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, 9:32 am
#121
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Central CT
Programs: UA MM/1K, SPG Lifetime Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Diamond, HH Gold, Natl Exec Elite
Posts: 1,490
Conversion ratio
If 1:3 isn't a good deal for Starwood->Marriott as several posts here have suggested, then the reverse transaction must be a good deal for SPG fans.If you have Marriott points that can become SPG points, and agree with the Points Guy's valuation, you'll end up with ~ 19% leverage on this arbitrage (2.5/2.1). Not bad if you have Marriott points; just don't go the other way unless you don't mind the haircut.
Sep 23, 2016, 9:39 am
#122
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,110
BTW - here's info on the travel packages:
http://www.marriott.com/rewards/usepoints/morepack.mi
Cheers.
Sep 23, 2016, 9:40 am
#123
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,752
If 1:3 isn't a good deal for Starwood->Marriott as several posts here have suggested, then the reverse transaction must be a good deal for SPG fans.If you have Marriott points that can become SPG points, and agree with the Points Guy's valuation, you'll end up with ~ 19% leverage on this arbitrage (2.5/2.1). Not bad if you have Marriott points; just don't go the other way unless you don't mind the haircut.
3:1 conversion is as "fair" as can be expected, in my view.
Sep 23, 2016, 9:42 am
#124
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Blue Ridge, GA
Posts: 5,511
It's unclear to me whether a Marriott stay - before program integration - earns SPG Platinum re-qualification points.
"Staying with SPG as much as I can," has to be the smart move.
"Staying with SPG as much as I can," has to be the smart move.
Sep 23, 2016, 9:44 am
#125
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
Sorry if I missed it, but I haven't seen anyone post the new T's and C's.
http://members.marriott.com/terms-conditions/
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/prefer...spg_terms.html
http://members.marriott.com/terms-conditions/
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/prefer...spg_terms.html
Sep 23, 2016, 9:46 am
#126
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,110
Which may be one reason for them to continue staying at Marriott properties over SPG properties (or at least for the Marriott golds) for the next year, as they'll still get lounge access at Marriott brands & won't at SPG brands.
If 1:3 isn't a good deal for Starwood->Marriott as several posts here have suggested, then the reverse transaction must be a good deal for SPG fans.If you have Marriott points that can become SPG points, and agree with the Points Guy's valuation, you'll end up with ~ 19% leverage on this arbitrage (2.5/2.1). Not bad if you have Marriott points; just don't go the other way unless you don't mind the haircut.
Sep 23, 2016, 9:46 am
#127
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Tit, Hilton Diamond, BA Gold, Carlson Gold, UA*S,
Posts: 1,363
Do we get a 30,000 bonus for staying at all 30 brands? 
Sep 23, 2016, 9:49 am
#128
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: MR-Amb, Hyatt-Globalist, AA-EXP
Posts: 1,744
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.
Sep 23, 2016, 9:51 am
#129
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: SPG-Plat, Hilton-Diamond, Club Carlson-Silver, Cathay-Diamond, Virgin-Gold
Posts: 2,183
I assume by MR upper Elites you are referring to more than just MR Platinum, I note that SPG100's don't get anything more than SPG Plats so it seems like a straight forward grouping for both sides to me.
Sep 23, 2016, 9:51 am
#130
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,110
BTW - 11:50am, EDT - Marriott email received re: the merger.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Sep 23, 2016, 9:51 am
#131
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,819
The only relationship is transferring of points between the 2 programs and the status match.
Sep 23, 2016, 9:51 am
#132
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: SPG-Plat, Hilton-Diamond, Club Carlson-Silver, Cathay-Diamond, Virgin-Gold
Posts: 2,183
Sep 23, 2016, 9:52 am
#133
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
If 1:3 isn't a good deal for Starwood->Marriott as several posts here have suggested, then the reverse transaction must be a good deal for SPG fans.If you have Marriott points that can become SPG points, and agree with the Points Guy's valuation, you'll end up with ~ 19% leverage on this arbitrage (2.5/2.1). Not bad if you have Marriott points; just don't go the other way unless you don't mind the haircut.
There now are some good MR and RC redemptions based on the value of Starpoints...but not a single one that makes me want to trade my Starpoints into MR points.
As a Plat100 earning 4x points/$1, plus using the SPG Amex to ultimately earn 5x, plus the promo running now that gives me maybe 6-7x, I definitely will be sticking with SPG for 2016 and 2017.
Sep 23, 2016, 9:59 am
#134
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
As the SPG Amex is now mentioned in the new MR T's and C's, we can safely assume this credit card is not going away anytime soon. ^
Sep 23, 2016, 10:00 am
#135
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: YVR
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Plat (earned as Starwood), Canadian Amex Plat & resulting statuses, WestJet Silver
Posts: 663
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. 
"Since you’re an SPG Lifetime™ Platinum member, when you link accounts or join Marriott RewardsŪ, 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."