Sep 22, 2016, 11:20 pm
Last edit by: SkiAdcock
Deal closed Sep 23 - http://news.marriott.com/2016/09/marriott-international-expanded-loyalty-benefits/
FAQ :
http://members.marriott.com/faq/#will-rewards-and-spg-be-turning-into-one-program
Will Rewards and SPG be turning into one program?
These are two of the best programs in the industry, and we want you to benefit from everything that makes SPG and Rewards great. We don’t anticipate that the two programs will come together before 2018, and we will keep you informed of any updates. In the meantime, there’s no change to how you book reservations, manage your accounts or earn Elite night credits, points and miles in the current programs
Status Matches
MR Platinum <--> SPG Platinum
MR Gold <--> SPG Gold
MR Silver <--> SPG Preferred Plus
MR Member <--> SPG Preferred
If your status changes (i.e. Gold->Plat) in one program, your status in the other program will be automatically upgraded within 24 hours per Marriott FAQ
You can now link your Marriott Rewards or Ritz-Carlton Rewards account with your SPG account.
To link your accounts, log in to either account at:
http://www.spg.com/linkmarriott
http://members.marriott.com/
It will be a 3:1 transfer ratio between MR-SPG
If I have Lifetime Status in one of the programs, will I also get it in the other program when I link my accounts?
This is the Official Answer : "We appreciate your loyalty! Lifetime Status is specific to the program that you earned it in. While linking accounts will not result in Lifetime Status in the other program, your Elite status will be matched to the same Elite tier in the other program. Any existing Lifetime Status you already hold within either program will still be enjoyed within that program. We’re working on more ways to recognize your loyalty and Lifetime Status as we work towards harmonizing the programs, which we don’t anticipate happening until 2018."
Transferring points from SPG to MR does NOT change lifetime MR points.
Transferring points from SPG to MR does NOT count as activity & therefore does not extend the expiration date of points.
SPG platinum member matched to MR plat and now interested in the MR - UA Silver status match ? Check here.
Updated Terms and Conditions for the two programs can be found at
http://members.marriott.com/terms-conditions/
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/legal/spg_terms.html
Complete listing of all the hotel brands in the in the merged company :
http://www.marriott.com/marriott-brands.mi#ourbrands
http://www.marriott.com/Images/Brands/brands_page_2016/global_architecture_images/US_MAR_SPG_brand_architecture.png
FAQ :
http://members.marriott.com/faq/#will-rewards-and-spg-be-turning-into-one-program
Will Rewards and SPG be turning into one program?
These are two of the best programs in the industry, and we want you to benefit from everything that makes SPG and Rewards great. We don’t anticipate that the two programs will come together before 2018, and we will keep you informed of any updates. In the meantime, there’s no change to how you book reservations, manage your accounts or earn Elite night credits, points and miles in the current programs
Status Matches
MR Platinum <--> SPG Platinum
MR Gold <--> SPG Gold
MR Silver <--> SPG Preferred Plus
MR Member <--> SPG Preferred
If your status changes (i.e. Gold->Plat) in one program, your status in the other program will be automatically upgraded within 24 hours per Marriott FAQ
You can now link your Marriott Rewards or Ritz-Carlton Rewards account with your SPG account.
To link your accounts, log in to either account at:
http://www.spg.com/linkmarriott
http://members.marriott.com/
It will be a 3:1 transfer ratio between MR-SPG
If I have Lifetime Status in one of the programs, will I also get it in the other program when I link my accounts?
This is the Official Answer : "We appreciate your loyalty! Lifetime Status is specific to the program that you earned it in. While linking accounts will not result in Lifetime Status in the other program, your Elite status will be matched to the same Elite tier in the other program. Any existing Lifetime Status you already hold within either program will still be enjoyed within that program. We’re working on more ways to recognize your loyalty and Lifetime Status as we work towards harmonizing the programs, which we don’t anticipate happening until 2018."
Transferring points from SPG to MR does NOT change lifetime MR points.
Transferring points from SPG to MR does NOT count as activity & therefore does not extend the expiration date of points.
SPG platinum member matched to MR plat and now interested in the MR - UA Silver status match ? Check here.
