeps Tightening

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Skift Executive Search

People Moves

  • Barbara Muckermann has left her role as Group CEO of Kempinski Hotels after nearly two and a half years, amid a wave of senior departures that includes the CFO, CHRO, Chief Development Officer, and Chief Brand Officer.

  • Stonebridge has appointed Kieran Cain as Vice President of Marketing and Communications.

    He joins from AZDS Interactive Group, where he was Chief Strategy Officer.

  • Kerzner International has appointed Alexandre Pasdelou as Vice President of Food and Beverage and Culinary, overseeing dining across One&Only, Atlantis, SIRO, and Rare Finds.

  • Kate Ling has been appointed Senior Vice President of People Operations at Qatar Airways.

    She joined the airline in 2020 and most recently served as VP, GBS Outstation Services.

  • Pursuit has appointed Scott Aller as Chief Commercial Officer.

  • Rosewood Hotel Group has announced several leadership changes. Friedrich von Schönburg has been promoted to Vice President, Operations, APAC, and Operations Excellence, Global, effective January 2027.

    Gaye Gibson has joined as Vice President, Retail and Partnerships, Global, and Sam Cooper is Vice President, Wellness, Global.

  • Heena Patel has joined Marriott Vacations Worldwide as Chief Revenue Management Officer.

  • Steven Thull has joined Marriott Vacations Worldwide as Senior Vice President, Marketing Corporate Alliances.

  • Lisa Birrell has joined Accor as Vice President, Global Franchise Commercial Performance.

  • Terence Thong has started a new role as Vice President, Group Portfolio Management at Singapore Airlines.

  • Christopher Zando has been appointed Vice President of AI Partnerships at Sabre.

  • Adam Rogers is Visit Orlando’s new Vice President of Travel Industry Sales.

  • Ricky Castoldi is the new Chief Sales Officer at RealTime Reservation.

  • Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau has appointed Jeff Leitch as Executive Director and Coryn Briggs as Director of Destination Marketing.

  • Lara Koslow has been named President, North America at Explora Journeys, effective November 30, joining from Boston Consulting Group after more than 20 years advising travel, hospitality, and leisure brands. She takes over from Chris Austin, who moves into the new role of President, Luxury Travel Partnerships.

This week's people moves shaping the industry. Email us about a move.

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