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 (April 2024)

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.

You can apply here.

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 American Express Platinum in detail here and you can apply here.

You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points indirectly:

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

and for small business owners:

• American Express Business Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• American Express Business Platinum (40,000 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. 

(Want to earn more hotel points?  Click here to see our complete list of promotions from the major hotel chains or use the ‘Hotel Offers’ link in the menu bar at the top of the page.)