uxb

In most cases, you have to book to submit for an SPG BRG also. Additionally, you most book the lowest rate (even if it is not flexible) to price-match a Design property. @:-)

terpzone

I've only used BRG a handful of times, but I don't think I've ever booked beforehand. Was always told to just book within 24 hours with the following language:

I believe Hyatt worked the same way, as well.

uxb

Well, allow this to serve as official notice that the process did change. For the latest updates, visit here: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/star...on-thread.html

terpzone

Well poo.

Oxon Flyer

The thread wiki is, and has been, available to collate and summarise all the facts relating to the SPG/Marriott merger. Forum members are invited and welcome to contribute.

SkiAdcock

Having been on the United side of the Continental merger where the UA elites lost more than the CO elites I totally understand. Having flown 3million miles on dif airlines & having slept a couple thousand nights in dif hotel chains I get that the programs are a big part of our lives.

However programs still aren't life or death, & ranting in advance & just doing wild speculation when we don't know how it's going to play out doesn't really do much good. Once we have actual details let the rants begin.

And since I consumed a bit of alcohol when my beloved United disappeared I thought my recommendation to have a drink might help, even if meant a bit in jest. Sorry it was taken the wrong way.

Cheers.

Duke5150

[QUOTE=Visconti;27240590]In addition, we'll lose (assuming) the best and most rewarding credit card points program on the Planet [QUOTE]

One answer: --> CHASE SAPPHIRE RESERVE

mhdena

Your posts in this thread have a gleeful tone to them. they would probably be better received here.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...d-12bn-35.html

jalves

Well stated.

SkiAdcock

I truly am perplexed that you think my posts in this thread have a 'gleeful' tone to them, other than the posts where I try to make jokes.

I've posted more in this thread than the other one, and in this thread...

* I've provided answers when SPG folk had questions about the Marriott program & been happy to do so, as some will find themselves staying at Marriott brands in the future &/or may not know how the program works;

* I've asked questions re: the SPG program that SPG elites have answered & have been grateful when they have, for the same reason as listed above;

* I've said that SPG is not the second coming of Chr*st & that Marriott is not the anti-Chr*st

* I've said a # of times that elites of all programs (whether airline, hotel, credit card) should evaluate their programs each year (re: of mergers) to make sure it/they still work for them moving forward

* I've said a # of times we should all wait (on both sides) to hear what the actual details are before we go into total rants, etc. Some of the current rants are rants re: things that might not occur (or might - the point is we don't know).

* I've mentioned (as have others) we really aren't going to know what will happen until sometime next year at the earliest, for a complete merger that won't take place in terms of programs until 2018

* I've said that while I appreciate the importance of hotel & airline programs to those of us who have investments in both via staying & flying, it's still not as important as life & death things (realizing that some may compare the comment to the starving children in India when we don't eat our peas, but still).

* I have said, like it or not, we're all going to be one happy (or dsyfunctional!) family come 2018

I have attempted to contribute to this thread & some other threads in this forum where I think I can provide input that would help; normally on more customer service items, but occasional property threads where I've stayed. Heck, I offered up a word doc on places to eat/things to do/transport to those traveling in Vienna, Austria, as I went to school there & have been back several times. I've had many SPG elites PM me to ask for the doc, as well as Marriott elites, and been quite happy to provide them the doc.

Re: your comment that I should post in the Marriott thread re: the merger, I went back & re-read that thread (which isn't as long as this one) & I was not 'gleeful' in any of my posts there.

Cheers.

Visconti

[QUOTE=Duke5150;27244131][QUOTE=Visconti;27240590]In addition, we'll lose (assuming) the best and most rewarding credit card points program on the Planet True, why not?!

$300 X 2 and 100K UR could pay for a bunch of cash & points Hyatt stays! LOL

Herb687

Couldn't agree more. This thread has approximately zero content related to the "latest on Starwood and Marriott merger." It's just one gigantic gripe and speculation fest. But since the thread remains, I'll stay at the party!


Well I don't know if I count as a "loyal" Starwood customer but I do hold lifetime status in SPG and stay at specific SPG properties when they have proven themselves decent properties that meet my travel needs. But I also eschew the crap SPG properties (of which there are many) and question the marketing BS that SPG feeds me as it overpromises and undelivers (suite upgrades that never materialized, inability of Starwood to impose discipline on its individual properties, attempts by hotels to weasel out of 4pm late checkouts, etc.).

