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, 11:22 am
#466
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: WAW
Programs: A3(*G), Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 2,534
The program parameters are clear. The new written materials are clear. 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. Flueck's answer to the question was simple, clear, repeated and gave the specific example of a current SPG Gold with status match being Gold in the new scheme. As much as a few people with heads in the sand keep saying they believe a blogger who interpreted something a travel writer from some obscure publication heard from a marketing employee in Asia most people believe the head of the program who established the new rules. And his answer makes sense. If all SPG Golds were going to be Plat because of a status match the SPG flier would have shown Golds were going to be Plat instead of showing Gold to Gold but allowing some complicated hokey-pokey for which all members would qualify. Why would there have even been an SPG flier if a Marriott status match would be count?
BTW, if the Asian Marketing person or a blogger had a question about the new program, don't you think they would ask Flueck and go with his answer? He is the ultimate SME on this so why would anyone think he is wrong and the blogger or remote employee or travel report is right and he is wrong? If he answered the question incorrectly it would have been edited, corrected or not released. While it might not be the answer one wants to hear, there is no confusion. Gold to Gold without status match counting is the answer.
BTW, if the Asian Marketing person or a blogger had a question about the new program, don't you think they would ask Flueck and go with his answer? He is the ultimate SME on this so why would anyone think he is wrong and the blogger or remote employee or travel report is right and he is wrong? If he answered the question incorrectly it would have been edited, corrected or not released. While it might not be the answer one wants to hear, there is no confusion. Gold to Gold without status match counting is the answer.
If it's all so clear, how is it that none of the status conversion questions in the WIKI on the Starwood page have answers, a full 4 days after the announcement? To you, the matching of Marriott Golds via SPG/Amex to Gold may appear to be self-evident truth, which should not be called into question or open for further discussion. Fine, so why can't anyone out there in Marriott World post up an actual (written) confirmation of the status conversion policy?
If all SPG Golds were going to be Plat because of a status match the SPG flier would have shown Golds were going to be Plat instead of showing Gold to Gold but allowing some complicated hokey-pokey for which all members would qualify. Why would there have even been an SPG flier if a Marriott status match would be count?
Apr 19, 2018, 11:29 am
#467
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,521
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?
The two I would really miss are the Sheraton Waikiki and Moana Surfrider lounges. Both are spectacular, have free alcohol and decent evening offerings.
Apr 19, 2018, 11:42 am
#468
Join Date: May 2016
Location: In btw SJC & SFO
Programs: Marriott Titanium & LTP, Hilton Diamond (Aspire card), Hyatt Globalist, UA Gold (almost free agent)
Posts: 510
Apr 19, 2018, 11:51 am
#469
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 18
I had a question on suite nights. Does this mean you only get upgraded 5 or 10 nights a year. I've never heard of this before the announcement.
Apr 19, 2018, 12:08 pm
#470
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
After Aug. 1, you get 5 SNAs when you hit 50 nights and another 5 SNAs when you hit 75 nights. Before Aug. 1, you get 10 SNAs when you hit 50 nights.
Apr 19, 2018, 12:47 pm
#471
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
This is more of a special upgrade that legacy SPG can explain better.
Currently, when I check in Sunday night, I should get upgraded as a Marriott Plat Premier. If I was an SPG Plat at an SPG property, it would be the same.
On the other hand, if I was an SPG Plat at an SPG Property, I could request an SNA in advance and if they had availability, I would get it. Seems like my experience on AA, I request an upgrade upfront and sometimes I clear in advance, Other times I can clear at the gate.
Apr 19, 2018, 12:48 pm
#472
Join Date: May 2016
Location: In btw SJC & SFO
Programs: Marriott Titanium & LTP, Hilton Diamond (Aspire card), Hyatt Globalist, UA Gold (almost free agent)
Posts: 510
Apr 19, 2018, 12:49 pm
#473
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
This might seem outlandish to FTers but not every person who stays in SPG or MR hotels has linked their accounts. Don't assume that what is a no-brainer to us is as obvious to the travelling public in general. My partner was SPG Gold and she had no idea of it. Even though I'd reminded her about it a few times, eventually I ended up doing the linking of her accounts myself after she logged me in. I'm sure she's not unique and there are many others out there who have SPG Gold but never got round to linking their accounts.
People like Raffles are interpreting the policy set by David Flueck who is in charge of setting the policy. On Tuesday he clearly said present SPG Golds will be Gold in the new program; status match does not count. Anyone else is interpreting his statements and rules. At this point because a couple senior team members have apparently gone rouge and given information that contradicts the marketing materials and the SVP's statement, Marriott may need to change course, but if they do so it will be clear and public rather than kept secret from members who followed the Website and flier instructions. If that happens, it will cost Marriott money which would likely also end Peggy Fang Roe her career. There would be no confusion if there was only the marketing materials and David K's.
