83
8 minutes readContents
- 10 years of RateHawk
- Futurecast 2026
- RateHawk and Phocuswright white paper
- A clearer, faster “Orders” page
- Extra baggage after ticket issuance
- Client reactions and comments in Quotes
- More flexible car rental searches
- Partner success through stronger connectivity
- Enhanced bed information
- A decade of API innovation
- Meet the minds behind the API
- WTM Africa 2026 and WTM LATAM 2026
- IPW 2026
- ITB China
- Awards
Brand news
Celebrating 10 years of RateHawk
In April, RateHawk celebrated 10 years of supporting travel professionals worldwide. The anniversary campaign reflected a decade of technological expansion, growing inventory, and global partnerships, while looking ahead to the next chapter of growth. The celebration featured an interactive anniversary game and other activities that gave the RateHawk community multiple ways to join in.
Explore anniversary activities
Futurecast 2026
The anniversary program also included Futurecast 2026, RateHawk’s flagship online event focused on the forces shaping the next decade of travel. The event brought together travel professionals and industry voices to discuss evolving traveler expectations, business resilience, market change, and the role of technology, content, and customer focus in future growth.
RateHawk and Phocuswright white paper
To celebrate the event, RateHawk also introduced insights from a new travel trends white paper, “Supercharging Travel: Ten Trends That Will Shape the Industry Over the Next Decade,” developed in collaboration with Phocuswright. The report serves as a practical guide to help travel businesses navigate the rapidly evolving industry, covering key developments across market dynamics, traveler behavior, and technology adoption.
Read the full report
Product launches and updates
A clearer, faster “Orders” page
The redesigned “Orders” page makes it easier to manage hotel bookings and payments while keeping the familiar workflow.
What’s new:
- Updated short and full booking card layouts improve navigation and make booking information easier to review.
- Payment actions are now easier to access, with a dedicated “Pay” button available directly from the short booking card.
- You can choose between Net and Gross payment options before completing payment, if your contract allows it.
Extra baggage after ticket issuance
Partners can now add extra baggage after an air ticket has been issued, directly from the “Orders” page, which removes the need to contact the Support team. Extra baggage can be added effortlessly by pressing an “Add baggage” button on relevant booking.
Important:
- The feature is currently available for orders issued by the ETI legal entity.
- You can add extra baggage only via the RateHawk website. This feature is not available through the app.
- Extra baggage can be added both to individual passengers and groups.
Client reactions and comments in Quotes
Clients can now react to and comment on hotel and transfer options directly in Quotes, helping partners collect feedback in one place and move from proposal to decision more efficiently.
Once your client interacts with a Quote, you’ll receive an email notification — so you can quickly follow up and adjust the offer.
More flexible car rental searches
Several car rental updates made it easier to find relevant offers and compare pickup options. New features include filters that help clients quickly find relevant options, a car rental map, and domestic car rental offices in the U.S. and Canada.
New filters
The latest filters help partners quickly narrow search results and find the most suitable vehicles for their clients. With this update, partners can narrow results down to exactly what suits their clients:
- Filter results by fuel type to display only electric or non-electric vehicles.
- Use the new drive filter to find four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles suitable for mountain destinations, ski resorts, and unpaved roads.
Map view
We’ve introduced a new map on the car rental search page to help partners quickly locate rental offices and compare nearby offers. The new car rental map makes it easier to:
- View rental offices directly on the map
- Filter offers by car class, insurance coverage, and more
- Select a specific rental office
- Compare competitive offers available nearby
- Narrow results to a selected area
Domestic car rentals for U.S. and Canadian residents
Great news for our U.S. and Canadian partners: you can now book car rentals for domestic travel within the U.S. and Canada directly on RateHawk. This update helps you expand your travel offerings and support clients with a more complete booking experience.
To book car rentals for U.S. and Canadian residents, simply select the driver’s country of residence when searching for rental cars.
Important: For U.S. and Canadian residents, rental rates usually do not include domestic insurance. Coverage should be confirmed with the insurer or credit card provider before pickup. If proof isn’t provided, clients may be required to purchase insurance at the counter.
API updates
Partner success through stronger connectivity
Two new case studies showed how RateHawk API connectivity is supporting measurable partner growth.
- ANIXE used RateHawk’s broad inventory and Pre-Book functionality to achieve a booking success ratio above 93%, reduce errors, and improve stability during peak demand.
- TravelBullz expanded hotel coverage, improved conversion and partner engagement, and reduced operational workload through stable API performance and ongoing optimization.
Enhanced bed information
RateHawk expanded the bed data available through its B2B and Affiliate APIs, specifying bed type and quantity and supporting multiple beds per room.
What’s new:
- New “beds,” “bed,” and “count” fields provide more structured information about room sleeping arrangements across search, hotel page, and pre-book responses.
- This update provides partners with more accurate and flexible accommodation data for their clients, improving the booking and matching experience.
A decade of API innovation
Christopher Jallah, Head of API Distribution at RateHawk, looked back on a decade of API growth and shared what’s coming next — from a global supply now spanning over 3.3 million properties across 220 countries, to new features, flexible integration options, and the support structure behind every partner relationship.
Meet the minds behind the API
A regional spotlight series introduced the teams helping partners connect, optimize performance, and grow through the RateHawk API.
North America
The North America API team shared how close collaboration, reliable support, and strong market expertise help partners improve connectivity and business performance.
UK and Ireland
The UK and Ireland API team discussed growing regional demand, tailored partner support, and the ongoing API developments helping businesses expand their offering.
EMEA and Global
The EMEA and global API team discussed how global expertise and agile API development keep partners competitive worldwide amid shifting customer preferences and new trends.
Events and exhibitions
RateHawk participated in leading travel industry events across Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe during the second quarter, connecting with partners, sharing product updates, and exploring new opportunities for business growth.
WTM Africa 2026 and WTM LATAM 2026
RateHawk met with travel professionals across two of the industry’s leading regional trade shows, strengthening relationships with partners, showcasing the latest platform developments, and discussing new opportunities across the African and Latin American markets.
IPW 2026
The North America team attended IPW 2026 in Greater Fort Lauderdale, one of the region’s largest inbound travel trade events. The event provided an opportunity to strengthen partnerships and explore new opportunities across the North American travel market.
ITB China
At ITB China, the team connected with travel professionals from across the region to discuss technology, connectivity, and the evolving needs of the Asian travel market while continuing to expand RateHawk’s presence in this fast-growing region.
More connections across the quarter
- TurExpo 2026 in Monterrey
- Tianguis Turístico de México 2026 in Acapulco
- RateHawk’s annual partner event in Belgrade, celebrating 8 years in Serbia
- CON-X and After-X in Mallorca, organized by Travelgate
- DERTOUR Partner-Service’s 25th anniversary in Antalya
- Africa’s leading tourism gathering in Durban, South Africa
- MSC Cruises and Schmetterling in Hamburg
- The GlobalStar Conference in Zagreb and the Lufthansa City Center Summit in Vilnius
- A business breakfast at Mövenpick Hotel Istanbul Bosphorus
- A partner appreciation event in Paris
- MENA Travel Market in Amman, Jordan
RateHawk continued its global momentum in Q2, making valuable connections and serving the travel community in major markets.
Awards
RateHawk received recognition across five award categories during the quarter.
- Shortlisted for “World’s Best API Travel Provider,” “Europe’s Best B2B Travel Provider,” and “Europe’s Best Travel Technology Provider” at the World Travel Tech Awards 2026.
- Nominated for “Star Bed Bank” and “Star Holiday Essentials Company” at the Travel Bulletin Star Awards 2026.
Looking ahead
RateHawk enters the second half of 2026 with strong momentum: a decade of experience, an expanding global community, and a growing set of tools built around real partner needs. More product improvements, API developments, industry insights, and anniversary activities are ahead as RateHawk continues to supercharge travel businesses for the next decade of growth.