Updated Terms and Conditions for the two programs can be found at
http://members.marriott.com/terms-conditions/
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/legal/spg_terms.html
Complete listing of all the hotel brands in the in the merged company :
http://www.marriott.com/marriott-brands.mi#ourbrands
http://www.marriott.com/Images/Brands/brands_page_2016/global_architecture_images/US_MAR_SPG_brand_architecture.png
Marriott/Starwood merger closed; FAQs; Status Match; MR & SPG accounts can be linked
Sep 23, 2016, 10:01 am
#136
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,113
This is not even remotely accurate. There are still some properties that are overly stingy, but for the most part the benefit is anything but a sham (especially internationally, and at luxury properties in the US).
Most of the St. Regis and Luxury Collection properties in the US provide a full breakfast and almost all of the properties I've visited internationally provide a full breakfast. And a lot of the properties that used to not allow a buy-up from their continental offerings are doing so now.
Most of the St. Regis and Luxury Collection properties in the US provide a full breakfast and almost all of the properties I've visited internationally provide a full breakfast. And a lot of the properties that used to not allow a buy-up from their continental offerings are doing so now.
One thing to note is that Marriott has, if I understand it correctly, more full-service brands with exec lounges worldwide than SPG (JW Marriott, Renaissance, Autograph Collection, Delta, Marriott) where a Gold or Plat automatically gets lounge access (or con't brekkie if no lounge, which often is full brekkie).
I'd have to count, but there are over 900 & closer to 1,000, that elites have access to or guaranteed brekkie on the Marriott side. Not all the lounges are open on the weekend in the US, but some are (& one gets brekkie in the restaurant if closed) & basically all of the int'l properties are. Also, unlike the US, in Asia a # of Courtyards have exec lounges or offer free breakfast.
Here's a link to the list which I maintain in the Marriott forum. The list isn't totally updated & I need to contact a # of the US properties for updates since the last go-round, but it gives an idea. I depend on FTers for updates both domestic or int'l, my checking websites for int'l properties, and calling for domestic properties (which takes hours & hours of my time & why some are outdated).
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/13849211-post1.html
Cheers.
Sep 23, 2016, 10:03 am
#137
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,752
The travel package is one of the better Marriott items. Note that the FF miles do not have to be redeemed to coincide w/ the stay - aka, you book the package above. You'll get the 7-day stay cert. The FF miles drop into the FF program you specified, which you can use at any time or hold onto for a while.
BTW - here's info on the travel packages:
http://www.marriott.com/rewards/usepoints/morepack.mi
Cheers.
BTW - here's info on the travel packages:
http://www.marriott.com/rewards/usepoints/morepack.mi
Cheers.
Ok, only need 100K SPG to redeem 7 Night Cat 7 & 132K (AA or UA Miles). Wow, this seems pretty good to me at 3:1.
Am I missing anything?
Sep 23, 2016, 10:06 am
#138
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SEA town
Programs: Alaska LTG, HHonors-Gld, IHG-Dia, LT MR Ti
Posts: 627
Since you’re an SPG Lifetime™ Platinum member, when you link accounts or join Marriott Rewards®, you’ll instantly receive Marriott Rewards Platinum Elite status and benefits. You’ll continue to enjoy your SPG Lifetime status, and if you’ve already earned Marriott Rewards Lifetime status, you’ll keep that too. Please note that linking accounts will not result in a Lifetime status match in the other program.
Sep 23, 2016, 10:08 am
#140
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,113
They are not matching Lifetime statuses, not during the initial rollout period anyway. This better not be the way the dust will settle when they finalize the combining of the programs. I hope to be wrong, but it suggests to me that those who have speculated on this forum that they will likely give SPG Lifetime Plats a taste of MR Plat but not permantently grant Lifetime status, were probably right. 
"My guess is one of the bigger things both sides are still struggling w/ is how to combine the LT programs - perhaps raise the nights threshold for LT moving forward if they combine SPG & Marriott nights as someone posted above (which could then impact a # of us on both sides), keep the # of years to be a member (which Marriott had & was higher than SPG, but then Marriott dropped a few years ago)."
and because they haven't sorted it out yet, that's why it wasn't included in today's announcements.
