Airbnb Partners With Australian Airline Qantas, Ruffling Feathers In The Hotel Industry
San Francisco's Airbnb just joined forces with a major airline to reward frequent flier points to travelers who use their accommodations, and the hotel industry isn't turning a blind eye.
Qantas, Australia’s largest airline, announced earlier this week its 11 million frequent flier members will be able to earn one point for every dollar they spend on an Airbnb room or property, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.
“We know many of our customers are just as likely to arrange an Airbnb as they are to book a hotel, and we wanted to recognize and reward them for that," Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said.
But traditional hotel operators are calling the deal a "slap in the face," particularly pointing to Airbnb's lack of consumer safety regulations that hoteliers are required to adhere to. [SMH]
