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, 6:22 pm
#331
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: PHL
Programs: Marriott LTT, Amtrak Select, Hertz 5*, AA Gold, IHG Plat, National Exec
Posts: 1,312
Apr 10, 2018, 6:29 pm
#332
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP MM, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Ti, UA Silver
Posts: 5,037
I'm maintaining a healthy skepticism about these rumors. However, IMO it would be colossally stupid of MR to set the benefits for their 50-74 night customers at: no lounge access, minimal upgrades, and mediocre breakfast. If MR adds a spend requirement on top of this they'll really be shooting themselves in the foot. The reason being that these same benefits can be had through Hilton simply by owning their Aspire Ascend Credit Card for $95 annually with no stays, nights, or spend required.
Last edited by PHLGovFlyer; Apr 11, 2018 at 5:27 am Reason: Corrected credit card name.
Apr 10, 2018, 6:36 pm
#333
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
I'm maintaining a healthy skepticism about these rumors. However, IMO it would be colossally stupid of MR to set the benefits for their 50-74 night customers at: no lounge access, minimal upgrades, and mediocre breakfast. If MR adds a spend requirement on top of this they'll really be shooting themselves in the foot. The reason being that these same benefits can be had through Hilton simply by owning their Aspire Credit Card for $95 annually with no stays, nights, or spend required.
Apr 10, 2018, 6:37 pm
#334
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: PHL
Programs: Marriott LTT, Amtrak Select, Hertz 5*, AA Gold, IHG Plat, National Exec
Posts: 1,312
I'm maintaining a healthy skepticism about these rumors. However, IMO it would be colossally stupid of MR to set the benefits for their 50-74 night customers at: no lounge access, minimal upgrades, and mediocre breakfast. If MR adds a spend requirement on top of this they'll really be shooting themselves in the foot. The reason being that these same benefits can be had through Hilton simply by owning their Aspire Credit Card for $95 annually with no stays, nights, or spend required.
Apr 10, 2018, 6:44 pm
#335
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
Apr 10, 2018, 6:44 pm
#336
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: SFO/LAX/SAN/LAS/DFW/JFK/LGA/EWR/MIA
Posts: 1,073
I'm maintaining a healthy skepticism about these rumors. However, IMO it would be colossally stupid of MR to set the benefits for their 50-74 night customers at: no lounge access, minimal upgrades, and mediocre breakfast. If MR adds a spend requirement on top of this they'll really be shooting themselves in the foot. The reason being that these same benefits can be had through Hilton simply by owning their Aspire Credit Card for $95 annually with no stays, nights, or spend required.
- Silver status at 10 nights = GTFO BASIC PLEB
- Gold status at 25 nights = SILVER
- Platinum status at 50 nights = GOLD
- Platinum Premier status at 75 nights = PLATINUM (AKA REAL PLATINUM)
- Ambassador program at 100 nights and $20,000 in spend = (IC ROYAL AMBASSADOR SPIRE ELITE)
Hilton Golds do NOT get guaranteed lounge access. They only get lounge access if they are in a lounge floor room or a room that is otherwise granted lounge access. In practice, I would think that this is would be the exception rather than the rule. Only Hilton Diamonds get guranteed access.
Apr 10, 2018, 6:45 pm
#337
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
Apr 10, 2018, 6:50 pm
#338
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: PHL
Programs: Marriott LTT, Amtrak Select, Hertz 5*, AA Gold, IHG Plat, National Exec
Posts: 1,312
IMO...first, physically pleasant environment. Well maintained and appointed room with nice city views. Second, attendants always present, personable, eager to assist. Third, very nice cold and hot breakfast options, nice evening hor doerves spread, and plenty of snacks/candy/fruit throughout the day.
IME, many Marriott lounges go completely minimalist throughout the day. You might be able to get water, coffee, maybe a granola bar, not much more. This property is a notable step up from that.
IME, many Marriott lounges go completely minimalist throughout the day. You might be able to get water, coffee, maybe a granola bar, not much more. This property is a notable step up from that.
Apr 10, 2018, 6:54 pm
#339
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: PHL
Programs: Marriott LTT, Amtrak Select, Hertz 5*, AA Gold, IHG Plat, National Exec
Posts: 1,312
Yes, I was responding based on a reference to a card with a $95 AF. That card only provides Gold, not Diamond, status.
Apr 10, 2018, 7:01 pm
#340
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,185
I find it hard to believe that they're going to mess with the credit card nights. If they're not Elite qualifying, then what are they?
75 nights out of pocket is an awful lot just for lounge access - it'd be cheaper for me to charge incidentals in the restaurant with fewer stays. Losing an extra hour of checkout wouldn't bother me, and I never had SNA, so can't miss those.
Doing away with welcome points altogether will prove very, very petty! It's not so much the amount, but that folks in both programs are now thoroughly used to it.
75 nights out of pocket is an awful lot just for lounge access - it'd be cheaper for me to charge incidentals in the restaurant with fewer stays. Losing an extra hour of checkout wouldn't bother me, and I never had SNA, so can't miss those.
Doing away with welcome points altogether will prove very, very petty! It's not so much the amount, but that folks in both programs are now thoroughly used to it.
Apr 10, 2018, 7:02 pm
#341
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,172
People should not underestimate the value of lounge access. It's huge for most of the elites I know (across all programs) even those of us who can expense pricey meals. It's a huge convenience and even bigger for family stays. Mark my words messing with this perk will have serious repercussions! It is one of the main reasons I favored Marriott over SPG & Hyatt even though SPG often had the nicer properties. (And why Hyatt was smart to add 4 lounge upgrade certs to its mid-tier status)
Count me as one of many SPG Plats that don't really care much about lounges, whether on business (bulk of my stays) or leisure.
If you are mostly leisure or work for yourself, I get the desire for lounges...
Apr 10, 2018, 7:05 pm
#342
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,172
Again, outside the M Clubs, it's not like one is getting amazing meals at most Marriott lounges...
Apr 10, 2018, 7:15 pm
#343
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
Why? Because less than 10% of Marriott's entire portfolio in North America is managed by Marriott. Internationally, it's a different story.
And increasingly some of the renovated properties with M Club lounges are up-selling food and beverage.
Apr 10, 2018, 7:23 pm
#344
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,172
I would say loyals in both programs would put Sheraton a notch below Marriott so that isn’t saying much.
All hotels across the majors generally are better internationally...
All hotels across the majors generally are better internationally...
Apr 10, 2018, 7:27 pm
#345
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334