Nov 16, 2015, 4:19 am
Last edit by: Schutzee
November 16, 2015
Marriott Shareholder News Release :
http://investor.shareholder.com/mar/...leaseID=942791
Starwood Investor News Release :
https://s1.q4cdn.com/483583335/files...wood-FINAL.pdf
Marriott CEO Linkedin Post:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/marri...-arne-sorenson
November 16, 2015
November 16, 2015
March 01, 2016
March 14, 2016
Announcement that a consortium including the Chinese company Anbang has made an unsolicited rival bid.
http://www.cnbc.com/2016/03/14/starw...6-a-share.html
March 18, 2016
Starwood determines that the Anbang bid is 'superior' and notifies Marriott of the intention to terminate the merger agreement.
Marriott have until March 28 to make a counter-bid that is as good as or better than Anbang.
Starwood is postponing its stockholder vote, which was scheduled for Monday, March 28th, to a new date to be determined after consultation with Marriott. Starwoods Board has not changed its recommendation in support of Starwoods merger with Marriott.
http://www.cnbc.com/2016/03/18/starw...e-in-cash.html
March 21, 2016
Starwood and Marriott sign a revised merger agreement after Marriott submit an increased bid which values Starwood stock at $85.36. This is now the 'superior' proposal.
Under the revised merger agreement Starwood is not allowed to engage in discussions with Anbang. However, Anbang may make another unsolicited offer, up until the time of the Starwood shareholder vote, which is April 8, 2016.
March 28, 2016
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. said it received a higher takeover offer from a group led by Anbang Insurance Group Co., putting the Chinese company back into battle with Marriott International Inc. for control of the hotel operator.
Starwood said its in negotiations with the Anbang group after receiving a nonbinding offer of $82.75 a share in cash, or about $14 billion, according to a statement Monday. That compares with Marriotts stock-and-cash offer valued at $75.91 a share, or about $12.8 billion, based on March 24ths closing price. Marriott, in its own statement Monday, reaffirmed its commitment to buy Starwood, saying its proposal offers stockholders greater long-term value.
Shares of Starwood rose 2.4 percent to $84.06 at 10:29 a.m. New York time. Marriott climbed 4 percent to $71.35.
The new offer from Anbang, which is working with J.C. Flowers & Co. and Primavera Capital, shows the insurer wont easily back down as it seeks to build its hotel holdings. The Beijing-based company last year purchased Manhattans landmark Waldorf Astoria for $1.95 billion, and is in a deal to acquire luxury-property owner Strategic Hotels & Resorts Inc. for about $6.5 billion. Gaining Starwood would add brands such as Sheraton, W and St. Regis, as well as about $4 billion worth of real estate.
Starwood said it received a non-binding bid of $81 a share on March 26 from the Anbang group, which increased its offer after subsequent discussions. Starwood is negotiating terms of a binding proposal and said it will carefully consider the outcome of its discussions with the consortium in order to determine the best course of action for shareholders.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articl...er-from-anbang
March 31, 2016
Chinas Anbang Drops Bid for Starwood Hotels
Operator of Sheraton, other hotels seen returning to Marriotts previous takeover offer
http://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-a...way-1459455942
BETHESDA, Md. and STAMFORD, Conn., Nov. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announced today that the boards of directors of both companies have unanimously approved a definitive merger agreement under which the companies will create the world's largest hotel company. The transaction combines Starwood's leading lifestyle brands and international footprint with Marriott's strong presence in the luxury and select-service tiers, as well as the convention and resort segment, creating a more comprehensive portfolio. The merged company will offer broader choice for guests, greater opportunities for associates and should unlock additional value for Marriott and Starwood shareholders. Combined, the companies operate or franchise more than 5,500 hotels with 1.1 million rooms worldwide. The combined company's pro forma fee revenue for the 12 months ended September 30, 2015 totals over $2.7 billion.
http://investor.shareholder.com/mar/...leaseID=942791
Starwood Investor News Release :
https://s1.q4cdn.com/483583335/files...wood-FINAL.pdf
Marriott CEO Linkedin Post:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/marri...-arne-sorenson
November 16, 2015
Originally Posted by Official Starwood Announcement on the SPG website
Were excited to share the news that Starwood Hotels & Resorts will join together with Marriott International to create the worlds largest hotel company. For our Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) members, this will mean even more choices in even more places, giving you access to 1.1 million rooms across 5,500 hotels and resorts in more than 100 countries.
