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Marriott/Starwood merger closed; FAQs; Status Match; MR & SPG accounts can be linked

Old Sep 22, 2016, 11:20 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: SkiAdcock
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 dont anticipate that the two programs will come together before 2018, and we will keep you informed of any updates. In the meantime, theres no change to how you book reservations, manage your accounts or earn Elite night credits, points and miles in the current programs

Status Matches
MR Platinum <--> SPG Platinum
MR Gold <--> SPG Gold
MR Silver <--> SPG Preferred Plus
MR Member <--> SPG Preferred

If your status changes (i.e. Gold->Plat) in one program, your status in the other program will be automatically upgraded within 24 hours per Marriott FAQ

You can now link your Marriott Rewards or Ritz-Carlton Rewards account with your SPG account.
To link your accounts, log in to either account at:
http://www.spg.com/linkmarriott
http://members.marriott.com/

It will be a 3:1 transfer ratio between MR-SPG

If I have Lifetime Status in one of the programs, will I also get it in the other program when I link my accounts?
This is the Official Answer : "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. Were working on more ways to recognize your loyalty and Lifetime Status as we work towards harmonizing the programs, which we dont anticipate happening until 2018."

Transferring points from SPG to MR does NOT change lifetime MR points.

Transferring points from SPG to MR does NOT count as activity & therefore does not extend the expiration date of points.

SPG platinum member matched to MR plat and now interested in the MR - UA Silver status match ? Check here.


Updated Terms and Conditions for the two programs can be found at
http://members.marriott.com/terms-conditions/
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/legal/spg_terms.html

Complete listing of all the hotel brands in the in the merged company :
http://www.marriott.com/marriott-brands.mi#ourbrands
http://www.marriott.com/Images/Brands/brands_page_2016/global_architecture_images/US_MAR_SPG_brand_architecture.png
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Marriott/Starwood merger closed; FAQs; Status Match; MR & SPG accounts can be linked

 
Old Jun 19, 2017, 11:28 am
  #946  
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In 2017 I have concentrated my stays on Starwood and I have not stayed in Marriott in order to maximize my status for year 2018 and I am assuming that several others have done the same.

With nothing on the horizon for the combination of loyalty programs, do I have any reason to do things any differently in 2018 than what I am doing in 2017? While 2018 is not right around the corner, I have already booked some trips in January-February 2018.

It does not seem likely (although still too early to tell) that 2019 status will be based on 2018 stays at Starwood plus Marriott combined. Until I hear that stays will be combined, I will not book at Marriott. Hopefully we find out before the end of 2017...
escape4 is offline  
Old Jun 19, 2017, 2:40 pm
  #947  
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Originally Posted by escape4
In 2017 I have concentrated my stays on Starwood and I have not stayed in Marriott in order to maximize my status for year 2018 and I am assuming that several others have done the same.

With nothing on the horizon for the combination of loyalty programs, do I have any reason to do things any differently in 2018 than what I am doing in 2017? While 2018 is not right around the corner, I have already booked some trips in January-February 2018.

It does not seem likely (although still too early to tell) that 2019 status will be based on 2018 stays at Starwood plus Marriott combined. Until I hear that stays will be combined, I will not book at Marriott. Hopefully we find out before the end of 2017...
To me, picking the program that gives you the best service makes sense. We have no idea when or what the merger will look like. Keeping status up for matching so should the other program offer a better option you can swap out for a stay or two.
RogerD408 is offline  
Old Jun 19, 2017, 3:05 pm
  #948  
 
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Originally Posted by RogerD408
To me, picking the program that gives you the best service makes sense. We have no idea when or what the merger will look like. Keeping status up for matching so should the other program offer a better option you can swap out for a stay or two.
Agreed. I have 25 nights with Marriott this year - although like the poster before you I still strongly lean towards Starwood when possible. Marriott has now become my backup chain and I've even chosen it in cities where both exist to try the new product. May mean I am only Plat 75 this year vs Plat 100 (assuming they don't combine the stays this year) but to me that is no big deal. I do agree however that I ensured I hit Plat 50 no matter what.
TravelinSperry is offline  
Old Jun 24, 2017, 10:27 am
  #949  
 
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Just a thought. The transition from SPG to MR will be so horrid....

Just a bit of grenade tossing on my part but I have to wonder if the lengthening delay of the transition of the SPG program into Marriott Rewards is a sign that the final status exchange will be so painful and horrid for "Rabid" SPG members that the folks running Marriott Rewards keep putting off this odious task till they just can't anymore.

Will we awaken one day to find out that all of our Lifetime statuses have been zeroed out by Marriott?

