May 9, 2018, 11:36 am
Last edit by: rny321
PATHWAYS TO LIFETIME PLATINUM PREMIER ELITE STATUS:
1. Legacy Marriott Lifetime Platinum - 750 [MR+SPG] nights & 2MM Marriott Rewards points earned - not available after 1/1/2019
2. New Combined Program - 750 [MR+SPG] nights & 10 years combined/total as Platinum members previously under MR and/or SPG as of 12/31/2018 - not available after 1/1/2019
From members.marriott.com:
NOTE: Members that reach 750 nights and 10 years at Platinum by December 31, 2018 will be grandfathered into Lifetime Platinum Premier Elite status (notified January 2019).
FAQ from members.marriott.com
Q: CAN I EARN LIFETIME STATUS UNDER THE LEGACY REQUIREMENTS (ACTIVE PRIOR TO AUGUST 2018) FOR LIFETIME ELITE STATUS IN MARRIOTT REWARDS, RITZ-CARLTON REWARDS OR SPG? IF SO, WHEN WILL I BE NOTIFIED OF MY LIFETIME ELITE STATUS?
A: Yes, in addition to earning based on the new criteria, members can earn Lifetime Elite Status under the legacy requirements through the end of 2018. If Lifetime status is achieved by legacy requirements, between August and December 31, 2018 you will receive notice of your updated Lifetime Elite status in January 2019. If Lifetime status is achieved based on the new criteria, you will be notified both in August 2018 as well as any time it is achieved through the end of the year.
Example: An SPG member has 300 Lifetime nights, 4 years of Gold Elite Status, and 1 year of Platinum Elite Status after August, 2018. Under the SPG legacy Lifetime requirements, this member would earn Lifetime Gold Elite status which would reflect in their account January 2019.
Q: IF I WILL NOT BE GRANDFATHERED INTO LIFETIME PLATINUM PREMIER ELITE, WILL I HAVE THE ABILITY TO EARN INTO THIS LEVEL IN 2018?
A: Yes, members can earn Lifetime Platinum Premier Elite in 2018 if they achieve 750 Lifetime nights and 10 years at Platinum Elite status. This requirement is only for 2018 and will not be continued in future years. Members will receive notice of this Lifetime achievement in January 2019.
1. Legacy Marriott Lifetime Platinum - 750 [MR+SPG] nights & 2MM Marriott Rewards points earned - not available after 1/1/2019
2. New Combined Program - 750 [MR+SPG] nights & 10 years combined/total as Platinum members previously under MR and/or SPG as of 12/31/2018 - not available after 1/1/2019
From members.marriott.com:
NOTE: Members that reach 750 nights and 10 years at Platinum by December 31, 2018 will be grandfathered into Lifetime Platinum Premier Elite status (notified January 2019).
FAQ from members.marriott.com
Q: CAN I EARN LIFETIME STATUS UNDER THE LEGACY REQUIREMENTS (ACTIVE PRIOR TO AUGUST 2018) FOR LIFETIME ELITE STATUS IN MARRIOTT REWARDS, RITZ-CARLTON REWARDS OR SPG? IF SO, WHEN WILL I BE NOTIFIED OF MY LIFETIME ELITE STATUS?
A: Yes, in addition to earning based on the new criteria, members can earn Lifetime Elite Status under the legacy requirements through the end of 2018. If Lifetime status is achieved by legacy requirements, between August and December 31, 2018 you will receive notice of your updated Lifetime Elite status in January 2019. If Lifetime status is achieved based on the new criteria, you will be notified both in August 2018 as well as any time it is achieved through the end of the year.
Example: An SPG member has 300 Lifetime nights, 4 years of Gold Elite Status, and 1 year of Platinum Elite Status after August, 2018. Under the SPG legacy Lifetime requirements, this member would earn Lifetime Gold Elite status which would reflect in their account January 2019.
Q: IF I WILL NOT BE GRANDFATHERED INTO LIFETIME PLATINUM PREMIER ELITE, WILL I HAVE THE ABILITY TO EARN INTO THIS LEVEL IN 2018?