I can only speak for myself, but I didn't really anticipate everything to be sorted on day 1.
Cheers.
Sep 23, 2016, 10:10 am
#141
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
Sep 23, 2016, 10:11 am
#142
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,113
What you won't get is Marriott elite bennies if you booked a Marriott stay using your SPG# (and vice versa) & actually booking w/ the other # won't work.
If you want to use the points you earned from the stay in the other brand you'd have to transfer them to your main account.
Cheers.
Sep 23, 2016, 10:13 am
#143
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: YVR
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Plat (earned as Starwood), Canadian Amex Plat & resulting statuses, WestJet Silver
Posts: 663
As I mentioned above,
"My guess is one of the bigger things both sides are still struggling w/ is how to combine the LT programs - perhaps raise the nights threshold for LT moving forward if they combine SPG & Marriott nights as someone posted above (which could then impact a # of us on both sides), keep the # of years to be a member (which Marriott had & was higher than SPG, but then Marriott dropped a few years ago)."
and because they haven't sorted it out yet, that's why it wasn't included in today's announcements.
I can only speak for myself, but I didn't really anticipate everything to be sorted on day 1.
Cheers.
"My guess is one of the bigger things both sides are still struggling w/ is how to combine the LT programs - perhaps raise the nights threshold for LT moving forward if they combine SPG & Marriott nights as someone posted above (which could then impact a # of us on both sides), keep the # of years to be a member (which Marriott had & was higher than SPG, but then Marriott dropped a few years ago)."
and because they haven't sorted it out yet, that's why it wasn't included in today's announcements.
I can only speak for myself, but I didn't really anticipate everything to be sorted on day 1.
Cheers.
As I've posted before, I can't see how it would make business sense for them to give the most loyal of their newly-acquired clients a colossal kick in the teeth when they finalize the details of the merger. I nervously await the answer.
Sep 23, 2016, 10:14 am
#144
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,108
Does anyone know whether this 3:1 transfer ratio from SPG is a temporary offer?
What's expected to unfurl in 2018 when SPG presumably bites the dust? Will the 3:1 ratio be carried over at that time? Are Marriott/Ritz award redemptions (free nights/c+p) expected to remain consistent throughout the whole process, and as someone who's largely unfamiliar with the Marriott brand, do the award redemptions tend fluctuate annually and by property or are they fairly similar to Starwood in that they're more or less fixed?
What's expected to unfurl in 2018 when SPG presumably bites the dust? Will the 3:1 ratio be carried over at that time? Are Marriott/Ritz award redemptions (free nights/c+p) expected to remain consistent throughout the whole process, and as someone who's largely unfamiliar with the Marriott brand, do the award redemptions tend fluctuate annually and by property or are they fairly similar to Starwood in that they're more or less fixed?
Sep 23, 2016, 10:22 am
#145
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,113
http://www.marriott.com/rewards/poin...dType=Standard
You can look at the various category (or RC tier) list to see if there's a property in the category you'd redeem you'd like to stay at, or jump up or down a tier or two to look & see if others better suit your needs.
The list is by state in alpha order & then country in alpha order.
BTW - I think this is different than Starwood, but Marriott categories are based on a combo of revenue & how many awards are redeemed at a property.
Cheers.
Sep 23, 2016, 10:33 am
#146
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,113
Good points and I hope you're right. As I've posted before, I can't see how it would make business sense for them to give the most loyal of their newly-acquired clients a colossal kick in the teeth when they finalize the details of the merger. I nervously await the answer.
As I've posted before, I can't see how it would make business sense for them to give the most loyal of their newly-acquired clients a colossal kick in the teeth when they finalize the details of the merger. I nervously await the answer.So if they up the # of nights when they combine the 2, I could potentially drop down to LT Gold (hopefully not Silver - eek) after a # of years being LT Plat as I don't have anywhere near the # of SPG nights that I have w/ Marriott/Hilton/Hyatt, so I won't really gain much when they're combined. That also happened to me w/ the UA/CO merger. I flew UA/AA/DL/TWA & never stepped foot on a CO flight, so when they did the combining I didn't really gain anything.
