Apr 16, 2018, 4:15 pm
Last edit by: dayone
This thread (post #5 from Marriott Rewards Insider) has the official announcement of changes effective later in 2018.
An earlier, speculative discussion appears in the following closed thread: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...tus-tiers.html
An earlier, speculative discussion appears in the following closed thread: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...tus-tiers.html
Official announcement – See how our three loyalty programs will become one in August
Apr 19, 2018, 3:49 am
#451
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: AA plt 2 mm, Marriott LTT, HH dia
Posts: 1,215
I may have missed it in the mountain of posts and the announcement from Marriott, but does anyone know how many rooms we'll get credit for (for earning points and for elite night credit) in the new program?
As someone who almost never books fewer than three rooms, this is of crucial import to me. I'm guessing that they continue with points earning for up to three rooms, but I don't know for certain. I have no idea if they're only giving 1 night credit (like Marriott) or multiple nights credit (like Starwood) for multiple rooms. If I can only earn points on a single room, that will be a massive downgrade for me. If I will be credited for more than one night toward elite status, that's probably an upgrade (though I am likely to hit 100 nights without being credited for more than one room).
As someone who almost never books fewer than three rooms, this is of crucial import to me. I'm guessing that they continue with points earning for up to three rooms, but I don't know for certain. I have no idea if they're only giving 1 night credit (like Marriott) or multiple nights credit (like Starwood) for multiple rooms. If I can only earn points on a single room, that will be a massive downgrade for me. If I will be credited for more than one night toward elite status, that's probably an upgrade (though I am likely to hit 100 nights without being credited for more than one room).
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29657355-post2843.html
Apr 19, 2018, 4:50 am
#452
Join Date: Nov 2015
Programs: AA (EXP), SPG/Marriott (Platinum)
Posts: 27
for the 2018 elite qualification year, can we aggregate elite nights from SPG Amex and Marriott Chase credit cards (in addition to actual nights)?
Apr 19, 2018, 5:50 am
#453
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: TPA/DFW/K15
Programs: AA EXP, Mar AMB, HH LT DIA
Posts: 1,649
To me it's akin to the word "but". Ignore everything in a sentence preceding the word "but".
Apr 19, 2018, 5:50 am
#454
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
Obviously in an attempt to keep the news close to the vest it was not shared with employees outside of those within Marriott Rewards until the last minute. The confusion seems to be from a lack of communication to employees and not confusion from those running the program.
They had all that time to provide clear, concise and accurate information to legacy Marriott Rewards and legacy SPG customer service agents, corporate sales staff, and last, but not least, front line workers and managers at individual properties.
I've spoken to three properties that I regularly book and two sales staff in Marriott's central sales office. Not a single one has any information on how Rewarding Events is changing. The only answer is a single FAQ on the Marriott website that implies there will be a new "construct" for Rewarding Events. I have five events for post-August 1 out for RFP. I also have four signed contracts for events in August. This is ridiculous.
And don't get me started on not having a new name for the unified program until 2019. I'm sure the credit card companies aren't going to appreciate re-issuing all of the new cards in 2019 to reflect the new name.
Apr 19, 2018, 5:51 am
#455
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 26
I received Gold status via Taste of Gold through Feb. 2019.
I’m going to assume that Aug.1, I will be Platinum until Feb. 2019. At the rate I’m going, I’ll have 50 nights by the end of 2018 and will be able to maintain Platinum through 2019. The only thing I care about is the late check-out.
I also have the AMEX Platinum card but will be reconsidering whether to keep it. There will be much analysis upcoming!
I’m going to assume that Aug.1, I will be Platinum until Feb. 2019. At the rate I’m going, I’ll have 50 nights by the end of 2018 and will be able to maintain Platinum through 2019. The only thing I care about is the late check-out.
I also have the AMEX Platinum card but will be reconsidering whether to keep it. There will be much analysis upcoming!
Apr 19, 2018, 5:57 am
#456
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
A FT post had a video link to The Points Guy interview with David Flueck, SVP of Global Loyalty for Marriott International. David said the Marriott rules for multiple rooms will be the standard going forward. So you would get elite credit for 1 room, but can get points for more than 1 room. Here is the link to the FT post with the video in it.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29657355-post2843.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29657355-post2843.html
Thankfully, some of the bloggers for The Points Guy are trained journalists. The quality of the writing and reporting has improved, but I don't like the fact that they depend on credit card revenue for their existence. At least with newspapers there is a wall of separation between the journalists and the business operation.
Apr 19, 2018, 6:35 am
#457
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
Yet on another thread someone is saying there was a gotcha question about SPG Gold members that surprised Flueck so much that he gave the wrong answer when he slowly and methodically explained status in the new program would be based on current earned status not matched, so if you earned SPG Gold and received Marriott Gold by status match you will be Gold in the new program. TPG was reading prepared questions off index cards that had obviously been either run by Flueck before the interview or maybe even given to TPG by Flueck himself. Someone is still claiming it was so hard hitting it rattled Flueck.
Last edited by CJKatl; Apr 19, 2018 at 6:40 am
Apr 19, 2018, 6:42 am
#458
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,232
What stood out to me from the video was the fact they touted a new award chart but have not shared what category will be assigned to each individual property. IMO , that task should have been completed prior to the announcement.
Apr 19, 2018, 6:50 am
#459
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
Apr 19, 2018, 6:54 am
#460
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: YXU
Programs: Marriott LT Titanium Elite, AC 25K
Posts: 127
I think they do have them completed. They are delaying as it will be subject to adjustements (moderate) based on how much blowback they get from current members to the new changes. I expect the same thing once they are ready to announce the peak/off peak dates.
Apr 19, 2018, 7:09 am
#461
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
Look. I get that some people disagree about the new award-redemption categories. But until Marriott releases the categories and is transparent about what constitutes "peak" and "off-peak" dynamic-pricing it appears to be a devaluation. Of course, I would love to be wrong. Prove me wrong, Marriott by making sure hotels like the Newark airport Marriott or Marriott County Hall in London aren't category 7 and category 8, respectively, in the new chart.
Apr 19, 2018, 10:22 am
#462
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
Actually, I believe that (rather oddly) the original SPG brand resorts WILL offer lounge access to Plats as they always have, and the original Marriott brand resorts WILL NOT offer lounge acess to Plats as they always haven't!
Apr 19, 2018, 10:42 am
#463
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 know you're not a fan of lounges. That being said, have you been in SPG lounges at resorts that have more substantive lounges who historically provided free access to elites?
Apr 19, 2018, 11:16 am
#464
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
Unfortunate to your query, but with my own delightful glee, I can tell you that I’ve only been once ever to any lounge or club at any resort of any hotel/resort brand at which I’ve ever stayed—and that was at the Shangri-La Guilin to make my husband happy. As you say, I’m not a fan! (My husband, on the other hand, poor schmuck that he is, definitely likes a lounge or club—or anywhere else he can get free food or water or alcohol. But I never pay attention to anything he tells me, anyway.)
Apr 19, 2018, 11:17 am
#465
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: YQR
Programs: Nexus/GE, UA/MPG, Bonvoy Tit, LTP
Posts: 1,294
I've only been in one SPG Resort with a lounge (Westin PVR) but its lounge was pretty much like an average (well maybe below average) domestic US Marriott lounge. I know at least a couple of Marriott resorts (Cancun, Cabo) have lounges that provide all day food and drinks but you have to pay for access. Not sure how widespread either of these approaches are.
I know you're not a fan of lounges. That being said, have you been in SPG lounges at resorts that have more substantive lounges who historically provided free access to elites?
I know you're not a fan of lounges. That being said, have you been in SPG lounges at resorts that have more substantive lounges who historically provided free access to elites?