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
Aug 5, 2018, 10:36 pm
#1081
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: fwp blood diamond, dykwia uranium
Posts: 7,251
Nobody knows the answer to this for sure, but I am pretty sure it will combine lifetime nights. In my thinking, it really depends on whether, when your SPG Account is migrated to a new Marriott account on August 18, the lifetime nights are migrated. Once you then have two Marriott accounts which get merged when you “combine” your accounts, the lifetime night counts will simply be added together.
One counterargument to this is that Marriott might only use the combined total for qualification under the new rules.
I’m in the same boat as you, just with more stays on the Marriott side, so I’m looking forward to post-merger reports to see if I can safely combine my accounts and still qualify under old criteria.
Your SPG lifetime gold will get you lifetime new-gold, which is better than old-silver but worse than old-gold. Your United 1K status might get you new-gold or new-Platinum next year; nobody’s really sure.
because it is made clear that earnings based on our respective programs will retain their rules thru calendar year 2018 (ie: 25 stays at spg properties any time during 2018 = spg/marriot platinum), i really doubt they will combine. that would be AMAZING but i am thinking my ~230 spg lifetime + 28 marriott lifetime will count towards the 400 for the new marriott lifetime gold status and not the legacy spg 250 lifetime. it seems like they are keeping the two brands segregated after switchover solely for the purpose of the two programs disparate earning programs. but hey maybe we'll find a glitch when we check our accounts morning of 19 august or whenever.
i'm a few stays away from spg plat so i'll have it thru end of 2019, but i will be ~20 nights short of spg lifetime gold. so looks like a mattress run will be in order, but i only wonder if $2000usd is worth lifetime marriott gold, where the benefits are "enhanced internet" (worth $0 to me, during our lifetime wifi will only get better and better, plus i can just tether to my 4g lte phone), late checkout (4pm was amazing, now i stay at priceline express deal hotels and they'll give me 1pm with 0 status and a polite asking, so the "2pm based on availability" is really stupid, and will probably get worse with time), and knowing marriott, "enhanced room" probably just means a room on the "marriott rewards floor" on a higher floor, so longer waits for elevators. no lounge, no breakfast, and i doubt i'll ever hit lifetime plat (10 consecutive years of spending at minimum 13.6% of my nights in a marriott hotel room? uhhhh). lucky for those who previously hit 500 spg stays but yeah, i think i'm out of marriott, i'll just transfer everything to united, do a few business class flights around the world with bae where we will go with lowest available beach side shack/priceline name your price and air bnb. a good life lesson for me on the fluidity "loyalty" programs. not a huge issue but meh, we had it great with spg. #fwp #adiosstarwood
Aug 5, 2018, 10:58 pm
#1082
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
While I am all for waiting unless there is an immediate status benefit - let others experience any potential glitches - suggesting there might be an issue with qualifying under legacy rules if accounts are combined is baseless. It's been contradicted by the company's agent. If it mattered Marriott would include that information in its instructions to merge. Your thinking someone might have said this who you claim to trust despite not even knowing who it is defies logic.
And since I don't remember anyone showing us the new post-Aug-18 website interface, I don't know how anyone can know for sure whether combining will change what you see vs not combining.
So there could be a difference between what happens behind the scenes (which Starwood Lurker has commented on) and what you might see the user interface (which I don't recall Starwood Lurker commenting on much).
And keep in mind the IT is presumably mostly from the Marriott side, which brings us lovely things like lifetime points counter disappearing for a month (a couple months ago), and every Megabonus cycle some (even Platinum) Marriott members not getting a promo showing online and having to call in for it.
Aug 6, 2018, 7:49 am
#1083
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
While I am all for waiting unless there is an immediate status benefit - let others experience any potential glitches - suggesting there might be an issue with qualifying under legacy rules if accounts are combined is baseless. It's been contradicted by the company's agent. If it mattered Marriott would include that information in its instructions to merge. Your thinking someone might have said this who you claim to trust despite not even knowing who it is defies logic.
Aug 6, 2018, 9:15 am
#1084
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
It is not advising people to wait to merge accounts that is the issue. It is needlessly spreading a rumor that combining accounts may have an impact on qualifying based on legacy rules that is troublesome. It has been repeatedly stated by Marriott that Is incorrect, but for some reason you keep repeating it. Even you can find no evidence of this. It is irresponsible to keep repeating this as though it is fact or even possible. Even if there is a computer glitch, the rule is pretty clear, combining accounts will have no impact on whether somebody can qualify under the legacy rules. Any glitch will be corrected.
Aug 7, 2018, 7:20 am
#1085
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 56
Did a quick search through this forum and could not seem to find anything. But I have a question:
I currently have Marriott Gold Elite through a product match with SPG; do not have nearly enough stays. I've read that those who have gold elite through product matches will not be eligible for the currently gold elite perks in the new program (i.e. free breakfast, etc.)
I booked a hotel back in February for mid-September 2018 purely so I can get these perks.. Am I still going to be eligible for them? I called Marriott and they seemed clueless about it. But man, that would suck if they don't honor those perks.
