megalab

I've found both sites to have blind spots in comparing rates and use different methods to get the information I need, but once I figure it out it comes easily. I do like the SPG.com flexible date calendar better, but I know how to use the MR.com flexible date calendar to get either total stay price or average daily price across different rates. SPG.com makes it easier to drill down to the room I need, but MR.com's rate tabs are a easier to see points cost vs. standard rates vs. packages.

When I said MR.com is more useable than SPG.com I was thinking about how much more information about each hotel I get in list or map view. I also think managing reservations is easier and less likely to crap out on MR.com than on SPG.com. I'm still disappointed at how the SPG.com redesign made things worse.

Both SPG.com and MR.com are slower and harder to compare, book and manage reservations than most of the aggregate booking sites. I hope the merger brings a much better combined website than either of what they offer now.

Kagehitokiri

is any site good for comparing rates?

is ritz carlton the only marriott with full (regular) rate calendar?

SkiAdcock

I've stayed at many SPG properties over the years in my career, both in the US & in other countries (and at dif elite levels). A lot before I joined FT; some after I joined FT. I read threads of properties I've stayed at & if I can add info that isn't already posted then I'll post in the thread. If there are numerous other reviews/trip reports on properties I've stayed at (such as the FRA Sheraton or the 2 Sheratons at LHR for example), I don't usually post a detailed trip report/review if my experience matches others who have already posted, or if my information is outdated/there are more recent reports. I don't see the point in doing a lot of me too posts.

Because of my LT status w/ Marriott I tend to stay at Marriott brands, although I still occasionally stay at SPG properties. Since the merger I've dropped Hilton as my back-up chain & SPG is now my back-up, just as there are SPG elites who now use Marriott as their back-up post-merger.

I don't have an 'angle' re: participating in the SPG forum. Since we're all going to be one happy dysfunctional family , I now come to the SPG forum to learn more about SPG policies, benefits, provide info on properties when needed, learn about some potential properties I might stay at, offer info on Marriott policies, benefits, for those SPG elites who don't know much about Marriott but want to learn more, etc. I've learned from SPG elites & some have learned from me. Sometimes we agree on things; sometimes we don't.

I went to school in Vienna, Austria, & have been back many times (staying at MAR, SPG, Hilton). I've created a document on things to do/places to eat/transport info in Wien, which I offered to both SPG & MAR elites in Vienna property threads. I've had FTers PM me saying I saw your offer in the SPG forum or in the MAR forum & would appreciate you sending me the doc.

So I guess my angle re: all things FT is to give back to the community when I can & also learn from other FTers who are willing to share their information/experiences. Some of my closest friends, both in real life & virtually, are FTers. I hope that answers your question.

Getting back to the merger. I'm hoping we'll get a bit more info on the next analyst/investors call, but do think that those who want one more year of SPG (or MAR) are fine. I'd also say if someone is close to getting LT in either program & can pull it off during the next year, to focus on doing so.

Cheers.

Kagehitokiri

the key is maximizing benefits from status and awards. i doubt many will cut start only staying at hilton/hyatt. why not accumulate towards lifetime status. even if first merged top tier status is not good, that does not mean they will never add good things to it. and again, many are unhappy with latest hyatt, and hyatt/hilton will have less incentive to offer more, if current starwood benefits gone.

paraphrasing a recent FT post : there is no more starwood, there is only marriott. most (almost all) on FT do not post reviews. note the master threads where 'reviews' consists of whether benefits were honored or not. which is the # 1 most looked at on FT, whatever one's opinion on it.

loyalty, industry, operations, service, etc discussions have zero to do with night counts. i personally do not prioritize (or care about, really) hotel point earning by any means, but if i start doing more leisure road trips in US, im going to have to be doing some point earning properties. and there are plenty of unique starwood/marriott properties, in places where there is no competition, where i look forward to earning in future, even if points are massively devalued, because why not. perhaps even if airline transfer devalued, may remain better than hyatt/hilton.

SkiAdcock

Just read next analyst/investor call is August 7th to report Q2 results.

http://news.marriott.com/2017/07/mar...2017-earnings/

Cheers.

CX30616

Personally I use hotelcombined, then try to use BRG

Srisarin

and would this also have impacted the Starwood sale to Anbang had Marriott not increased its bid ??

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...-assets-abroad

JK

Yep! HOT would likely be in the process of going through another sale (although Anbang are currently saying they won't sell any assets). I don't think any of us would have wanted that.

I have to say, as someone who earlier preferred Anbang over Marriott - I think it's all worked out rather well. Of course, next year will tell it's own story, but for now, I'm pleased with the way it's gone.

jonathanbak

Do we know how Marriot and SPG's programs will be merged? Like what happens to the current differences in benefits, the iOS apps, our loyalty cards. Or does no one know yet?

RogerD408

Nothing has been announced except they may be able to start the merger of the programs during 2018. I suspect it will be later. Lots of speculation/hopes posted on FT, but no official word.

MSPeconomist

I find it ironic that Marriott sent me an email yesterday saying that their most popular elite benefits are upgrades, free wifi, and late checkout. That's two out of three that were initiated/improved as a result of the merger when Marriott decided to copy some of the SPG elite benefits.

Keyser

no clue....just have to wait & see what happens....

jonathanbak

I just hope they don't end the Delta Crossover Rewards, I love earning SPG points when I fly. I also like being able to transfer Amex MR to SPG, so I hope they don't end the Amex partnership as well.

megalab

Just finished a pleasant stay at the Courtyard Detroit Warren, which did nice job of recognizing elite benefits. First, they gave me an upgrade from a standard room to a suite. The first suite upgrade I ever received was from a MR property over seven years ago (as a Silver); this is the 2nd MR suite upgrade I've ever received. Second, their WiFi login screen was very clear that their $4.95 enhanced service was free for Golds and Plats. Worked very well in that each device was covered for all days selected and didn't need to re-login each attempt to re-access the network. Finally, they gladly agreed to a late checkout request as soon as they saw I was Gold.

This was the first MR property I've seen offering MAGC. Did that just start? This suggests it will continue in the merged program, but 250 MR pts is pretty stingy compared to SPG, so did not choose it.

MSPeconomist

Remember that SPG gives only 250 MAGC points at aloft, FourPoints, etc.so I would expect Marriott to give fewer points for Courtyard, RI, TPS, etc. brands.