New Year, New Travel Perks: Airlines and Hotels Roll Out Lucrative Rewards for 2026
Travellers have a host of new rewards and promotions to start the year. Airlines, hotels, and credit card companies are rolling out fresh incentives to attract customers. From bonus points to discounted flights, the offers cover flights, stays, and loyalty perks.
Air France and KLM’s Flying Blue programme has launched a January 2026 Promo Rewards deal. Chase credit card users, including those with the Chase Sapphire Preferred, can earn extra points—such as 5x on travel and 3x on dining—that transfer directly to Flying Blue. These points can then be used to cover specific flight expenses.
United Airlines is also targeting its MileagePlus credit cardholders with a limited-time offer. Members who meet set spending goals will receive bonus miles as a reward. On the hotel side, World of Hyatt is expanding its Unscripted by Hyatt collection, adding more boutique-style properties. Meanwhile, IHG One Rewards is running a double points promotion for the next three months, giving members a faster way to earn. Minor Hotels is similarly encouraging stays at new locations by offering double Discovery Dollars to loyalty members. For cruises, Explora Journeys has teamed up with Hilton Honors. This partnership lets Hilton’s loyalty programme members earn and redeem points for upcoming sailings. JetBlue Vacations is also pushing a deal: book a Royal Caribbean cruise package before January 14, and get up to 100% off the base price of a JetBlue flight. Credit card users aren’t left out either. Chase Freedom and Freedom Flex cardholders now have updated bonus categories for the next three months. And MGM Rewards is speeding up the path to elite status with a daily tier accelerator offer. Breeze Airways has refreshed its Breezy Rewards programme for 2026, introducing new elite tiers and benefits. American Airlines, meanwhile, continues to expand free in-flight Wi-Fi, now available on over 90% of its planes.
The promotions span flights, hotels, cruises, and credit card rewards, giving travellers multiple ways to save and earn. Most offers have clear deadlines, so members will need to act quickly to take full advantage. The deals reflect a push by companies to boost early-year bookings and loyalty engagement.
