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 17, 2018, 1:47 am
#196
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: YVR
Posts: 2,120
Apr 17, 2018, 1:58 am
#198
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: LHR and ZRH
Programs: BA GGL, SQ PPS, HH Diamond, SPG LTP/100, Marriott Platinum, Mucci des Lois Constitutionelles
Posts: 1,007
This to me is the key question. Unfortunately I'm travelling so am not able to get to the London ambassador launch party tonight and ask. Does anyone know the answer to it?
Apr 17, 2018, 3:11 am
#199
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: WAW
Programs: A3(*G), Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 2,534
I've certainly seen no 'emphatic' confirmation so far, just a bunch of guesses (including my own) based on what appears to make sense. Until I see someone like the Starwood Lurker post about this, or see a note on the website, I'd consider the issue unresolved.
Apr 17, 2018, 3:30 am
#200
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: London, UK
Programs: Marriott, Virgin Atlantic, BA
Posts: 187
I didn't see this question answered, so apologies if it's a repeat:
I previously converted SPG points to Marriott. These do NOT show up as counting towards lifetime status. Do we know if following the merger, both new points in, and old points previously transferred will count towards lifetime?
Thank you.
I previously converted SPG points to Marriott. These do NOT show up as counting towards lifetime status. Do we know if following the merger, both new points in, and old points previously transferred will count towards lifetime?
Thank you.
Apr 17, 2018, 3:57 am
#201
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Singapore
Programs: SQ *G, BA Gold, Bonvoy Ambassador Elite LFT Titanium , Hyatt Discoverist, ALL Diamond
Posts: 666
I have tried to get clarity from my Ambassador but I believe I got this right.
If I am Lifetime Platinum in Marriott with 750 Nights and 2M points, I get Lifetime Platinum Premier in the new combined program.
If I am Lifetime Platinum in SPG with 1600 nights and way in excess of 2M points equivalent, I get lifetime Platinum.
Do I get this right? Why would Marriott want to piss off the faithful long time SPG lifetime plats?
If I am Lifetime Platinum in Marriott with 750 Nights and 2M points, I get Lifetime Platinum Premier in the new combined program.
If I am Lifetime Platinum in SPG with 1600 nights and way in excess of 2M points equivalent, I get lifetime Platinum.
Do I get this right? Why would Marriott want to piss off the faithful long time SPG lifetime plats?
Apr 17, 2018, 4:54 am
#202
Formerly known as Stephenk19
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Munich, Germany
Programs: Free Agent
Posts: 409
Sorry if a dumb question - but is there a way to tell from the Marriott website how many years a person has been Gold (in current program) to check on Lifetime Platinum (new program) status accumulation?
Apr 17, 2018, 4:55 am
#203
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Some
Posts: 5,252
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.
The new Marriott program isn't perfect..but it's pretty good so far.
Apr 17, 2018, 5:31 am
#204
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
Not sure how you can compare Hilton’s massive and constant devaluations with few increased benefits with the new loyalty program for Marriott.
Hilton’s devaluation from 5 years ago was so big that even this slight devaluation of Marriott points doesn’t even come close. Lame Hilton hotels routinely cost more than 100,000 points/night and have for years. Marriott’s top StR, RC, and LuxColl hotels usually wont even cost that many points!
Hilton just offered breakfast at its top Conrad and WA brands. Marriott has StR, W, and LuxColl hotels which have been doing that all along since 2012.
Hilton doesn’t guarantee suite upgrades despite all that, even now. Marriott finally with its new program will offer suite upgrades to Platinums, something its SPG hotels have been doing all along.
Hilton sucks. Marriott doesn’t. Marriott has many enhancements BECAUSE it wants to appeal to the SPG elites like me—that’s how Marriott got guaranteed 4 pm late checkout in the first place. Marriott has many more enhancements now. Suite upgrades. Airline transfers without worrying about lame hotel awards. Up to 4 pm late checkout. Your24 and Ambassador perks.
