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
#1066
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 56
Yesterday I reserved 5 nights at Wailea Beach Resort for next year at a total of 160k points. I currently have 125k points in my account so I called reservations to confirm when I would need the full balance. Agent suggested that unless I have 160k by August 18, I might be subject to the changes due to the merger, which include this hotel moving from 40k points per night to 50k. This seemed strange to me, so I HUCA and the second agent told me that indeed booking ahead of the merger locks in the reservation at the current price and I'll simply need to have 160k points 15 days prior to check-in.
Does the second agent sound correct? I can transfer points to get to 160k right now, but would rather earn Marriott points organically via some stays I have upcoming and the eventual upgrade of my Chase Marriott card rather than converting UR.
Does the second agent sound correct? I can transfer points to get to 160k right now, but would rather earn Marriott points organically via some stays I have upcoming and the eventual upgrade of my Chase Marriott card rather than converting UR.
#1067
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: TPA/DFW/K15
Programs: AA EXP, Mar AMB, HH LT DIA
Posts: 1,652
Yesterday I reserved 5 nights at Wailea Beach Resort for next year at a total of 160k points. I currently have 125k points in my account so I called reservations to confirm when I would need the full balance. Agent suggested that unless I have 160k by August 18, I might be subject to the changes due to the merger, which include this hotel moving from 40k points per night to 50k. This seemed strange to me, so I HUCA and the second agent told me that indeed booking ahead of the merger locks in the reservation at the current price and I'll simply need to have 160k points 15 days prior to check-in.
Does the second agent sound correct? I can transfer points to get to 160k right now, but would rather earn Marriott points organically via some stays I have upcoming and the eventual upgrade of my Chase Marriott card rather than converting UR.
Does the second agent sound correct? I can transfer points to get to 160k right now, but would rather earn Marriott points organically via some stays I have upcoming and the eventual upgrade of my Chase Marriott card rather than converting UR.
Personally, I believe the second agent is correct. Logically, if you don't alter the reservation, I believe you are locked in at the rate at time of booking and I doubt method of payment (cash, points and cash, or points) would change anything.
#1068
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
Yesterday I reserved 5 nights at Wailea Beach Resort for next year at a total of 160k points. I currently have 125k points in my account so I called reservations to confirm when I would need the full balance. Agent suggested that unless I have 160k by August 18, I might be subject to the changes due to the merger, which include this hotel moving from 40k points per night to 50k. This seemed strange to me, so I HUCA and the second agent told me that indeed booking ahead of the merger locks in the reservation at the current price and I'll simply need to have 160k points 15 days prior to check-in.
Does the second agent sound correct? I can transfer points to get to 160k right now, but would rather earn Marriott points organically via some stays I have upcoming and the eventual upgrade of my Chase Marriott card rather than converting UR.
Does the second agent sound correct? I can transfer points to get to 160k right now, but would rather earn Marriott points organically via some stays I have upcoming and the eventual upgrade of my Chase Marriott card rather than converting UR.
#1069
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 56
It's Marriott so it's anybody's guess.
Personally, I believe the second agent is correct. Logically, if you don't alter the reservation, I believe you are locked in at the rate at time of booking and I doubt method of payment (cash, points and cash, or points) would change anything.
Personally, I believe the second agent is correct. Logically, if you don't alter the reservation, I believe you are locked in at the rate at time of booking and I doubt method of payment (cash, points and cash, or points) would change anything.
The first agent is wrong. The second is correct. Print your confirmation somewhere (electronic or paper) in case the system changes you to the new redemption rate. Things like assigning you an upgraded room can sometimes trigger this. It has happened to me twice but both times it was corrected easily and quickly. As long as you have the points a couple weeks before your stay you will be okay. Marriott will send you a reminder email and if you do not move the points at that point they will take them from your account of, if you do not have the necessary points, cancel your reservation. I always move the points myself to lessen the chance there will be any issue.
#1070
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
Yesterday I reserved 5 nights at Wailea Beach Resort for next year at a total of 160k points. I currently have 125k points in my account so I called reservations to confirm when I would need the full balance. Agent suggested that unless I have 160k by August 18, I might be subject to the changes due to the merger, which include this hotel moving from 40k points per night to 50k. This seemed strange to me, so I HUCA and the second agent told me that indeed booking ahead of the merger locks in the reservation at the current price and I'll simply need to have 160k points 15 days prior to check-in.
Does the second agent sound correct? I can transfer points to get to 160k right now, but would rather earn Marriott points organically via some stays I have upcoming and the eventual upgrade of my Chase Marriott card rather than converting UR.
Does the second agent sound correct? I can transfer points to get to 160k right now, but would rather earn Marriott points organically via some stays I have upcoming and the eventual upgrade of my Chase Marriott card rather than converting UR.
Even the IRS is not bound by what their agents might tell you!
#1071
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: fwp blood diamond, dykwia uranium
Posts: 7,251
As it stands now I have a lifetime 220 nights with SPG and 7 years elite. I am currently an SPG gold and will likely hit platinum this year.
I have 28 marriott nights and I was given marriott gold status via United 1k status.
So it is my understanding that if I attain 30 more SPG nights by the end of calendar year 2018, I will earn lifetime SPG gold status and therefore lifetime Marriott gold status? Or will the 220+28 combine for an easy spg lifetime gold status? Or does this put me on for useless marriott silver status. Call center people just as unsure as me.
