Sep 22, 2016, 11:20 pm
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 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
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. 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."
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
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
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. 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."
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
Marriott/Starwood merger closed; FAQs; Status Match; MR & SPG accounts can be linked
Sep 12, 2017, 11:18 am
#1081
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Finally back in Boston after escaping from New York
Posts: 13,644
I just earned Platinum in 2017 with Marriott, so it carried over to SPG. My email from SPG, however, said that I would only have status until Feb 2018. I contacted SPG chat.
The SPG rep first told me that it was because I didn't have any activity on my account recently. I pointed out that I have credit card points every month and redemption activity.
Next, she said that it would give me a soft landing in February, but if I still have status in Marriott, SPG would also be renewed. It shouldn't require a soft landing and an escalation.
After that, she quoted me the following from the T&C: As an SPG Preferred Guest, accounts extend a year each time there is Starpoint activity. When Elite status is earned, our member is upgraded for a minimum of a year. If the member can maintain the stays or nights required for the elite status by the end of the calendar year, the elite accounts are reviewed and then on February of the following year, the account is extended the elite status from the previous year or it is softlanded to the lower level status.
That's nice, but it has nothing to do with what I asked and, in fact, reinforces my point.
Finally, she went back #2 : I will be softlanded momentarily, since the system doesn't recognize the difference between matched and earned status. Then, I will be matched again. Final answer.
While that sounds like a perfectly reasonable explanation, can somebody confirm it for me? I think we all know that the chat desk has been known to make an occasional error. And, if it is true, isn't matched status earned after February 28 of the current year good for the entirety of the following year?
And finally, why would an employee in chat just make up an answer when they don't know one, especially in writing? I would much rather wait a few extra minutes while they found the correct answer. And if it has something to do with a quota on closed cases, that's Starwood's problem, not the rep's. Corporations can talk the talk when it comes to customer service, but there's a difference between knowing the path (insert pregnant pause) and walking the path.
Mike
The SPG rep first told me that it was because I didn't have any activity on my account recently. I pointed out that I have credit card points every month and redemption activity.
Next, she said that it would give me a soft landing in February, but if I still have status in Marriott, SPG would also be renewed. It shouldn't require a soft landing and an escalation.
After that, she quoted me the following from the T&C: As an SPG Preferred Guest, accounts extend a year each time there is Starpoint activity. When Elite status is earned, our member is upgraded for a minimum of a year. If the member can maintain the stays or nights required for the elite status by the end of the calendar year, the elite accounts are reviewed and then on February of the following year, the account is extended the elite status from the previous year or it is softlanded to the lower level status.
That's nice, but it has nothing to do with what I asked and, in fact, reinforces my point.
Finally, she went back #2 : I will be softlanded momentarily, since the system doesn't recognize the difference between matched and earned status. Then, I will be matched again. Final answer.
While that sounds like a perfectly reasonable explanation, can somebody confirm it for me? I think we all know that the chat desk has been known to make an occasional error. And, if it is true, isn't matched status earned after February 28 of the current year good for the entirety of the following year?
And finally, why would an employee in chat just make up an answer when they don't know one, especially in writing? I would much rather wait a few extra minutes while they found the correct answer. And if it has something to do with a quota on closed cases, that's Starwood's problem, not the rep's. Corporations can talk the talk when it comes to customer service, but there's a difference between knowing the path (insert pregnant pause) and walking the path.
Mike
Sep 12, 2017, 11:35 am
#1082
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
...While that sounds like a perfectly reasonable explanation, can somebody confirm it for me? I think we all know that the chat desk has been known to make an occasional error. And, if it is true, isn't matched status earned after February 28 of the current year good for the entirety of the following year?...
I don't know if that will be accounted for differently this year or not, but it is a possibility that you will be downgraded on a temporary basis and corrected again within a few days.
Matched status with Marriott Rewards is a bit different than having earned it with SPG, but if updated now, it will be good until the end of 2018, which gives the member all of 2018 to re-earn the status in one program or another.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts LLC
[email protected]
Sep 12, 2017, 1:29 pm
#1083
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Finally back in Boston after escaping from New York
Posts: 13,644
IIRC, there was some discussion on this earlier this year. Some folks who had their SPG Platinum status renewed due to Marriott Rewards activity experienced a temporary downgrade to Gold until both systems were aligned. The problem was that the yearly downgrades due to lessened inactivity were programmed to happen on different dates in the separate programs...about 5 days apart.