We will work to bring you the very best of SPG and Marriott Rewards, two of the most rewarding loyalty programs in our industry. Our members are at the core of everything we do, and that will not change.
This is the beginning of a long journey as we combine our two companies. For now, we remain separate, and there is no change to your SPG program status, your Starpoints or your existing reservations. You will continue to earn Starpoints and elite stay/night credit for your stays, as well as bonus Starpoints for any promotions in which you are participating. There is no change to how you manage your SPG account or book reservations.
Over the coming months, as we have more to share, well be sure to reach out to you by email, at spg.com and via twitter (@spg). In the meantime, we remain at your service wherever you need us whether in our hotels, at spg.com, on the SPG mobile app or via our Customer Contact Centers.
Thank you for sharing your travels with us.
Chris Holdren
Senior Vice President, Starwood Preferred Guest
We will work to bring you the very best of SPG and Marriott Rewards, two of the most rewarding loyalty programs in our industry. Our members are at the core of everything we do, and that will not change.
This is the beginning of a long journey as we combine our two companies. For now, we remain separate, and there is no change to your SPG program status, your Starpoints or your existing reservations. You will continue to earn Starpoints and elite stay/night credit for your stays, as well as bonus Starpoints for any promotions in which you are participating. There is no change to how you manage your SPG account or book reservations.
Over the coming months, as we have more to share, well be sure to reach out to you by email, at spg.com and via twitter (@spg). In the meantime, we remain at your service wherever you need us whether in our hotels, at spg.com, on the SPG mobile app or via our Customer Contact Centers.
Thank you for sharing your travels with us.
Chris Holdren
Senior Vice President, Starwood Preferred Guest
Originally Posted by Official Starwood Announcement to FT members
Dear members,
Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Marriott International to Merge, Creating the Worlds Largest Hotel Company, Best Loyalty Program
Today were excited to share the news that Starwood Hotels & Resorts will join together with Marriott International to create the worlds largest hotel company. For our SPG members, this will mean even more choices in even more places, giving you access to 1.1 million rooms across 5,500 hotels in more than 100 countries.
As we look to bring together the very best of Starwood Preferred Guest and Marriott Rewards, we are confident that together we will create the most rewarding loyalty program in our industry. Our members are at the core of everything we do, and that will not change.
Today is the first day of a long journey as we combine our two companies. For now, we remain separate, and there is no change to your Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) program status, your Starpoints or your existing reservations. You will continue to earn Starpoints and elite stay/night credit for your stays, and bonus Starpoints for any promotions in which are you are participating. There is no change to how you manage your SPG account or book reservations.
Over the coming months, as we have more to share, youll continue to be among the first to hear by e-mail, at spg.com and via twitter (@spg). In the meantime, we remain at your service wherever you need uswhether in our hotels, at spg.com, the SPG mobile app, or via our Customer Contact Centers.
[email protected]
Thyetus Lee | Social Media Specialist
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd
Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Marriott International to Merge, Creating the Worlds Largest Hotel Company, Best Loyalty Program
Today were excited to share the news that Starwood Hotels & Resorts will join together with Marriott International to create the worlds largest hotel company. For our SPG members, this will mean even more choices in even more places, giving you access to 1.1 million rooms across 5,500 hotels in more than 100 countries.
As we look to bring together the very best of Starwood Preferred Guest and Marriott Rewards, we are confident that together we will create the most rewarding loyalty program in our industry. Our members are at the core of everything we do, and that will not change.
Today is the first day of a long journey as we combine our two companies. For now, we remain separate, and there is no change to your Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) program status, your Starpoints or your existing reservations. You will continue to earn Starpoints and elite stay/night credit for your stays, and bonus Starpoints for any promotions in which are you are participating. There is no change to how you manage your SPG account or book reservations.
Over the coming months, as we have more to share, youll continue to be among the first to hear by e-mail, at spg.com and via twitter (@spg). In the meantime, we remain at your service wherever you need uswhether in our hotels, at spg.com, the SPG mobile app, or via our Customer Contact Centers.
