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 16, 2018, 6:50 pm
#121
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
My guess is that unused certificates will be converted to points based certificates on August 1. See my earlier post here.
Points-based certificates will simply be certificates that say "good for any hotel that requires NN,NNN points or less" rather than "good for any hotel at category N or less".
You can tell that by looking at the credit card certificates info. They no longer say "cat 1-5", the current $85 card says "up to 25k points" hotels, while the new $95 card says "up to 35k" points hotels.
Apr 16, 2018, 6:51 pm
#122
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: SPG Platinum, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 236
So what will happen if I book 3 rooms in a SPG property from August this year to December this year? Do I just only get 1 room night/stay credit ?
one can still qualify as plat with 25stays in spg for nxt year but unsure how are they awarding for 3 rooms in SPG.
one can still qualify as plat with 25stays in spg for nxt year but unsure how are they awarding for 3 rooms in SPG.
Apr 16, 2018, 6:57 pm
#123
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Bonvoy LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,658
Does LT Plat Premier (grand farthered from Lt Plat) get the 5 suite upgrades?
Apr 16, 2018, 7:01 pm
#124
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 1,178
Points-based certificated are not the same thing as actual points!
Points-based certificates will simply be certificates that say "good for any hotel that requires NN,NNN points or less" rather than "good for any hotel at category N or less".
You can tell that by looking at the credit card certificates info. They no longer say "cat 1-5", the current $85 card says "up to 25k points" hotels, while the new $95 card says "up to 35k" points hotels.
Points-based certificates will simply be certificates that say "good for any hotel that requires NN,NNN points or less" rather than "good for any hotel at category N or less".
You can tell that by looking at the credit card certificates info. They no longer say "cat 1-5", the current $85 card says "up to 25k points" hotels, while the new $95 card says "up to 35k" points hotels.
Thanks for the clarification!
Apr 16, 2018, 7:03 pm
#125
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,040
The only carrot I see in the new program are the guaranteed suite upgrades (assuming they function like SPGs currently do). Otherwise a massive devaluation on the award prices for top tier properties.
It never ceases to amaze me how cheapo hotel executives are with their highest revenue customers. No breakfast at resorts or RC - supposedly will be included for St. Regis but would not hold my breath. So basically if you want breakfast when you go on that once-a-year vacation you better take your family to a Fairfield or Courtyard.
It never ceases to amaze me how cheapo hotel executives are with their highest revenue customers. No breakfast at resorts or RC - supposedly will be included for St. Regis but would not hold my breath. So basically if you want breakfast when you go on that once-a-year vacation you better take your family to a Fairfield or Courtyard.
Aye carumba....
Regards
Apr 16, 2018, 7:03 pm
#126
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: RDU
Programs: AA LTP, Bonvoy Titanium; AA CK before I retired
Posts: 1,597
I'm retired, currently MR Plat with LTG underneath. I will have to wait and see how my Lifetime status is determined under the new rules. I doubt I can manufacture enough points under the old rules between now and year-end to qualify for LTP under the old rules. If I am bucketed as LTG going forward, the implication is clear: in the new program you're a schmuck unless you're Platinum. Yes, Golds still get free Internet, but the loss of free breakfast and lounge access is a relationship killer.
Apr 16, 2018, 7:07 pm
#127
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 99
Apr 16, 2018, 7:09 pm
#128
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Long Island, NY
Programs: Marriott Titanium Elite/Lifetime Titanium, Delta Platinum Medallion, Hertz #1 Gold
Posts: 722
Whats the point earnings for Lifetime Platinum Premier Elite at Residence Inn and Townplane suites?
Apr 16, 2018, 7:10 pm
#129
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 611
The email from SPG I just got says that we will get 3x the MR points for our SPG points, so looks like they did address this! I'm surprised they are giving a fair valuation conversion rate, so that's fair.
Last edited by alchemista; Apr 16, 2018 at 8:36 pm
Apr 16, 2018, 7:11 pm
#130
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Programs: MR LT Titanium, IHG Plat.,UA Premier Silver, & PA/OH Turnpike Million Miler
Posts: 2,316
Apr 16, 2018, 7:20 pm
#131
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
As much as i want to be as optimistic as you are i suspect the reality is that MR is heading in hilton direction.
