Apr 10, 2018, 6:28 am
Last edit by: MSPeconomist
In addition to the OP, see posts 70 and 121 for "information". Also, see post 1402 in the sticky merger thread in the Starwood forum which summarizes the information posted by OMAAT. [VFTW also had a similar discussion yesterday.]
Post 434 has a summary of qualification requirements for Marriott LTP in various periods.
Post 434 has a summary of qualification requirements for Marriott LTP in various periods.
Leaked New Combined Marriott / SPG Status Tiers
Apr 10, 2018, 2:30 pm
#301
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: AS MVP, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 191
I have read this entire thread, and I don't recall anyone pointing out that if all members receive 10 points per dollar spent, that is actually an enhancement at Residence Inn and TownePlace Suites! In the past, those properties have only earned 5 points per dollar.
Previously, I have avoided stays at RI and TPS for that reason. If they earn the same number of points as the other hotels now, that would be nice! So if I am hotel hopping for purposes of earning more points on a promotion, I will start including RI and TPS in that rotation. More options!
Previously, I have avoided stays at RI and TPS for that reason. If they earn the same number of points as the other hotels now, that would be nice! So if I am hotel hopping for purposes of earning more points on a promotion, I will start including RI and TPS in that rotation. More options!
Apr 10, 2018, 2:35 pm
#302
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,185
Even better would be allowing points earnings on incidentals at these places.
Apr 10, 2018, 2:36 pm
#303
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
Is it more than a name? Does it mean that in August, I can book SPG on the Marriott site without transferring points?
That's very different than cutting a program over mid year.
Apr 10, 2018, 2:38 pm
#304
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 413
Wow, this is probably the first actual hard evidence that is documented. I guess it's only natural the community is panicking about the sudden notice of a merger so abruptly. If this is true, it's going to be a real hot mess, especially with folks like me that recently applied for the SPG bis card for the extra bonus points. Time to switch out all my points for miles while there's time left..
Apr 10, 2018, 2:39 pm
#305
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 413
Wow, this is probably the first actual hard evidence that is documented. I guess it's only natural the community is panicking about the sudden notice of a merger so abruptly. If this is true, it's going to be a real hot mess, especially with folks like me that recently applied for the SPG bis card for the extra bonus points. Time to switch out all my points for miles while there's time left.
Apr 10, 2018, 2:49 pm
#306
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: 100,413
With some exceptions, Marriott International doesn't have much competition right now. Only Hilton comes close, but Hilton's devaluation of top-level status makes it uncompetitive, unless the new, combined Marriott program is likewise devalued.
As for lounge access, this is such a meaningless benefit at most North American properties for anyone who can expense food and beverages to their employer or their client. Even Marriott's M Club lounges seem to be moving toward a model of up-selling food and beverage. If I'm paying restaurant prices I'm going to sit in a restaurant, not in a glorified mess hall. Internationally and when on my own dime, a lounge is nice. Domestically, I'm indifferent.
As for lounge access, this is such a meaningless benefit at most North American properties for anyone who can expense food and beverages to their employer or their client. Even Marriott's M Club lounges seem to be moving toward a model of up-selling food and beverage. If I'm paying restaurant prices I'm going to sit in a restaurant, not in a glorified mess hall. Internationally and when on my own dime, a lounge is nice. Domestically, I'm indifferent.
Apr 10, 2018, 2:51 pm
#307
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
Wow, this is probably the first actual hard evidence that is documented. I guess it's only natural the community is panicking about the sudden notice of a merger so abruptly. If this is true, it's going to be a real hot mess, especially with folks like me that recently applied for the SPG bis card for the extra bonus points. Time to switch out all my points for miles while there's time left.
Do you actually think Marriott is going to cut a program off mid year and change benefits immediately without any notice? Ever heard of that happening with any comparable program? Heard of any major consumer facing company that has done something link that?
These are all rumors. The tiers have the "ring of truth" but are still rumors. Who knows about the rest? Is this anything more than I'll be able to book a Starwood room off the Marriott site in August using Marriott points?
Apr 10, 2018, 2:52 pm
#308
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: Delta-pm, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-PP
Posts: 271
So you don't care what you spend for food as long as it can be reimbursed by an employer or client? Isn't one supposed to keep travel expenses as low as is reasonable and convenient given the business purpose of the trip? This doesn't mean budget hotels, but if I can get a reasonable free breakfast in a lounge, I would do that, plus it's a lot faster and more convenient.
