Apr 9, 2016, 12:35 pm
Last edit by: Oxon Flyer
Deal closed SEP 23 - http://news.marriott.com/2016/09/marriott-international-expanded-loyalty-benefits/
FAQ :
http://members.marriott.com/faq/#will-rewards-and-spg-be-turning-into-one-program
Will Rewards and SPG be turning into one program?
These are two of the best programs in the industry, and we want you to benefit from everything that makes SPG and Rewards great. We don’t anticipate that the two programs will come together before 2018, and we will keep you informed of any updates. In the meantime, there’s no change to how you book reservations, manage your accounts or earn Elite night credits, points and miles in the current programs.
If I have Lifetime Status in one of the programs, will I also get it in the other program when I link my accounts?
We appreciate your loyalty! Lifetime Status is specific to the program that you earned it in. While linking accounts will not result in Lifetime Status in the other program, your Elite status will be matched to the same Elite tier in the other program. Any existing Lifetime Status you already hold within either program will still be enjoyed within that program. We’re working on more ways to recognize your loyalty and Lifetime Status as we work towards harmonizing the programs, which we don’t anticipate happening until 2018.
You can now link your Marriott Rewards or Ritz-Carlton Rewards account with your SPG account.
It will be a 3:1 transfer ratio between MR-SPG
FAQ :
http://members.marriott.com/faq/#will-rewards-and-spg-be-turning-into-one-program
Will Rewards and SPG be turning into one program?
These are two of the best programs in the industry, and we want you to benefit from everything that makes SPG and Rewards great. We don’t anticipate that the two programs will come together before 2018, and we will keep you informed of any updates. In the meantime, there’s no change to how you book reservations, manage your accounts or earn Elite night credits, points and miles in the current programs.
If I have Lifetime Status in one of the programs, will I also get it in the other program when I link my accounts?
We appreciate your loyalty! Lifetime Status is specific to the program that you earned it in. While linking accounts will not result in Lifetime Status in the other program, your Elite status will be matched to the same Elite tier in the other program. Any existing Lifetime Status you already hold within either program will still be enjoyed within that program. We’re working on more ways to recognize your loyalty and Lifetime Status as we work towards harmonizing the programs, which we don’t anticipate happening until 2018.
You can now link your Marriott Rewards or Ritz-Carlton Rewards account with your SPG account.
It will be a 3:1 transfer ratio between MR-SPG
Latest on the Starwood and Marriott merger : deal closed on 23 Sep.
Aug 30, 2016, 5:50 pm
#991
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: YVR
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Plat (earned as Starwood), Canadian Amex Plat & resulting statuses, WestJet Silver
Posts: 663
They would be foolish not to align the programs as much as possible before merging them. It has already begun, as has already been posted about extensively. I just can't see them wanting to deal with hordes of angry long time elite members who have been downgraded after being so loyal and profitable to their brands. Having just achieved Lifetime Plat myself, I sure hope I'm right.
Aug 30, 2016, 7:48 pm
#992
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,965
So, if the numbers make sense and/or they think they can pull it off, they will do it. Competition will be lessened after the merger and, looking at what the airlines are doing, you know things are not on our side - whether you are MR or SPG member.
Aug 31, 2016, 11:35 am
#993
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,403
Marriott has already proved that it doesn't care to treat PPs or Plats better than Golds.
Sep 2, 2016, 6:49 am
#994
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Bonvoy LT Titanium (x SPG LT), IHG Spire, UA Silver
Posts: 5,847
Chinese regulators just extended the review period for a 3rd time. No update on how much longer they will take. Looks like this deal will take through the end of year at least to sort itself out.
Sep 2, 2016, 9:14 am
#995
Join Date: May 2015
Location: LAX, BUR
Programs: AS,AA,JB, HH Gold, Starriott Titanium Elite, Hyatt Explorist, Global Entry
Posts: 1,933
More time 👍
Sep 2, 2016, 9:15 am
#996
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,403
Sep 2, 2016, 11:20 am
#997
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Philadelphia, LAX, Paris
Programs: UA 1K/2MM, SPG/Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Lifetime HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 3,326
Good news indeed! ^
Sep 2, 2016, 11:30 am
#998
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP MM, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Ti, UA Silver
Posts: 5,036
http://www.nasdaq.com/article/china-...20160902-00090
Sep 2, 2016, 11:37 am
#999
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Philadelphia, LAX, Paris
Programs: UA 1K/2MM, SPG/Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Lifetime HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 3,326
Sep 2, 2016, 12:48 pm
#1000
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Englandshire
Programs: SPG LT Plat, BA G, BD*LG, MG Blue+ ...
Posts: 16,031
Sep 2, 2016, 2:34 pm
#1001
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,107
http://seekingalpha.com/news/3206858...r=1#email_link
"Chinese regulators have extended their examination of Marriott's (NYSE:MAR) $13.6B takeover of Starwood (NYSE:HOT) for a third time due to the complexity of the agreement."
However, nothing on the Marriott website re: it. I didn't check SPG's site. When the first delay occurred, both companies put out a statement.
Here's another take on the Chinese situation & perhaps why delays.
http://seekingalpha.com/article/3999...igniter-widget
Cheers.
Last edited by SkiAdcock; Sep 2, 2016 at 2:39 pm
Sep 2, 2016, 2:36 pm
#1002
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: Marriott LT Titanium, Hilton LT Diamond, AA LT Platinum
Posts: 426
Sharon's post clarified it better.
Sep 2, 2016, 3:37 pm
#1003
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Little dot in Asia
Programs: AA-EP, TK-*G, HL-DM, HY-GLO, MR-LTP
Posts: 25,932
Chinese regulators probably just want the deal to go back to the Chinese buyers.
Sep 3, 2016, 6:52 am
#1004
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: JFK, DCA, BUR, YVR
Programs: AC, AS, BA, DL, HH (D), MR (T/LTP), UA (*S), UScAAre (PLT/1,87MM), WN
Posts: 5,207
Or maybe they are the only ones not asleep at the switch in a global economic environment that's increasing become consolidated in the hands of a select few companies. I hope they kill it.
Sep 3, 2016, 11:41 am
#1005
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,752
Since the Diamond match, I've transitioned all of my paid stays to Hyatt. However, I do have tons of SPG points remaining. So, the longer the delay, the better; otherwise, I'll just have to transfer all of my points to FFs before the merger.