Brands shift, points sales repeat, and Riyadh disruption looms over Gulf itineraries

Reports indicate an attack on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport killed 12 and injured 309, with all airport operations suspended. The item attributes the attack to the Houthis; treat that and the casualty figures as reported, not confirmed.

Advisors should immediately identify clients booked into Riyadh or connecting through it, including Saudi hotel stays and itineraries routed via Gulf hubs. Contact airlines and suppliers on rebooking and waiver options, and check current government travel guidance before advising clients to proceed. Expect hotel cancellations and changed arrival plans in the city, particularly given how many chain properties are in the Saudi growth pipeline. Until operations resume, avoid reconfirming Riyadh-dependent routings and keep clients informed as the situation develops.

The Plaza Seoul, Autograph Collection has closed for a three-year renovation and is leaving Marriott to join Leading Hotels of the World. For advisors, the immediate task is clear: any Seoul bookings, including Bonvoy-point stays, will need to be moved to other properties, since the hotel is now shut.

The longer-term question is program fit. Once it reopens as an LHW member, it will sit outside Bonvoy, so clients who earn and redeem points there will lose that option. Advisors who work through LHW programs may find it a useful addition after reopening, but check the commission terms and perks at that time rather than assuming they match Marriott's. In the meantime, identify alternative luxury stays in Seoul for upcoming travelers.

Mandarin Oriental has marked the groundbreaking of its Miami hotel and residences, with the brand returning to the city in 2030. It adds luxury supply to a market where the brand is already familiar to US advisors, but nothing is bookable for years.

The practical use today is positioning: advisors with high-end Miami clients can note the pipeline, though it should not affect current itineraries. Keep an eye on opening-date shifts, which are common on long-lead projects, and on how the residential component shapes the hotel's inventory when it nears launch.

Marriott is testing a feature in its app and website that shows members where they stand for complimentary status-based upgrades, alongside Nightly Upgrade Awards. It is a beta and may not roll out broadly.

If it does, advisors with Elite clients could set more realistic expectations about suite upgrades and time Nightly Upgrade Award requests better. For now, do not promise upgrades on the basis of the test, and watch whether the visibility reaches all members.

IHG's Buy Points sale offers a 100% bonus, a higher purchase limit and an extra gift of 3,500 points on purchases of 35,000 or more, running through October 13. It is the eighth such sale this year, so waiting for a better deal has limited upside; it suits clients with near-term award stays who are short on points.

Separately, IHG extended its Ruby Hotels promotion: 10,000 bonus points for every two nights through November 4, 2026. Clients need to register, and the offer is limited to a niche brand, mainly relevant to European city trips.