Marriott also has the most aspirational group of hotels in the world, combining StR, RC, LuxColl, and even a few Design Hotels. Hilton doesn’t come close.
Case closed.
Apr 17, 2018, 5:42 am
#205
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: HKG
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, CX DM, QF GO, AA LT GO, UA SL, LH FT, Marr LT Titanium, Shang DM, Hyatt Glob, Hilton DM
Posts: 2,024
not sure about the original Marriott situation but for SPG we are able to earn points from dining, without being a hotel in-house guest, at SPG hotel restaurants. from the current wording of the combined program, it seems like we will only be able to earn points when charged to room in the future? thanks
Apr 17, 2018, 6:02 am
#206
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NYC - upper West Side
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,597
I'm not sure if this has already been asked. Will the new combined Marriott/SPG/Ritz Carlton program continue to offer the Look No Further - Best Rate Guarantee?
I haven't seen anything or heard anything...
Thanks.
Newman
I haven't seen anything or heard anything...
Thanks.
Newman
Last edited by hhoope01; Jul 9, 2018 at 12:55 pm Reason: Fixed Signature to fit FT guidelines.
Apr 17, 2018, 6:03 am
#207
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott/SPG Ambassador, Delta Diamond, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 215
I’m shocked at how many Marriott apologists post in this forum. The main unanswered question is: How will all 6500 properties be reclassified under the new category system.
I’m not sure why so many of you assume Marriott will leave most properties unchanged, but if past is prologue, most properties will cost more. I do not give Marriott the benefit of the doubt. I believe they will widely devalue most of their properties, especially on the high end.
Time will tell, but I am surprised how many of y’all give Marriott the benefit of the doubt.
I’m not sure why so many of you assume Marriott will leave most properties unchanged, but if past is prologue, most properties will cost more. I do not give Marriott the benefit of the doubt. I believe they will widely devalue most of their properties, especially on the high end.
Time will tell, but I am surprised how many of y’all give Marriott the benefit of the doubt.
Apr 17, 2018, 6:21 am
#208
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
If a hotel brand is going to participate in the program then it should have to comply with all of the benefits. If you're going to give a property an opt-out on breakfast, which frankly makes no sense because Marriott International manages most or all Ritz-Carlton properties (you'd think Marriott could force itself to comply), then where does it stop? It's much easier for a high-end property that gets an exemption from breakfast to also thumb their nose at upgrades, which they will be required to provide, unless the new terms and conditions exempt them.
Ritz-Carlton, Edition and Design might as well join Bulgari and be exempt from whatever the new, unified program is called.
Of course, they won't do that because all three hotels, while sticking it to top-level elites, still depend on the room nights that legacy Rewards and legacy SPG customers give them.
Ritz-Carlton, Edition and Design might as well join Bulgari and be exempt from whatever the new, unified program is called.
Of course, they won't do that because all three hotels, while sticking it to top-level elites, still depend on the room nights that legacy Rewards and legacy SPG customers give them.
Apr 17, 2018, 6:25 am
#209
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
The popular Caribbean properties that are sitting at 40-45k for a dumpster/limited dumpster view currently will go to 50k minimum. That is a devaluation. That's on top of the cash and points fees implemented in the past few years if you want a partial ocean view, and resort fees at some locations.
It would be different if you got something for these fees. But often the tangible benefits like internet access are already provided because of elite status. Marriott could have eliminated resort fees for platinum premier ambassador. Or provided lounge access at resort-designated properties with proprietary lounges.
Apr 17, 2018, 6:29 am
#210
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Some
Posts: 5,252
I also haven't seen anything definitive on this yet, but logically if Marriott Gold received via matched SPG Gold status from credit cards becomes Platinum for six months, that could also mean that Marriott Platinum via matched SPG Platinum will become Platinum Premier for six months. What a weird situation if so!