Troopers

Now, that the Marriott/Starwood merger is done, will it impact your IHG stays?

I'm not sure it will for me until the two programs are combined. I travel for leisure only, about 6 to 8 wks a year. I stay at whatever brand/property that best suits my needs for a particular vacation, with an edge to IHG properties if multiple brands/properties are available.

Currently a Spire Amb. I was a SPG Platinum for life and then moved my business elsewhere (still stay a few nights a year). Now SPG Gold via the Amex Plat. Also Marriott Gold via the Ritz CC.

Land-of-Miles

The programmes are much more combined.

You can status match across both and transfer points.

I shall be matching to Marriott rewards Plat and they will probably pick up a few stays as a result. There aren't enough IC's for IHG to work for me globally.

nicolas75

It will depends on:
- my RA qualification
- the evolution of SPG program (Platinum status)

darthbimmer

Marriott connecting the two programs doesn't change my stay pattern. IHG fits my needs at the lower end of its spectrum. I stay primarily in HIX and HI properties. They serve as an often cheaper alternative to MR's lower end brands and offer broader geographical coverage in the US. I walked away from SPG years ago specifically because their lower end properties were too hit-or-miss.

Troopers

I hope this will light a fire under IHG to merge Kimpton Karma.

kauppias

If you were SPG plat for life then shouldnt you still be SPG Plat?


I have used SPG mainly and IHG where SPG is non existant...

I have been staying at Hilton and Choice now too as I have requalled for both my main programs allready I guess I will now test out MaRiot to see what its like?

scubaccr

SPG Plat <--> MR Plat Match
SPG Gold <--> MR Gold Match(Can't see MR Golds using newfound SPG Gold status for stays somehow)


If "loophole" not closed come Jan2017, I will make 10nights cheapest possible hotels (maybe a mattress run in Asia) of SPG stays to obtain SPG Gold (no great benefits)
.... then match internally with Marriott Gold that requires 50nights.
(or alternatively ask/get MR challenge from Silver-Gold if easier, which I doubt)

stimpy

Going forward in 2018 SPG LTP's with 500 nights will probably have to do 250 more nights to make it equal with MR LTP's who had to do 750 nights to reach that level. Disclosure: I'm already at 750 SPG nights so it's a wash for me.

For the last few years I've been comped to MR Gold so I already stay at MR properties when it makes logistical sense. Now that I'm MR Plat I would probably stay at more MR properties, but not in the US where they are mostly terrible. And probably not til 2018 when the programs are merged. If I reach SPG 75 this year I'll be better off than if I do a bunch of MR stays this year.

Did you watch the Pointsguy FB Live video with the VP's of SPG and MR? I hope IHG and IC hotel owners watch that video and see how important they said the Lifetime program is.

kauppias

My post wasnt meant to talk about the life time status but the OP stated HE WAS LT plat with SPG and now is only gold? confusing

I would doubt that MR would piss off SPG LT Plats by not grandfathering them in. Just my opinion full disclosure I am NOWHERE NEAR LT STATUS IN EITHER PROGRAM and I doubt I will be staying with MR once they merge the programs.

I will be testing them out this year but thats it!

rbAA

So, I'm IHG RA-Spire but definitely will drop to AMB-Spire for 2017. And, am SPG PLT50 (may aim for PLT75, though I think it's more important to requalify Spire and probably won't do both this year.)

I haven't stepped foot in a MR property in decades, as I got burnt out and disappointed with them in the 80's and 90's.

However, looking over the MR properties, it seems that there are many opportunities to take some of the IHG stays and move them (in 2017) to SPG/MR, as the number and, improved, quality of the properties meets or, in some cases, exceeds the IHG properties I usually use, and the rates are competitive especially on the low end properties. I find that not having a breakfast benefit for Spire is the biggest hole in the IHG program, though it seems I can always find a HIX. I'll wait and see how the combination plays out, though I have ticketed my 2017 trips through May so far.

MSPeconomist

Please be aware that MR Plats, and in fact Platinum Premiers, aren't treated any better than MR Golds.

Troopers

Yes, was lifetime plat via SVN 5* elite. Status can be changed/dropped...another way is to not logon to SPG for ~2 years.

submonte

Yes. The reason is the unbeatable large upscale and luxury footprint of Marriott in Europe and the advantages of the combined Marriott Rewards and SPG programs. For me now it is like one program, I never wanted to decide for one of them, or one of the both hotel groups, but now the situation is different.

AMB membership I renewed but remaining SPIRE is no more my target. I go for Marriott or SPG Platinum now, plus renewing HH Diamond. The IHG Rewards program incl. bonus points rates and promotions is generous in points earning but I prefer the breakfast benefit and lounge access of HH, MR and SPG.

I will continue to stay at HIX if it makes sense. But more MOXYs to come, and Hampton by Hilton (in Germany).

CP branded hotels I do not use, I cannot identify myself with them. I always have liked Renaissance and Sheraton much more than Crowne Plaza.

HI is not my brand as well but however they provide good value for money.

ICs I stay at sometimes, but more for holidays. There are none in Italy, and many MR/SPG properties. Carlton Cannes is a good reason to stay with IHG, Le Grand Paris also, but Marriott has many top alternatives in Paris. France is the only market in Europe where IHG is well set in the luxury segment.

I have never been a boutique hotel fan but Indigo seems very ok. Staying two nights in Rome this month on points. As we are three, I needed to book two rooms as Indigo unlike IC provides no rooms for 3 people (too small, suites n/a on points).

Kimpton looks very valuable but not available in Europe yet.

The RA program does not convince me nor I understand the qualification criteria (And the RAs themselves also not if you read that thread). In my eyes it must be completely restructured and applicable to a to be built luxury segment division with IC as top brand plus upgraded CPs as "IC light", Indigo and Kimpton (cobranded with "by Intercontinental" - see Accor´s "by Sofitel"), to have an extended visible footprint against Marriott. It looks very fragmentary what IHG does. I do not see they have a future-proof strategy to position them against Marriott in the upscale/luxury segment. As well I see them lose against the excellent midscale strategy of Hilton with Hampton and Tru. And if Hilton would decide to give more priority to their luxury segment in Europe with Waldorf-Astoria, Conrad and Curio brands, IHG could come in trouble without a clear strategy. Maybe Hilton should take over IHG.

sdsearch

Except on UA planes (for those who had no UA status otherwise). MR Plat (and above) gives UA Silver through RewardsPlus.

AndrewAndDebbie

Not for me. It will for Debbie though.