Ritz/Marriott/SPG link
Sep 23, 2016, 8:08 am
#46
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Toronto
Programs: SPG LT Plat, Hilton G,Priorty Club G, AC E
Posts: 2,979
What are the pluses on not merging?
I'm SPG LT Plat....can someone point out the downside of merging the accounts now?
Also will I now have to re-qualify for Plat year after year again?
Color me confused.
Also will I now have to re-qualify for Plat year after year again?
Color me confused.
Sep 23, 2016, 8:15 am
#47
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Austin
Programs: AA Platinum 4MM; Marriott Titanium; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 324
Requalification for 2018 and beyond is still to be announced.
--woodstock
Sep 23, 2016, 8:30 am
#48
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Formerly of SacTown, Cali
Posts: 1,243
I wonder if Marriott will be stricter about 75 nights this year!? I have skated in the last couple years. I better crank up a "meeting" or two to make sure I am over 75 at year end! 
Sep 23, 2016, 8:39 am
#49
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Kuwait (KW)
Programs: Qatar Airways, Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 2,711
Glad this merger is finally done with... Yet the endless speculation and grumbling in the SPG forum continues. [and this is coming from a very passionate SPG member]
I skimmed through the linking T&Cs and got it for the most part, but was wondering if there was any downside to linking. I'm Plat with SPG and requalified for it again three weeks ago through to February 2018 which, hypothetically, should keep my status alive with them until the programs are rolled together. Based on the T&Cs, linking statuses enables me to Plat with MR/RC for my relevant period, which means 02/2018... No bad thing right?
Perhaps the more seasoned among us can chime in, but is there any reason NOT to link programs? [FWIW, I plan on staying with SPG as much as I can in the immediate term, for what it's worth... But there are a few choice Marriott-family properties out there that could get my business.]
Cheers!
khabah
I skimmed through the linking T&Cs and got it for the most part, but was wondering if there was any downside to linking. I'm Plat with SPG and requalified for it again three weeks ago through to February 2018 which, hypothetically, should keep my status alive with them until the programs are rolled together. Based on the T&Cs, linking statuses enables me to Plat with MR/RC for my relevant period, which means 02/2018... No bad thing right?
Perhaps the more seasoned among us can chime in, but is there any reason NOT to link programs? [FWIW, I plan on staying with SPG as much as I can in the immediate term, for what it's worth... But there are a few choice Marriott-family properties out there that could get my business.]
Cheers!
khabah
Sep 23, 2016, 9:13 am
#50
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: MME
Posts: 5,813
Please explain the basis for only matching Marriott Platinums (requiring 75 nights) to SPG Platinum 25 Stay Status rather than SPG Platinum 50 Night Status. How is it fair to deny Marriott Platinums the ability to use SPG Suite Night Awards given that Marriott Platinum requires 25 more nights than SPG Platinum 50 Night Status?
It's a difficult comparison.
Just sayin'.
Sep 23, 2016, 9:26 am
#51
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
Glad this merger is finally done with... Yet the endless speculation and grumbling in the SPG forum continues. [and this is coming from a very passionate SPG member]
I skimmed through the linking T&Cs and got it for the most part, but was wondering if there was any downside to linking. I'm Plat with SPG and requalified for it again three weeks ago through to February 2018 which, hypothetically, should keep my status alive with them until the programs are rolled together. Based on the T&Cs, linking statuses enables me to Plat with MR/RC for my relevant period, which means 02/2018... No bad thing right?
Perhaps the more seasoned among us can chime in, but is there any reason NOT to link programs? [FWIW, I plan on staying with SPG as much as I can in the immediate term, for what it's worth... But there are a few choice Marriott-family properties out there that could get my business.]
Cheers!
khabah
I skimmed through the linking T&Cs and got it for the most part, but was wondering if there was any downside to linking. I'm Plat with SPG and requalified for it again three weeks ago through to February 2018 which, hypothetically, should keep my status alive with them until the programs are rolled together. Based on the T&Cs, linking statuses enables me to Plat with MR/RC for my relevant period, which means 02/2018... No bad thing right?
Perhaps the more seasoned among us can chime in, but is there any reason NOT to link programs? [FWIW, I plan on staying with SPG as much as I can in the immediate term, for what it's worth... But there are a few choice Marriott-family properties out there that could get my business.]
Cheers!
khabah
Sep 23, 2016, 9:32 am
#52
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 75
Has there been any announcements on how the life time status will merge?
(Will it be higher of? Combined stats with new goals? Start from scratch?)
I am close-ish to life time Plat on SPG, and just starting with MR. I wonder if there is gossip about how the combined programs will treat life time tiers. (Because that may impact how I spent the travel nights this and next year...)
Edit: Never mind, just found this at http://members.marriott.com/faq/#if-...k-my-accounts:
I.e. no word yet. But this is going to be the most important provision I will be on the look out for.
(Will it be higher of? Combined stats with new goals? Start from scratch?)
