✈ Biggest Hotel Stories of the Year, Is Global Entry Worth It? & More News From TPG ✈

Also: 12 credit cards that can get you $1,000 or more in 1st-year value December 27, 2023 [THE POINTS GUY]( [View in browser]( [TPG Daily NEWSLETTER]( [THE POINTS GUY]( These hotel stories dominated 2023 by Cameron Sperance, Senior Hotels Reporter [TPG | Hero Image] I might be biased as one of TPG’s senior hotel reporters, but 2023 was a banner year for hotel news — and plenty of it benefits you as a traveler. Yes, there was more in the hotel news cycle than speculation over the [next hotel stand-in for “The White Lotus.”]( For starters, I’d say 2023 was the year of fee transparency; after facing a [string of lawsuits]( across the country, Marriott finally began to [incorporate resort fees upfront]( in a nightly room rate. [Hyatt]( and [others followed suit](. Even [Airbnb got in on the fee transparency action](. There were also many brand launches this year, largely in the affordable end of the spectrum — Hilton launched an extended-stay brand ([dubbed Project H3]( as well as the “premium economy” Spark while Marriott debuted the [extended-stay StudioRes]( brand as well as affordable options like [Four Points Express by Sheraton]( and [City Express]( a Mexico-based brand it acquired earlier in the year. [IHG added its own new affordable brand]( with Garner. Hyatt added [Hyatt Studios]( an extended-stay concept, as well as a vacation home rental platform: [Homes & Hideaways by World of Hyatt](. We should also mention the new and extraordinarily long-awaited [Fontainebleau Las Vegas opened]( this month — more than 18 years after it was first announced back in 2005. In terms of wheeling and dealing, [MGM Resorts ended a loyalty partnership with Hyatt]( to instead create a [much deeper partnership with Marriott](. Alas, [MGM then faced a cyberattack]( that [cost the company $100 million]( before an [insurance payout](. Ultimately, the MGM and Marriott partnership, slated to begin sometime this fall, was [delayed until sometime next year](. Those aren’t even all the top stories of the year, but we have word limits here! Check out a few more of our favorites below: - [IHG’s new CEO on the next chapter for Six Senses, InterContinental, all-inclusive resorts and beyond]( - [Hyatt acquires Mr & Mrs Smith hotels for further expansion into luxury market]( - [Choice Hotels officially goes hostile in Wyndham takeover attempt]( That’s all from me for today. I’ll catch y’all again sometime soon! Posts in this newsletter contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, [visit this page](. Photo Credit: MR & MRS SMITH/HYATT . Today’s top stories [13 things you need to know about Global Entry]( Is Global Entry worth it? Here's everything to know about the Trusted Traveler Program. [Read more]( [12 credit cards that can get you $1,000 or more in 1st-year value]( How much value are you getting from your credit card? [Read more]( [The 17 best all-inclusive resorts in the US for a spectacular vacation]( From all-inclusive beach resorts in Florida to Western dude ranches, these are the best all-inclusive resorts in the U.S. [Read more]( [Earn a 120,000-point bonus with the Amex Business Platinum]( The Business Platinum Card from American Express has an array of perks and a large welcome bonus. [Read more]( [How (and why) to combine your Chase Ultimate Rewards points in a single account]( A look at how to transfer Ultimate Rewards points between your accounts or to a household member's account to make the most of your travel rewards. [Read more]( The latest 1. [Bilt Rent Day is back on Jan. 1 with trivia, transfer bonuses to 3 programs, Lyft credit and more]( 2. [Why you should always check your bag tag at check-in]( 3. [Marriott Bonvoy offers properties for every type of family traveler — here are 3 to try]( 4. [From an overwater villa in the Maldives to a private island: 8 luxury hotels you can book with points]( 5. [How to sign up for Clear for expedited security at airports and stadiums]( [fb]( [insta]( [yt]( [tw]( [in]( [mail](mailto:hello@thepointsguy.com) You are receiving this email because you opted in at [thepointsguy.com](. Where to find us: The Points Guy 100 5th Ave., 16th Floor New York, NY 10011 USA USA If this newsletter was forwarded to you, you can subscribe [here](. Changed your mind? You can [update your preferences]( or [unsubscribe]( at any time. Advertiser Disclosure: The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which [ThePointsGuy.com]( receives compensation. 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