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
#1051
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 5,814
I have a question, which blogs have answered this way and that, but I was wondering if anyone has more definitive information on.
I've been Starwood Platinum for 7 years. I have 477 nights. I have 72 nights with Marriott, and I've been Platinum only since they began status matching SPG, so not long at all. I still probably have around 30 nights organically before end of year, which would put me at 579 nights. I don't know how much 2 million Marriott points is (I suspect there's no real way to check) but let's say I have that through SPG, having stayed in generally "better" properties over the years. If I go ahead and host a dozen meetings or so to get me to 750 nights combined, do I still have a shot at Platinum Premier, or has the boat sailed for me?
I've been Starwood Platinum for 7 years. I have 477 nights. I have 72 nights with Marriott, and I've been Platinum only since they began status matching SPG, so not long at all. I still probably have around 30 nights organically before end of year, which would put me at 579 nights. I don't know how much 2 million Marriott points is (I suspect there's no real way to check) but let's say I have that through SPG, having stayed in generally "better" properties over the years. If I go ahead and host a dozen meetings or so to get me to 750 nights combined, do I still have a shot at Platinum Premier, or has the boat sailed for me?
#1052
Right, I don’t expect my _years_ at Marriott would count. But if I did exceed 750 nights and 2M points using the combined count, would I get the LT status, or not?
#1053
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 5,814
Depends on who you ask -- If you have 2M Marriott Rewards points (shown on the Marriott site) and combined 750 nights (both SPG + MR), then maybe. SPG Lurker on the SPG forum says yes while others say no. Looking at the rules, it doesn't say clearly state that it will count. The agents are going off the same text we are so it's equally confusing. You aren't going to get a clear answer on here so I would just hope for the best but plan for the worst.
#1054
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
#1055
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 575
Now you would of had to accumulate 100 nights and 20k spent in 2018. Then you will be ambassador in 2019.
#1056
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 6,385
What I was told on the phone with a rep....they will combine your nights from starwood and Marriott come August 18th. To determine your 20,000k spent is based off of your base rate you spent at the hotel. She said tax was not included toward the 20,000. She didn't know if other things would be included like if you spent money in the restaurant.
Now you would of had to accumulate 100 nights and 20k spent in 2018. Then you will be ambassador in 2019.
Now you would of had to accumulate 100 nights and 20k spent in 2018. Then you will be ambassador in 2019.
#1057
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 575
That's what I am worried about! I created a excel spreadsheet with each stay from marriott and starwood with confirmation numbers if they try not to add all of them together! Very time consuming but worth it! Again I don't see a bid difference between platinum and ambassador!
#1058
Join Date: Aug 2001
Programs: AA lifetime gold, Marriott Plat.
Posts: 418
Need a little advice?
Just made lifetime gold but hubby is lifetime platinum so I thought I kinda knew my way around the reward system. Now with the new changes I am not sure what I need to do. I have 2, 5 night certificates one a category 8 another cert a category 7. Do I need to attach them to a reservation before tomorrow or by August 17? One of the hotels I have been eyeing is a category 9! My reward account is pretty depleted at this point. If I change the dates after the changes I am assuming my old reservation will not be honored? Not sure what to do now! Have been reward members for almost 30years but these changes are so hard to understand!
Thanks
Thanks
#1059
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Hold it down for The Bay, reppin' Oakland
Programs: Lowly UA silver, Marriott Ambassador/Tit4Lyf, IHG Plat
Posts: 1,763
If you know the hotel you want and its cost in points will increase or remain the same after the 17th, you should attach the certificate now to protect the certificate's value and the redemption price of the hotel.
If the hotel you want will decrease in cost, you may want to wait, but you will be risking however Marriott chooses to dispose of/convert the old certificates. There is some indication that you will be able to call in and arrange a point refund/adjustment if the point cost goes down in the new system, so I think you are still most prudent to attach.
If you don't know the hotel you want or it is an SPG property, you'll have to wait and see.
This table gives the points price of most properties in the old and new programs. It should help you figure out whether the properties you have in mind are increasing in cost after the 17th.
#1060
Join Date: Jun 2004
Programs: Marriott/Starwood Lifetime Titanium, Hilton HHonors Diamond, IHG Spire, United Premier Silver
Posts: 707
I searched but could not find the thread on what happens to Megabonus free night certificates (cat 1-5) after the merger. I read that they will be converted into points, but am not clear how many points and if it is a better idea for me to attach it to a reservation now or just let it be converted into points.
#1061
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
I searched but could not find the thread on what happens to Megabonus free night certificates (cat 1-5) after the merger. I read that they will be converted into points, but am not clear how many points and if it is a better idea for me to attach it to a reservation now or just let it be converted into points.
#1062
My understanding is they do not convert into points that will be deposited into you account, but into certs which can be used up to a certain points value. It is not clear, but it also appears you will not be able to add additional points to stay at a higher level hotel nor carry forward unused points for a second night; ie use a 25k point cert for a 15k night and then apply 10k to another night. We will not know for sure about any of this until the certs are actually converted into the new program as Marriott has not given specifics, only dropped hints and sometimes hints which point to competing explanations.
#1063
Join Date: Jun 2004
Programs: Marriott/Starwood Lifetime Titanium, Hilton HHonors Diamond, IHG Spire, United Premier Silver
Posts: 707
Thanks for that information. So is it best to try to book a cat 5 hotel with this now, attaching the reservation, if I have one in mind? I would assume they would still honor it if attached to a reservation?
#1064
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
That is my understanding and the Lurkers are encouraging us to attach thee certs before the 18th,
#1065
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
I searched but could not find the thread on what happens to Megabonus free night certificates (cat 1-5) after the merger. I read that they will be converted into points, but am not clear how many points and if it is a better idea for me to attach it to a reservation now or just let it be converted into points.
While Marriott has not said how they'll be converted, Chase has said that the card that currently earns cat 1-5 certs will earn 25000 point certs after August. So that's the best guess at what existing cat 1-5 certs would convert to as well.
What you need to know to interpret that: In 2019, cat 4 will be 25000 points nominally, but that can go a bit up or down based on season. And when it goes up in high season, you won't be able to use a 25000 point cert for that hotel, even though will be able to use a 25000 point cert for that hotel the rest of the year. And we don't know how long "high season" will last at any hotel.
Other than that, there is a new chart available, so you can see which hotels are going down and which are going up. But it's a hard co maneuver around on the Marriott website, since you can't jump to any page, you have to increment page by page by page, and there are something like 56 pages . I think someone may have converted that to a spreadsheet, but if so I'm not sure which thread has a link to that.