The best information always comes from the source. If you want to know how the program works you go to the executive in charge who led the team that made the changes and signed off on them all. You don't go to someone his team briefed like a remote employee or a blogger. For example, if you needed a heart transplant in the late sixties you went to Christiaan Bernard, not somebody half a world away who once got briefed by him.
Apr 19, 2018, 12:52 pm
#474
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHS
Programs: UA GS, Bonvoy Amabassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,589
Each suite night is good for one night
If you make a reservation for 7 nights and want a suite upgrade, that costs you 7 suite night upgrades or certificates or whatever they are called
If you make a 7 day reservation you can't do a partial suite upgrade - all nights or none
But, these are guaranteed vs the normal check in maybe upgrade....
Apr 19, 2018, 12:59 pm
#475
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
The Australian article in which Ms Roe was credited with the erroneous statement has been updated and corrected. Here is the link and here is the quote:
Under the new program, you’ll be matched to Platinum Elite, Marriott has confirmed, following initial confusion around Marriott Rewards Gold members being given Platinum Elite status in the new program, but SPG Gold members only getting Gold Elite status going forward, when under the current system, having SPG Gold gets your Marriott Gold when you link your accounts.
Apr 19, 2018, 1:00 pm
#476
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
Each Suite NIght Award is for 1 night. Always has been with Starwood, and it seems that Marriott will continue that for its new program. Not for stays.
If you prefer suites awarded by stays, you have Hyatt’s Global Suite Upgrades available to you that are good on booking for up to 7 nights. Of course, you’ll need 60 nights to get 4 GSUs. That’s a lot harder to achieve considering how few Hyatts there are.
If you prefer suites awarded by stays, you have Hyatt’s Global Suite Upgrades available to you that are good on booking for up to 7 nights. Of course, you’ll need 60 nights to get 4 GSUs. That’s a lot harder to achieve considering how few Hyatts there are.
Apr 19, 2018, 1:15 pm
#477
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: WAW
Programs: A3(*G), Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 2,534
So all SPG Golds could be Plat if they link accounts but Marriott is not going to let them know? Instead of instructing those reading the SPG flier to link accounts they are going to let them become Gold and let the fun ensue when those guests find out they could have been Plat but that information was withheld? Marriott does not engage in deceptive business practices like that nor would it set itself up for the obvious pushback from members who followed the flier only to find that Marriott withheld information.
People like Raffles are interpreting the policy set by David Flueck who is in charge of setting the policy. On Tuesday he clearly said present SPG Golds will be Gold in the new program; status match does not count. Anyone else is interpreting his statements and rules. At this point because a couple senior team members have apparently gone rouge and given information that contradicts the marketing materials and the SVP's statement, Marriott may need to change course, but if they do so it will be clear and public rather than kept secret from members who followed the Website and flier instructions. If that happens, it will cost Marriott money which would likely also end Peggy Fang Roe her career. There would be no confusion if there was only the marketing materials and David K's.
The best information always comes from the source. If you want to know how the program works you go to the executive in charge who led the team that made the changes and signed off on them all. You don't go to someone his team briefed like a remote employee or a blogger. For example, if you needed a heart transplant in the late sixties you went to Christiaan Bernard, not somebody half a world away who once got briefed by him.
People like Raffles are interpreting the policy set by David Flueck who is in charge of setting the policy. On Tuesday he clearly said present SPG Golds will be Gold in the new program; status match does not count. Anyone else is interpreting his statements and rules. At this point because a couple senior team members have apparently gone rouge and given information that contradicts the marketing materials and the SVP's statement, Marriott may need to change course, but if they do so it will be clear and public rather than kept secret from members who followed the Website and flier instructions. If that happens, it will cost Marriott money which would likely also end Peggy Fang Roe her career. There would be no confusion if there was only the marketing materials and David K's.
The best information always comes from the source. If you want to know how the program works you go to the executive in charge who led the team that made the changes and signed off on them all. You don't go to someone his team briefed like a remote employee or a blogger. For example, if you needed a heart transplant in the late sixties you went to Christiaan Bernard, not somebody half a world away who once got briefed by him.
Is Flueck infallible, like the Pope? If he truly is the font of all wisdom and incapable of error then it's a pity he never got the chance to tell TPG during that interview what the cutoff date for LTPP will be.
Apr 19, 2018, 1:23 pm
#478
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
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?
Apr 19, 2018, 1:25 pm
#479
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
Sheraton Full Moon Maldives lounge was a godsend to save money as everything is so expensive there, and there is nowhere else to go! Westin Turtle Bay in Mauritius has a lounge but most of the room rates include half board, so the only real advantage is free alcohol before dinner.
The two I would really miss are the Sheraton Waikiki and Moana Surfrider lounges. Both are spectacular, have free alcohol and decent evening offerings.
The two I would really miss are the Sheraton Waikiki and Moana Surfrider lounges. Both are spectacular, have free alcohol and decent evening offerings.
Apr 19, 2018, 1:31 pm
#480
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
The Australian article in which Ms Roe was credited with the erroneous statement has been updated and corrected. Here is the link and here is the quote: