News and notes from around the interweb:
- Marriott CEO tries to talk his way through having to compete against Starwood again not being a colossal screw up now that the brand Marriott bought is relaunching as a competitor.
When Marriott acquired Starwood Hotels & Resorts and its portfolio of brands in 2016, Starwood-founder Barry Sternlicht retained the Starwood name, Capuano said. The name sat dormant for a while on the brand side of the business, and then a year ago Sternlicht reached out to bring it back. He was already using it for his private equity company, Starwood Capital, but now wants to use it for his new collection of hotel brands.
Sternlicht’s team worked collaboratively and transparently with Marriott, Capuano said. “I think in some ways, it’s an interesting validation of both our strategy and other big-brand company strategies,” he said. “You look for something that ties together a diverse set of brands. [Sternlicht has] evolved now. He has 1 Hotels, he has Baccarat, he has Treehouse, and so presumably he’ll use that name to try and pull together a diverse portfolio.”
Since the deal in 2016, Starwood Capital has operated and thrived, Capuano said. Marriott doesn’t really use the Starwood name anymore, so there shouldn’t be any significant customer or owner confusion. “And you know, Barry is big owner of ours, so I think the manner in which he teed this up with us was reflective of the strength of our partnership,” he said.
- 20% bonus transferring Chase points to British Airways through March 31
- FAA investigating six foot chunk of ice that fell from the sky and pierced a home’s roof (HT: Paul H)
- Amex close 30 consumer card accounts they believe are tied to Iran’s government OFAC oops!
The accounts were only used for personal expenses, AmEx said in a regulatory filing on Friday. It also ended its relationship with a third-party ATM network provider, which was connected to an Iranian bank sanctioned by the U.S. government.
- An idea:
- The classic combo is United’s stroopwafel and Illy coffee. But what do you think of Biscoff and Woodford? You can recreate this Delta Air Lines suggestion on American as well:
- Foolish Traveler Busted In Singapore Airport For Shoplifting After He Returns To Scene Of Crime Five Days Later
“Marriott doesn’t really use the Starwood name anymore”
Except in the four properties I stayed in last year that still had the SPG signage mounted around the top floors…I guess
On Marriott, yeah, the ‘Starwood relaunch’ is a distraction.
‘Hey, Anthony… Tony, if you will… sir, you, uh, wanna explain those recent devaluations?’
Oh, no, you’re gonna ignore that… Ah, ok, how convenient… Cool. Cool, cool.
(This is a ‘load of barnacles’ as the kids say).
I haven’t seen a stoopwaffle on United in years?
just dont bonvoyed people
I’ve been dipping Biscoff into Woodford for years. I thought I might have been the creator of that idea.
The ice chunk link generated a 451 error so I’ll just consider it as a story about poop water from an unmaintained airplane.