Never thought I would say this but SPG hates elites and Marriott is superior
Oct 2, 2018, 5:01 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: California
Programs: UA GS MM SPG Platinum (Lifetime Platinum)
Posts: 428
Never thought I would say this but SPG hates elites and Marriott is superior
Since the merger (dating well before the Aug integration) my rooms and experience have been terrible. The SPG Loyalty program and name that I assumed Marriott wanted has completely been relegated to garbage status.
My last 10 plus Stays have been in rooms I haven’t seen in decades at properties I frequented. From ocean views at the Moana Surfrider to third floor second tower wall views to Westin Verasa one bedroom with kitchen to first floor cubes with prison views... it’s getting ridiculous.
Marriott seems to be everything I thought it wasn’t during my 10 years of Plat at SPG; from far superior Plat lounges (with more of them), actual rooms on high floors with views.
SPG you should be ashamed of yourself.
My last 10 plus Stays have been in rooms I haven’t seen in decades at properties I frequented. From ocean views at the Moana Surfrider to third floor second tower wall views to Westin Verasa one bedroom with kitchen to first floor cubes with prison views... it’s getting ridiculous.
Marriott seems to be everything I thought it wasn’t during my 10 years of Plat at SPG; from far superior Plat lounges (with more of them), actual rooms on high floors with views.
SPG you should be ashamed of yourself.
Oct 2, 2018, 5:19 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: California
Programs: UA GS MM SPG Platinum (Lifetime Platinum)
Posts: 428
Oct 2, 2018, 8:18 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR/SPG LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus
Posts: 31,008
If the quality of your rooms went down substantially after the takeover of the SPG program by the MR program, how is this a negative reflection on the SPG program, which no longer exists?
I'll repeat the above. SPG no longer exists, so who should feel shame? At a property level, if properties formerly owned by, and following the policies of, SPG, are providing worse service since they've become owned by, and following the policies of, MR, how do you conclude that "SPG hates elites"?
We know what SPG was - it was a loyalty program that many of us liked that had been terminated, with the brand temporarily plastered over something different.
I'll repeat the above. SPG no longer exists, so who should feel shame? At a property level, if properties formerly owned by, and following the policies of, SPG, are providing worse service since they've become owned by, and following the policies of, MR, how do you conclude that "SPG hates elites"?
We know what SPG was - it was a loyalty program that many of us liked that had been terminated, with the brand temporarily plastered over something different.
Last edited by CPRich; Oct 2, 2018 at 8:24 pm
Oct 2, 2018, 8:48 pm
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,110
Note to self - pop the popcorn 
FWIW - both sides lost & won. Now both sides have to deal w/ the new program. Ugh/yeah/ugh, etc, etc. Depending on the day I'm both ugh & yeah.
Cheers.
FWIW - both sides lost & won. Now both sides have to deal w/ the new program. Ugh/yeah/ugh, etc, etc. Depending on the day I'm both ugh & yeah.
Cheers.
Oct 2, 2018, 8:49 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
I think those with legacy Marriott who think SPG sucks at least on the upgrade department should read the legacy threads on the numerous and amazing upgrades we have all received as Golds and Platinums, even for those without the legacy SPG Lifetime status. The number of times I've been upgraded to junior, large, multi-bedroom crazy suites and even Presidential Suites was pretty awesome - and a majority based on standard room rates. But having compared the two programs (I was both Platinum a couple years in both programs), I would say that there are some better things Marriott did as well. Upgrades just wasn't one of them, IMHO.
I'm still trying to sit back and let things ride out for the next while but at the moment the new program doesn't look good.
I'm still trying to sit back and let things ride out for the next while but at the moment the new program doesn't look good.
Oct 2, 2018, 8:52 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,169
I just sent a note to my Ambassador - massive downgrade of on-property recognition post-8/18, both MAR and SPG properties. Consistently getting terrible rooms - zero attempt at pre-blocking it seems. Little to any acknowledgment of status. Nothing even close to a suite.
Oct 2, 2018, 8:53 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,169
Struggling to think of a single downgrade on the Marriott side - better benefits, increased point earning, whole new selection of higher end / aspirational / global properties. Am I missing something?
Oct 2, 2018, 9:35 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2015
Programs: DL, Marriott & IHG Platty; HH Diamonte
Posts: 861
Since the merger (dating well before the Aug integration) my rooms and experience have been terrible. The SPG Loyalty program and name that I assumed Marriott wanted has completely been relegated to garbage status.
My last 10 plus Stays have been in rooms I haven’t seen in decades at properties I frequented. From ocean views at the Moana Surfrider to third floor second tower wall views to Westin Verasa one bedroom with kitchen to first floor cubes with prison views... it’s getting ridiculous.
Marriott seems to be everything I thought it wasn’t during my 10 years of Plat at SPG; from far superior Plat lounges (with more of them), actual rooms on high floors with views.
SPG you should be ashamed of yourself.
My last 10 plus Stays have been in rooms I haven’t seen in decades at properties I frequented. From ocean views at the Moana Surfrider to third floor second tower wall views to Westin Verasa one bedroom with kitchen to first floor cubes with prison views... it’s getting ridiculous.
Marriott seems to be everything I thought it wasn’t during my 10 years of Plat at SPG; from far superior Plat lounges (with more of them), actual rooms on high floors with views.
SPG you should be ashamed of yourself.
Oct 2, 2018, 10:07 pm
#10
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,455
Oct 2, 2018, 11:33 pm
#11
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: United 1K, *wood LT Plat
Posts: 825
So I can’t speak to MAR properties since I haven’t stayed in any, but glad that I’m not the only one who noticed that SPG properties have taken a nose-dive since 8/18. It’s the first time in years that I’m actually looking at non-SPG properties.
Oct 2, 2018, 11:46 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
Do these properties include ones that are familiar with you (i.e. the staff know your face, know your preferences, and say hi to you all the time sort of thing)?
Oct 2, 2018, 11:47 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 13,047
Of course...
1. Better benefits - assuming that the IT systems haven't screwed up your status
2. Increased point earning - assuming that you receive credit for your paid stays (I have had to chase every single post-August stay) and many have reported shockingly incorrect point calculations
3. Whole new selection of hotels - still cannot be booked by Marriott members whose membership numbers start with "0" and don't get me started on the travel packages or the high end SPG hotels not releasing award space
Oct 3, 2018, 1:09 am
#14
Moderator, El Al and Marriott Bonvoy, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ*G, Mar LTT, Hyatt Glb, AA LTG, LY, HH, IC, BA, DL, UA SLV
Posts: 12,018
High-end MAR properties.
Oct 3, 2018, 1:39 am
#15
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,455
When the website says, "Please wait while we connect you to SPG.com to complete your booking," I think it's reasonable to continue to refer to them as SPG properties.
In fact, I'd suggest that it will continue to be appropriate to refer to the former Starwood brands as "SPG Properties" even after the booking platform has been merged. We all know exactly what's being referred to, and that's the ultimate point of language, no? Don't quite see the point of elevating corporate-speak form over substance.
In fact, I'd suggest that it will continue to be appropriate to refer to the former Starwood brands as "SPG Properties" even after the booking platform has been merged. We all know exactly what's being referred to, and that's the ultimate point of language, no? Don't quite see the point of elevating corporate-speak form over substance.