Another article about the loyalty conference, noting a lack of future emphasis on points. http://blog.wandr.me/2017/02/reducin...wards-program/

SPG and Marriott Future?
 

Any speculation to the future of the two programs starting 2018?

Would it be worthwhile for me to MS SPG points throughout the year w/o any surprise devaluation in the loyalty program merger?

No, there is nothing to speculate about. As with any program, you should earn and burn them--then you never have to worry about devaluations.

What surprise devaluation are you worried about? A 3:1 exchange ratio has already been announced for near-term voluntary exchanges. It would be shocking/stunning if any other ratio was announced for forced conversion at program merger time.

Yes. They will both go away and be replaced by a new program.

There are lots of posts which speculated about the loyalty programs within days of the announcement by Marriott to acquire Starwood back in November 2015.

With the Amex SPG card again at an all time signup bonus, I expect there will be a number of these types of questions again.

Exactly. 3:1 is set in stone.

It would be a miracle, however, if every single top-end SPG hotel was moved into the current MR award chart that is maxed out at 45K per night (15K SPG).

So, there will likely be a new award chart. I speculate that current high-end Marriotts will cost a lot more points. High-end SPG properties might cost a bit less. I also have a feeling that the lower-end Cat 1/2 SPG properties will slot into the middle (i.e. Cats 4-6) of the current MR chart.

All speculation, however. The current system might be working rather well for Marriott - despite the duplication of some head office resource - since they haven't scared away SPG customers, particularly elites.

I agree. I'm certain we'll see category 10, 11, and perhaps 12 hotels, after the programs merge. The other thing I'm concerned about is the transferability (and ratios) to all those airline programs we currently enjoy.

Marriott has usually been good about announcing changes early so that members could make informed decisions throughout the year. It is disappointing that no announcement has been made about the combined 2018 program, given we are currently earning towards 2018 status.

My guess (and it's only that) is that we'll get details by mid-year/early summer. Still allows time for elites to plan. Merging two programs isn't easy, so I'm not surprised that an announcement hasn't been made yet. But I seriously doubt Marriott will wait until the end of 2017 to make an announcement for 2018.

Cheers.

Except for http://www.marriott.com/rewards/terms/default.mi where it states:And similar terms exist in the SPG T&C's.

Earn and burn quickly is wise advise.

Shrug.

EVERY airline, hotel & car rental program says terms can change w/o notice. That doesn't mean they do on a regular basis. With a merger it would be silly to think that terms would stay the same, but it also doesn't mean they'll tank in every respect.

The earn & burn quickly I'm not necessarily in agreement w/. If folk earn a lot & can redeem awards quickly - that meets their travel requirements - then great. To just burn to try & prevent a possible devaluation is silly IMO. But a lot of folk who earn points aren't earning big #s, so to tell them to burn quickly does them a disservice (again IMO).

Cheers.

Absolutely, if you have a goal in mind that calls for big points, then go for it and save up. But don't be too surprised if that goal keeps moving in higher points required or it going away and having to choose something new. Several have been burned by properties being deflagged or bumped in category or just simple point creep for a category. And let's not forget about other issues that can spoil a trip, weather, war, travel restrictions...

Sitting on a bunch of points "to use someday"... Not so wise IMHO. Everyone needs to assess their risk tolerance and decide what they want to do. Personally, a bunch of small rewards feels better than one big one, but that's me.

Want to accumulate SPG points via MS throughout the year

right now a tier 5 ritz is 70 MR while the highest spg category is 90-105 MR (30-35k SPG)

Interested in SPG hotel categorization into the Marriott tiers and the future of the Amex SPG cards, think you will see a bank transfer of the card ala Amex to Citi Costco?