Marriott International Reopens All 350 Hotels in China as It Emerges from COVID-19 Lockdown
According to CEO of Marriott International, Arne M. Sorenson, all 350 Marriott properties in China has been reopened as the country emerges from COVID-19 lockdowns. While the financial impact on the industry has been disastrous, occupancy rates are slowly improving and reaching 40% on average (occupancy rates fell as low as 7% in late January 2020).
Click HERE to check out all the Marriott properties in China!
While the average consumer is still cautious regarding leisure travel, there has been a noticeable recovery in business travel and Chinese consumers are starting to travel again. Marriott International is the third largest hotel chain in the world and even though the average occupancy rate in the US is also recovering, it is only estimated to be at 20% at the time of writing.
Two weeks prior to this, Hilton decided to reopen all 255 hotels in China and introduced a CleanStay initiative to protect both employees and hotel guests. While it may take years before the industry return back to a pre COVID-19 state (in terms of occupancy and RevPAR), it is certainly comforting to see some light at the end of this tunnel.
Once a powerhouse of perks and flexibility, Accor Plus is about to undergo major changes - and not for the better. From October 2025, discount stacking disappears and status extensions are gone. Here’s why I’ve decided to let my membership lapse.
From 1 October 2025, all Accor Plus members will be “upgraded” to ALL Accor+ Explorer for the remainder of their membership year. Many positive benefits are marketed but the devil is in the details - here’s everything you need to know.
Starting from 01 September 2025, UOB One Account will be reducing the maximum bonus interest from 3.3% p.a. to just 2.5% p.a..
Register now to earn 777 Bonus Points per night on eligible Hyatt stays at casino hotels between 14 July and 30 September 2025.
A look inside the Emirates Lounge at Auckland Airport, which is currently serving Qantas Business Class passengers during the Qantas lounge renovation. While pleasant and functional, the experience was ultimately unremarkable, leaving me eager to see the all-new Qantas International Lounge when it debuts in 2026.
American Express is now accepted for public transport fares on Singapore’s MRT and buses. From 3-31 July 2025, eligible cardholders can register for an Amex Offer to receive S$3 back on every S$6 spent on transit fares, up to five times per registered card.
American Express will retire Amex Pay in Singapore from 31 July 2025. Existing users can still use their Cards on Amex Pay until 30 July 2025, but no further payments will be processed after that date.
Oman Air officially joins oneworld as its 15th member from 1 July 2025, extending the alliance’s reach across the Gulf and South Asia. Premium travellers will enjoy seamless access to Oman Air’s award-winning product and an expanded network of destinations, including a new Muscat–Amsterdam route.
From 1 August 2025, the DBS Woman’s World Card will reduce its monthly bonus cap for 4 MPD on online spend from S$1,500 to S$1,000.
Earn unlimited 2X IHG One Rewards points on qualifying stays from 1–30 September 2025, starting with your second stay. Register now and enjoy double base points on all eligible stays - registration now open!