ch922455

UA-NYC

Good news for you, all those people will be downgraded to Gold come 2/1/19

Hipplewm

Is this just me or a change in policy?

Dear Hipplewm,
As a valued United MileagePlus® Premier® member who registered for complimentary Marriott Rewards® Gold Elite status through RewardsPlus, we’re pleased to let you know that you have recently been elevated to Platinum Elite status with Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® and SPG® through January 2019.* Benefits include a 50% points bonus and more Choice options.
To learn more about your new Platinum Elite status, please visit getrewardsplus.com/platinumeliteupgrade.

Thank you for choosing United MileagePlus. We look forward to seeing you on board again soon.

THEN the fine print and I mean FINE - it was small, I didn't even see it until I put on my glasses:
*In February 2019, all registered MileagePlus members who requalify for RewardsPlus for the next program year will receive the updated Gold Elite Status.

RafKa

Yes, Rewards Plus has been devalued. Marriott elites can only achieve United Silver (Platinum Premiers had Gold previosuly), and conversely, the highest status United elites can achieve is Marriott Gold. So lounge access is gone for both sides.

drew in the air

Its meaningless because it's going away and the original program matched to Marriott Gold not SPG gold. Old MR gold is equivalent to new Platinum, so it's just a continuation of current benefits and then a downgrade.

flying_geek

they can give UA 1Ks Platinum any time but they need half a year to give SPG LTPs with over 750 nights PP...

Yeah, Marriott loyalty is a one way street

CPRich

WTH, indeed.


As all former Marriott Gold members are Platinum members in the new program, and all previous Platinum members are Platinum Premiere members, I don't see what the problem is. They get the same status as members staying 50 night. They did then, they do now.

Different name, same relative placement to everyone else in the program. It reminds me of those complaining that their Cat 5 certificate is now a Cat 4 certificate, even though many, many more properties are available to them. Because 4<5, obviously.

How exactly does this impact your loyalty?

escapefromphl

Why couldn't they just downgrade them to Gold now like they did to their own matched SPG Golds? Has anyone else noticed how crowded the lounges are? IMO they should be providing breakfast vouchers to actual 50 night plats until Jan.

bhrubin

transportprof

If 1K matching status for old Marriott Gold shifting to the new Marriott Gold in 2019 isn't a downgrade, then why did Marriott bump 1Ks up to Platinum status for the balance of this year? Such a sudden burst of generosity is uncharacteristic in the loyalty game. Something about this maneuver suggests a coming downgrade in what the 1K status match will be worth, and I hope that United responds in kind!

Maybe if enough Marriott elites complain about their downgrade at United, there will be a reassessment on Marriott's side?

Mister Nice

Just shaking my head . So , they buy Starwood and match SPG Gold to Marriott Gold when it was a 50 night level and then keep their status at the new 25 night level but give UA members a boost to Platinum.

zap7

OH no, what has changed is this:
- Platinums will receive upgrades including suites
- In all those years and hundreds of nights where I was Marriott Platinum up until 2017, only two times did I actually receive a suite upgrade
- BUT 2017 THIS CHANGED: Last year and this year, their policy finally works. I've been upgraded to suites at Marriott hotels about 40% of all of my stays now, that'S about the same rate it has always been with SPG for me
- that's Europe and Asia, so real nights (no credit card) and better upgrades than in the US

NOW HERE IS THE DEAL:
The more platinums, the less suite upgrades (and upgrades to other "nicer rooms") available to "real platinums".
If they give platinum for 50 nights now, let them do it. I'D vote for 60 (and premier at 80), but as long as they cut the excess credit card nights, ok.
But if they match everyone and their dog, than it really becomes worthless.

SO I am glad to hear the UA matching ends in January

Leisuremiles

The UA folks they are matching to Platinum status are also people who are obviously not inclined to stay often at Marriott/SPG properties or they would already have their own earned status. If they don't often stay at Marriott/SPG properties, they are not often taking lounge space or upgrades from earned Plats, not a big deal IMHO.

MSPeconomist

IMO it can't happen quickly enough. Even LTPPwithAMB (and $20,000+ spend) only gets UA *Silver.

MSPeconomist

It will be a bit closer to being fair, but even after January, UA elites will be comped Starriott's second tier from the bottom, while the best that Starriott elites of any level get from the agreement is comped UA Silver, which is their bottom status (of five: Silver, Gold, Plat,1K, and GS).