Travel Packages after SPG merger
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: North East
Posts: 207
Travel Packages after SPG merger
Hi there,
Can anyone please advise me if they know / have any thoughts, on what is likely to happen to the travel packages once the rewards merger happens with the SPG program...
I'm currently saving towards one, which might be around the end of the year, and would then be looking to upgrade that sometime next year (2018)....
Are the vouchers likely to still be active, and if so will they likely still be upgradeable ?
And importantly will SPG properties be coded into Marriott categories, and therefore be bookable with a travel package voucher in 2018 ?
Thanks for any advice
Can anyone please advise me if they know / have any thoughts, on what is likely to happen to the travel packages once the rewards merger happens with the SPG program...
I'm currently saving towards one, which might be around the end of the year, and would then be looking to upgrade that sometime next year (2018)....
Are the vouchers likely to still be active, and if so will they likely still be upgradeable ?
And importantly will SPG properties be coded into Marriott categories, and therefore be bookable with a travel package voucher in 2018 ?
Thanks for any advice
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: HH-D; MR-P/LTP; SPG-P
Posts: 849
All you'll get is TOTAL speculative responses as NO one knows what the TPs will be, if any.
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,133
The only (second-hand) word we've had recently is that we won't have any information on the new program until late 2018 at the earliest, so I would assume the status quo until 2019.
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
However, counting on nothing actually changing (even if announced) until late 2018 might seem a bit safer. (But that still assumes they don't dribble out changes.)
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,107
Ironically enough if there are changes or dropping of the travel packages before the final merger, it might be due to the stampede of SPG elites transferring points to Marriott to redeem them
Right now no one knows. The 2 programs won't be totally implemented until late '18/early '19, but doesn't mean there might not be some changes on either program before then. My guess is (and it's only that) is that since the programs won't merge for a year, the travel packages will still be Marriott only & not SPG properties. If the OP is saving & thinks he'll have points by end of year for '18, he'll probably be ok.
Cheers.
Right now no one knows. The 2 programs won't be totally implemented until late '18/early '19, but doesn't mean there might not be some changes on either program before then. My guess is (and it's only that) is that since the programs won't merge for a year, the travel packages will still be Marriott only & not SPG properties. If the OP is saving & thinks he'll have points by end of year for '18, he'll probably be ok.
Cheers.
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,167
The 5 day TP is still an unofficial, jump through hoops, get the right agent kind of situation, right? I'd happily use one of those...7 doesn't fit my travel patterns.
#7
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
Programs: United Silver; AA Plat/2MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,727
From more recent posts its looking like the few remaining "hoops" one could jump through are getting fewer and smaller. So that window may be closing completely.
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,167
Figures - I like to city/hotel hop too much for a 7 nighter...but I get they are great for those who can/like to do that.
#9
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,107
A FT friend redeemed for a 7-day, but just blew off the last couple of nights (letting the hotel know of course at check-in). Evidently w/ the airline + hotel stuff it was still worth it for them.
Cheers.
Cheers.
#10
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
Programs: United Silver; AA Plat/2MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,727
I used the TP award to get my Southwest CP along with the 120K points (just before Southwest plugged that hole). I could have thrown away the hotel cert and still felt it was worth the Marriott points.
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
#12
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 132
The 5 night package is official and no hoops are required as long as you own a Marriott Timeshare. In the past some Marriott representatives have been willing to allow people to order them without meeting the requirements but that is extremely rare now.
#13
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: DCA, EGE, IAD
Programs: MR LTT, BA Gold, AA LTP, UA Silver
Posts: 6,077
There have also been reports that 5-night TPs are a PP benefit. See post #234 in thread found at the link provided below:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...l#post28090109
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...l#post28090109
#14
Join Date: May 2013
Location: DTW
Programs: AMEX, Ritz LT-Plat Prem, Hyatt Plat, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond, Delta Plat, United Gold, Sixt Plat
Posts: 866
Ironically, "newer news" seems to suggest its the merged reservation system itself they're mostly talking about when they say "by late 2018". So since it would require a merged reservation system for SPG properties to be bookable, it's quite likely that the merging of the reservation system might be the last step, not the first step, in the merging of the two programs. So I don't think it's likely you'll be able to book SPG properties as part of a travel package until the new program exists.
If the reservations system does not work then that's a whole other issue.