I don't know if that will be accounted for differently this year or not, but it is a possibility that you will be downgraded on a temporary basis and corrected again within a few days.
Matched status with Marriott Rewards is a bit different than having earned it with SPG, but if updated now, it will be good until the end of 2018, which gives the member all of 2018 to re-earn the status in one program or another.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts LLC
[email protected]
I don't know if that will be accounted for differently this year or not, but it is a possibility that you will be downgraded on a temporary basis and corrected again within a few days.
Matched status with Marriott Rewards is a bit different than having earned it with SPG, but if updated now, it will be good until the end of 2018, which gives the member all of 2018 to re-earn the status in one program or another.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts LLC
[email protected]
Mike
Sep 13, 2017, 8:54 am
#1084
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
I just earned Platinum in 2017 with Marriott, so it carried over to SPG. My email from SPG, however, said that I would only have status until Feb 2018. I contacted SPG chat.
The SPG rep first told me that it was because I didn't have any activity on my account recently. I pointed out that I have credit card points every month and redemption activity.
Next, she said that it would give me a soft landing in February, but if I still have status in Marriott, SPG would also be renewed. It shouldn't require a soft landing and an escalation.
After that, she quoted me the following from the T&C: As an SPG Preferred Guest, accounts extend a year each time there is Starpoint activity. When Elite status is earned, our member is upgraded for a minimum of a year. If the member can maintain the stays or nights required for the elite status by the end of the calendar year, the elite accounts are reviewed and then on February of the following year, the account is extended the elite status from the previous year or it is softlanded to the lower level status.
That's nice, but it has nothing to do with what I asked and, in fact, reinforces my point.
Finally, she went back #2 : I will be softlanded momentarily, since the system doesn't recognize the difference between matched and earned status. Then, I will be matched again. Final answer.
While that sounds like a perfectly reasonable explanation, can somebody confirm it for me? I think we all know that the chat desk has been known to make an occasional error. And, if it is true, isn't matched status earned after February 28 of the current year good for the entirety of the following year?
And finally, why would an employee in chat just make up an answer when they don't know one, especially in writing? I would much rather wait a few extra minutes while they found the correct answer. And if it has something to do with a quota on closed cases, that's Starwood's problem, not the rep's. Corporations can talk the talk when it comes to customer service, but there's a difference between knowing the path (insert pregnant pause) and walking the path.
Mike
The SPG rep first told me that it was because I didn't have any activity on my account recently. I pointed out that I have credit card points every month and redemption activity.
Next, she said that it would give me a soft landing in February, but if I still have status in Marriott, SPG would also be renewed. It shouldn't require a soft landing and an escalation.
After that, she quoted me the following from the T&C: As an SPG Preferred Guest, accounts extend a year each time there is Starpoint activity. When Elite status is earned, our member is upgraded for a minimum of a year. If the member can maintain the stays or nights required for the elite status by the end of the calendar year, the elite accounts are reviewed and then on February of the following year, the account is extended the elite status from the previous year or it is softlanded to the lower level status.
That's nice, but it has nothing to do with what I asked and, in fact, reinforces my point.
Finally, she went back #2 : I will be softlanded momentarily, since the system doesn't recognize the difference between matched and earned status. Then, I will be matched again. Final answer.
While that sounds like a perfectly reasonable explanation, can somebody confirm it for me? I think we all know that the chat desk has been known to make an occasional error. And, if it is true, isn't matched status earned after February 28 of the current year good for the entirety of the following year?
And finally, why would an employee in chat just make up an answer when they don't know one, especially in writing? I would much rather wait a few extra minutes while they found the correct answer. And if it has something to do with a quota on closed cases, that's Starwood's problem, not the rep's. Corporations can talk the talk when it comes to customer service, but there's a difference between knowing the path (insert pregnant pause) and walking the path.
Mike
Sep 18, 2017, 12:49 pm
#1085
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,110
First dual-branded MAR/SPG property opened today per Marriott press release:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...en-denver.html
Cheers.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...en-denver.html
Cheers.
Sep 18, 2017, 3:51 pm
#1086
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,169
First dual-branded MAR/SPG property opened today per Marriott press release:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...en-denver.html
Cheers.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...en-denver.html
Cheers.
Would greatly welcome more ACs in the us...did the Chicago one last year and it was heads and shoulders better than it's previous reincarnation as a 4P.
Sep 18, 2017, 3:55 pm
#1087
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: SPG LTP, hotels, OWE, STE+, *G, Octopus
Posts: 5,785
What's interesting is that, much like Aloft is the "baby W" and Element is the "baby Westin"...I'd almost consider AC to be the "baby LM", even though the concepts didn't come from the same company.
