FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Name Change Coming to the Combined MR & SPG Programs
Old Apr 6, 2018, 11:53 am
  #14  
pinniped
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,501
I'd be happy with "Marriott Preferred Guest". Earlier in the year, there was an interview with a Marriott exec where he clearly acknowledged that the SPG culture and loyalty had huge value. Hopefully they actually take that to heart.

Horace said it well upthread: those of us who like Marriott like it for the rewards, with the TP being the crown jewel. Kudos to Marriott for that: the TP is probably the crown jewel of all hotel awards across all programs (at least now, in 2018). Those of us who like Starwood like it for the VIP treatment and, to some extent, a long history of more creative/unique properties that also did different things for elites. Most brands are starting to catch up in terms of unique, upscale, boutique-type properties, but this has always been in Starwood's DNA, not a bolt-on like Autograph or Curio sometimes feel like.

Hopefully the new program retains as much of that Starwood DNA as possible. They've landed on an exchange rate that seems reasonably fair to both sets of members, so why should there be any reason to devalue the entire program? Combine the two, keep the best parts of both in place, migrate to one set of categories, and go forward. If you simply put the two category charts together, you'd have about 15 total levels (with the top two Starwood levels being just a few very unusual properties). That seems a little complicated for members, so maybe condense to 10-12 levels and *maybe* - if you must - squeeze a little "devaluation" out of the inevitable category creep. But leave C&P, Travel Packages, 5th Night Free, airline partners, and other key aspects of the program that the members love. There's no economic reason not to, given that the programs are successful and sustainable today.

If all of the hotel programs go the way of Hilton and Hyatt, the hotel equivalent of the ULCC - Priceline, Hotwire, etc. - begins to look more attractive. I really hope Marriott doesn't lead the market in this direction.
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