United Is Locking the Door on AI Booking Agents

0:00ZS is a global consulting and technology firm that partners with companies to improve life and how we live it. Working with the world's top hospitality brands, ZS brings together data, science, technology, and human ingenuity to transform ideas into customer loyalty. They're ready to help you elevate guest experiences, improve operations, and uncover preferences and motivations through their AI-powered solutions. With more than 1 ,700 clients in over 170 countries, ZS has built the expertise, fortitude, and vision to help you deliver impact right where it matters.

0:47Tasmin Lockwood: Today, we're tracking United's crackdown on AI booking agents, Mantis' Gulf reality check, and Canada's slow return to the US. Welcome back to the SCIFT Daily Briefing. It's Friday, November 13th, 2026. I'm Tasman Lockwood, SCIFT's Climate and Experiences reporter. Let's get into it. First up, United is locking the door on third-party AI agents. United said Wednesday it's restricting access for unauthorized personal AI agents, both on its own platforms and through travel agencies and aggregators. Its reasons? Handing over login credentials can expose sensitive data and an agent acting on its own could trigger unintended purchases or mileage plus redemptions.

1:35Tasmin Lockwood: United also argued that automated bookings could clash with federal aviation administration and department of transportation rules. This matters because personal agents like Meta's muse can already find flights, pick seats and pay. United is the first US airline to say it will block them outright. Delta CEO Ed Bastian says he's cautious about AI agents in booking and United CEO Scott Kirby doesn't want to create another middleman. And they're not the only ones cracking down on agents. MCR's Tyler Morse wants to ban AI bots from booking his hotel and Citi said AI companies should pay when their agents book the wrong travel.

2:19Tasmin Lockwood: So airlines are deciding whether AI agents are a sales channel or a gatekeeper they'd rather keep out. Watch whether other carriers follow. Next, Mantis is betting on the Gulf, even as the US-Iran war reshapes demand. Mantis Collection, half-owned by a core, is pushing ahead with its Gulf expansion. Its Bahrain resort shook completely at the war's peak and has since reopened, but guests are now mostly Bayranians plus some Saudi business travellers. Bayrain hotel occupancy fell about 7 percentage points in September to 41.7%, according to CoStar. CEO Craig Erasmus says Mantis won't discount a chase volume.

3:03Tasmin Lockwood: In Saudi Arabia, Gamera Mountain Resort in Al-Baha is running around 30 % occupancy, all domestic, three months after opening. Erasmus's broader bet is on circuits, linked lodges that let guests move between properties. Three Saudi properties are under construction, and Mantis plans a tour operator in the kingdom next year. So Mantis is building for the long haul, but its real test is whether international guests return. Finally, Canadians are travelling to the US again, but not like they used to. Canadian return trips from the US rose 3 % in October. the seventh straight month of year-over-year growth.

3:44Tasmin Lockwood: But compared to two years ago, car trips are down 29 % and air trips are down nearly 20%. Sentiment is mixed. Longwoods International found 47 % of Canadians plan a US trip in the next year, but 51 % say they don't intend to travel at all. Flight searches rose 17%, yet average searched fares jumped 24%. percent. Canadians are absorbing high affairs rather than cancelling, but leisure sentiment hasn't returned. That's the SCIFT Daily Briefing for today, November 13th. For more travel industry news and analysis, head to SCIFT.com and sign up for the daily newsletter at SCIFT.com forward slash daily.

4:28Tasmin Lockwood: Have a good weekend.

4:41ZS is a global consulting and technology firm that partners with companies to improve life and how we live it. Working with the world's top hospitality brands, ZS brings together data, science, technology, and human ingenuity to transform ideas into customer loyalty. They're ready to help you elevate guest experiences, improve operations, and uncover preferences and motivations through their AI-powered solutions. With more than 1 ,700 clients in over 170 countries, ZS has built the expertise, fortitude, and vision to help you deliver impact right where it matters.