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Middle East Hotel Waivers Announced
If you were due to visit the Middle East in the coming weeks and don’t have a flexible booking, some hotel groups have waived their usual cancellation policies. Here’s everything you need to know!
IHG
If you’ve booked your stay direct with IHG, you can cancel or amend your booking free for bookings up to 31st March 2026 if your travel has been disrupted.
This applies to bookings in the following countries:
- Saudi Arabia
- The UAE
- Qatar
- Kuwait
- Bahrain
- Oman
- Jordan
- Lebanon
- Egypt
- Israel
- Cyprus
- Azerbaijan
IHG are also facilitating extended stays for customers stuck abroad.
Accor
Accor has also introduced a flexible cancellation policy if your stay is affected by travel disruptions to the following countries:
- Saudi Arabia
- Kuwait
- The UAE
- Qatar
- Bahrain
- Oman
- Iraq
- Jordan
- Lebanon
- Israel
- Pakistan
You can cancel your stay even if the booking is non-cancellable or change the date of your booking.
Bookings must have been made before 28th February 2026, and this applies only to arrival dates on or before 15th March 2026.
This also applies if you’ve booked via a third party. Meetings and events may also be changed. If your stay is non-cancellable, you can call the reservation office. Find the number here.
Marriott
If you have a stay booked before 18th March 2026, you can contact customer support or the hotel to discuss options if your plans have been disrupted. Cancellations will be looked at on a case-by-case basis. This only applies if you booked direct.
Other Hotels
If you’re not booked via IHG, Accor or Marriott, it’s worth contacting the hotel directly to discuss options. Comment below if your stay has been waived at a different hotel chain.
Excellent Aer Lingus and BA Business Class Fares from Dublin
Aer Lingus has some excellent Business Class fares from Dublin to North America.
Fares are either direct from Dublin with Aer Lingus or include a Dublin-to-Heathrow flight before continuing to North America with British Airways or American Airlines.
The best availability is in June and October 2026, although this varies by route. Top return fares include:
| Destination | Price | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto | £1,557 | 7th-14th September (return is via Heathrow) |
| New York | £1,572 | 2nd-9th July |
| Washington | £1,582 | 21st-28th July |
| Minneapolis | £1,601 | 14th-21st July |
| Denver | £2,067 | 6th-22nd June (via Heathrow, onwards with American) |
| Hartford | £1,978 | 4th-11th June |
| Philadelphia | £1,859 | 6th-14th June |
| Indianapolis | £1,849 | 4th-17th June |
| Miami | £1,905 | 6th-22nd June – (via Heathrow, onwards with BA) |
| Los Angeles | £2,075 | 9th-25th May |
There are some fantastic fares to many other destinations in North America, too. One of the reasons Dublin works well for these deals is that fares can often be cheaper than starting in the UK, partly due to the lack of UK Air Passenger Duty.
Aer Lingus flights can be credited to a range of frequent flyer programmes, including Aer Lingus AerClub, The British Airways Club and even United MileagePlus. Discover more in our guide to earning and redeeming AerClub miles.
As a BA status holder, you’ll also get benefits when flying Aer Lingus. Departing from Dublin, you’ll also benefit from US preclearance, allowing you to arrive in the US as a domestic passenger.
Search for fares via Aer Lingus here >>>
US Global Entry Restarts Today
US Global Entry has resumed today after not operating since 22nd February due to a partial Department of Homeland Security shutdown.
Global Entry is a paid trusted traveller programme run by US Customs and Border Protection. It costs $120, lasts for 5 years, and includes TSA Pre-Check. To join, you’ll need to get a background check, then attend an in-person interview at a Global Entry enrolment centre.
It’s available at all major US airports. If you travel often, it’s definitely something to consider.
This is great news as we edge closer to Spring Break and the Easter Holidays!