Would greatly welcome more ACs in the us...did the Chicago one last year and it was heads and shoulders better than it's previous reincarnation as a 4P.
Would greatly welcome more ACs in the us...did the Chicago one last year and it was heads and shoulders better than it's previous reincarnation as a 4P.
Sep 18, 2017, 4:14 pm
#1088
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,169
Sep 18, 2017, 11:29 pm
#1089
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Kuwait (KW)
Programs: Qatar Airways, Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 2,712
Great stuff, hopefully more to come.
khabah
Sep 19, 2017, 11:49 am
#1090
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,719
Agree with the above points, but that for exactly that reason I thought AC and Le Meridien are an odd paring. Wouldn't you want two hotels positioned differently to collocate so that the cost of complexity is offset by a wider market appeal?
I could imagine a Sheraton and W being collocated for example, as they are aimed at different market segments, but not at entirely different price points (you probably wouldn't link an Aloft to a St Regis).
The colocations I've seen have been the W and St Regis Habtoor Dubai (which works as the W was pretty upmarket) and somewhere like Charlotte where there's a Westin and Le Meridien which made no sense to me.
I could imagine a Sheraton and W being collocated for example, as they are aimed at different market segments, but not at entirely different price points (you probably wouldn't link an Aloft to a St Regis).
The colocations I've seen have been the W and St Regis Habtoor Dubai (which works as the W was pretty upmarket) and somewhere like Charlotte where there's a Westin and Le Meridien which made no sense to me.
Sep 19, 2017, 1:31 pm
#1091
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC (LGA, JFK), CT
Programs: Delta Platinum, American Gold, JetBlue Mosaic 4, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 4,895
First dual-branded MAR/SPG property opened today per Marriott press release:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...en-denver.html
Cheers.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...en-denver.html
Cheers.
EDIT - to be clear, the developer and manager of this hotel (White Lodging) decided to pair the AC and Le Meridien brands together in their building when they were owned by separate companies. The merger was coincidental and makes things easier for them. So this particular property shouldn't be seen as a new strategy by Marriott (though more of these may pop up anyway).
Last edited by Adelphos; Sep 19, 2017 at 2:04 pm
Sep 19, 2017, 2:51 pm
#1092
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: 100,409
Buenos Aires has a LC and Sheraton that are co-located and IIRC share some facilities. To me, that's an odd pairing.
On the Marriott side, Minneapolis has a Renaissance and Residence Inn that are co-located. In addition to walking people between the two, the RI has room service from the Renaissance restaurant, although it uses paper/plastic and is just delivered in a plastic bag for the same service fees the Renaissance charges.
On the Marriott side, Minneapolis has a Renaissance and Residence Inn that are co-located. In addition to walking people between the two, the RI has room service from the Renaissance restaurant, although it uses paper/plastic and is just delivered in a plastic bag for the same service fees the Renaissance charges.
Sep 19, 2017, 10:38 pm
#1093
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159
On the Marriott side, Minneapolis has a Renaissance and Residence Inn that are co-located. In addition to walking people between the two, the RI has room service from the Renaissance restaurant, although it uses paper/plastic and is just delivered in a plastic bag for the same service fees the Renaissance charges.
Sep 19, 2017, 10:45 pm
#1094
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: 100,409
It's a strange setup in some ways. They share parking facilities, but Renaissance guests pay more for it (and also have a valet parking option that's not available at the RI). They also share a health club and RI guests can use the Renaissance's business center (computers and printers that are completely free). AFAIK they've always had different managers, although the local same outfit owns both properties and maybe about a dozen other hotels in the Twin Cities and an equal number elsewhere in the USA.
BTW some people would be very unhappy about being walked from the RI to the Renaissance if they had picked the RI for the suite, kitchen, free breakfast everyday, and free evening food (including free beer and wine) Monday through Thursday. OTOH, the Renaissance has a small lounge, so I would assume that elites walked to the Renaissance would be given lounge access.
Sep 20, 2017, 4:33 am
#1095
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC (LGA, JFK), CT
Programs: Delta Platinum, American Gold, JetBlue Mosaic 4, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 4,895
Fwiw, on the same property, a Residence Inn likely would have bigger standard rooms then a Renaissance. The finishes and toiletries in the Renaissance may be better. And as MSP mentioned, Residence Inn gets free breakfast and drinks.