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
#511
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 6,385
So will Marriott Plats that have 75 nights already this year get 10 SNA's in the new program that starts Aug 1? Or do we have to wait?
And if you're SPG P50 already with 10 night SNA's, do you keep them in the new program?
And if you're SPG P50 already with 10 night SNA's, do you keep them in the new program?
#512
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Seattle WA
Programs: DL DM, Marriott Titanium, AA PLT for Life
Posts: 398
Can you make back to back reservations? If I want to use two SNAs on a five day trip can I make a two and a three day reservation with and without the SNAS? I actually had to do this at a non-Marriott hotel in Greece recently when I could not get the same room type for all four nights and actually had to change rooms in the middle of the stay. Family was staying at the hotel with me and they had already made their reservations so I had to take what was left.
I think you already know that any consecutive back to back stays are actually one longer stay. That doesn’t qualify officially for SNAs unless have enough for the entire stay—unless you want to risk gaming the system and hoping the system doesn’t notice.
IMO if you game the system like that and lose, you don’t get to complain.
I see no issues making a 5 night reservation to apply 5 SNAs and then a 2 night reservation without them, knowing I would need to pack up, check-out, etc. I've made reservations on consecutive nights with different room types in the past, for various reasons, and had no issues.
"Gaming" implies something nefarious, avoiding rules, etc. I'm not aware of any policy that a member can't make multiple reservations. People here often say they break stays into multiple one-nights stays (for some reason). I don't recall hearing objections.
"Gaming" implies something nefarious, avoiding rules, etc. I'm not aware of any policy that a member can't make multiple reservations. People here often say they break stays into multiple one-nights stays (for some reason). I don't recall hearing objections.
You can not expect that the hotel will let you stay in your suite if you do this on the first half of the back-to-back. But some might (will?) because with status you will be entitled to some (space available) upgrades and some of those are suites.
You should also know that the property could also make you check out and check back in, enforcing any times that are permitted for that, depending on where your "second" room will be.
Essentially, someone with 5 SNAs who wants a 7-night stay and is willing to split the reservation to greatly enhance the chance the first 5 nights will be in a suite is gambling, which is a form of "gaming" to be sure. But there is no apparent rule against this nor even the spirit of one. You could just as easily have a 2-night reservation standalone as a platinum and hope for a suite. Just because you had literally just stayed at the hotel beforehand will not be considered any sort of program violation.
#513
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
I linked all of these to highlight the last of them. You can absolutely make back-to-back reservations. You can have different room types on back-to-back reservations. You can apply Suite Night Awards to either reservation assuming it's <= the number of nights for which you have SNAs in your account.
You can not expect that the hotel will let you stay in your suite if you do this on the first half of the back-to-back. But some might (will?) because with status you will be entitled to some (space available) upgrades and some of those are suites.
You should also know that the property could also make you check out and check back in, enforcing any times that are permitted for that, depending on where your "second" room will be.
Essentially, someone with 5 SNAs who wants a 7-night stay and is willing to split the reservation to greatly enhance the chance the first 5 nights will be in a suite is gambling, which is a form of "gaming" to be sure. But there is no apparent rule against this nor even the spirit of one. You could just as easily have a 2-night reservation standalone as a platinum and hope for a suite. Just because you had literally just stayed at the hotel beforehand will not be considered any sort of program violation.
You can not expect that the hotel will let you stay in your suite if you do this on the first half of the back-to-back. But some might (will?) because with status you will be entitled to some (space available) upgrades and some of those are suites.
You should also know that the property could also make you check out and check back in, enforcing any times that are permitted for that, depending on where your "second" room will be.
Essentially, someone with 5 SNAs who wants a 7-night stay and is willing to split the reservation to greatly enhance the chance the first 5 nights will be in a suite is gambling, which is a form of "gaming" to be sure. But there is no apparent rule against this nor even the spirit of one. You could just as easily have a 2-night reservation standalone as a platinum and hope for a suite. Just because you had literally just stayed at the hotel beforehand will not be considered any sort of program violation.
#514
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
The amazing Starwood Lurker has started to answer many of the merger questions in the Wiki here.
Official announcement – See how our three loyalty programs will become one in August
(I sure hope the Marriott forum starts to use Wikis a bit more.)
Official announcement – See how our three loyalty programs will become one in August
(I sure hope the Marriott forum starts to use Wikis a bit more.)
#515
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Chicago
Programs: Hyatt Glob; UA 1K; BonVoyage LTT (RIP SPG); HH Dia; JX Insighter
Posts: 1,643
#516
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 134
I'm confused about something (well a lot of things).
I'm currently Platinum Elite with Marriott. In the "What's New" details it says that Platinum Elite member tier will change in August and I will become Platinum Premier Elite. If I don't requalify on nights alone will I soft land back down to Platinum Elite (one tier lower) status for 2019?
Thanks so much!
I'm currently Platinum Elite with Marriott. In the "What's New" details it says that Platinum Elite member tier will change in August and I will become Platinum Premier Elite. If I don't requalify on nights alone will I soft land back down to Platinum Elite (one tier lower) status for 2019?
