NEWS & OFFERS: Emirates Stops First Class Redemptions for Under-9s, Accor to Change Loyalty Subscriptions & the W New York Union Square Transformation

No More First Class Redemptions for Under-9s on Emirates

Emirates has launched a new controversial policy, which will be welcomed by some but frustrate others.

Children aged 8 years old and below are ineligible for First Class Emirates Classic Rewards and Upgrade Rewards.

However, those 8 and under are still allowed in First Class if the ticket is paid for in cash.

Emirates has already stopped Blue members (entry-level tier) from redeeming First Class seats.

Why?

No other airline seems to have a rule quite like this. Some do manage award inventory in subtle ways, such as limiting redemptions in First at two seats per flight, but an outright ban for younger children is a first.

Travelling in First (and Business for that matter) with kids has always been a highly debated topic in which most hold an opinion one way or the other…

It also raises a fair question: Kids can make a lot of noise on planes, but so can adults! But of course, those 8 or under are more likely to make a lot of noise. If this was the thought behind the policy, then why can kids still fly in First if the ticket was paid in cash? One could argue it’s Emirates’ way of discouraging child redemptions without running the risk of being accused of discrimination in markets where such a ban would be problematic.

But it risks sending mixed messages: those paying full fare may resent that redemption passengers face different rules, while families paying thousands in cash could still feel unwelcome.

First may now be a more relaxing experience, but despite the change, you still can’t guarantee no kids- will that annoy people who have paid for First due to this policy? But will it also make parents who’ve paid feel unwelcome?

This could also be a way of keeping revenue from families who regularly fly First on Emirates while at the same time protecting the perception of exclusivity that comes with Emirates First.

Will it push more families into Business Class? Possibly not – award space for multiple passengers is already extremely limited.

Find Emirates Redemption Flights Here >>>

Let us know what you think of this controversial change in the comments below:

Accor to Unify All Paid for Loyalty Subscriptions: Instant Gold for €199

Accor has a range of different paid memberships around the world. These are now being brought together to form Accor+, which unifies all the current paid-for memberships.

The subscriptions unifying into Accor+ and the new cards include:

• Accor+ Voyager to replace All Plus Voyager – The most popular with readers
• Accor+ Ibis to replace All Ibis 
• Accor+ Explorer to replace Accor Plus in Asia Pacific
• Accor+ Signature to replace ALL Signature in Brazil

Here’s an overview of the new options:

All Accor+ Voyager

Cost: €199/ year 

Start Date: January 2026

This card will see the most changes, including a couple of well-needed ones!

Benefits include:

• 15% off stays all year round across 30+ hotel brands from January 2026 
• 20% off on a selection of brands for bookings done until 14th January 2026: Sofitel LEGEND, SO/, Sofitel, MGallery, 21C Museum Hotels, Mondrian, Pullman, Swissôtel,  Mövenpick, Grand Mercure, The Sebel, Adagio Premium 
• New brands joining in include Raffles, Fairmont, Peppers, Mantra, and more. 
• Automatic status boost with 30 Status Nights (instant Gold) – Read our guide to the Accor All Plus loyalty programme for in-depth info.
• Guaranteed Room availability of 2 days before the check-in and premium customer support 

Effectively, this card will remain the same, but with the addition of instant Gold status instead of Silver, as well as discounts on more brands, including Raffles and Fairmont. The absence of these used to be a put-off for many. However, discounts are being reduced from 20% to 15%.

View the current Accor subscription cards here >>>

ALL Accor+ Ibis

Cost: €99/ year 

• 15% off stays at Ibis, Ibis Styles, and Ibis Budget across the world
• Automatic status boost with 10 Status Nights 
• Guaranteed Room availability of 2 days before the check-in and premium customer support 

You can read our full guide to the current Accor Frequent Traveller cards here.

ALL Accor+ Signature (Brazil)

Cost: €135/ year 

Aimed at the Brazilian market. It will keep the monthly credit of points and exclusive experiences. Benefits will include:

• Monthly Reward and Status Points 
• Exclusive benefits at South American hotels and partners 

All Accor+ Explorer

Cost: €215/ year 

Start Date: 1st October 2025

The card, which replaces Accor+ in the Asia Pacific. It will provide more member benefits, and there is a planned expansion to the Middle East and China in the coming years. The card will now come with worldwide benefits, including: 

• Guaranteed Gold Status or higher (30 automatic status nights)
• 2 Free hotel nights, on the “Buy-one-get-one-free» principle. 
• 15% off stays worldwide across 30+ hotel brands 
• Up to 50% off Red Hot Room stays. 
• 30% off dining and 15% off drinks in the Asia Pacific

W New York Union Square Reopens After Complete Transformation

The W New York Union Square has opened its doors following a $100 million transformation. The 256-room property is where W Hotels first launched over 20 years ago, and since then, W Hotels has opened properties in 70 destinations around the world. This revamp is all part of W Hotels’ multi-year brand evolution to “meet the needs of today’s guest”.

Highlights of the renovation include:

• The Entrance: You’ll find banquette Welcome Desks, marble floors, and an original mural by Shantell Martin.
• The Living Room: W’s signature take on the hotel lobby is now a tall Beaux-Arts space with marble columns, velvet benches, and a double-height bar.
• Living Room Café, adjacent to ‘The Living Room’, a first for the brand, serves Devoción coffee by day and transforms into a cocktail bar at night. 
• Seahorse: Opening this autumn, a new seafood brasserie. Expect raw bar plates, handmade pastas, and a fantastic cocktail list in a nautical-inspired setting.
• Rooftop Bar: Union Square’s only rooftop bar with incredible skyline views and a choice of indoor or outdoor seating. 
• Wellness: The former subterranean bar has been turned into FIT, a new wellness space featuring W’s first in-hotel Peloton Studio and hydro-massage recovery chairs.

Rooms & Suites

Rooms are inspired by the seasonal colours of Union Square Park, with botanical carpets, ombre wallpaper and velvet headboards. W’s signature beds, Smart TVs, and Marshall speakers meet luxe touches like Davines bath products and plush robes. Details include chessboard side tables to subway-inspired lighting.

The 1,215 sq. ft. Penthouse Suite has incredible city views, a private bar and space for entertaining!

Subtle design nods to the city include subway-lamp light fixtures, bike-chain motifs, and chessboard side tables, while some bathrooms feature bold taxicab-yellow fittings against a clean tiled backdrop.

Pricing and Redemptions

You can currently book the W New York up until 28th August 2026. Rates vary massively depending on the month. Redemptions vary and start from 100,000 to 180,000, depending on the date.

Cash pricing is reasonable with rooms starting at $219 (£162), and the best bargains are to be had in November, December and January. During particular events and seasons, there are huge increases where rates on some nights start at $2,059 (£1523).

If you’re weighing up whether to pay in points vs cash, pay cash if the nightly rates are low. For the more expensive nights, there’s plenty of value to be had from paying with points. For example, on 5th October, a stay is 126,000 points or £126. Paying with points would give a value of just 0.13p per point (very poor value). In comparison, the more expensive dates, such as 7th October, which can be booked for £1,523 or 168,000 points, give a value of 0.91p per point.

Find Marriott Stays for Your Dates Here >>>