I would argue that what is laughable is to stay loyal to an airline/hotel frequent flyer/guest program in this day and age.

But if you use me as a proxy for the loyal SPG elite, I very much look forward to the merger. Why? Well the reason for me is, pure and simple, the new property footprint of Starriott.

I frequently travel to smaller markets with nary a Starwood property within 150 miles. Since any hotel loyalty scheme is going to overpromise and underdeliver (at best) or outright cheat me out of promised benefits (at worst), I may as well have 1000s of reliable, consistent Courtyard type properties at which I can earn a few token points when I'm forced to be in the Abilene, Akron, Albany, and Allentowns of the world.

The greatly expanded footprint is a huge benefit to some SPG customers/elites.


I certainly do not.

Please, get some perspective. We are talking about a hotel loyalty scheme here. A hotel loyalty scheme is not something about which anyone should be passionate.


I would argue that the quality and value of hotel loyalty programs generally and SPG specifically have been on the decline for years. I've been around here for a long time. The SPG of today is nothing like the SPG of 10-15 years ago.

And the hotels are not the program. What do YOU do when the best quality or best value hotel in a market is not the one affiliated with your preferred loyalty scheme?


(emphasis mine)

Agree with your quote above and wanted to highlight your use of the word "investments." People need to realize that their banked balances in airline and hotel programs are not investments in any way, shape, or form.

seawolf

The problem is usability. When I login and see threads are BOLDed, it signifies new posts. 99% of the time I click on this BOLDed "Latest on the Starwood and Marriott merger" thread to see the new posts, it's been useless speculation. To add insult to injury, wiki updates make the thread BOLDed.

Thus my repeat request that there should be a thread dedicated ONLY to official annoucements so that when it does show up in BOLD, I know it is actual news on the merger/integration.

Visconti

Couldn't agree more.

Obviously, this merger works out fabulously for you. You benefit from the larger footprint where you may accrue and earn more points for your future stays. Anyone in your position would feel the same.

For whatever reason, I never find myself anywhere other than major cities. How would someone like me benefit from the larger footprint? What do I gain from potential devaluation and the sharing of Elite benefits with my soon-to-be MR brethren?

Obviously, there are always winners and losers in every M&A. In this case, I’m a loser; and, that’s ok. I’m a big boy and can accept it. Is it that unreasonable to be a little frustrated by the forced change? Is it that immature to vent a little? Or, even be upset? Sure, it shouldn’t be a passion, but for some it may be. And, if it is, what’s really so bad about that? Is that any worst than having a “passion” for Fantasy football, quilting, and gambling in Vegas?

Sure, points are a kind of fiat currency that only depreciates. Let’s say, for whatever reason, I’ve accumulated 1,000,000 SPG points. At 2cpp, this would be approximately $20,000, give or take. Does this seem like a small irrelevant amount to you? Is it that surprising someone with this amount of points would be more concerned over “prudent speculation” on what the future may hold for SPG than others with say, 30,000 points and benefits from the merger?

Finally, as to complaints on the incessant whining, ranting, and rampant speculation, this is an Internet forum. What Internet Forum is free from any of that? Better yet, if there were such a forum, who would actually be on it? Imagine a Wall Street Analyst tasked with only to provide the raw numbers without any analysis, color, or future projections. What use would that be? It wouldn’t even be worth the paper or web page it’s printed on, since the only thing relevant is what “will” happen, and not what “has” happened. Same here, only thing relevant is what will happen—the educated (FT folks are amongst the most informed on this topic, in my view) speculation.

In my view, the speculation on what "may" be is the most interesting and valuable aspect of FT. Facts I can always stream from Reuters or 1,000s of the free news services.

stimpy

I said that the program is an extension of the hotel experience. The hotel itself is what we are directly connected with during a stay. But yes I won't stay at a bad hotel just because it's in SPG. That's why I have top status in a bunch of other chains. I stay more at IC's than any other chain. And yes, I know I'm not normal.

Also I would argue that since the first news came out that Starwood was going to be acquired by Hyatt, my Starwood stay experience has gotten MUCH better. So while 2007-2014 (roughly speaking) weren't the greatest years for Starwood elites, 2015-2016 has been really good. For me anyways.