Originally Posted by
naumank
In a way, Marriott has failed miserably in this IT merge process. To Marriott, their top priority is to ensure that their reservation system is intact - this is obviously important to some customers as well. But the merging of loyalty points and especially the new status after combining the nights and years from MR and SPG are very important to their most loyal customers. Marriott apparently considers the latter a low, low priority. Of course, one might ask - why is so important to get your new (higher) status right away? All I can tell you from my personal experience is that it is very important. I have PP status through 2/2019 and at least P through 2/2020. Why do I care about getting LT Gold? But I do care. LT Gold is what I have been hoping to see after 8/18. But no, updating LT status is not important to Marriott. They also screwed up the nights. Some people lost their AMEX SPG nights. In my case, I just realized that I lost one night in SPG but two of my LT years are double counted. So now I have decided not to merge my accounts because I fear they will further screw up.
Years ago, right after the IT system merged between UA and Continental, it took 4 days for miles to post. Loyal customers complained. Smisek could not fathom. I remember he asked why people needed to see their miles post right away - but It mattered to their loyal customers. Similarly, Marriott should have upped the priority of getting the merged status right faster. They failed.
I think any merger of this size and complexity is inevitably going to have problems and glitches. That doesn’t mean the merger isn’t worth it.
I actually think Marriott has done pretty well in this merger process. I think you’re entitled to your dismay, but I think it’s unrealistic. It’s not been even 72 hours since the loyalty programs and reservations systems were merged, and yet everything is largely up and running...and the world still is tilted on its axis.
In case you hadn’t noticed or had forgotten, United did much more poorly...and still is doing just fine now.