Apr 10, 2018, 2:55 pm
#309
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,185
Can we not propagate panic ... seriously. This is a document from China that doesn't say anything.
Do you actually think Marriott is going to cut a program off mid year and change benefits immediately without any notice? Ever heard of that happening with any comparable program? Heard of any major consumer facing company that has done something link that?
These are all rumors. The tiers have the "ring of truth" but are still rumors. Who knows about the rest? Is this anything more than I'll be able to book a Starwood room off the Marriott site in August using Marriott points?
Do you actually think Marriott is going to cut a program off mid year and change benefits immediately without any notice? Ever heard of that happening with any comparable program? Heard of any major consumer facing company that has done something link that?
These are all rumors. The tiers have the "ring of truth" but are still rumors. Who knows about the rest? Is this anything more than I'll be able to book a Starwood room off the Marriott site in August using Marriott points?
Apr 10, 2018, 2:57 pm
#310
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,315
The full context of my statements, across multiple posts within this thread, was that most business travelers who can expense their food and beverage don't find North American lounges valuable for what they offer. Others responded that they find the time saved eating breakfast in the lounge as opposed to eating breakfast in a restaurant useful. Fair enough. I'll concede that the lounge is more convenient. But I stand by my assertion that the value of the food and beverage offered in North American lounges is in and of itself of little value when you can expense your food and beverage.
Time is money for many of us.
Apr 10, 2018, 2:57 pm
#311
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,487
That being said, this wouldn’t be the first time that upcoming hotel loyalty program developments have been leaked based on marketing materials prepared for the Chinese market. Why the correlation, I have no idea.
Apr 10, 2018, 3:20 pm
#312
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
I agree that until the announcement on Monday, everything is pure speculation.
That being said, this wouldn’t be the first time that upcoming hotel loyalty program developments have been leaked based on marketing materials prepared for the Chinese market. Why the correlation, I have no idea.
All we know is some people say they were invited to a Marriott event in New York City that includes a culinary component.
Apr 10, 2018, 3:39 pm
#313
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Programs: Hyatt LT Globalist, Marriot LT Titanium, UA 2.4MM, HH Gold, AS MVPG
Posts: 3,400
They should just make suite upgrades based upon availability a benefit of all levels, with priority given day-of-arrival based on status. It would work just like the Complimentary Premier Upgrades on United - meaning that only the top level members would ever see any significant upgrade for a stay at a property that any one would care about and for everyone else it would be a benefit that they never get. Kind of like being a 1K or below based in SF. 
In all seriousness my only hope is that I end up at a LT level that has guaranteed lounge access, and free breakfast. I'm LTP with SPG, and nothing with MR, but my combined nights between the 2 programs are 761, so hoping if they use the more stringent 750 nights that MR requires that I'll still be ok - of course I have no idea if I'd have 2million points. If no lounge access and no breakfast then I'll definitely be choosing Hyatt properties when ever other factors are the same (location, price (factoring in breakfast if not included), etc.).
SPG has already lost me a lot in Hawaii because the waived resort fees for Globalists at Hyatt is a huge incentive to stay with them instead of SPG - they add up!
It's making Hyatt look really good to me. Will be crossing LTG with them in another $1700, just timing it so that my CAT 1-7 award doesn't hit too early.
In all seriousness my only hope is that I end up at a LT level that has guaranteed lounge access, and free breakfast. I'm LTP with SPG, and nothing with MR, but my combined nights between the 2 programs are 761, so hoping if they use the more stringent 750 nights that MR requires that I'll still be ok - of course I have no idea if I'd have 2million points. If no lounge access and no breakfast then I'll definitely be choosing Hyatt properties when ever other factors are the same (location, price (factoring in breakfast if not included), etc.).
SPG has already lost me a lot in Hawaii because the waived resort fees for Globalists at Hyatt is a huge incentive to stay with them instead of SPG - they add up!
It's making Hyatt look really good to me. Will be crossing LTG with them in another $1700, just timing it so that my CAT 1-7 award doesn't hit too early.
Apr 10, 2018, 3:40 pm
#314
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
I agree that until the announcement on Monday, everything is pure speculation.
That being said, this wouldn’t be the first time that upcoming hotel loyalty program developments have been leaked based on marketing materials prepared for the Chinese market. Why the correlation, I have no idea.
That being said if everyone but me drains their Marriott/SPG accounts tonight and I'm the only one left with points, I'm OK with that
Apr 10, 2018, 3:41 pm
#315
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: 52,574