Originally Posted by
WWads
Back before I got SPG status, their hotel agents didn't know that I was supposed to get benefits for having DL status.
UA and Marriott have a much better partnership IMO.
With the UA/Marriott partnership, top tiers in one program get actual Silver status in the other. In the DL/SPG partnership, top tiers get basically all of the benefits of status in the other, but aren't officially awarded said status.
The United/Marriott program is simply much easier for the Hotel desk staff and Airline check-in staff to understand. I wish DL/SPG would go the same route, as the benefits wouldn't really change, and it would be easier and straight forward for everyone, front line staff included.
It will be interesting to see what happens with this once the SPG and Marriott programs actually merge.