Mastercard and Bakkt Partner to Offer Innovative Crypto and Loyalty Solutions
Today at Money20/20, Mastercard and Bakkt announced a multifaceted partnership to make it easier for merchants, banks and FinTech’s in the U.S. to embrace and offer a broad set of cryptocurrency solutions and services. Consumers, in turn, will experience expanded access to the digital asset ecosystem.
“Mastercard is committed to offering a wide range of payment solutions that deliver more choice, value and impact every day,” said Sherri Haymond, executive vice president, Digital Partnerships at Mastercard. “Together with Bakkt and grounded by our principled approach to innovation, we’ll not only empower our partners to offer a dynamic mix of digital assets options, but also deliver differentiated and relevant consumer experiences.”
Choice Hotels Announces New Corporate Headquarters In North Bethesda, Maryland
Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest lodging franchisors, announced it has executed a lease for a new corporate headquarters in North Bethesda, Maryland. The new headquarters will occupy over 105,000 square feet of office space in the mixed-use development of Pike & Rose. The building is being developed by owner Federal Realty Investment Trust and Choice is expected to begin working there in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Located at 915 Meeting Street in North Bethesda, Choice's new headquarters will be part of a planned 16-story, LEED Gold-targeted building featuring 9,100 square feet of ground floor retail. The building will incorporate a vibrant architectural design that includes numerous amenities, such as a rooftop conference center with collaborative common areas, WiredScore-certified connectivity, a fitness center, and resource-efficient and wellness features. Situated within the Pike & Rose neighborhood, the office will be located near many retail, services, dining and entertainment offerings, and will also feature ample nearby parking, well-marked pedestrian crossing zones, and easy underground access to White Flint Metro station, bus and rail service.
Southwest Airlines Makes Business Travel More Rewarding with New Rapid Rewards Business Program
Southwest Airlines Co. is making business travel more rewarding by launching Rapid Rewards® Business, giving businesses the ability to earn Rapid Rewards points as their travelers return to the sky. By joining Rapid Rewards Business, companies earn Rapid Rewards points that can be applied toward travel on the company's behalf, while travelers who are Rapid Rewards Members also earn Rapid Rewards points in their personal accounts.
"We're thrilled to bring our award-winning Rapid Rewards program to businesses who fly frequently, rewarding both road warriors and their companies who rely on Southwest to connect them to the people and places that are important to their business," said Silke Koehneke, Senior Director of Sales for Southwest Business. "Just like our Rapid Rewards program, Rapid Rewards Business points don't expire and there are no blackout dates when earning or redeeming Rapid Rewards Business points. Now, businesses who fly Southwest can earn and redeem points for future flights, ultimately making their company travel more valuable."
Humana Expands Footprint in Maryland
Leading health and well-being company Humana Inc. is expanding its footprint in Maryland and, for the first time, offering affordable Humana Medicare Advantage plans to beneficiaries living in counties on the Eastern Shore. The Humana Honor plan, currently available only in the Western area of the state, also will be available to residents living in the Eastern Shore.
For 2022, Humana’s new Medicare Advantage options for Maryland’s Eastern Shore residents include the $0 premium PPO Humana Honor plan. In addition to comprehensive dental coverage, the Humana Honor plan features plan benefits including a $50 Part B premium reduction, transportation, a quarterly $75 over-the-counter allowance, and vision and hearing coverage.