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 dont anticipate that the two programs will come together before 2018, and we will keep you informed of any updates. In the meantime, theres 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. Were working on more ways to recognize your loyalty and Lifetime Status as we work towards harmonizing the programs, which we dont 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 dont anticipate that the two programs will come together before 2018, and we will keep you informed of any updates. In the meantime, theres 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. Were working on more ways to recognize your loyalty and Lifetime Status as we work towards harmonizing the programs, which we dont 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, 5:09 pm
#211
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Starwood:Lifetime Platinum, Air Canada:Basic, Asiana:Lifetime Diamond Plus, ANA: Basic
Posts: 980
As for Marriott gold members, you like what you already have. If you didn't, you would have, say, joined SPG instead.
Sep 23, 2016, 5:39 pm
#212
Join Date: Sep 2016
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium, Alaska MVPG75
Posts: 89
On the flip side, if you're not an SPG Platinum yet, would it make sense to get the Marriott card, spend 75K, and get Platinum status with both?
Sep 23, 2016, 5:48 pm
#213
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,752
I'm not at all interested in staying 7 nights at a MR Category 7 hotel...since most of them are Fairfields, Courtyards, and Residence Inns, along with a few Marriotts and Autograph and scattered Renaissance properties that aren't nearly as good as their brand suggests.
The MR people have been fooled into thinking these are great redemptions..but over half their points go to a 7 night hotel stay that isn't that great in the first place--not aspirational AT ALL. Aside from the fact that most people aren't going to want or need to stay 7 nights. For the average consumer, perhaps that will be fine...but not for the aspirational consumer.
The MR people have been fooled into thinking these are great redemptions..but over half their points go to a 7 night hotel stay that isn't that great in the first place--not aspirational AT ALL. Aside from the fact that most people aren't going to want or need to stay 7 nights. For the average consumer, perhaps that will be fine...but not for the aspirational consumer.
From a very preliminary investigation on MR properties, I'd have to redeem for at least Cat 8, 9 or Tiers 1-3. I'm assuming a RC Tier 3 is eligible for this Hotel & Air deal?
Sep 23, 2016, 5:51 pm
#214
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,026
Anyone who is currently Marriott Lifetime Silver, Lifetime Gold, or Lifetime Platinum is almost certainly safe, given that Marriott International is the surviving company. I can't imagine Marriott saying, "Ha ha, we lied when we said lifetime and now we're revoking your lifetime status until you reach a higher threshold."
I also assume anyone who already has lifetime status with SPG will be treated well when the programs are combined.
That doesn't mean there won't be new lifetime requirements once the programs are combined, but only to achieve a newer higher lifetime tier.
I would not be surprised to see a new level that's higher than Marriott Platinum (probably at 100 nights), with additional benefits, when the programs are combined -- with a new threshold to achieve the lifetime version of that level.
I also assume anyone who already has lifetime status with SPG will be treated well when the programs are combined.
That doesn't mean there won't be new lifetime requirements once the programs are combined, but only to achieve a newer higher lifetime tier.
I would not be surprised to see a new level that's higher than Marriott Platinum (probably at 100 nights), with additional benefits, when the programs are combined -- with a new threshold to achieve the lifetime version of that level.
Sep 23, 2016, 5:56 pm
#215
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: KSA
Programs: Marriott AMB, Skywards Gold
Posts: 3,739
So are the lurkers now called Mariwood Lurkers?
Sep 23, 2016, 5:57 pm
#216
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: YVR
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Plat (earned as Starwood), Canadian Amex Plat & resulting statuses, WestJet Silver
Posts: 663
Probably one of the more level headed posts I've read on this thread. ^
Sep 23, 2016, 6:02 pm
#217
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FAI
Programs: AS MVP Gold100K, AS 1MM, Maika`i Card, AGR, HH Gold, Hertz PC, Marriott Titanium LTG, CO, 7H, BA, 8E
Posts: 42,957
Wow that was a slick linking of accounts. Signed into SPG, clicked link (several tiles advertising this) and confirmed my name and last 4 of the MR account (pre filled in)
Got this a few seconds later:
Your Accounts Are Now Linked!
Success you just linked your SPG and Marriott Rewards accounts.
