Hotel News: Exclusive Golf Access, Airport Departure, and Luxury Hotel Rebranding
American Express offers exclusive golf access to St Andrews, easyJet pulls out of Leeds Bradford Airport, and Regent Porto Montenegro leaves IHG One Rewards to join One&Only's Rare Finds Resorts.
The hospitality industry is abuzz with recent developments that will impact travelers and loyalty program members.
## Exclusive Golf Access at St Andrews
American Express has partnered with the Old Course at St Andrews to offer its Platinum and Centurion cardholders a unique opportunity to play a round of golf on this historic course. The Old Course, which dates back over 600 years, has hosted the Open a record 30 times, including next year.
To participate, cardholders must register for a ballot, with Centurion cardholders able to apply from August 26th and Platinum cardholders from September 2nd. The ballot will close on September 9th. Successful applicants will be given seven days to purchase the package, which includes a round of golf for two people. Both primary and supplementary cardholders can apply, and cardholders from various countries are eligible.
However, details of the package, including the cost and what it includes, have not been shared yet.
## easyJet's Departure from Leeds Bradford Airport
easyJet has announced that it will be pulling out of Leeds Bradford Airport. The airline has always played second fiddle to Jet2 and Ryanair, and it seems that it now believes it can use its aircraft more profitably elsewhere. The final flights from Leeds Bradford Airport will be:
| Destination | Final Flight Date | | --- | --- | | Málaga | 1st November 2026 | | Palma | 1st November 2026 | | Paris Charles de Gaulle | 1st January 2027 | | Barcelona | 2nd January 2027 | | Belfast International | 4th January 2027 | | Geneva | Removed from sale |
## Regent Porto Montenegro Leaves IHG One Rewards
Regent Porto Montenegro, a luxury hotel in Montenegro, is leaving IHG One Rewards at the end of the month. The hotel, which was once a symbol of the rebirth of Kotor Bay as a major tourist spot, has been in need of refurbishment. According to reports, the hotel has implemented a unique towel system in the spa, where guests are issued a receipt for the number of towels they take from the desk. If they return fewer than they took, they are assumed to have stolen them and charged for new towels.
The hotel is joining the One&Only group under the 'Rare Finds Resorts' brand. However, it's unclear if redemption bookings will be honoured, and cash bookings are secure but will no longer earn IHG points or attract elite benefits. The hotel's renovation plans are also unclear, with only 34 rooms in the Venezia wing being renovated immediately.
