Biz Travel's Big Deal

Amex GBT has been on a path the last decade. It just made another major stop.

Dennis Schaal, Skift Executive Editor

May 5th, 2026

American Express Global Business Travel is going private in a $6.3 billion all-cash deal, with Long Lake Management acquiring the world's largest travel management company at a 60% premium to its recent share price. American Express, which holds a 30% stake, will exit for $1.5 billion and record a $975 million pre-tax gain, while its brand licensing agreement stays in place.

Long Lake's AI platform is central to the deal's thesis — the new owners want to combine machine intelligence with human agents to outcompete rivals like Navan and SAP Concur.

A Report On How Smart Procurement in Hospitality Is Transforming the Guest Experience

AMAZON BUSINESS + SKIFT

Hotels have treated procurement as a back-office function for too long. A new report with Amazon Business makes the case for why it's actually a guest experience lever.

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EDITOR’S PICKS

Amex GBT’s 12-Year Ownership Saga — Who Won and Lost

May 4, 2026

A $6.3 billion take-private closes the books on one of the most convoluted cap tables in travel. The scorecard is not what you’d expect.

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Uber CEO Says Travel Rivals Like Expedia Can’t Match Its On-the-Ground Edge

May 4, 2026

Khosrowshahi said there's the usual tension with partners about Uber's travel ambitions, and he obliquely cited Expedia's shortcomings post-booking. If Uber gains traction in travel, you can expect Khosrowshahi to one day step away from the Expedia board, and all of those conflicts to get exacerbated.

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Amex GBT to Be Acquired by General Catalyst-Backed Long Lake for $6.3 Billion

May 4, 2026

American Express Global Business Travel is going private with backing from major AI and tech investors. Despite a travel-tech experienced backer in General Catalyst, Long Lake will have to prove its mettle.

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Choice Hotels Had a Rough First Quarter

April 30, 2026

Why did Choice Hotels underperform against competitors in every type of hotel during the best quarterly demand backdrop in recent memory?

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Hyatt’s Luxury Business Is Holding Firm. Now It’s Betting on Midscale.

April 30, 2026

Luxury demand continues to power Hyatt through an uneven economy, reinforcing the company’s high-end strategy.

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Travelers Don’t Care If It’s AI or Human — They Just Want the Answer Now

April 30, 2026

Asia's travel platforms are focused on providing the right answer fast. That may or may not require a human.

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SKIFT PODCAST NETWORK

Why Uber Jumped Into Hotels

Uber is no longer just chasing rides. It is chasing the trip.

In this video, we break down Uber’s new partnership with Expedia and why it matters far beyond hotel booking. Uber will let U.S. users book hotels in its app, with Vrbo rentals expected to come later, and the hotel inventory is expected to scale to more than 700,000 properties globally. Uber One members will also get at least 20% off select hotels and 10% back in Uber Credits.

But this is not really a hotel story. It is a platform story.

How are public travel companies performing around the world? The Skift Travel 200 pulls the data you need to know to understand the market. Paid subscribers get full access here.

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