Youve been upgraded! Because you are an SPG Gold member, you have been upgraded to Gold Elite status with Marriott Rewards.
Learn more about your new Gold Elite status.
Transfer Starpoints to Rewards Points
Transfer Rewards points to Starpoints
Discover all the new possibilities of the Starwood and Marriott merger
Got this a few seconds later:
Originally Posted by spg.com
Your Accounts Are Now Linked!
Success you just linked your SPG and Marriott Rewards accounts.
Youve been upgraded! Because you are an SPG Gold member, you have been upgraded to Gold Elite status with Marriott Rewards.
Learn more about your new Gold Elite status.
Transfer Starpoints to Rewards Points
Transfer Rewards points to Starpoints
Discover all the new possibilities of the Starwood and Marriott merger
Sep 23, 2016, 6:06 pm
#218
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Body in Downtown YYZ, heart and mind elsewhere
Programs: UA 50K, refugee from AC E50K, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 5,132
How do stay credits work now?
I'm not able to find a definitive answer on this one - how do stay credits work now?
For example, to make SPG Plat we currently need to stay 25 times or 50 nights. If I stay 24 times at various SPG properties and once at a Marriott, does that count?
I suspect that until 2018 (when the programs will merge completely), we'll still need 25 stays at SPG properties and Marriott stays will only count towards Marriott status. But like I said, I'm not able to find a definitive answer on this.
For example, to make SPG Plat we currently need to stay 25 times or 50 nights. If I stay 24 times at various SPG properties and once at a Marriott, does that count?
I suspect that until 2018 (when the programs will merge completely), we'll still need 25 stays at SPG properties and Marriott stays will only count towards Marriott status. But like I said, I'm not able to find a definitive answer on this.
Sep 23, 2016, 6:15 pm
#219
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt Explorist; Vistana 5* Elite; Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 6,177
I'm not able to find a definitive answer on this one - how do stay credits work now?
For example, to make SPG Plat we currently need to stay 25 times or 50 nights. If I stay 24 times at various SPG properties and once at a Marriott, does that count?
I suspect that until 2018 (when the programs will merge completely), we'll still need 25 stays at SPG properties and Marriott stays will only count towards Marriott status. But like I said, I'm not able to find a definitive answer on this.
For example, to make SPG Plat we currently need to stay 25 times or 50 nights. If I stay 24 times at various SPG properties and once at a Marriott, does that count?
I suspect that until 2018 (when the programs will merge completely), we'll still need 25 stays at SPG properties and Marriott stays will only count towards Marriott status. But like I said, I'm not able to find a definitive answer on this.
Sep 23, 2016, 6:16 pm
#220
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
I'm closing in to LT Plat...but certainly won't reach it by the time 2018 rolls around. I'm not too worried, though...since I'll eventually get that or something comparable. It will be what it will be.
Sep 23, 2016, 6:17 pm
#221
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
Sep 23, 2016, 6:22 pm
#222
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
If you spend a ton without effort, then the RC card (plus its $450 fee) is the easiest way to get SPG vis a vis MR Plat...but only through 2017 for certain. Otherwise, there are less expensive ways to reach SPG Plat--including 25 stays or 50 nights.
Sep 23, 2016, 6:29 pm
#223
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Toronto, Canada
Programs: Liftime Titanium Elite Marriott
Posts: 1,752
In the process of linking my accounts. Haven't used my Marriott account in 4 years. Just got off the phone with Marriott Rewards. The site is getting hammered and isn't processing the account merges right now. Might try again in a few hours. Will be interesting to see what happens with the statuses between the two.
Sep 23, 2016, 6:30 pm
#224
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR/SPG LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus
Posts: 31,017
C'mon. The sky is falling/end of the greatest program in the history of mankind/they hate the customers they acquired (the ones that helped the company they acquired become an attractive target) is a long-standing FT tradition. Don't let logic get in the way.
Sep 23, 2016, 6:32 pm
#225
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Toronto, Canada
Programs: Liftime Titanium Elite Marriott
Posts: 1,752
Was just able to get the accounts merged going through the SPG email. Seems that they are matching lifetime SPG Platinum to Marriott Platinum as of right now.