A: Yes, members can earn Lifetime Platinum Premier Elite in 2018 if they achieve 750 Lifetime nights and 10 years at Platinum Elite status. This requirement is only for 2018 and will not be continued in future years. Members will receive notice of this Lifetime achievement in January 2019.
SPG Lifetime Platinums Can Now Qualify For Lifetime Titanium Status
May 29, 2018, 12:31 pm
#526
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: La Jolla, CA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, Lifetime Titanium, Delta Plat, Hilton Diamond , Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,615
The hotels aren’t required to follow SPG’s “suggestions” and will override for frequent guests, but high numbers certainly don’t hurt.
I have had many FDCs make comments about my point balance, so I know that is something they easily see on their screens.
Of course all of OMMV come August 😉
May 29, 2018, 11:15 pm
#528
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 301
Haha. I have been saying this for years. SPG has to have a formula for prioritizing their upgrade list (and assigning SNAs). I am convinced that Lifetime nights along with Lifetime points, Years Elite, Eligible spend etc. etc. are all part of the algorithm. It’s just common sense.
The hotels aren’t required to follow SPG’s “suggestions” and will override for frequent guests, but high numbers certainly don’t hurt.
I have had many FDCs make comments about my point balance, so I know that is something they easily see on their screens.
Of course all of OMMV come August 😉
The hotels aren’t required to follow SPG’s “suggestions” and will override for frequent guests, but high numbers certainly don’t hurt.
I have had many FDCs make comments about my point balance, so I know that is something they easily see on their screens.
Of course all of OMMV come August 😉
It has been hinted that several factors, such as spending habits, are taken into consideration and that neither nights stayed nor platinum tier are the deciding factor.
This list is not compulsory and each property has enough leeway to prioritize plats as it sees fit.
May 30, 2018, 12:40 am
#529
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: La Jolla, CA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, Lifetime Titanium, Delta Plat, Hilton Diamond , Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,615
That is no secret at all. It has been commented here on FT, including by the lurkers, that an upgrade list is sent (daily I believe) to every property ranking each member checking-in according to an algorithm that is proprietary and kept confidential.
It has been hinted that several factors, such as spending habits, are taken into consideration and that neither nights stayed nor platinum tier are the deciding factor.
This list is not compulsory and each property has enough leeway to prioritize plats as it sees fit.
The secret isn’t the list (yes- that is common knowledge). The secret is the algorithm.
It may be apocryphal but IIRC 13 or 14 years ago the rumor was that there were over 20 factors.
May 30, 2018, 1:45 am
#530
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: Bonvoy :Ambassador , ALL :Diamond, Skywards :Silver, Krisflyer :Silver
Posts: 2,808
That is no secret at all. It has been commented here on FT, including by the lurkers, that an upgrade list is sent (daily I believe) to every property ranking each member checking-in according to an algorithm that is proprietary and kept confidential.
It has been hinted that several factors, such as spending habits, are taken into consideration and that neither nights stayed nor platinum tier are the deciding factor.
This list is not compulsory and each property has enough leeway to prioritize plats as it sees fit.
Any link to the thread that discuss this matter?
May 30, 2018, 2:38 am
#531
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: AA LTP 2MM, Marriott/SPG Rabid Plat w/Ambassador, HHonors Gold
Posts: 696
I was looking at my master statement and by the time I hit 500 nights (which was at less than 10 years Platinum), I had already had earned over 1 million Starpoints, and I really thought I avoided any higher-priced SPG rates. I had the SPG Amex but the only time I ever used it was for SPG stays. Given SPG's limited footprint (hotels in major cities tend to be more expensive) and lack of low-end properties other than Four Points, I think it would be nearly impossible without trying, to accumulate 750 nights without at least 666,667 (2 million / 3) Starpoints, so including or leaving out a points requirement for LTPP qualification seems pretty irrelevant.
