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
Jun 8, 2017, 3:02 pm
#901
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,113
My guess is we're all more interested in finding out a year from now, will they keep the best of both worlds or will both sides get screwed?
Cheers.
Jun 9, 2017, 3:18 am
#902
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: AA LTP 2MM, Marriott/SPG Rabid Plat w/Ambassador, HHonors Gold
Posts: 696
That's easy. It is a travel industry merger. Both sides will obviously get screwed, just like UA/CO, AA/US, etc. In an industry with only a few big players, any merger of the major players will result in less choice for the consumer, and more market power for the merged corporation. That's pretty much the point of the merger, no matter how they might try to spin it.
Jun 9, 2017, 6:40 am
#903
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: HH-D; MR-P/LTP; SPG-P
Posts: 849
Disagree as you, like others, are comparing owned aircraft with mainly managed properties.
If a property owner starts to feel the pinch they can deflag or change flags (with limited financial impact),, but airlines can't do the same (except mothball the unused aircraft and that's very costly).
If a property owner starts to feel the pinch they can deflag or change flags (with limited financial impact),, but airlines can't do the same (except mothball the unused aircraft and that's very costly).
That's easy. It is a travel industry merger. Both sides will obviously get screwed, just like UA/CO, AA/US, etc. In an industry with only a few big players, any merger of the major players will result in less choice for the consumer, and more market power for the merged corporation. That's pretty much the point of the merger, no matter how they might try to spin it.
Jun 9, 2017, 7:48 am
#904
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
That's easy. It is a travel industry merger. Both sides will obviously get screwed, just like UA/CO, AA/US, etc. In an industry with only a few big players, any merger of the major players will result in less choice for the consumer, and more market power for the merged corporation. That's pretty much the point of the merger, no matter how they might try to spin it.
Jun 9, 2017, 8:47 am
#905
Join Date: May 2003
Location: LCY
Programs: SQ Krisflyer, QR Privilege Club, MB LT Plt (1K+ nights thx MB)
Posts: 1,038
+1 Absolutely correct the structure of the lodging industry is very different from the airline industry. In many ways the airline industry in domestic markets are characterized by being oligopoly's, you can't hardly argue that you have the same situation in the lodging industry. On international routes the situation can be slightly better however if you consider direct flights and stop-over flights the the same destination as different products the situation worsens again. That's why in general direct flights are more expensive.
Jun 9, 2017, 10:26 am
#906
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,170
...especially now with the rise of AirBNB and others
Jun 9, 2017, 10:48 am
#907
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,113
From the Forbes article link in post #877 .
"So are there more brands on the horizon for Marriott? Sorenson says "yes" noting that Marriott represents just 7% of the global brand industry. "At the moment we just have our hands full," he adds."
Cheers.
"So are there more brands on the horizon for Marriott? Sorenson says "yes" noting that Marriott represents just 7% of the global brand industry. "At the moment we just have our hands full," he adds."
Cheers.
Jun 10, 2017, 3:12 am
#908
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: BKK
Programs: World of Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy LTP; IHG Plat
Posts: 2,233
Jun 10, 2017, 3:51 am
#909
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,017
I expected "MPG" to honor prior LT status. I also expect them to reconfigure the tiers somewhere between what the separate programs offer today, then give the LT status one's cumulative criteria would achieve. For instance, I'm a few nights away from SPG LT Gold, but if you combine my SPG and MR nights and points (using the 1:3 exchange rate) I'm most of the way to MR LT Gold. I expect "MPG Gold" to be somewhere between SPG Gold and more generous MR Gold, and my LT Status to be that new tier.
Jun 10, 2017, 5:12 am
#910
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: AA LTP 2MM, Marriott/SPG Rabid Plat w/Ambassador, HHonors Gold
Posts: 696
Disagree as you, like others, are comparing owned aircraft with mainly managed properties.
If a property owner starts to feel the pinch they can deflag or change flags (with limited financial impact),, but airlines can't do the same (except mothball the unused aircraft and that's very costly).
If a property owner starts to feel the pinch they can deflag or change flags (with limited financial impact),, but airlines can't do the same (except mothball the unused aircraft and that's very costly).
Yes, you have more properties you choose from, but there's no way loyalty program benefits don't get diluted long-term.
Jun 10, 2017, 7:33 am
#911
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: HH-D; MR-P/LTP; SPG-P
Posts: 849
Since you obviously haven't lost any of those precious SPG benefits, and the way things are going the loyalty programs will remain separated for another year plus, what do you think you'll lose long term?
Meanwhile, if you were an SPG G you've just picked up breakfast and lounge benefits by literally crossing the street cause you sure weren't getting anything from SPG.
Meanwhile, if you were an SPG G you've just picked up breakfast and lounge benefits by literally crossing the street cause you sure weren't getting anything from SPG.
You can disagree with the analogy all you like, but please explain how mergers of two major large chains to form the largest chain of hotels ever is not bad for consumers, at least for the loyalty program?
Yes, you have more properties you choose from, but there's no way loyalty program benefits don't get diluted long-term.
Yes, you have more properties you choose from, but there's no way loyalty program benefits don't get diluted long-term.
Last edited by Srisarin; Jun 10, 2017 at 7:54 am
Jun 11, 2017, 10:48 am
#912
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 756
Since you obviously haven't lost any of those precious SPG benefits, and the way things are going the loyalty programs will remain separated for another year plus, what do you think you'll lose long term?
Meanwhile, if you were an SPG G you've just picked up breakfast and lounge benefits by literally crossing the street cause you sure weren't getting anything from SPG.
Meanwhile, if you were an SPG G you've just picked up breakfast and lounge benefits by literally crossing the street cause you sure weren't getting anything from SPG.
Jun 11, 2017, 12:46 pm
#913
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: AA Lifetime PLT , BA Silver , BD RIP , HH Gold, SPG / Marriott PLT , EF Subscriber
Posts: 6,702
American Airlines is now working with 2 Bank Cards..Citi and Barclays, so other Big Companys could do the same.
Jun 11, 2017, 2:35 pm
#914
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: SPG LTP, hotels, OWE, STE+, *G, Octopus
Posts: 5,786
And just how long do you think this will last? SPG G is attainable by getting a credit card (i.e. AX Plat), staying one night (APAC World MasterCard) or, for a mere mortal, doing 10 stays.
Jun 11, 2017, 2:56 pm
#915
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,113
Once the programs are fully merged, my prediction is Gold will go more towards the Marriott side (nights) & if they keep the nights the same, they might keep the Gold access. If they do a combo of nights/stays & it's less, then Golds will probably be more along the SPG model.
Cheers.