[email protected]
Thyetus Lee | Social Media Specialist
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd
The U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission will not challenge the proposed merger between Marriott International and Starwood Hotels & Resorts. The waiting period for Marriott's filing with the FTC under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, the merger's first regulatory hurdle, expired on Monday, meaning the deal is cleared to proceed. The Competition Bureau of Canada also will not challenge the transaction. According to Marriott, the companies are cooperating with competition authorities in other parts of the world to obtain approval of the deal. Marriott and Starwood will hold separate stockholder meetings on March 28 to vote on the merger.
http://investor.shareholder.com/MAR/...leaseID=958056
http://investor.shareholder.com/MAR/...leaseID=958056
Announcement that a consortium including the Chinese company Anbang has made an unsolicited rival bid.
http://www.cnbc.com/2016/03/14/starw...6-a-share.html
March 18, 2016
Starwood determines that the Anbang bid is 'superior' and notifies Marriott of the intention to terminate the merger agreement.
Marriott have until March 28 to make a counter-bid that is as good as or better than Anbang.
Starwood is postponing its stockholder vote, which was scheduled for Monday, March 28th, to a new date to be determined after consultation with Marriott. Starwoods Board has not changed its recommendation in support of Starwoods merger with Marriott.
http://www.cnbc.com/2016/03/18/starw...e-in-cash.html
March 21, 2016
Starwood and Marriott sign a revised merger agreement after Marriott submit an increased bid which values Starwood stock at $85.36. This is now the 'superior' proposal.
Under the revised merger agreement Starwood is not allowed to engage in discussions with Anbang. However, Anbang may make another unsolicited offer, up until the time of the Starwood shareholder vote, which is April 8, 2016.
March 28, 2016
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. said it received a higher takeover offer from a group led by Anbang Insurance Group Co., putting the Chinese company back into battle with Marriott International Inc. for control of the hotel operator.
Starwood said its in negotiations with the Anbang group after receiving a nonbinding offer of $82.75 a share in cash, or about $14 billion, according to a statement Monday. That compares with Marriotts stock-and-cash offer valued at $75.91 a share, or about $12.8 billion, based on March 24ths closing price. Marriott, in its own statement Monday, reaffirmed its commitment to buy Starwood, saying its proposal offers stockholders greater long-term value.
Shares of Starwood rose 2.4 percent to $84.06 at 10:29 a.m. New York time. Marriott climbed 4 percent to $71.35.
The new offer from Anbang, which is working with J.C. Flowers & Co. and Primavera Capital, shows the insurer wont easily back down as it seeks to build its hotel holdings. The Beijing-based company last year purchased Manhattans landmark Waldorf Astoria for $1.95 billion, and is in a deal to acquire luxury-property owner Strategic Hotels & Resorts Inc. for about $6.5 billion. Gaining Starwood would add brands such as Sheraton, W and St. Regis, as well as about $4 billion worth of real estate.
Starwood said it received a non-binding bid of $81 a share on March 26 from the Anbang group, which increased its offer after subsequent discussions. Starwood is negotiating terms of a binding proposal and said it will carefully consider the outcome of its discussions with the consortium in order to determine the best course of action for shareholders.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articl...er-from-anbang
March 31, 2016
Chinas Anbang Drops Bid for Starwood Hotels
Operator of Sheraton, other hotels seen returning to Marriotts previous takeover offer
http://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-a...way-1459455942
Starwood: "Marriott and Starwood stockholders approve merger"
Nov 24, 2015 | 9:50 pm
#1126
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,163
Platinum now, but it hasn't made that much difference; when I ask nicely, I get what they have available. The mini suite I got last August I doubt would have been any different had I been Platinum, they had to do a bit of shuffling to get me that.
Nov 25, 2015 | 2:00 am
#1127
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAN and LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC LT Gold, HH Dia, MR LT Plat, IHG Diamond Amb, Amex Plat
Posts: 13,940
Actually I forgot to add Curio Collection to HH so that makes it 5.
I purposely excluded HGP was that it was merely a comparison of the Big 3 - MAR+SPG, IHG, and Hilton. All 3 are 7-9x the footprint of Hyatt, making a Hyatt very much a niche operation in comparison.
