Name Change Coming to the Combined MR & SPG Programs
#16
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: St. Louis, MO
Programs: Hyatt. Marriott. AA. National. Avis.
Posts: 155
Poor Ritz Carlton...just forgotten by everyone...
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR/SPG LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus
Posts: 30,959
Hard to believe it's still another year(?) to come up with a name.
Because it's really just MR.
#18
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,501
#19
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Plat, 1 MM; SPG LT Plat (RIP); Marriott LT Titanium; Fairmont Plat (RIP), DL Kryptonium Medallion
Posts: 1,790
A few days ago, I received an invite from MR/SPG to an event in NYC on April 16, which runs 4pm to 7:30 pm (which is a bit early in the day, most of us have day jobs, but anyhow)
The invite said, inter alia, "Join us for an extraordinary evening inspired by you with entertainment and a culinary experience with celebrity chefs you won't want to miss".
No particulars shown; there is a link to an RSVP screen, which also doesn't show any more details. I sent an email to an address mentioned in the email, seeking clarification about the event, and was told, inter alia, that "we'll make an exciting and important announcement regarding the future of our loyalty programs with surprise celebrity performances, and we want you to be among the first to hear".
I am not a VVIP (I am SPG LTP but have <1,000 nights) so I was a bit surprised to be the first to mention it. I have to imagine a number of FTers in NYC got the invite.
The invite said, inter alia, "Join us for an extraordinary evening inspired by you with entertainment and a culinary experience with celebrity chefs you won't want to miss".
No particulars shown; there is a link to an RSVP screen, which also doesn't show any more details. I sent an email to an address mentioned in the email, seeking clarification about the event, and was told, inter alia, that "we'll make an exciting and important announcement regarding the future of our loyalty programs with surprise celebrity performances, and we want you to be among the first to hear".
I am not a VVIP (I am SPG LTP but have <1,000 nights) so I was a bit surprised to be the first to mention it. I have to imagine a number of FTers in NYC got the invite.
#20
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,501
Look forward to hearing about it...given how many FTers either live in NYC or do a high percentage of their hotel stays in NYC, I figure some of our regulars here will *have* to be there...
#21
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt Explorist; Vistana 5* Elite; Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 6,177
It will only be forgotten if, in the new program, it continues to be held out separately as far as elite benefits.
Within SPG, I can go to the top-of-the-line Starwood property St. Regis and I'm treated as a true VIP. Within Rewards, I can go to the top-of-the-line Marriott property Ritz-Carlton and I receive nothing approaching VIP treatment. In fact I don't even earn Rewards points on my incidental spending.
Within SPG, I can go to the top-of-the-line Starwood property St. Regis and I'm treated as a true VIP. Within Rewards, I can go to the top-of-the-line Marriott property Ritz-Carlton and I receive nothing approaching VIP treatment. In fact I don't even earn Rewards points on my incidental spending.
#22
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
It will only be forgotten if, in the new program, it continues to be held out separately as far as elite benefits.
Within SPG, I can go to the top-of-the-line Starwood property St. Regis and I'm treated as a true VIP. Within Rewards, I can go to the top-of-the-line Marriott property Ritz-Carlton and I receive nothing approaching VIP treatment. In fact I don't even earn Rewards points on my incidental spending.
Within SPG, I can go to the top-of-the-line Starwood property St. Regis and I'm treated as a true VIP. Within Rewards, I can go to the top-of-the-line Marriott property Ritz-Carlton and I receive nothing approaching VIP treatment. In fact I don't even earn Rewards points on my incidental spending.
#23
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,324
OP thank you for posting the video link. It seems that Marriott Preferred Guest will be starting March 1 2019 which if they have to merge is the date I asked for when this all started in 2016. Many back then posted no way SPG lasts until 2019. I am now hoping for one more delay to a March 1 2020 start of course that is if there has to be a merger. Also requesting for the most part they retain if not all as much of SPG as possible.
#24
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt Explorist; Vistana 5* Elite; Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 6,177
I don't really like Ritz or St. Regis but the last two times I stayed at an R-C, I received decent suite upgrades and in one, free breakfast. I realize I would get free breakfast at St. Regis and points on incidentals. Not sure, however what VIP treatment (as opposed to the breakfast and points) I would receive at the St. Regis that I don't get at the Ritz.
#25
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: WN A+ CP, UA 1MM/*A Gold, Mar LT Tit, IHG Plat, HH Dia
Posts: 6,282
I like the prospect of the new program being named MPG. Then we can ask each other questions like, "What do you get for MPG at property X?" And the answer will be, as always, YMMV.
#26
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Haze gray and underway
Programs: UA 1K 2MM, HH Diamond, Marriott 'clink clink' Titanium
Posts: 1,782
Perhaps Marriott will dust off it's old loyalty program name, Marriott Honored Guest.
Or perhaps they'll come up with something entirely new.
But, in any case, I think Marriott will eliminate "Rewards" from the program name, and Marriott will push the VIP angle more than in the past.
Or perhaps they'll come up with something entirely new.
But, in any case, I think Marriott will eliminate "Rewards" from the program name, and Marriott will push the VIP angle more than in the past.
#27
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: 52,110
That could work for a U.S.-only program, but Marriott is international.
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Denver, CO, USA
Programs: Sometimes known as [ARG:6 UNDEFINED]
Posts: 26,628
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,927
Perhaps we'll get Marriott Preferred Guest, which would be a nice nod to SPG members, along with trying to bring the Starwood culture to the new program,
Perhaps Marriott will dust off it's old loyalty program name, Marriott Honored Guest.
Or perhaps they'll come up with something entirely new.
But, in any case, I think Marriott will eliminate "Rewards" from the program name, and Marriott will push the VIP angle more than in the past.
Perhaps Marriott will dust off it's old loyalty program name, Marriott Honored Guest.
Or perhaps they'll come up with something entirely new.
But, in any case, I think Marriott will eliminate "Rewards" from the program name, and Marriott will push the VIP angle more than in the past.
#30
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: Bonvoy :Ambassador , ALL :Diamond, Skywards :Silver, Krisflyer :Silver
Posts: 2,778
Preferred Guest Rewards!