I currently have Marriott Gold Elite through a product match with SPG; do not have nearly enough stays. I've read that those who have gold elite through product matches will not be eligible for the currently gold elite perks in the new program (i.e. free breakfast, etc.)
I booked a hotel back in February for mid-September 2018 purely so I can get these perks.. Am I still going to be eligible for them? I called Marriott and they seemed clueless about it. But man, that would suck if they don't honor those perks.
Aug 7, 2018, 8:33 am
#1086
Join Date: May 2002
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, United Silver, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 2,276
Did a quick search through this forum and could not seem to find anything. But I have a question:
I currently have Marriott Gold Elite through a product match with SPG; do not have nearly enough stays. I've read that those who have gold elite through product matches will not be eligible for the currently gold elite perks in the new program (i.e. free breakfast, etc.)
I currently have Marriott Gold Elite through a product match with SPG; do not have nearly enough stays. I've read that those who have gold elite through product matches will not be eligible for the currently gold elite perks in the new program (i.e. free breakfast, etc.)
SPG Gold Preferred becomes Gold Elite in the new program.
Elite breakfast varies by hotel brand. In the new program, as in today's SPG program, most brands provide some form of complimentary breakfast for elite+1 at the Platinum level, but not at the Gold level.
Linked status was a good deal, while it lasted, especially for SPG Gold Preferred members who got today's Gold Elite level benefits at Rewards properties. Essentially, for almost two years, it was like being an elite level higher with Rewards than with SPG.
If you've stayed at SPG and Rewards properties this years, you'll want to combine your accounts beginning August 18. If the combined total is 50 nights or more, you'll be Platinum Elite in the new program.
It remains to be seen if Marriott will give some SPG Gold Preferred members Platinum Elite in the new program, even they did not quite achieve enough nights. I wouldn't count on it, but you never know.
Aug 7, 2018, 8:46 am
#1087
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
This is correct but I know several people who have reached out to hotels, explained the situation and been told the benefits will be honored for the stay. I would not just show up and expect charm to win over the hotel, but asking ahead of time seems to work.
Aug 7, 2018, 9:16 am
#1088
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 56
Cheers
Aug 7, 2018, 9:39 am
#1089
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: 100,404
The details about what SPG members should expect, including the mapping of SPG status, are at https://members.marriott.com/spg/
SPG Gold Preferred becomes Gold Elite in the new program.
Elite breakfast varies by hotel brand. In the new program, as in today's SPG program, most brands provide some form of complimentary breakfast for elite+1 at the Platinum level, but not at the Gold level.
Linked status was a good deal, while it lasted, especially for SPG Gold Preferred members who got today's Gold Elite level benefits at Rewards properties. Essentially, for almost two years, it was like being an elite level higher with Rewards than with SPG.
The hotel will honor the benefits for your elite level at the time of your stay.
If you've stayed at SPG and Rewards properties this years, you'll want to combine your accounts beginning August 18. If the combined total is 50 nights or more, you'll be Platinum Elite in the new program.
It remains to be seen if Marriott will give some SPG Gold Preferred members Platinum Elite in the new program, even they did not quite achieve enough nights. I wouldn't count on it, but you never know.
SPG Gold Preferred becomes Gold Elite in the new program.
Elite breakfast varies by hotel brand. In the new program, as in today's SPG program, most brands provide some form of complimentary breakfast for elite+1 at the Platinum level, but not at the Gold level.
Linked status was a good deal, while it lasted, especially for SPG Gold Preferred members who got today's Gold Elite level benefits at Rewards properties. Essentially, for almost two years, it was like being an elite level higher with Rewards than with SPG.
The hotel will honor the benefits for your elite level at the time of your stay.
If you've stayed at SPG and Rewards properties this years, you'll want to combine your accounts beginning August 18. If the combined total is 50 nights or more, you'll be Platinum Elite in the new program.
It remains to be seen if Marriott will give some SPG Gold Preferred members Platinum Elite in the new program, even they did not quite achieve enough nights. I wouldn't count on it, but you never know.
To be more precise, the hotel will look at your status as reflected in your account at the time of check in to determine benefits during your stay. This means that qualifying for a higher level during your stay doesn't count, nor will hotels honor cases where you would have a higher status if something had posted on time or if status had been updated before your check in. This is SOP, but of course YMMV as some properties may voluntarily go above and beyond.
If your reservation can still be cancelled without penalty, the hotel might (or might not if they can sell the room at a higher rate) be more willing to agree to the benefits as there's an implicit threat (my advice would be to keep it implicit and don't mention this) to go elsewhere while OTOH the hotel might feel more sympathetic about a prepaid booking. Again, YMMV.
If your reservation can still be cancelled without penalty, the hotel might (or might not if they can sell the room at a higher rate) be more willing to agree to the benefits as there's an implicit threat (my advice would be to keep it implicit and don't mention this) to go elsewhere while OTOH the hotel might feel more sympathetic about a prepaid booking. Again, YMMV.