For Hyatt, you can also add Hyatt Centric, so that makes 6 brands, and a total of just 146 properties outside the Americas (of all brands). Combining PH, GH, and Andaz, there are 79 properties globally, compared to 90 properties of just Ritz Carlton alone.
So just counting brands, not properties or rooms, the tally is MAR+SPG 12 (or 17), Hyatt 6, HH 5, IHG 2.
I purposely excluded HGP was that it was merely a comparison of the Big 3 - MAR+SPG, IHG, and Hilton. All 3 are 7-9x the footprint of Hyatt, making a Hyatt very much a niche operation in comparison.
For Hyatt, you can also add Hyatt Centric, so that makes 6 brands, and a total of just 146 properties outside the Americas (of all brands). Combining PH, GH, and Andaz, there are 79 properties globally, compared to 90 properties of just Ritz Carlton alone.
So just counting brands, not properties or rooms, the tally is MAR+SPG 12 (or 17), Hyatt 6, HH 5, IHG 2.
Hilton just doesn't have the footprint of Conrads and really good Hiltons (far fewer than there are IC's).
Ultimately it isn't just the number of brands that matter (and you allude to this yourself) it is the footprint and both Hilton and IHG score big here compared to Starwood if what you are really seeking is a higher end experience. Which is probably why Hyatt is a poor match for me but I will give the status match a whirl.
Nov 25, 2015 | 7:32 am
#1128
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 99
Also I've noticed the most frequently touted benefits of SPG are (1) Platinum specific, and (2) not related to earn-and-burn.
Using the official ThePointsGuy valuation of 2.5cpp for SPG and 0.7cpp for MAR, I have calculated the following "rebate ratio" :
- Marriott Platinum : 10.5% rebate for rooms and up to 13.4% rebate if transferred to UA miles
- SPG Plat 50 : Same 7.5% rebate for room & airline, inclusive of 25% xfer bonus
- SPG Plat 75 : With 4 pt/$ earn, the rebate is upped to 10.0%
My calculations are already far more favorable than what IdeaWorks has reported for SPG. When viewed in this lens, the merger isn't all about "cut cut cut"
Nov 25, 2015 | 8:22 am
#1129
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Potomac Falls, VA
Programs: AA Plat 2MM, MR Gold, Avis Pref
Posts: 41,109
this is exactly what will get cut in an acquisition; some may stay but there will be an unnecessary duplication of jobs between the two corp offices. Departments such as accounting, payroll, supply chain etc (etc including Cust svc) are what is eventually eliminated over the integration process
Nov 25, 2015 | 8:38 am
#1130
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 74,119
" As guests await the value calculus on their loyalty points, hotel employees are doing the same with regard to their livelihoods, particularly in Stamford where Starwood’s headquarters represents the largest corporate employer with more than 2,000 people, and Marriott disclosing last week it has some 3,000 headquarters personnel in the Bethesda, Md., area.
In an FAQ document for employees of Starwood and Marriott, the companies indicated they do not anticipate any effect on customer-service jobs at their hotels and resorts, but did not give the same assurances for headquarters jobs.
“It’s too early to know exactly how the companies will come together at an above-property level or any potential impact to particular positions,” Marriott stated in the document. “If a decision is made that a part of the organization needs to be restructured post-merger, we will make sure that the process is fair and that associates have equal access to job opportunities ... A two-year (time frame) for ‘everything’ to be in place is probably reasonable.”
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/busi...ls-6652212.php
Cheers.
In an FAQ document for employees of Starwood and Marriott, the companies indicated they do not anticipate any effect on customer-service jobs at their hotels and resorts, but did not give the same assurances for headquarters jobs.
“It’s too early to know exactly how the companies will come together at an above-property level or any potential impact to particular positions,” Marriott stated in the document. “If a decision is made that a part of the organization needs to be restructured post-merger, we will make sure that the process is fair and that associates have equal access to job opportunities ... A two-year (time frame) for ‘everything’ to be in place is probably reasonable.”
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/busi...ls-6652212.php
Cheers.
Nov 25, 2015 | 10:08 am
#1131
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: BA Gold; AA Lfe Time PLT ; Marriott Titanium, LFT GLD
Posts: 1,276
If you want to compare "gaming the system" between MR and SPG I suggest you take a look at the MR pages on FT. The MR systems seems to be much more open to gaming... they have threads on getting to PLT status without staying a night at a Marriot.