#1072
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: DL Gold, UA nothing (ex-GS), Marriott lifetime Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 920
Question:
As it stands now I have a lifetime 220 nights with SPG and 7 years elite. I am currently an SPG gold and will likely hit platinum this year.
I have 28 marriott nights and I was given marriott gold status via United 1k status.
So it is my understanding that if I attain 30 more SPG nights by the end of calendar year 2018, I will earn lifetime SPG gold status and therefore lifetime Marriott gold status? Or will the 220+28 combine for an easy spg lifetime gold status? Or does this put me on for useless marriott silver status. Call center people just as unsure as me.
As it stands now I have a lifetime 220 nights with SPG and 7 years elite. I am currently an SPG gold and will likely hit platinum this year.
I have 28 marriott nights and I was given marriott gold status via United 1k status.
So it is my understanding that if I attain 30 more SPG nights by the end of calendar year 2018, I will earn lifetime SPG gold status and therefore lifetime Marriott gold status? Or will the 220+28 combine for an easy spg lifetime gold status? Or does this put me on for useless marriott silver status. Call center people just as unsure as me.
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.
#1073
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: ORD
Programs: United Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC, Avis Preferred Plus
Posts: 79
Has Marriott announced what the Annual Choice gift options will be other than Suite Night awards? I'm trying to figure out if it makes sense to try and double dip on those. With separate SPG and Marriott accounts, I might end up with 75 nights in each program if I focus my stays.
#1074
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
Question:
As it stands now I have a lifetime 220 nights with SPG and 7 years elite. I am currently an SPG gold and will likely hit platinum this year.
I have 28 marriott nights and I was given marriott gold status via United 1k status.
So it is my understanding that if I attain 30 more SPG nights by the end of calendar year 2018, I will earn lifetime SPG gold status and therefore lifetime Marriott gold status? Or will the 220+28 combine for an easy spg lifetime gold status? Or does this put me on for useless marriott silver status. Call center people just as unsure as me.
As it stands now I have a lifetime 220 nights with SPG and 7 years elite. I am currently an SPG gold and will likely hit platinum this year.
I have 28 marriott nights and I was given marriott gold status via United 1k status.
So it is my understanding that if I attain 30 more SPG nights by the end of calendar year 2018, I will earn lifetime SPG gold status and therefore lifetime Marriott gold status? Or will the 220+28 combine for an easy spg lifetime gold status? Or does this put me on for useless marriott silver status. Call center people just as unsure as me.
#1075
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Marriott International
[email protected]
#1076
Join Date: May 2002
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, United Silver, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 2,276
Marriott has published that during 2018, but not beyond 2018, elite qualification can be achieved through stays, just as in the SPG program, but only when those stays are at SPG brands. This logic will be in the new, combined system.
I can't imagine there would be additional code to ignore this logic if the SPG member also had a Rewards account and took the action to combine them.
Last edited by Horace; Aug 5, 2018 at 11:46 am
#1077
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 Lurker just reiterated the other day that combining your accounts will have nothing to do with qualifying under the legacy rules. His answer expressed exasperation at those who continue to spread the rumor.
On the thread where this first appeared you had the post directly before this one and one a few after so it is hard to believe you did not see this. Combining accounts will have no impact on qualification under legacy rules.
On the thread where this first appeared you had the post directly before this one and one a few after so it is hard to believe you did not see this. Combining accounts will have no impact on qualification under legacy rules.
I agree.
Marriott has published that for 2018, but not beyond 2018, elite qualification can be achieved through stays, just as in the SPG program, but only when those stays are at SPG brands. This logic will be in the new, combined system.
I can't imagine there would be additional code to ignore this logic if the SPG member also had a Rewards account and took the action to combine them.
Marriott has published that for 2018, but not beyond 2018, elite qualification can be achieved through stays, just as in the SPG program, but only when those stays are at SPG brands. This logic will be in the new, combined system.
I can't imagine there would be additional code to ignore this logic if the SPG member also had a Rewards account and took the action to combine them.
#1078
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
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...ership-70.html
#1079
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
Yes, I have seen those post but I have seen postings both on FT and some websites where people that I believe should know have stated otherwise. And when I post, I try to express it has not been published as to what exactly will happen when we merge our accounts and caution people to be aware. I have also tried to include a statement to the fact that theoretically, there is no need to merge our accounts UNLESS there is a status benefit. But if you're going for legacy qualifications I doubt new program status will be in your favor. Yes, you'll need to be careful about which account you use to book your rooms and watch the progress in both, but again, it's the goal you want that drives the mean. Lastly, I have tried finding the quotes that I recall, but either they have been pulled or the links have been changes. So I will continue to urge caution and hope I am wrong (MR has proven too many times things will change without warning).
#1080
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
Has Marriott announced what the Annual Choice gift options will be other than Suite Night awards? I'm trying to figure out if it makes sense to try and double dip on those. With separate SPG and Marriott accounts, I might end up with 75 nights in each program if I focus my stays.
Post-Merger Platinum Choice Benefits
I doubt you'll get to double dip (unless you hit 50 SPG nights before July 27th) but good luck!