May 30, 2018, 9:36 am
#532
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: 100,417
I would disagree. Depending on location and the use of corporate and other special rate plans, averaging $100 per night (not including tax and fees) going back more than ten years isn't unreasonable. If the person didn't get the Plat 75 fourth point, assuming elite status for every stay (therefore three points per eligible dollar spent), we get 225,000 points. If the person in fact made 750 one night stays, selected the welcome amenity points every time (I'm not sure when welcome amenity points were introduced), and always avoided the cheaper brands (aloft, element, 4Pts) that give 250 rather than 500 points, we would get another 375,000 points for a total of 600,000, still less than 666,667. [Alternatively, to get 500 extra points on every night, the guest could always do MAGC and always select hotels (avoiding the 250 brands) that offer MAGC on all relevant nights.] So we would have a deficit of about 100,000 points under this scenario to make up with promo points, which generally required being aware of the promo and taking action to register for it. (Before anyone jumps on me, I'm assuming no use of a SPG credit card because they're not available everywhere and some corporate policies require use of their own corporate card for business travel.)
May 30, 2018, 10:00 am
#533
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,172
I would disagree. Depending on location and the use of corporate and other special rate plans, averaging $100 per night (not including tax and fees) going back more than ten years isn't unreasonable. If the person didn't get the Plat 75 fourth point, assuming elite status for every stay (therefore three points per eligible dollar spent), we get 225,000 points. If the person in fact made 750 one night stays, selected the welcome amenity points every time (I'm not sure when welcome amenity points were introduced), and always avoided the cheaper brands (aloft, element, 4Pts) that give 250 rather than 500 points, we would get another 375,000 points for a total of 600,000, still less than 666,667. [Alternatively, to get 500 extra points on every night, the guest could always do MAGC and always select hotels (avoiding the 250 brands) that offer MAGC on all relevant nights.] So we would have a deficit of about 100,000 points under this scenario to make up with promo points, which generally required being aware of the promo and taking action to register for it. (Before anyone jumps on me, I'm assuming no use of a SPG credit card because they're not available everywhere and some corporate policies require use of their own corporate card for business travel.)
Again, I don't think there's a single 750 night SPG LTP (or not quite yet LTP but 750+ nights) in this thread who has indicated any difficulty whatsoever clearing 667K Starpoints.
May 30, 2018, 10:05 am
#534
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,172
I was looking at my master statement and by the time I hit 500 nights (which was at less than 10 years Platinum), I had already had earned over 1 million Starpoints, and I really thought I avoided any higher-priced SPG rates. I had the SPG Amex but the only time I ever used it was for SPG stays. Given SPG's limited footprint (hotels in major cities tend to be more expensive) and lack of low-end properties other than Four Points, I think it would be nearly impossible without trying, to accumulate 750 nights without at least 666,667 (2 million / 3) Starpoints, so including or leaving out a points requirement for LTPP qualification seems pretty irrelevant.
Adding in my 500K Marriott plus ~350K from the AmEx, I convert to about 6MM points, in 1,000 total nights.
May 30, 2018, 10:11 am
#535
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
I think it's because most of us don't keep track of our SPG points or even know where we're even ballparked at. I have no clue how much I've earned since the last 16/17 years. I guess I can check out a ballpark figure on my master statement now though.
May 30, 2018, 10:12 am
#536
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: MR-Amb, Hyatt-Globalist, AA-EXP
Posts: 1,744
I would disagree. Depending on location and the use of corporate and other special rate plans, averaging $100 per night (not including tax and fees) going back more than ten years isn't unreasonable. If the person didn't get the Plat 75 fourth point, assuming elite status for every stay (therefore three points per eligible dollar spent), we get 225,000 points. If the person in fact made 750 one night stays, selected the welcome amenity points every time (I'm not sure when welcome amenity points were introduced), and always avoided the cheaper brands (aloft, element, 4Pts) that give 250 rather than 500 points, we would get another 375,000 points for a total of 600,000, still less than 666,667. [Alternatively, to get 500 extra points on every night, the guest could always do MAGC and always select hotels (avoiding the 250 brands) that offer MAGC on all relevant nights.] So we would have a deficit of about 100,000 points under this scenario to make up with promo points, which generally required being aware of the promo and taking action to register for it. (Before anyone jumps on me, I'm assuming no use of a SPG credit card because they're not available everywhere and some corporate policies require use of their own corporate card for business travel.)
So I guess I can agree that there is likely someone out there with 750 nights that wouldn't meet the points requirement, but pretending that would be the typical case or any more than a small minority is just silly.
