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Qatar to Open First US Lounge at New JFK Terminal One
Qatar Airways has confirmed it will relocate from JFK Terminal 8 to the brand-new Terminal 1 in 2026, part of the airport’s ongoing $19 billion redevelopment project ($9.5 billion of which is being spent on the terminal itself).
Until now, Qatar passengers have used shared lounges owned by other airlines, such as the American Airlines Flagship Lounge in Terminal 8. Qatar has now confirmed a dedicated 15,000-square-foot lounge which will feature:
- VIP check-in
- Direct access to the boarding gate
- Premium dining and bar options
- Quiet relaxation zones
- Prayer rooms
- A children’s play area
The new lounge will put Qatar Airways on par with fellow Gulf carrier Emirates, which already operates a dedicated lounge at JFK. This will be Qatar’s sixth lounge outside Doha, joining its existing network in Bangkok, Beirut, London Heathrow, Paris CDG, and Singapore.
This will be Qatar’s first US lounge, and it’s great news if you hold Oneworld Emerald or Sapphire status, as well as if you’re flying in Business or First with an Oneworld airline.
Access requirements have not yet been finalised, but Qatar restricts entry to those flying in Business or First with another airline at most lounges, although lounges, such as Paris, allow Qatar Economy passengers with Oneworld Sapphire/Emerald status to enter.
Many other airlines will also be moving to JFK T1, including:
Turkish Airlines, Air France and Korean Air have already confirmed they will open dedicated lounges in the new terminal.
Qatar currently operates 18 weekly flights from JFK, one of 11 US destinations in its network. The opening date for the lounge is likely to be in mid-2026, along with the move.
AMEX Adds 400+ Hotels to its Fine Hotels + Resorts/ The Hotel Collection
400+ properties have been added to the Fine Hotels & Resorts (AMEX Platinum) & Hotel Collection (AMEX Gold), bringing the total to 3,100 hotels in 114 countries and 49 new destinations between the collections! This is the largest global footprint of any credit card issuer’s hotel programme.
Some of these new hotels are well worth a look if you’re looking to spend your credit.
Some excellent additions include:
- Regent Santa Monica Beach, Los Angeles
- Viceroy at Ombria Algarve
- Waldorf Astoria Osaka
- Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, Vancouver Island
- Warren Street Hotel, New York
- Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique
- The Chancery Rosewood, London
- Hôtel du Couvent, Nice
- La Reserve Eden au lac Zurich
- Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, Paris
- Miramonti Boutique Hotel, Dolomites
- THE PIG, near Bath
- Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
- Six Senses Kyoto
- Collegio alla Querce, Auberge Resorts Collection, Florence
Many of the new additions are currently offering 3 nights for the price of 2 for Platinum cardholders!
Fine Hotels + Resorts
For AMEX Platinum, Business Platinum and Centurian cardholders.
Benefits depend on availability:
- 12 pm check-in
- Guaranteed 4 pm late check-out
- 1 category Room upgrade
- Daily breakfast for two
- $100 credit for eligible charges (e.g. food/spa)
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
The Hotel Collection
For AMEX Gold and Business Gold cardholders (also available to Platinum, Business Platinum and Centurion).
Benefits depend on availability. You will also need to stay two nights for the benefits.
- 1 category room upgrade
- $100 credit
- 12 pm check-in
- late-check-out
Terms apply to all benefits (e.g. specific room categories are not eligible for an upgrade) and depend on availability.
For more info on the full benefits of these cards, read our AMEX Gold and AMEX Platinum / AMEX Platinum hotel status benefits guides.
70% of the properties added offer at least one additional value, ranging from free valet parking to complimentary minibar or welcome amenities.
Up to 50% Marriott Buy Points Bonus: Worth It?
You can now earn bonus Marriott points when you buy or gift at least 2,000 points until 17th September.
Bonuses range from 30-50% and are targeted, so you’ll need to log in to see your exact offering. You can purchase up to 150,000 points for the 2025 calendar year.
- 30% Bonus: Buying the maximum 150,000 points gets you 195,000 points with the bonus, working out at 0.71p per point.
- 40% Bonus: This seems to be the most common offer, and it’s the one I’ve received. Purchasing 150,000 points will yield 60,000 bonus points, meaning 210,000 points cost $1875 (£1,388.84) – 0.66p per point. This is much better than the usual value of 0.93 per point without the bonus.
- 50% Bonus: With the top offer, you’ll receive 150,000 points, plus an additional 75,000, for a total of 225,000 points. That works out at 0.61p per point.
It’s only worth buying points if the item you want to purchase is cheaper when paid with points versus cash. This will largely depend on the offer you’ve been targeted with. Points can be convenient for Marriott’s Stay for 5, Pay for 4 benefit on award bookings.
Better Paying with Points
Looking at a night at The Ritz-Carlton Osaka priced at £738.90, a standard room can be purchased for 89,000 points on 1st November, bringing the cost of buying with points better (£549-£634, depending on the bonus).
Better Paying with Cash
However, this redemption would be better value paying in cash than points. The points rate would vary from £691 to £797, depending on the bonus you’re offered, compared to the £636 cash option.
It’s also worth noting that Marriott is known to run regular buy points promotions ranging from 30% to 55%, although you never know which offer you’ll be targeted with next.
You can purchase Marriott points here >>>
Which bonus have you been targeted with? Let us know in the comments below:
