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
Apr 16, 2017, 9:34 pm
#841
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: BAEC (Gold), SPG (Lifetime Plat), Star Alliance, One World, Virgin (Gold)
Posts: 211
as a lifetime plat SPG, I am finding that I am staying more at Marriot than SPG since the merger..
Apr 17, 2017, 2:48 pm
#842
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Midwest
Programs: Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat, Hyatt Globalist, HHonors Diamond, AA Plat Pro, UA Silver
Posts: 571
Not in reference to linking but one reason to use the Marriott card versus the Amex is for LT status. Since, as of now, SPG points do not count towards lifetime MR status you might be better off using the Visa and getting 5 points
Apr 18, 2017, 12:29 am
#843
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: HKG • Ex SFO, NYC
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Marriott Amb; Hyatt Globalist; Shangri-la Diamond; IHG SpireAmb; Hilton D; Accor G
Posts: 3,319
I come from the Marriott side of the house but I am using SPG properties with much more regularity since the merger. I'm LT Platinum with Marriott and now that I'm getting the SPG Platinum benefits I'm starting to feel their program benefits are better than Marriott's so I've begun to refocus more of my stays at SPG properties. I travel extensively, predominantly in Asia although some in US/Europe and consistently spend 120+/- in hotels.
I also think SPG benefits are way better and have been treated way better by SPG than by Marriott. That said, the merger brought generous points transfer options; so overall I'm still a happy camper.I am afraid for next year--I've already requalified for Platinum and will probably get Plat100 again easily (I'm already at >50 nights in mid-May)… but I'm wondering if I should re-focus some nights on another chain. I'll likely be losing Hilton Diamond next year, perhaps I should focus some nights there.
Apr 18, 2017, 7:21 am
#844
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,096
But my main concern is checking up to see if there will be any changes to SPG program soon that would cause me to want to burn my points. I think I had seen before that change was likely to take effect for the 2018 program year starting in January 2018. So I was intrigued with your post SkiAdcock stating you believe that such change is still at least a full year away from April 2017. Do you have information that says they won't integrate them at the beginning of 2018? It would be great to know.
Cheers.
Apr 22, 2017, 2:07 pm
#846
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: BAEC (Gold), SPG (Lifetime Plat), Star Alliance, One World, Virgin (Gold)
Posts: 211
@Kagehitokiri - "Any suite upgrades" - very few, but there again suite upgrades don't really rock my boat. Far prefer to be on the same floor as the exec lounge...
Apr 22, 2017, 2:16 pm
#847
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
and might be more clubs with marriott? (including ritz)
Apr 29, 2017, 7:44 pm
#848
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: SoCal; DO-RAGS: Old Gold tagged, PIP, LatPass 1/2, AA 4MM, HH LT Diamond, Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, Omni
Posts: 9,180
I’ve pretty much put my head in the sand regarding this merger, under the assumption that mergers are generally bad for me and, in any event, I don’t have much of a play to make and am so just along for the ride.
Continual emails from Marriott offering a pre-merge account link haven’t moved me, but recently I made back-to-back 5-day each award redemptions at the Marriott Wailea (160k MR points + $100 per night + $30 resort fee) and the Westin Kaanapali (160k *wood points + $31.25 resort fee per night) over Xmas/New Years (factoring in that the Marriott is a better property), so I thought I’d wander over to this sticky to study what you merger theoreticians have discovered.
I’ve scanned the last 20 pages of this thread and I can’t see much advantage to linking my accounts (unless I have a future pressing need for some Marriott points) and I don’t think that this merger is going to be such a bad thing for me, other than losing the very likable Starwood Amex.
Some data points:
Basically, all of my Starwood points are from the business Amex;
All of my Marriott points come from stays, using a Marriott Visa, and generally at lower end US properties;
I have about 10 times the amount of Starwood points as I do Marriott;
I’m gold w/ both programs: Marriott on stays; Starwood on Amex spend.
Now thinking about the Maui Westin, which can be had as low as 20,000 *points per night, I anticipate that this hotel will start at less than 60,000 MR points per night once the merger has been finalized, so in this case likely not too bad, yes? As in any complicated program merger, there will be good and bad redemption conversions, and until categories of captured Starwood hotels are announced it’s premature to guess, but what is the consensus of opinion regarding the 3 to 1 transfer rate? I’m sure that it has been tirelessly vetted, but I didn’t come across a discussion or link: and so who points me in that direction will have my gratitude.
