Does Marriott regret buying Starwood and is hoping the Chinese kill the deal?

The acquisition of the Starwood hotel group – owner of W, Westin, Sheraton, St Regis, The Luxury Collection, aloft etc – by Marriott is running late.  The cause is Chinese competition clearance, with the Chinese authorities recently stating that they require another two months to examine the deal.

This surprising article in the New York Post suggests that Marriott is keen for the Chinese to block the deal.

If you followed the bid saga, you will remember that Marriott was forced to increase its initial bid for Starwood – and to sharply increase the amount paid in cash instead of shares – following a Chinese counterbid.

The increased bid damaged the economics of the deal.  Marriott was also relying on selling $2bn of Starwood property assets once the company was bought.  The commercial property market is currently on the slide in many major markets, however, and that valuation looks riskier by the day.

More weirdly – and this is hardly believable, I admit – the Post reports that Marriott has only just realised that Starwood attracts a far younger customer base than Marriott and that they are likely to drift away when the Marriott-isation of the properties occurs.  This is completely true but should hardly have come as a surprise.

(I do remember mentioning that I didn’t think that adding the Marriott-regulation bible and a portrait of octagenarian Bill Marriott above reception was going to do much for sales at the ‘sex toys in the minibar’ W brand …..)

As someone who had to deal with a number of Chinese takeover clearances during my banking career, I can confirm that the process does drag on.  To be honest, I can never remember a scenario when we ended up with an unreasonable decision from them.  If Marriott is genuinely hoping to find a way out of the Starwood deal, this is unlikely to be it.

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How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points and status from UK credit cards (June 2025)

There are various ways of earning Marriott Bonvoy points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.

The official Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card comes with 20,000 points for signing up, 2 points for every £1 you spend and 15 elite night credits per year.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 15th July 2025, the sign-up bonus on the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card is TRIPLED to 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. This would convert into 25,000 Avios or into 40 other airline schemes. It would also get you at least £300 of Marriott hotel stays based on our 0.5p per point low-end valuation. Other T&C apply and remain unchanged. Click here for our full card review and click here to apply.

You can apply here.

Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card

60,000 points (to 15th July) and 15 elite night credits each year Read our full review

You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points by converting American Express Membership Rewards points at the rate of 2:3.

Do you know that holders of The Platinum Card from American Express receive FREE Marriott Bonvoy Gold status for as long as they hold the card?  It also comes with Hilton Honors Gold, Radisson Rewards Premium and MeliaRewards Gold status.

We reviewed The Platinum Card from American Express in detail here and you can apply here.

The Platinum Card from American Express

50,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points indirectly:

• American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• The American Express Rewards Credit Card (10,000 bonus Amex points)

and for small business owners:

• The American Express Business Gold Card (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• The American Express Business Platinum Card (50,000 bonus Amex points)

The conversion rate from American Express to Marriott Bonvoy points is 2:3.

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which can be used to earn Marriott Bonvoy points.