Travel + Remote Work Briefing — October 21, 2026

Today's news is about where remote workers can base themselves and work from next year. Alaska and Hawaiian are adding Seattle nonstops to Osaka and Tahiti for 2027. American Express is adding coworking access to its Business Platinum card, though it covers only six U.S. cities. And Greece's August figures show demand for short-stay rentals growing faster than for hotels in peak season. The useful lens for each is the same: check whether it fits your own route, city and calendar before you plan around it.

Is Alaska launching Seattle flights to Osaka and Tahiti?

Yes. Alaska and Hawaiian have announced two new long-haul routes from Seattle: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Osaka's Kansai International Airport (KIX), and SEA to Faa'a International Airport (PPT) in Papeete, French Polynesia, according to The Points Guy.

The Osaka route starts May 14, 2027, and will operate four times weekly. The Tahiti route starts June 11, 2027, and will operate three times weekly. The Points Guy reports both will initially use Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A330 aircraft, which have legacy 2-2-2 business-class seating. Retrofits with new Leihoku Suites and premium economy are planned after launch.

The report also cites Andrew Harrison, Alaska's chief commercial officer, speaking on September 29: "There will be a mix, obviously, between Asia and Europe. But a little bit more toward Asia."

Why it matters for remote workers: Both routes are announced for 2027 service, so this is a planning item rather than a trip for this winter. For West Coast-based remote workers, the news is a possible nonstop option to Japan or French Polynesia from Seattle, though the frequencies are limited: four weekly flights to Osaka and three to Tahiti. If you are comparing bases, check the visa rules first; our digital nomad visa guide is a starting point.

Source: The Points Guy

Does the Amex Business Platinum now include coworking access?

Yes, for U.S. cardmembers. The Points Guy reports that holders of The Business Platinum Card from American Express or the American Express Corporate Platinum Card get a ZO by Tishman Speyer membership, launching October 22, 2026.

The membership includes unlimited access to participating ZO Clubhouses, which function as lounges with work areas, dining and events, plus four Studio coworking day passes per month. It also includes up to $500 in annual statement credits. That credit applies to eligible event space bookings or a Dining Club membership, and it requires payment with an eligible card. The Points Guy notes event spaces start at $1,500 per hour.

There are limits on where it works. The benefit covers more than 25 participating spaces across six cities: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. Cardmembers must activate their ZO membership online or through the ZO app before visiting. For context, the article says Studio lists day passes at $50 before taxes at several locations.

Why it matters for remote workers and nomads: This is a perk for people who already hold, or are weighing, one of these cards, and it only helps if your work base is one of the six cities. Nothing in the article covers locations outside the U.S. On our read, the four monthly day passes suit a part-time coworking habit, not a full-time desk, and the $500 credit leans toward event and dining use rather than daily work. Before counting on it, confirm which locations near you participate. Our guide to long-term stays and coworking for remote travelers covers how to weigh coworking against other setups.

Source: The Points Guy

How much did Greece tourism grow in August 2026?

Greece recorded 7,429,931 tourist arrivals in August 2026, up 2.6% from a year earlier, according to Euronews Travel's report on provisional figures from the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT). Overnight stays totaled 34,685,695, up 2.1%.

Foreign visitors accounted for 76.7% of arrivals and 84% of overnight stays, while Greek residents made up 23.3% of arrivals and 16% of overnight stays. Foreign arrivals rose 2.9% and Greek resident arrivals rose 1.7%. Foreign overnight stays grew 2.3%, against 1.2% for Greek residents.

Short-stay rentals grew fastest: arrivals rose 5.2% and overnight stays 4.6%. Hotels and campsites posted gains of 1.5% in arrivals and 1.1% in overnight stays. The average length of stay was 4.7 days, unchanged from August 2025. Foreign visitors stayed an average of 5.1 days, and Greek residents 3.2 days.

Why it matters for remote workers and nomads: The report covers one peak-summer month, so it says nothing about prices or availability in other seasons. Still, the fastest growth was in short-stay rentals, the same kind of housing many remote workers look for, which suggests August competition for those listings is real. If you are planning a Greek base, we would treat the summer peak as the busiest window to book and weigh quieter months instead. Check current rental prices for your dates before committing. For visa options across countries, see our digital nomad visa countries guide.

Source: Euronews Travel

What to watch

• The Amex ZO benefit's launch on Oct. 22, and whether participating locations grow beyond the first six cities.
• Fare filings for the Seattle-Osaka and Seattle-Tahiti routes ahead of their May and June 2027 starts.
• ELSTAT's September figures, which will show whether Greece's growth held into the shoulder season.