I am close-ish to life time Plat on SPG, and just starting with MR. I wonder if there is gossip about how the combined programs will treat life time tiers. (Because that may impact how I spent the travel nights this and next year...)
Edit: Never mind, just found this at http://members.marriott.com/faq/#if-...k-my-accounts:
If I have Lifetime Status in one of the programs, will I also get it in the other program when I link my accounts?
We appreciate your loyalty! Lifetime Status is specific to the program that you earned it in. While linking accounts will not result in Lifetime Status in the other program, your Elite status will be matched to the same Elite tier in the other program. Any existing Lifetime Status you already hold within either program will still be enjoyed within that program. We’re working on more ways to recognize your loyalty and Lifetime Status as we work towards harmonizing the programs, which we don’t anticipate happening until 2018.
We appreciate your loyalty! Lifetime Status is specific to the program that you earned it in. While linking accounts will not result in Lifetime Status in the other program, your Elite status will be matched to the same Elite tier in the other program. Any existing Lifetime Status you already hold within either program will still be enjoyed within that program. We’re working on more ways to recognize your loyalty and Lifetime Status as we work towards harmonizing the programs, which we don’t anticipate happening until 2018.
Last edited by 3dot14; Sep 23, 2016 at 9:35 am Reason: Found answer.
Sep 23, 2016, 9:41 am
#53
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: ROC/NYC/MSP/LAX/HKG/SIN
Posts: 3,212
The match is loop sided toward the SPG members.
I completely understand why they did it (heck, every Marriott Gold will stay in SPG hotels otherwise - and the size difference cannot probably withstand giving Platinum benefits to MR Golds). But it is still looped sided.
The bad new here, is if that is a sign of things to come I'll predict that in the combined programs:
1. Platinum qualifications will be legacy Marriott.
2. Gold benefits will be legacy SPG.
And if that is really the case, then loyalty for hotels (whatever was left of it), will be gone like those of the airlines.
I completely understand why they did it (heck, every Marriott Gold will stay in SPG hotels otherwise - and the size difference cannot probably withstand giving Platinum benefits to MR Golds). But it is still looped sided.
The bad new here, is if that is a sign of things to come I'll predict that in the combined programs:
1. Platinum qualifications will be legacy Marriott.
2. Gold benefits will be legacy SPG.
And if that is really the case, then loyalty for hotels (whatever was left of it), will be gone like those of the airlines.
That is a fair transfer rate considering how stingy SPG points but how much more valuable it is.
Sep 23, 2016, 9:58 am
#54
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: National Executive Elite
Posts: 39
I would start staying at SPG properties, but I don't see where my nights will count toward my Marriott tier status
Sep 23, 2016, 10:08 am
#55
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: ROC/NYC/MSP/LAX/HKG/SIN
Posts: 3,212
Redemption in China: MR >> SPG
Despite what people think redemption is vastly favored towards SPG members, redemption in China and in some other Asian destinations is actually very good for Marriott Rewards. While I am contemplating to get the SPG hotels in Guangzhou for November, I am thinking if I should just use the certificate to get the free night of hotel.
Just some different perspective when it comes to redemption. However, this gives us an awful prediction that the merged program is going to get worse.
Just some different perspective when it comes to redemption. However, this gives us an awful prediction that the merged program is going to get worse.
Sep 23, 2016, 10:10 am
#56
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 2
Question - I'm Plat in both programs. Will my stay counts be added together to meet my 75 stay balance if I link?
Sep 23, 2016, 10:10 am
#57
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: BNA/SAN
Programs: DL PM 1.5 MM , Hilton Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 754
Think I'll be staying at SPG more as well. Also been holding off on the SPG AMEX since 25K SPG points didn't seem like much. Being able to convert them to 75K MR points makes it a much better deal for me.
Sep 23, 2016, 10:12 am
#58
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: DFW/STL
Programs: AA EXP, AA Admirals Club, Marriott PLT Premier, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 762
There is a good FB live on the points guy with both leaders of the programs on this topic. Found it to be useful/interesting.
Sep 23, 2016, 10:57 am
#59
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
RC and Edition award availability lacking?
So I've tried to search for some high tier Edition and Ritz-Carlton award stays using MR points...and found most are unavailable--even though what look to be standard entry level rooms are available for cash.
In every case where the RC or Edition is not available on an award, the comparable SPG options are ALWAYS available for an award: StR, LuxColl, and W.
Can any MR/RC elite members speak to this? Is this normal?
In every case where the RC or Edition is not available on an award, the comparable SPG options are ALWAYS available for an award: StR, LuxColl, and W.
Can any MR/RC elite members speak to this? Is this normal?
Sep 23, 2016, 11:01 am
#60
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SLC/HEL/Anywhere with a Beach
Programs: Marriott Ambassador; AA EXP 3MM; AS MVP, Hilton Gold, CH-47/UH-60/C-23/C-130 VET
Posts: 5,234
That was smooth in terms of linking and status match!
Now ... balancing checking out SPG properties and making sure I don't lose PP status.
Now ... balancing checking out SPG properties and making sure I don't lose PP status.