And I'm sure that somebody can point out my wrongheadedness.
Thanks all, J.
Continual emails from Marriott offering a pre-merge account link haven’t moved me, but recently I made back-to-back 5-day each award redemptions at the Marriott Wailea (160k MR points + $100 per night + $30 resort fee) and the Westin Kaanapali (160k *wood points + $31.25 resort fee per night) over Xmas/New Years (factoring in that the Marriott is a better property), so I thought I’d wander over to this sticky to study what you merger theoreticians have discovered.
I’ve scanned the last 20 pages of this thread and I can’t see much advantage to linking my accounts (unless I have a future pressing need for some Marriott points) and I don’t think that this merger is going to be such a bad thing for me, other than losing the very likable Starwood Amex.
Some data points:
Basically, all of my Starwood points are from the business Amex;
All of my Marriott points come from stays, using a Marriott Visa, and generally at lower end US properties;
I have about 10 times the amount of Starwood points as I do Marriott;
I’m gold w/ both programs: Marriott on stays; Starwood on Amex spend.
Now thinking about the Maui Westin, which can be had as low as 20,000 *points per night, I anticipate that this hotel will start at less than 60,000 MR points per night once the merger has been finalized, so in this case likely not too bad, yes? As in any complicated program merger, there will be good and bad redemption conversions, and until categories of captured Starwood hotels are announced it’s premature to guess, but what is the consensus of opinion regarding the 3 to 1 transfer rate? I’m sure that it has been tirelessly vetted, but I didn’t come across a discussion or link: and so who points me in that direction will have my gratitude.
And I'm sure that somebody can point out my wrongheadedness.
Thanks all, J.
Apr 29, 2017, 9:26 pm
#849
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
at 1:3 there are great marriott/ritz redemption opportunities for those with SPG points
if you ever do SPG7 you might do some, especially holiday/peak, which may change
wonder why these are excluded:
RC singapore
JW marriott miami beaux arts
if you ever do SPG7 you might do some, especially holiday/peak, which may change
wonder why these are excluded:
RC singapore
JW marriott miami beaux arts
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; May 19, 2017 at 1:07 pm
May 15, 2017, 9:25 am
#850
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Wayne, PA USA
Programs: DL MM, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, HHonors Gold
Posts: 7,242
So, if I'm a MR LT PLT, skip the MR VISA and go for the SPG AMEX?
May 15, 2017, 9:38 am
#851
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
Programs: United Silver; AA Plat/2MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,727
May 17, 2017, 12:35 pm
#852
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,369
The answer might depend on how many points are being offered for opening a new credit card account.
May 18, 2017, 12:26 am
#853
Join Date: Dec 2008
Programs: M&M FQT, BA G, Bonvoy LTT, WoH GLOB
Posts: 960
Just back from the IMEX event and sharing some impressions:
- consolidated Marriott stand which included Starwood was a zoo. Too many people !
- interesting split between 'standard' brands and a separate stand for 'luxury' for which StR, LC, and W made the cut (personal view on W: I'd say their yields to Marriott may feel luxury, but not sure if the experience does for the guest in all cases)
- as indicated previously, apparently no intention to consolidate brands
- still working on integration of loyalty, and indeed may slip past 1/1. Key issues seem to be requalification and treatment of LT members.
- consolidated Marriott stand which included Starwood was a zoo. Too many people !
- interesting split between 'standard' brands and a separate stand for 'luxury' for which StR, LC, and W made the cut (personal view on W: I'd say their yields to Marriott may feel luxury, but not sure if the experience does for the guest in all cases)
- as indicated previously, apparently no intention to consolidate brands
- still working on integration of loyalty, and indeed may slip past 1/1. Key issues seem to be requalification and treatment of LT members.
May 18, 2017, 8:00 am
#854
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,096
Thanks for the input. Much appreciated.
Cheers.
Cheers.
May 18, 2017, 10:23 am
#855
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Wayne, PA USA
Programs: DL MM, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, HHonors Gold
Posts: 7,242
