The plat line was happy to cancel my prepaid reservations in Italy in March (after a reasonably long time on the phone). I'll go back in May (and probably for another trip) assuming things don't go really badly.

I was in Milan this week and supposed to take a meeting in Turin. The customer was told to stay home so cancelled AC Hotel Turin on Monday and stayed in my room at the Westin instead.

Cancelled Japan next week including 3 nights at the Westin Sendai, who allowed me to cancel a prepaid reservation and provided a full refund, no questions asked. Extremely thankful as I really didn't want to go, not for the fear of catching the virus but more for the fear of the potential hassles of embarking on the trip.

Looks like W Hotel under quarantine. See other thread in this forum.

Short term I just cancelled a month old res at Hilton Anaheim (Disney) and rebooked at 1/2 the original rate.

Marriott has update their cancellation waiver policy. It's still only going to March 15 but is now more inclusive.

[BEGINS]
We are closely monitoring the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World HealthOrganization’s statements regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and following guidelines from these agencies and the local health departments. The wellbeing of our guests and associates is of paramount importance. We continue to waive cancellation fees for hotel stays through March 15, 2020 for guests with reservations at our hotels in mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan. We are now also waiving cancellation fees for guests with reservations at our hotels in South Korea, Japan and Italy for hotel stays through March 15, 2020. Additionally, we will waive cancellation fees for guests in mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan and Italy traveling outbound to other Marriott destinations globally for hotel stays through March 15, 2020.
[ENDS]

Marriott updated statement on Coronavirus

My refund at Le Meridien BKK is now in progress. I had nice apology emails from both the GM and FO Manager (given that I'm very regular there) which I appreciated but wasn't necessary for a minor hiccup. I've a lot of cancellations to keep track of. I booked all my intra-Asian travel ex-HKG on January 20 just before the CNY holiday (when we still thought the virus was just in Wuhan) for March, April and May. The only entity that's not behaving honourably so far is Cathay.

I wonder how Corona will impact the program if 50% of its elites drop in status? How would that affect the Bonvoy program and hotels financially in 2021 with members not having enough status for lounge etc? The risk if members decide to leave the program completely and look for something else etc.
In Marriott's terms it states soft landing can be 1-2 levels if member hasn't reached enough nights. For Titaniums that could mean gold. Personally I'd get an Amex plat with Hilton gold to secure my breakfast next year if I'd drop to gold from titanium. For plats that could mean silver.

I think business wise its probably best to extend all elite members another year. It's not just about China now. It's the whole planet.
Either extend or launch a promo for the rest of the year giving double or triple nights. Marriott needs to take point and not just copy what Hyatt and Hilton do.

I also think the addition to the terms with soft landing is up to two levels was time wise a disaster. Talking about kicking someone lying on the floor.

Encouraging more travel is irresponsible at this point. Airlines and hotels would be wise to just extend status one more year.

I'm actually China based. We left on holiday in January and have not returned. We have been living in hotels for 5 weeks so far. I'm glad I am Titanium w Marriott and Globalist w Hyatt. Both chains have been taking care of my family and me well. I just wish they'd give some laundry discounts

Same story for me. My company diverted me at the end of the spring festival week and instead of returning to Shenzhen I headed to London where I have a house that's mostly rented out but there's a spare room and bathroom I can use so it doesn't cost them (I'm such as good corporate citizen). Other colleagues who were similarly diverted are staying in hotels this whole period and expensing them. One of them is doing the Platinum Challenge at my suggestion and will get status through Feb 2021 as a result of the virus scare.

your last point is the kicker. I’m taking reasonable heath precautions, but I can’t anticipate the actions of the airlines and immigration restrictions. I also have an Australia trip coming up in June. We will see how it plays out. Good luck to you!

Looks like Reuters confirmed W hotel Yas Marina under quarantine
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-c...-idCAKBN20O1NM

Wonder why Marriott's updated NCOV19 announcement fails to include UAE.

100% cancelling my trip now. wonder if I get hit with cancellation charges

Tell that to the millions of people who work in the travel industry and could end up out of work...

I'm all in favour of the major hotel chains and airlines realising after several strong years that it is more expensive to gain back lost customers than to keep their existing ones happy with promos and the like, but the situation is far more nuanced than simply saying "travel is bad now... so stay at home (and get sick there)"...

I'm planning to go to Japan with my girlfriend at the end of March for vacation. Slightly bummed but we're going to see how the situation develops

What about those who may get infected while traveling, and then because of they are asymptomatic, they then infect many others while they travel around?

That is basically how the infections got spread out from Italy to all the Western Europe.

US just raised the Travel Alert not to travel to the 2 regions of Italy - but if you look at the map, the whole Italy is falling, Fast.

1700 confirmed cases in Italy as of now with 34 fatalities.

https://www.thelocal.it/20200301/map...virus-outbreak