Airbnb’s BNPL Move, Expedia’s Design Play & Weather-Backed Stays
Good Morning Hospitality
08/18/25
•29m
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This Monday, the GMH Short-Term Rental Crew, with Michael Goldin, Brandreth Canaley, and Jamie Lane dive into the latest moves shaping the STR and travel landscape.
Airbnb rolls out its new “Reserve Now, Pay Later” option, signaling a shift toward more flexible booking terms that could boost conversions for longer stays. BNPL trends are expanding across airlines, hotels, and cruises, raising questions about guest spending habits and potential adoption in vacation rentals.
Expedia Group makes a strategic design hire with Rachel Been as SVP, underscoring the power of user experience in driving loyalty.
Sonder faces a leadership shake-up with the departure of CFO Michael Hughes, while Vrbo’s WeatherPromise program offers automatic payouts for rain-affected stays—no claims required—hinting at new ways to protect and reassure travelers.
The hosts unpack what these changes mean for operators, platforms, and guests, and explore how innovation, design, and traveler trust are becoming critical in the competition for bookings.
This episode is brought to you by Guesty!
Follow the Hosts: Brandy Canaley – LinkedIn Jamie Lane – LinkedIn Michael Goldin – LinkedIn
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Previous Episode
GMH Hotels: Renewable Resorts, Loyalty Shifts & Luxury Voyages
August 13, 2025
•37m
This week on Good Morning Hospitality, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk dive into the latest trends shaping hotels and travel.
They explore how a luxury property running entirely on renewable energy could set a new standard for eco-conscious hospitality, Hyatt’s sharpened focus on luxury and asset-light growth, and the mounting challenges — and creative fixes — for declining hotel loyalty program value.
On the travel side, the hosts look at Seabourn Cruise Line’s launch of high-end Arctic and Antarctic expedition cruises and practical strategies for passengers to secure extra space on flights without paying full business class prices.
From sustainability to loyalty innovation to premium experiences, this episode covers the moves shaping the industry’s next chapter.
Follow the Hosts: Steve Turk – LinkedIn Sarah Dandashy – LinkedIn
Connect with Skift:
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Next Episode
GMH Hotels: Soho House Deal, TikTok Goes Hotel, and Spirit Airlines at Risk
August 20, 2025
•32m
In this week’s episode, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk unpack Soho House & Co’s $2.7B move to go private and what it means for the future of luxury lifestyle clubs, plus the risks of influencers relying on ChatGPT for visa advice after one viral travel mishap.
They also explore TikTok’s push into travel commerce with its new affiliate program for hotels, raising questions about whether social content can truly drive bookings.
On the travel side, Spirit Airlines’ uncertain future looms large as experts warn its collapse could send fares soaring, while Google Flights adds AI-powered “Flight Deals” that may challenge OTAs, and AAA forecasts record Labor Day travel across air, road, and rail.
Follow the Hosts: Steve Turk – LinkedIn Sarah Dandashy – LinkedIn
Connect with Skift:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social
X: https://twitter.com/skift
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
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