Compared to this SPG seems to me to be relatively gaming proof. Apart from a maximum of 4 stays a year from 2 AMEX cards ... you have to stay nights to get status at Starwood.
If the new combined loyalty program looks much more like MR than SPG (which seems inevitable) ... let the games begin!
I find this disappointing. I really do not have the time, nor the ethical ambivalence, to spend my time gaming the system as outlined in the MR threads on FT...
Nov 25, 2015 | 10:14 am
#1132
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,871
there is not service duplication when adding 21m members (to existing 54m)
customer service is also centralized corporate, but not headquarters
fairly big deal > http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/ope...on_at_starwood >
http://development.starwoodhotels.co...mega_travelers
http://www.starwoodhotelsccc.com/
Austin Texas, Fall River Massachusetts, Wichita Kansas
St Thomas Canada, Cork Ireland
Guangzhou China, Gurgaon India, Singapore, Tokyo Japan
http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/...t_18690970.htm
accor presentiation suggests SPG best for return guests
"Outstanding players at every stage of the customer journery"
"[Stay Share] Return...Starwood Preferred Guest"
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/accor...-strategy.html
customer service is also centralized corporate, but not headquarters
fairly big deal > http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/ope...on_at_starwood >
Ambassadors are specially trained associates in our contact centers
The program also benefits our contact-center employees. One thing we had struggled with before was the “pyramid effect”: if you were talented on the phones and wanted to progress, you pretty much had to become your supervisor. Now, we have new opportunities for these employees. We’ve even created paths from the ambassador program to sales roles in our various properties—something that didn’t exist five years ago. As a result of all this, turnover in our contact centers went down and employee satisfaction went up.
a few years back [SPG] began to get far more granular in how we approached it as we studied the profitability of our guests in side-by-side comparisons. We found, for example, that the top 2 percent generated 30 percent of our organization’s profits—an incredibly high concentration. We also learned that the “platinum” members of our loyalty program—Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG)—are many, many times more profitable than guests who aren’t SPG members.
The program also benefits our contact-center employees. One thing we had struggled with before was the “pyramid effect”: if you were talented on the phones and wanted to progress, you pretty much had to become your supervisor. Now, we have new opportunities for these employees. We’ve even created paths from the ambassador program to sales roles in our various properties—something that didn’t exist five years ago. As a result of all this, turnover in our contact centers went down and employee satisfaction went up.
a few years back [SPG] began to get far more granular in how we approached it as we studied the profitability of our guests in side-by-side comparisons. We found, for example, that the top 2 percent generated 30 percent of our organization’s profits—an incredibly high concentration. We also learned that the “platinum” members of our loyalty program—Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG)—are many, many times more profitable than guests who aren’t SPG members.
http://www.starwoodhotelsccc.com/
Austin Texas, Fall River Massachusetts, Wichita Kansas
St Thomas Canada, Cork Ireland
Guangzhou China, Gurgaon India, Singapore, Tokyo Japan
http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/...t_18690970.htm
SPG, which today drives more than 50 percent of the company's occupancy
B2B accounts for nearly 70 percent of Starwood's overall room revenue
Starwood's sales offices manage 1,200 global accounts from more than 30 offices around the world.
The top 1 percent in accounts drives 40 percent of Starwood's B2B revenue.
B2B accounts for nearly 70 percent of Starwood's overall room revenue
Starwood's sales offices manage 1,200 global accounts from more than 30 offices around the world.
The top 1 percent in accounts drives 40 percent of Starwood's B2B revenue.
"Outstanding players at every stage of the customer journery"
"[Stay Share] Return...Starwood Preferred Guest"
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/accor...-strategy.html
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Nov 25, 2015 at 3:50 pm
Nov 25, 2015 | 10:32 am
#1133
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Kuwait (KW)
Programs: Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, IHG, Qatar Airways
Posts: 3,678
Not to detract from the conversations above, but I'm really interested in what'll happen to Starwood's brands if/when the merger/acquisition goes through. I know Sorenson says he intends to keep all the brands in place, but he's also mentioned a few things about culling Sheratons that are already known to be below brand standards and singled out Le Mridien by saying that it and Renaissance compete very tightly in the same tier. I hope that, if some brands are to be axed or amalgamated into the Marriott fold, some brands win out over Marriott's own [i.e. I'd much prefer a Le Mridien over a Renaissance - stronger brand identity, more recognizable name and a more broad international presence whereas Renaissance feels a bit lost].
