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Double Marriott Elite Night Credits
If you are falling short of your Marriott status nights in 2026 and want to rent a villa or apartment rather than stay in a hotel, then this promotion is worth a look.
You can earn double Marriott Elite Night Credits on global home rentals through Marriott Homes & Villas from 3 September until 15 December 2026. Plus, if you stay between 21- 30 November, you can earn both Double Elite Night Credits and 2X Bonus Points.
To qualify for this offer, you need to book by 30 September 2026 with a minimum spend of $1,750 for a minimum of two nights. You also need to register in advance via this page.
Unlike the standard Bonvoy points and credits, Bonus Elite Night Credits earned through the promotion will not be posted before 15 December 2026, and are expected to be deposited into the Member’s account between 15-31 December 2026. Bonus Elite Night Credits will count only toward the Elite status year in which the credits are posted.
You can find the offer page here.
United offers in-app standby for earlier flights during disruption
United has announced an interesting new app feature that gives customers more flexibility during times of disruption. Many people make the mistake of trying to queue at the customer service desk at the airport when their flight is cancelled or delayed. Often you can manage many of the necessary details through the airline’s app.
I recommend using the app “Flighty” to monitor your flight, as I find it often notifies you about delays well before the airline does. This allows you to rebook before other people rush to change their flights. It meant I had a 45-minute head start on most people when my flight from Spain was cancelled, and I managed to get one of the last remaining seats on the next flight home.
United customers who are rebooked to a later flight after a travel disruption can now stand by for up to three earlier flights to the same destination. Instead of repeatedly checking the app to see if seats open up on earlier flights, United automatically monitors availability behind the scenes and sends a text notification when a seat becomes available.
Customers can use the new feature in three steps:
- Add yourself to the standby list on up to three earlier flights.
- United automatically monitors those flights for available seats.
- Get a text when a seat becomes available and choose whether to switch to the earlier flight – while keeping your existing confirmed reservation until you decide.
“This feature reflects our commitment to making travel more seamless and less stressful for our customers,” said Jennifer Schwierzke, Vice President of Customer Operations, Strategy & Execution at United. “During disruptions, customers can keep their confirmed itinerary and stand by for three additional flights. We work behind the scenes to monitor availability and alert customers as soon as a seat becomes available.”
The feature expands United’s portfolio of self-service recovery tools, which allow customers to automatically rebook flights, receive meal and hotel vouchers when eligible and track checked bags during disruptions.
Recent mobile app updates that help customers prepare for travel, navigate changes and stay informed include:
- Real-time inbound aircraft status updates: United is expanding its “Where is my plane coming from?” app feature by showing customers their inbound aircraft directly on the flight status page, providing even more insight into where their plane is before departure.
- TSA wait times tracker: As the first major U.S. airline to offer the feature, United introduced Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security wait time estimates† at U.S. hub airports, giving customers greater visibility into airport security lines before heading to the airport.
- Personalised connection support: United launched new, personalised app features that make catching connecting flights easier, including personalised, turn-by-turn directions to connecting gates with estimated walk times, real-time flight status updates, tips for longer layovers, and notifications powered by United’s ConnectionSaver technology if the airline is able to hold a departing flight for those with an extra-tight connection.
- Bag tracking enhancements: United integrated Apple’s Share Item Location, so customers everywhere who travel with an AirTag or Find My network accessory can seamlessly share the accessory location with United’s customer service team to help locate their luggage in the event that it is misplaced or mishandled.
It will be interesting to see if other airlines copy United on this feature, as anything that enables customers to manage their own changes saves the airline money and the passenger time and hassle.
ANA and Lufthansa offer free domestic flights in Japan
ANA and its joint venture partner Lufthansa are once again offering their Free Domestic Airfare Offer this autumn for travellers from the UK and Europe visiting Japan this winter.
For a limited period from 1 to 30 September 2026, special fares to Japan will be available for travel between 1 December 2026 and 28 February 2027. Customers can add up to two complimentary ANA domestic flight sectors from ANA’s extensive domestic network of over 40 destinations across Japan. To get the domestic flights free, you need to book them with their international itinerary during the campaign window, allowing them to combine a wide range of destinations
The offer is available to customers who book eligible fares in all cabins between 1 and 30 September 2026 and travel within the applicable travel period.
You can find more information on the ANA website: ana.co.jp/en/gb/plan-book/promotions/japan-domestic-promotion.
