Visa bonds up to $15,000 and excessive wait times for an appointment are among the barriers that are making travel to the U.S. a nightmare this year. The war on Iran is coming for your checked luggage, as more airlines hike baggage fees. And big hotel brands are figuring out smart ways to expand in expensive markets without breaking the bank.
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DON’T MISS THESE STORIES
United, JetBlue Raise Bag Fees as Fuel Prices Soar
by Meghna Maharishi
United is the latest carrier to announce it will raise bag fees as airlines are passing down the price of surging fuel costs onto customers.
Social Media Vetting, $250 Entry Fees — Where U.S. Travel Restrictions Stand
by Bailey Schulz
The U.S. is gearing up for a summer of marquee events, but new fees and restrictions could keep certain tourists at bay.
Same Place, New Name. IHG, Marriott, and Hyatt Eye Conversions for Midscale Growth
by Luke Martin
Conversions are giving hotel groups a faster way to expand midscale, especially in higher-cost markets where new builds are harder to justify.
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To understand how leading organizations are competing for attention in an AI-mediated world, SkiftX spoke with 10 senior marketing and commercial leaders across transportation brands, hospitality groups, digital marketing platforms, and media networks.
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CHART OF THE DAY
Skift Travel Health Index: February 2026
We wanted to understand how the conflict around the war on Iran is reshaping safety perceptions. The Perception of Security Index (PSI) across five source markets for the region: UK, Germany, France, Italy, and the U.S. highlights the shifts in traveler sentiment, when measured against a month prior to the conflict.
The military operations beginning on February 28 triggered immediate, though varied, shocks across GCC destination markets. Among all the outbound markets analyzed, U.S. travelers showed the most pronounced reaction, with PSI declines much steeper than those from European source markets.
SKIFT TRAVEL 200
How are public travel companies performing around the world? The Skift Travel 200 pulls the data you need to understand global market movements. Paid subscribers get full access here.
