Use you IHG Rewards for this room at The Savoy in London? Maybe! (Image: Savoy Hotel)
Last year, and again earlier this year, rumors were flying that U.K.-based InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) might be interested in a merger with global lodging giant Starwood Hotels. Nothing came of those rumors, but now there are new reports that IHG is on the verge of buying a luxury competitor for 1.9 billion pounds (about $2.9 billion).
The target this time is said to be Fairmont Raffles Holdings International, which controls the Fairmont and the Raffles brands, as well as Swissotel and some independent properties. Owned by a Qatar-based investment group, Fairmont Raffles Holdings International includes some of the world’s leading properties like the Savoy in London, the Plaza in New York, Raffles Hotel in Singapore and the Peace Hotel in Shanghai.
Related: IHG + Kimpton = Interesting!
A hookup between the two would be especially interesting in San Francisco, where the Fairmont and IHG’s Mark Hopkins rule the roost atop Nob Hill.
IHG has been accumulating a cash horde in recent months from the sale of some of its key hotels like those in Hong Kong and Paris, although it maintains management contracts for them.
Altogether, Fairmont Raffles Holdings International has about 100 properties worldwide.
Will the rumors prove true this time? Stay tuned. If so, it will likely mean a lot more luxury hotels where members of IHG’s Rewards Club can earn and burn loyalty points.
Here’s how to sign up for an IHG® Rewards Club Select Credit Card and earn 60,000 bonus points!
NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: TSA PreCheck: No more free rides + Plight of the tall traveler + Photos: New United first class seat + Save money on calls from other countries + 6 secrets for snagging low fares
100,000
BEST for Big Sign-up Bonus. British Airways Visa Signature® Card 0ffers a nice 50,000 Avios sign up bonus after you spend $2,000 in the first three months. But get this: You’ll earn an additional 25,000 bonus Avios when you spend $10,000 on purchases for a total of 75,000 bonus Avios. Even better: You earn another 25,000 bonus Avios when you spend a total of $20,000 on purchases within your first year for a total of 100,000 bonus Avios. In addition to the sign up bonus, you earn three Avios for every dollar spent on BA, and a free companion ticket (any class) when you spend at least $30,000 in a year. Plus there are no foreign transaction fees, and the card has a chip making it easier to use in Europe and beyond. Annual fee is $95. More.
Do you follow us on Twitter? It’s a great way to keep up with the latest news!
Please join the 100,000+ people who read TravelSkills every month! Sign up here for one email-per-day updates!