Last edited by bigguyinpasadena; Jun 24, 2017 at 4:05 pm
bigguyinpasadena is offline  
Old Jun 24, 2017, 10:33 am
  #950  
 
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This grenade's a dud.
clublounger is offline  
Old Jun 24, 2017, 10:47 am
  #951  
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They would never do something so foolish as that

But - I do think the combined program will be closer towards the MR end of the spectrum (less generous) compared to the SPG end

48/72 cancel policy is just the start...
UA-NYC is offline  
Old Jun 25, 2017, 7:34 am
  #952  
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Originally Posted by bigguyinpasadena
Just a bit of grenade tossing on my part but I have to wonder if the lengthening delay of the transition of the SPG program into Marriott Rewards is a sign that the final status exchange will be so painful and horrid for "Rabid" SPG members that the folks running Marriott Rewards keep putting off this odious task till they just can't anymore.
Yeah, I'm sure that when Arne told the analysts & all the major news outlets that merging the two loyalty programs, IT, etc, is a pretty big task & it's taking longer than they expected, that what he really meant was that MAR was going to create a merged program that would be so horrid/send members fleeing/affect revenues/impact shareholders that that's the real reason they aren't doing the announcement right away

Cheers.
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Old Jun 26, 2017, 4:53 pm
  #953  
 
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Originally Posted by SkiAdcock
Yeah, I'm sure that when Arne told the analysts & all the major news outlets that merging the two loyalty programs, IT, etc, is a pretty big task & it's taking longer than they expected, that what he really meant was that MAR was going to create a merged program that would be so horrid/send members fleeing/affect revenues/impact shareholders that that's the real reason they aren't doing the announcement right away

Cheers.
This must be the first post I agree on with you. We will have to disagree on the emoji, though.

How many starwood properties have you stayed at, SkiAdCock? So far I have found 0 of your reviews. What's your angle posting on the starwood forum?
remymartin is offline  
Old Jun 27, 2017, 1:04 pm
  #954  
 
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Do we know for sure that they will not be combining nights at the end of the year?

I'm at 45 nights SPG and 10 nights Marriott... For the rest of the year I will most likely be going to an area where I would rather stay at a Marriott prop.
longtimereader firstimeposter is offline  
Old Jun 27, 2017, 1:15 pm
  #955  
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Originally Posted by longtimereader firstimeposter
Do we know for sure that they will not be combining nights at the end of the year?

I'm at 45 nights SPG and 10 nights Marriott... For the rest of the year I will most likely be going to an area where I would rather stay at a Marriott prop.
Until further notice, this item from the FAQ is still in effect:

Will I be able to combine stays in both programs towards my status?

We anticipate that all three Loyalty programs will continue to run separately through early 2018, and your accounts remain separate. You’ll only earn credit for stays at a hotel if you’re enrolled in the program associated with that hotel, so it’s a good idea to sign up for both SPG and Rewards if you haven’t already.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, LLC

[email protected]
Starwood Lurker is offline  
Old Jun 27, 2017, 7:59 pm
  #956  
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Originally Posted by longtimereader firstimeposter
Do we know for sure that they will not be combining nights at the end of the year?

I'm at 45 nights SPG and 10 nights Marriott... For the rest of the year I will most likely be going to an area where I would rather stay at a Marriott prop.
... and the earliest we can expect to see a combined program is 2018, so your 2017 stays are expected to stay separate.
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Old Jun 28, 2017, 11:09 am
  #957  
 
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its unfair that a marriott gold with 60 nights only gets SPG gold whereas a SPG Plat with 25 one night stays gets marriott plat.

IMO the status match should be based on the number of nights in each program not the status itself, at least until the program is harmonized.
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Old Jun 28, 2017, 12:15 pm
  #958  
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Originally Posted by bmw303
its unfair that a marriott gold with 60 nights only gets SPG gold whereas a SPG Plat with 25 one night stays gets marriott plat.

IMO the status match should be based on the number of nights in each program not the status itself, at least until the program is harmonized.
It's also unfair that MR elites can rack up oodles of nights via CC and rollover and SPG elites can't
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Old Jun 28, 2017, 1:34 pm
  #959  
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Originally Posted by UA-NYC
It's also unfair that MR elites can rack up oodles of nights via CC and rollover and SPG elites can't
You missed the 10 night credits which can be obtained by booking an $80 meeting room.
margarita girl is offline  
Old Jun 29, 2017, 2:31 am
  #960  
 
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Originally Posted by ua-nyc
it's also unfair that mr elites can rack up oodles of nights via cc and rollover and spg elites can't
Originally Posted by margarita girl
you missed the 10 night credits which can be obtained by booking an $80 meeting room.
^^^
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