Originally Posted by
Horace
Once you have the option to combine your accounts, and you exercise that option, you would probably want to keep only the app for the surviving account.
The "Rewards" and "SPG" brands will be replaced with a new program name in 2019 — accompanied by a new app or renamed old apps.
I believe you still need both apps if you plan on staying at Marriott and SPG properties for the short term. The only thing being combined now is the rewards program and not the reservation system. To your bolded point, this is correct only if you use the app for rewards balances. Check in, requests etc. still likely needs both.
Come 2019, then it should go down to 1.