Meili partners with ALL Accor. HeyMax lands in Hong Kong. Agoda x JCB. HTS’ new ancillaries.. Klook ups leadership.
Agoda and JCB partner to focus on seamless travel payments
Agoda and JCB International have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance travel and payment experiences across Asia, effective from April 2026 to March 2029. Announced at the 18th JCB World Conference, the partnership will focus on leveraging data-driven insights, joint marketing campaigns, and co-branded promotions to attract new customers and strengthen engagement, particularly among travelers heading to Japan. “Agoda and JCB share a commitment to making travel more rewarding and accessible for customers across Asia,” said Damien Pfirsch, Chief Commercial Officer at Agoda. He added that the collaboration combines Agoda’s technology and reach with JCB’s strong brand presence to deliver “meaningful benefits and new experiences” for travellers.
Under the agreement, JCB cardmembers in key markets – including Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, the Philippines, South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and India – will receive exclusive discounts and perks on Agoda, such as up to 12% off hotel bookings through special Agoda pages. With Japan topping Agoda’s search charts and seeing a 35% increase in searches in early 2025, the partnership aims to capture this growing demand while supporting JCB’s card usage and issuance.
Klook expands leadership to drive global growth
Klook has strengthened its executive team with two major appointments – Daniel Kao as Senior Vice President of Product & Technology and Jakii Chu as Senior Vice President of Growth Marketing – signaling its next phase of global expansion. CEO and Co-founder Ethan Lin said their arrivals mark “a powerful accelerator for Klook’s next growth chapter,” combining Kao’s 30 years of experience in scaling global consumer platforms like VIP.com and eBay with Chu’s 25-year track record at Silicon Valley giants including Instacart and Fanatics. Kao will focus on enhancing Klook’s product innovation and AI-driven efficiency, while Chu will lead data-powered marketing strategies to build a stronger, integrated martech stack.
HTS launches ‘HTS Seat Upgrades’ with new ancillaries for airlines
HTS (Hopper Technology Solutions) has launched ‘HTS Seat Upgrades,’ enabling carriers to monetise unsold inventory through three upgrade options: Cabin Upgrades (to Business, Premium Economy, or First Class), Seat Upgrades (for preferred seating within the same cabin), and Empty Seats (allowing travelers to block adjacent seats for added comfort). Fully integrated with an airline’s Passenger Service System (PSS) and payment gateway, the white-label solution ensures a seamless brand experience. Its AI-driven Price-Builder generates personalised upgrade offers based on real-time data, while multi-cabin optimisation helps airlines maximize seat availability and yield across the aircraft.
The platform’s flexibility and automation give airlines a new revenue tool, reportedly delivering up to 20% higher unit revenue from seat upgrades. French carrier Corsair is among the first adopters, using HTS’ Cabin Upgrades to integrate dynamic pricing into its customer journey – from online check-in to post-booking emails.
Meili launches strategic partnership with ALL Accor to provide bespoke travel experiences
Meili has announced a multi-year strategic partnership with ALL Accor, the global hotel group’s loyalty programme and booking platform, to enhance and simplify car rental for its 100 million members worldwide. Through Meili’s scalable technology, ALL Accor will now integrate directly with multiple car rental providers via a single platform, offering members greater choice, faster booking, exclusive discounts, loyalty point accrual, and real-time updates – all within ALL.com and its mobile app. Mike McGearty, CEO of Meili, described the collaboration as a step toward “redefining the traveller journey through innovation and collaboration.” It also reinforces Meili’s position as a key enabler for travel brands seeking to enrich customer experiences through smart technology and seamless distribution.
HeyMax lands in Hong Kong with Cathay partnership
Singapore-based loyalty platform HeyMax has launched in Hong Kong, marking its first international expansion and unveiling a major partnership with Cathay to grow its regional travel and rewards ecosystem. Building on its July acquisition of local fintech krip, the move positions HeyMax to connect consumers, brands, and travel partners through its open rewards platform. “Hong Kong plays a pivotal role in connecting global travellers,” said Joe Lu, CEO and Co-founder of HeyMax. “We’re here to help consumers turn everyday spending into meaningful travel experiences while enabling businesses to tap into the travel economy.” Users in Hong Kong can now earn Max Miles with over 300 merchants, including Trip.com, Klook, Starbucks, and foodpanda, and redeem them across more than 30 loyalty programs such as Cathay, ALL Accor, and Qatar Airways.
As part of the launch, Cathay members in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia can convert Max Miles into Asia Miles, redeemable for flights and lifestyle rewards from over 800 partners worldwide. Backed by partners including MoneyHero, Octopus, and Visa, HeyMax plans to reach one million users and issue two billion Max Miles by the end of 2026. The expansion underscores Hong Kong’s growing appeal as a hub for fintech and travel-tech innovation, with InvestHK’s Jayne Chan calling HeyMax’s move a testament to the city’s dynamic startup ecosystem.
