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BA AMEX Cards to Continue for Years to Come: IAG and AMEX Renew Multi-Year Partnership
After British Airways’ unpopular loyalty changes this year, many wondered whether its long-standing partnership with American Express would survive.
IAG Loyalty and American Express have now confirmed a multi-year extension for the British Airways American Express Cards, just in time for the 25th anniversary of the partnership in 2026.
It has also been confirmed that the path from AMEX Membership Rewards to Avios via BA and Iberia loyalty programmes will remain.
It’s great to hear that the AMEX BA cards will be around for years to come. Of course, this doesn’t mean no change will ever happen… Benefit adjustments, fee changes, or earning changes are always possible. However, for now, earning AMEX Membership Rewards Points or Avios into your loyalty account remains one of the best ways to earn, aside from flying.
Marriott Ends Sonder Partnership Effective Immediately
Marriott has abruptly terminated its licensing agreement with Sonder, effective immediately. Sonder properties are no longer bookable via Marriott, and the apartment-style brand is no longer part of Marriott’s loyalty portfolio. That’s 7,700 rooms across 140+ properties that have been removed without notice.
The decision reportedly follows Sonder’s default on parts of its agreement with Marriott amid ongoing financial struggles. Reports of mounting debt, postponed shareholder meetings, and urgent talks with creditors have been circulating for months. However, Marriott still believed it was a good idea to partner with Sonder and advertise the properties to its members.
Even so, the sudden termination was unexpected, especially since Sonder was only integrated into the Marriott portfolio earlier this spring. This partnership’s end has also lowered Marriott’s net room growth forecast from 5% to 4.5%.
Marriott says its priority is supporting anyone currently staying at a Sonder property, but guests tell a different story. There has been a surge of social media posts from people whose stays had been terminated right in the middle of their trip, with Marriott not helping them find another place to stay. Some guests have been given a set deadline to leave by, and after that, they will not be allowed to re-enter the hotel. Employees have also had no information about next steps – no access to systems and no way of helping guests.
If you’ve been caught up in this, you will be contacted directly by Bonvoy customer service to arrange refunds or rebookings at other Marriott properties. If you booked through an online travel agent or directly with Sonder, you’ll need to contact them instead.
Hilton Confirms New Top Elite Tier + Makes it Easier to Earn Existing Tiers
Hilton has acknowledged that changes to its Honours programme are coming soon, after weeks of leaks and speculation. Full details have not been revealed, but here’s what we know so far.
Hilton is expected to launch a new Elite tier called Diamond Reserve, which will require 80 nights or 40 stays and $18,000 in qualifying spend.
As well as the benefits of the other tiers, you will also receive:
- 120% bonus points earning (20% more than the tier below – Hilton Diamond)
- A Milestone Reward at 120 nights, with the choice of 30,000 bonus points or a confirmed upgrade
The new tier will hopefully be comparable to Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite, which requires 100 nights of stay and $23,000 in eligible spending each year. Hopefully, this new tier will also include some of the benefits currently lacking from Hilton Diamond status (e.g. suite upgrades and late check-out), but this has not yet been confirmed.
As well as this, Hilton will also be reducing the requirements of lower status tiers by as much as 30% to 7, 28 and 42 nights:
| Tier | Current requirement | New requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Silver | 10 nights or 4 stays or 25,000 points | 7 nights or 3 stays or 17,500 points |
| Gold | 40 nights or 20 stays or 75,000 points | 28 nights or 14 stays or 52,500 points |
| Diamond | 60 nights or 30 stays or 120,000 points | 42 nights or 21 stays or 84,000 points |
| Diamond Reserve | N/A | 80 nights or 40 stays AND $18,000 qualifying spend |
There have also been reports of Hilton’s website codes showing a ‘Honors Society’ tier. This will perhaps be an invitation-only or paid tier. It will also be interesting to see what will happen with Hilton’s Lifetime Diamond members. Will they be upgraded or stay at Diamond?
We will keep you updated once Hilton announce the official details!