Thanks so much!
#517
Join Date: May 2002
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, United Silver, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 2,276
I'm confused about something (well a lot of things).
I'm currently Platinum Elite with Marriott. In the "What's New" details it says that Platinum Elite member tier will change in August and I will become Platinum Premier Elite. If I don't requalify on nights alone will I soft land back down to Platinum Elite (one tier lower) status for 2019?
Thanks so much!
I'm currently Platinum Elite with Marriott. In the "What's New" details it says that Platinum Elite member tier will change in August and I will become Platinum Premier Elite. If I don't requalify on nights alone will I soft land back down to Platinum Elite (one tier lower) status for 2019?
Thanks so much!
However, be aware that the new (August 2018) Platinum Elite corresponds roughly to SPG's lowest tier of Platinum Preferred Guest, which is somewhat similar to the current Marriott Gold Elite. So, moving "back down to Platinum Elite" is not quite the same returning to the Platinum Elite tier you're in now.
#518
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
The amazing Starwood Lurker has started to answer many of the merger questions in the Wiki here.
Official announcement – See how our three loyalty programs will become one in August
(I sure hope the Marriott forum starts to use Wikis a bit more.)
Official announcement – See how our three loyalty programs will become one in August
(I sure hope the Marriott forum starts to use Wikis a bit more.)
I suspect the $10 coupon will be the Courtyard "breakfast offering." It will barely cover the cost of a coffee and yogurt parfait or bowl of oatmeal.
Then there was this: "Concierge lounge offerings will continue to be based on what the property offers today."
Maybe I'm splitting hairs but most new or renovated flagship Marriott properties have M Club lounges, not concierge lounges. Hopefully, the SPG representative was using "concierge lounge" in the colloquial sense. But regardless, the current policy is when a property of a brand that requires a lounge (concierge, executive, M Club, club -- whatever you call it) doesn't have a lounge or closes it on the weekend, it has to offer you the option of breakfast in the restaurant. In North America, that breakfast is, at the minimum, "continental." Internationally, it's defined simply as "breakfast." It remains unclear if this will continue or whether the new choice of a "breakfast offering" at check-in is in lieu of it.
As for access to lounges at legacy Starwood resort-designated hotels, the Starwood representative said eligible elites would continue receiving access as they do now. I sincerely hope that is defined in the terms and conditions because a plain reading of what Marriott has released thus far would indicate this is not the case.
#519
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
Agree that the breakfast description is still vague.
Am ecstatic that we keep lounge access at Sheraton Waikiki and Moana Surfrider!
Am ecstatic that we keep lounge access at Sheraton Waikiki and Moana Surfrider!
#520
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,232
I am am also curious to see if certain properties will be exempted from suite upgrades.
#521
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,698
Watch for that list to grow and grow.
Also massive confusion at the front desk as they try to remember the levels and decipher who gets what, interpret it the way they want and generally bicker with the guests when challenged. Its as if none of these decision makers ever spent an hour observing a busy front desk check in event.
#522
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
Right now, Starwood mandates that Sheraton lounges must remain open (and stocked) 7 days a week. (Does not apply to Westin or other lounges.) I sure hope we don't lose that. Very annoying to stay at a Marriott on a weekend and the lounge is CLOSED!
#523
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR/SPG LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus
Posts: 31,008
I think you will find that both Starwood and Marriott terms consider consecutive stays to be one longer stay. That the technology has limits that might still allow one to arrange such stays does not preclude that being a violation for trying to using Suite Night Awards for partial stays.
I suspect no one at SPG would support that this very twisted, pedantic reading of definitions is a "violation" of their intended program terms and conditions.
#524
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR/SPG LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus
Posts: 31,008
(Hopefully. SO far the only response is confirming what's written and William has already confirmed about 12/31 date to earn legacy program LT status. But it's a start, and there's a commitment to post answers. Marriott is much more active on MI than FT)
#525
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 816
Essentially, someone with 5 SNAs who wants a 7-night stay and is willing to split the reservation to greatly enhance the chance the first 5 nights will be in a suite is gambling, which is a form of "gaming" to be sure. But there is no apparent rule against this nor even the spirit of one. You could just as easily have a 2-night reservation standalone as a platinum and hope for a suite. Just because you had literally just stayed at the hotel beforehand will not be considered any sort of program violation.
Yes, they will be credited as one stay. That doesn't mean you can't reserve/SNA 5 nights and reserve/move to a regular room for the next 2 nights, which was the question.
I suspect no one at SPG would support that this very twisted, pedantic reading of definitions is a "violation" of their intended program terms and conditions.
I suspect no one at SPG would support that this very twisted, pedantic reading of definitions is a "violation" of their intended program terms and conditions.
I do agree Its almost laughable the suggestion that splitting your reservation to use an SNA is gaming the system or even gambling.
It is the only way it can be used for stays that are not in multiples of 5. The only ‘gambling’ that takes place is whether you get to stay in your suite for the rest of the stay. One can book the suite with cash or points for the extra days, but you will still need a split reservation.