May 30, 2018, 10:17 am
#537
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,172
that person doesn't exist. If someone has a 750+ night track record of a $100 ADR, they were not w/Starwood...
May 30, 2018, 10:26 am
#538
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
Ok I just checked my master statement and since January 1, 2003 I am way under 666,667 Starpoints. Even if I had my 2001 and 2002 numbers, I would be under 666,667 points. All of this earning was almost entirely revenue BIB, MAGC, amenity welcome points, incidental spending and the occasional bonus point promo. No credit card programs were used, and no business meetings/conventions/wedding/events were booked.
(for those not keeping track of this or other threads, I'm a SPGLTP1725er)
(and yes, I had to apply more than just one basic spreadsheet function)
Added: I stayed at various properties worldwide... St. Regis, Luxury Collection, W, Sheraton, Westin, FP, Aloft, Le Meridien.
Not that it matters, but I don't think the 3:1 conversion rate is accurate/necessarily good.
(for those not keeping track of this or other threads, I'm a SPGLTP1725er)
(and yes, I had to apply more than just one basic spreadsheet function)
Added: I stayed at various properties worldwide... St. Regis, Luxury Collection, W, Sheraton, Westin, FP, Aloft, Le Meridien.
Not that it matters, but I don't think the 3:1 conversion rate is accurate/necessarily good.
May 30, 2018, 10:41 am
#539
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,172
Ok I just checked my master statement and since January 1, 2003 I am way under 666,667 Starpoints. Even if I had my 2001 and 2002 numbers, I would be under 666,667 points. All of this earning was almost entirely revenue BIB, MAGC, amenity welcome points, incidental spending and the occasional bonus point promo. No credit card programs were used, and no business meetings/conventions/wedding/events were booked.
(for those not keeping track of this or other threads, I'm a SPGLTP1725er)
(and yes, I had to apply more than just one basic spreadsheet function)
Added: I stayed at various properties worldwide... St. Regis, Luxury Collection, W, Sheraton, Westin, FP, Aloft, Le Meridien.
Not that it matters, but I don't think the 3:1 conversion rate is accurate/necessarily good.
(for those not keeping track of this or other threads, I'm a SPGLTP1725er)
(and yes, I had to apply more than just one basic spreadsheet function)
Added: I stayed at various properties worldwide... St. Regis, Luxury Collection, W, Sheraton, Westin, FP, Aloft, Le Meridien.
Not that it matters, but I don't think the 3:1 conversion rate is accurate/necessarily good.
May 30, 2018, 10:47 am
#540
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
Did Starwood offer the very low government rates like Marriott always did? My government employee friends are the ones that struggle with meeting the points requirement.
When I first made LTP I only had the CC for a year or so and could not use it for most stays. I had to use my corporate Amex, My stays are usually at whichever hotel is closest to where I need to be in the morning, which could be an FI or RC or anything in between. FS, Ren amd SHS are my most common brands with an equal mix of high end and low end hotels. Rollover was pretty new so I did not have much of that but there were probably 200k in Megabonus points in there. Given those parameters, I crossed 750 nights and 2m points within a few stays of one another, which made me believe that if you hit an "average" rate for each stay you will hit the points and nights requirements at about the same time.
I really did not track my LT status much because it was so far away, but when Marriott changed the requirements I was suddenly within about three stays and 1k points of making LTP, pretty much out of nowhere.
When I first made LTP I only had the CC for a year or so and could not use it for most stays. I had to use my corporate Amex, My stays are usually at whichever hotel is closest to where I need to be in the morning, which could be an FI or RC or anything in between. FS, Ren amd SHS are my most common brands with an equal mix of high end and low end hotels. Rollover was pretty new so I did not have much of that but there were probably 200k in Megabonus points in there. Given those parameters, I crossed 750 nights and 2m points within a few stays of one another, which made me believe that if you hit an "average" rate for each stay you will hit the points and nights requirements at about the same time.
I really did not track my LT status much because it was so far away, but when Marriott changed the requirements I was suddenly within about three stays and 1k points of making LTP, pretty much out of nowhere.