Guess we'll know soon enough... Ugh.
khabah
Guess we'll know soon enough... Ugh.
khabah
Nov 25, 2015 | 1:57 pm
#1134
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Suburban Philadelphia
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Plat, IHG Gold
Posts: 3,393
However, my employer's negotiated rates often dictate where I stay; if we have a Crowne Plaza for $120 / night and the Marriott is $175 a night, I can't get away with the Marriott.
My order of preference is:
Marriott
SPG
IHG
HH
CC (primarily in Europe)
BW (primarily in Europe)
To give an example, I have a stay in Providence, RI coming up in a few weeks. I want to top off my SPG points/nights so was looking at them first. Only one SPG property in the area and it's way down by the airport. No IHG properties either. The Marriotts are each at least $200, but the Hilton Biltmore has our corporate rate of $139. So that's where I'll be even though I'd much rather be elsewhere.
The airport Sheraton would be fine except my meeting is nowhere near the airport, and it's horribly out of the way for my host to pick me up from way down there.
Just thought I'd take a moment to explain us multi-mid-status folks.
Nov 25, 2015 | 3:03 pm
#1135
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,163
Not to detract from the conversations above, but I'm really interested in what'll happen to Starwood's brands if/when the merger/acquisition goes through. I know Sorenson says he intends to keep all the brands in place, but he's also mentioned a few things about culling Sheratons that are already known to be below brand standards and singled out Le Mridien by saying that it and Renaissance compete very tightly in the same tier. I hope that, if some brands are to be axed or amalgamated into the Marriott fold, some brands win out over Marriott's own [i.e. I'd much prefer a Le Mridien over a Renaissance - stronger brand identity, more recognizable name and a more broad international presence whereas Renaissance feels a bit lost].
Nov 25, 2015 | 3:04 pm
#1136
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,163
Why do you consider it less ethical to, for instance, book a meeting purely for the room nights than to bounce between two hotels that share a parking lot in order to get 7 stays in a week?
Nov 25, 2015 | 3:09 pm
#1138
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Chicagoland, IL, USA
Programs: WN CP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,422
Nov 25, 2015 | 3:28 pm
#1139
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: BA Gold; AA Lfe Time PLT ; Marriott Titanium, LFT GLD
Posts: 1,276
I do not have any problem with booking meeting rooms... nor do I think it is at all unethical to bounce between hotels... Those are legitimate transactions.
However I do not remember hearing about "manufactured spend" on credit cards on the SPG forum... it is mentioned on a number of the MR threads I rummaged through.
The main point of my post was to respond to the previous poster's suggestion that "SPG is easy to game".
Nov 25, 2015 | 3:34 pm
#1140
Join Date: May 2002
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, United Silver, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 2,366
On the Marriott side, I could see Moxy disappearing. Moxy could be folded into Aloft. There's only one Moxy so far (in Milan). I haven't seen it, but I've stayed at two Aloft properties this year. Moxy appears to be similar to Aloft in target market, identity, and execution.
Beyond those two pairs of brands, I don't see any other Starwood or Marriott brands going away.
I could see some 5-star Autograph Collection properties moving to Luxury Collection. Marriott does not currently have a 5-star "collection" brand.
Although there are similarities between Le Mridien and Renaissance, you could also add Westin to that list. Actually, you could add all the full-service Starwood and Marriott brands to that list. There are very nice upper-upscale Marriott and Sheraton hotels, as well as ones that desperately need renovation.
Marriott and Starwood are both in the business of selling franchises, and that will still be the case when they're one company.
Think of a downtown like Indianapolis, where there's a Westin, Sheraton, Le Mridien, Marriott, and JW Marriott. There's no reason to retire one or more full-service brands and force one or more hotels to adopt a different brand. All it would do is cause confusion. (Marriott also has a number of select-service and extended stay properties in downtown Indianapolis.)
In downtown Indianapolis, the combined company will still be in a position to sell a Renaissance franchise and a Delta franchise, without duplicating full-service brands.
Ideally, each brand will have a distinct personality in the long run.
Yep!