My travel is also down right now due to bizness being down (am self-employed) so if I suddenly have to get another 250-500 nights to keep LTP that will be more difficult. I would just have to hope that if I dropped I drop to Gold & not farther.
Re: # of years, whether SPG or Marriott I'm good on that if they decide to re-introduce the year requirement.
Does anyone know whether this 3:1 transfer ratio from SPG is a temporary offer?
What's expected to unfurl in 2018 when SPG presumably bites the dust? Will the 3:1 ratio be carried over at that time? Are Marriott/Ritz award redemptions (free nights/c+p) expected to remain consistent throughout the whole process, and as someone who's largely unfamiliar with the Marriott brand, do the award redemptions tend fluctuate annually and by property or are they fairly similar to Starwood in that they're more or less fixed?
What's expected to unfurl in 2018 when SPG presumably bites the dust? Will the 3:1 ratio be carried over at that time? Are Marriott/Ritz award redemptions (free nights/c+p) expected to remain consistent throughout the whole process, and as someone who's largely unfamiliar with the Marriott brand, do the award redemptions tend fluctuate annually and by property or are they fairly similar to Starwood in that they're more or less fixed?
(kidding). No idea. Hopefully they'll give us more info in mid-2017 re: changes for 2018.Re: award redemptions - I think you're actually asking about property categories. Marriott normally announces a category change/once a year & gives about 4-6 weeks notice of the change.
Cheers.
Sep 23, 2016, 10:46 am
#147
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: AC SE; SPG Platnium; HH G
Posts: 551
impact of merger on LifeTime Platinum status?
have many heard much - will the merger eventually mean we will lose "lifetime" platinum status from SPG?
Sep 23, 2016, 10:48 am
#148
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: California
Programs: Hyatt Global, Marriot Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 2,282
How SPG lifetimes are cheated in the merger.
When one business acquires another, it acquires it's assets.
But it also acquires it's liabilities. Lifetime benefits, earned at great cost to customers, is a liability to any company.
Since this is an acquisition, not a bankruptcy, Marriott terminating lifetime status cheats it's new members. Just as if SPG employees were told that the pensions they earned were for SPG, not Marriott.
But it also acquires it's liabilities. Lifetime benefits, earned at great cost to customers, is a liability to any company.
Since this is an acquisition, not a bankruptcy, Marriott terminating lifetime status cheats it's new members. Just as if SPG employees were told that the pensions they earned were for SPG, not Marriott.
Sep 23, 2016, 10:52 am
#149
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Bonvoy LT Titanium (x SPG LT), IHG Spire, UA Silver
Posts: 5,848
If I would posit a guess, I would say that they will create a whole new program if they end up combing the two. It would make the most sense to offer Lifetime Tiers as the airlines have done after mergers. Thus Lifetime Platinum would be at the current SPG Platinum level, then have something like Platinum75 with upgrades, and Platinum100 with Ambassador. They have only started this discussion today, so it will be a while before any decisions are reached and announcements made.
In the meantime, the programs are still completely separate. You can't use your SPG number for Marriott stays so your nights/stays will only count for SPG hotels . Nights and stays through Marriott hotels only count for your status levels with Marriott at least through 2017. All you can do is earn Marriott points with your Marriott number and transfer the points earned after your stay to your SPG account and vice versa.
In the meantime, the programs are still completely separate. You can't use your SPG number for Marriott stays so your nights/stays will only count for SPG hotels . Nights and stays through Marriott hotels only count for your status levels with Marriott at least through 2017. All you can do is earn Marriott points with your Marriott number and transfer the points earned after your stay to your SPG account and vice versa.
Sep 23, 2016, 10:53 am
#150
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: SPG
Posts: 713
We appreciate your loyalty!
Lifetime Status is specific to the program that you earned it in. While linking accounts will not result in Lifetime Status in the other program, your Elite status will be matched to the same Elite tier in the other program. Any existing Lifetime Status you already hold within either program will still be enjoyed within that program.
We’re working on more ways to recognize your loyalty and Lifetime Status as we work towards harmonizing the programs, which we don’t anticipate happening until 2018.
Kind regards,
Alexandra Baker
Specialist, Social Media
Starwood Hotels and Resorts
[email protected]