Plat level is not even remotely exclusive - it's a new mid tier (with infux of merged LT elites) and upgrades for plat will be very limited at any interesting places. So benefis will be similar to Hilton Gold/Dia which can be obtained with CC. In order to get meaningful recognition one needs to go way to PP or Amb and that's a lot of nights.
Pretty sure once new re categorization happens it will be very painful - it just doesnt go the other way in this game.
I agree that M has better hotels though.
Plat level is not even remotely exclusive - it's a new mid tier (with infux of merged LT elites) and upgrades for plat will be very limited at any interesting places. So benefis will be similar to Hilton Gold/Dia which can be obtained with CC. In order to get meaningful recognition one needs to go way to PP or Amb and that's a lot of nights.
Pretty sure once new re categorization happens it will be very painful - it just doesnt go the other way in this game.
I agree that M has better hotels though.
SPG Plat has never been so exclusive, either, though it was never as bad as for Marriott Plat. There still were plenty of SPG Plats who earned it through 25 stays of 1 night each at cheap midscale properties in very inexpensive markets.
Those have been nixed. The new Plat will be a lot harder to earn...and therefore more exclusive. That and a much bigger portfolio makes it even more exclusive, I'd say.
Even the new Plat 100 spend requirement nixes those Plats who were staying at cheaper midscale and upscale properties to get their 100 nights. Those were most of the people whining in the SPG Forum Ambassador threads that their Ambassadors didn't do much for them. Well, they spent little, and so they got little. They also tended to stay at hotels that don't exactly offer much in the way of better service or amenities--but they were too foolish or too ignorant to ever notice or care.
Now we see the truth of the matter with the $20K spend requirement for Ambassador Plat Premier 100 status. And let me tell you--having the Ambassador and staying at great hotels makes ALL the difference in the world. As it were, I already have hit my 101 nights (helped by the 2 SPG Amex cards 10 elite nights, as well as earning 3 elite nights for paying for 3 rooms) and the $20K spend--and it's April. I also have had some incredible Ambassador upgrades and assists, including saving me a non-refundable StR Bora Bora night ($2000) from an airline cancellation, while also getting me upgraded to the StR Bora Bora 2 bedroom Royal OWV with private pool from a regular OWV! Including specialty suite upgrades at the Gritti Palace Venice in 2016 (from an award entry level room), the Excelsior Gallia Milan in 2016, the Hotel Imperial Vienna in 2017 (from an award entry level room), the Prince de Galles Paris (from an award entry level room), the StR San Francisco a dozen times since 2015 (from entry level paid and award rooms), the StR New York last month (on entry level paid room), and even the StR Atlanta in a week--already pre-upgraded to a St Regis Suite despite not using any SNAs and well before the SNA window opens! I just came back from the W Boston, where I was pre-upgraded to a Wow Suite 2 weeks before I arrived.
Those who spend more do better in the SPG Ambassador program. Those who spend more and stay more with Marriott will be rewarded in kind, it seems.
Those who were able to manufacture status before cannot do so as easily now--and I'm sorry for them,. But they aren't paying as much as others, and those who pay more are the ones who the program should most reward. The new program seems to do that. The Hilton program doesn't even come close.
The new Marriott program isn't perfect..but it's pretty good so far.
Apr 16, 2018, 7:45 pm
#132
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,167
I'm guessing only active 50/75 nighters each year will get the certificates...since this is modeled after the SPG SNA benefit, SPG LT Plats never got them (had to actually stay 50 nights)
Apr 16, 2018, 7:50 pm
#133
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 2,272
Marriott Gold status and August
Just looking for confirmation. I have marriott gold status. I have heard that in August when the new changes take place that Golds will be changed to Plat until the end of 2018. Is this accurate?
Apr 16, 2018, 7:52 pm
#134
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR/SPG LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus
Posts: 31,007
This is correct
Apr 16, 2018, 7:52 pm
#135
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, UA Silver, Mobile Passport Unobtanium
Posts: 6,192