News roundup: amex fined $350M, webull China ties, Cathay suspends JAL awards & More. October 9, 2026 You can stay in touch with Danny the Deal Guru on Facebook/Twitter/Threads/Bluesky, or you can join the discussion with 5,000+ members in its DDG Facebook Group. You can also subscribe to get all news/deals via one daily email, or choose instant notifications for time sensitive deals. As always, thank you for reading and supporting the site! News roundup. It's time for another look at some interesting stories from around the web. Webull is under scrutiny over alleged national security concerns tied to China, while American Express has been hit with a $350 million penalty over anti-money laundering failures. On the travel side, JW Marriott has opened its first all-inclusive resort, Cathay Pacific has suspended Japan Airlines award bookings, and several major hotel brands are rolling out new and refreshed properties. There's also a new Cardlytics partnership with Rove that could help members earn more toward future trips. Trading platform Webull's China ties create national security risk, congressional panel finds; stock drops 18%. Digital investment platform Webull, which counts 28 million global users, is quietly "tied in structural ways" to China's government, representing a national security threat to U.S. finance, according to a bipartisan congressional panel's findings Read more at CNBC JW Marriott debuts its first all-inclusive resort with the opening of JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa. JW Marriott announced the highly anticipated opening of JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa, marking a significant milestone as the brand's first-ever all-inclusive resort worldwide. More than a traditional all-inclusive getaway, the resort introduces JW Marriott's all-immersive approach to luxury hospitality, creating the space and freedom for guests to enjoy each moment fully, without distraction. Read press release American Express fined $350 million for insufficient anti-money laundering program. US bank regulators fined American Express $350 million after they determined the lender's programs to identify potential money laundering were insufficient and the company potentially missed billions of dollars in suspicious activity. The US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Reserve announced the enforcement action on Thursday, saying the company, primarily via its national bank, failed to maintain a sufficient anti-money laundering compliance program, including inadequate resources, inexperienced staff, weak training and internal control gaps. Read more at Reuters Cathay Pacific asia miles suspends Japan Airlines awards. Cathay Pacific has stopped issuing awards on Japan Airlines flights, and you cannot even change existing tickets with JAL segments. It is unclear how long this suspension lasts or what the reasons behind it are. Read more at LoyaltyLobby The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón unveils new look. The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón officially unveils its fully reimagined resort, inviting guests and the local community to experience the next chapter of this iconic retreat. Spearheaded by Parker Torres Design, the multi-million-dollar transformation debuts a refreshed lobby, residential-style accommodations, an elevated Club Lounge, Swaying Palm event space, and three new culinary concepts: Palmera, Fenrose, and Café Fenrose. The redesign refines a lush resort rooted in classic leisure and recreation, serving as the inland counterpart to its beachfront sister property. Read press release Cardlytics and Rove team up to help travelers earn their next trip faster. Cardlytics announced a new partnership with Rove, the first universal airline mile program built for Gen Z and Millennials, extending the Cardlytics Rewards Platform (CRP) and further diversifying Cardlytics' supply footprint. Read press release Hilton grand vacations opens Ka Haku, a Hilton Club in Waikiki. Hilton opened Ka Haku, a Hilton Club. Located in the heart of Waikiki, Ka Haku is the company's 14th resort in the state and the first Hilton Club-branded property in Hawaii, a distinction reserved for a boutique, highly curated ownership experience. The property offers 205 studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom suites with ocean, mountain and city views, along with an arrival and departure lounge, a state-of-the-art fitness center, pool and bar... Read press release

Cardlytics reported second-quarter 2026 results showing year-over-year declines across key metrics, though executives emphasised operational progress. The purchase intelligence platform posted revenue of $36.9 million, down 36% from $58 million in the prior year period. Billings fell 34% to $65.5 million, whilst adjusted EBITDA declined to $1.7 million from $3 million year-over-year. The company reported a net loss of $14.9 million, compared to a $9.3 million loss in the second quarter of 2025. Monthly qualified users decreased 17% to 185.4 million. Free cash flow was negative $10.7 million. CEO Amit Gupta stated the company stayed within guidance across all key metrics, with margins improving monthly throughout the quarter. The Atlanta-based firm added new advertiser relationships and deepened financial institution partnerships during the period.