Aug 7, 2018, 9:57 am
#1090
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
The details about what SPG members should expect, including the mapping of SPG status, are at https://members.marriott.com/spg/
SPG Gold Preferred becomes Gold Elite in the new program.
Elite breakfast varies by hotel brand. In the new program, as in today's SPG program, most brands provide some form of complimentary breakfast for elite+1 at the Platinum level, but not at the Gold level.
Linked status was a good deal, while it lasted, especially for SPG Gold Preferred members who got today's Gold Elite level benefits at Rewards properties. Essentially, for almost two years, it was like being an elite level higher with Rewards than with SPG.
The hotel will honor the benefits for your elite level at the time of your stay.
If you've stayed at SPG and Rewards properties this years, you'll want to combine your accounts beginning August 18. If the combined total is 50 nights or more, you'll be Platinum Elite in the new program.
It remains to be seen if Marriott will give some SPG Gold Preferred members Platinum Elite in the new program, even they did not quite achieve enough nights. I wouldn't count on it, but you never know.
SPG Gold Preferred becomes Gold Elite in the new program.
Elite breakfast varies by hotel brand. In the new program, as in today's SPG program, most brands provide some form of complimentary breakfast for elite+1 at the Platinum level, but not at the Gold level.
Linked status was a good deal, while it lasted, especially for SPG Gold Preferred members who got today's Gold Elite level benefits at Rewards properties. Essentially, for almost two years, it was like being an elite level higher with Rewards than with SPG.
The hotel will honor the benefits for your elite level at the time of your stay.
If you've stayed at SPG and Rewards properties this years, you'll want to combine your accounts beginning August 18. If the combined total is 50 nights or more, you'll be Platinum Elite in the new program.
It remains to be seen if Marriott will give some SPG Gold Preferred members Platinum Elite in the new program, even they did not quite achieve enough nights. I wouldn't count on it, but you never know.
To be more precise, the hotel will look at your status as reflected in your account at the time of check in to determine benefits during your stay. This means that qualifying for a higher level during your stay doesn't count, nor will hotels honor cases where you would have a higher status if something had posted on time or if status had been updated before your check in. This is SOP, but of course YMMV as some properties may voluntarily go above and beyond.
If your reservation can still be cancelled without penalty, the hotel might (or might not if they can sell the room at a higher rate) be more willing to agree to the benefits as there's an implicit threat (my advice would be to keep it implicit and don't mention this) to go elsewhere while OTOH the hotel might feel more sympathetic about a prepaid booking. Again, YMMV.
If your reservation can still be cancelled without penalty, the hotel might (or might not if they can sell the room at a higher rate) be more willing to agree to the benefits as there's an implicit threat (my advice would be to keep it implicit and don't mention this) to go elsewhere while OTOH the hotel might feel more sympathetic about a prepaid booking. Again, YMMV.
Aug 7, 2018, 10:10 am
#1091
Join Date: May 2002
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, United Silver, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 2,276
To be more precise, the hotel will look at your status as reflected in your account at the time of check in to determine benefits during your stay. This means that qualifying for a higher level during your stay doesn't count, nor will hotels honor cases where you would have a higher status if something had posted on time or if status had been updated before your check in. This is SOP, but of course YMMV as some properties may voluntarily go above and beyond.
In this particular case, changed status is not an issue. A Gold member made a reservation in February, before the program changes were announced, and still expects to have Gold status at check-in in September. The published Gold benefits will have changed significantly by then at some Marriott legacy brands.
If your reservation can still be cancelled without penalty, the hotel might (or might not if they can sell the room at a higher rate) be more willing to agree to the benefits as there's an implicit threat (my advice would be to keep it implicit and don't mention this) to go elsewhere while OTOH the hotel might feel more sympathetic about a prepaid booking. Again, YMMV.
Last edited by Horace; Aug 7, 2018 at 11:11 am
Aug 7, 2018, 11:01 am
#1092
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 336
If you are at or near a combined nights to reach Plat, then perhaps reach out to the program.
Many more details can be found on the wiki from this thread: Official Announcement: SPG and Marriott Programs to Merge on August 18th
Aug 7, 2018, 11:21 am
#1093
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 56
It is pretty clear. Gold maps to new gold which does not get breakfast. If this is the deciding factor, I would reach out to the hotel before the torrent of program switchover hits them. Then you have time to change your plans if their response is not to your liking.
If you are at or near a combined nights to reach Plat, then perhaps reach out to the program.
Many more details can be found on the wiki from this thread: Official Announcement: SPG and Marriott Programs to Merge on August 18th
Cheers
Aug 7, 2018, 12:37 pm
#1094
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
This misstates the rule. The rule is not that you "should only get benefits for your status at time of check-in" nor has a hotel every been under such a restriction. The rule is someone is entitled to the benefits for his/her status at check-in. Each hotel can decide to give additional benefits to anyone and is not subject to any limit as is stated. It is an important distinction especially for Golds who are losing benefits.
Aug 7, 2018, 1:04 pm
#1095
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
I think the benefits discussion has run its course. Perhaps we might move on?