bhrubin

I’ll be staying almost entirely with SPG through May in order to ensure I reach Plat50 for the next 10 SNAs (will be curious to see if those will work past 2018 if there’s a new loyalty program in 2019) and to reach Plat100 Ambassador level again—if for no other reason than to ensure my continued VIP status with SPG and hopefully a comparable elite status for the new loyalty program.

While I also will have a few paid Marriott stays for work through the end of April, and an award stay at the RC Kyoto in May, I expect to largely stay at SPG properties through the end of the year largely to enjoy the SPGPlat100 Ambassador perks while they still exist in their present incarnation.

Only after Marriott formally announces the new loyalty program and its parameters would I actively start considering more Marriott and Ritz Carlton stays. That being said, I’m most likely to prefer SPG upper upscale brands for most of my business stays, anyway—and SPG luxury brands for almost all of my leisure stays. I wouldn’t bother with most Ritz Carlton properties unless Marriott finally matches elite benefits to RC like SPG does with StR.

In later 2018, I expect Marriott will announce the terms of the new loyalty program to start in 2019. I expect that both SPG and Marriott nights from 2018 will count towards elite status in that new 2019 program.

If Marriott doesn’t announce the new loyalty program parameters by Oct or Nov 2018, then it actually seems likely that the SPG and MR programs may continue to run concurrently again through 2019–but that would be pretty surprising (and wonderfully enjoyable) to me.

jpdx

Is this your opinion, or has it been announced? Personally, I was (pleasantly) surprised that both programs are still chugging along independently in 2018, and I'd love it if they continued to do so in 2019.

My plan for 2018 is to qualify for SPG-50 (and Hyatt Globalist), but I also have some 50-80 nights over and above the 100 nights required for those two programs, and some of those nights will go to Marriott. Specifically, Marriott redemptions are often a better deal than SPG, and there are a handful of locations (in my travels) where Marriott has better hotels.

Kacee

This may well be the golden age right now, especially with the points arbitrage possibilities.

The merged program will undoubtedly have something for everyone to dislike.

bhrubin

I think the probably in your referenced post suggests that it was an opinion (that there may be a new program starting in 2019). I mentioned just prior that I am also of that same opinion, too.

Agreed. Doubtful, but I'd love to be wrong!

Ceres

bhrubin

It isn't that complicated.

If you reach Platinum with Marriott, no matter if you get Platinum Premier status, you get matched ONLY to baseline SPG Platinum25 status (as if you had 25 stays, NOT if you had 50 nights). Your extra nights at Marriott make no difference in the match to SPG Platinum.

If you reach Platinum with Starwood, no matter if you get Plat100 nights Ambassador status, you get matched ONLY to baseline Marriott Platinum status. Your extra nights at SPG make no difference in the match to Marriott Platinum.

There is no mechanism as of now for Marriott Platinum Premiers to be matched to SPG Plat100 Ambassador status or vice versa. That is fine for SPG Plat100 elites, since such SPG Plat100 status is far more valuable than Marriott Platinum Premier as far as I can tell.

chipmaster

Yeah seemed pretty simple with match, that there was no reason to split and make level at both. Better you pile all your stays into one brand to get as high as you can for the additional perks of the next level. And agree that after looking at what Marriott was offering for highest tier I decided to continue going all SPG.

Marriott15

100% agree with you! Don't take the risk!

Marriott15

Here has been my argument though. If someone reaches Platinum with Starwood then they get matched Platinum Elite with Marriott. Now like you said if I have Platinum Elite with Marriott I am only getting the SPG Platinum 25 status. As someone who had 75 nights with Marriott they should of gave me 75 night incentive with Starwood and the ability to get 4 points for every dollar spent.

Seems like the Starwood to Marriott is a better match then Marriott to Starwood. Someone that has spent 25 nights with Starwood get's the same status as I am at Marriott when I stayed over 75 nights.

It is what it is now but I wish they would of done that for Marriott guests 75 or over!

bhrubin

CIT85

As SPG LTP I don't have to worry about concentrating on SPG or MR for qualification purposes. I will stay with SPG outside the US. Domestic stays don't make much difference since upgrades are not very interesting. I will avoid Marriott resorts since there is no free breakfast. I will focus on Hyatt for domestic stays to see if I can stay Globalist.

Kacee

That's the smart approach. I don't see much point in debating how things "ought" to be . . . better to familiarize yourself with the program rules and adopt a strategy which maximizes the benefits that are important to you.

yeunganson

Not exactly true. SPG Lifetime status only gives the lowest level platinum. The 10 suite night ace cards (aka the Suite Night Awards) are somewhat useful so I do concentrate on SPG rather than split my stays between Marriott and SPG. With the flood of Mariott Plats (using SPG Plat 25) to compete in hotel rooms, those upgrade suite night awards gives you a edge over them.

I too hope Marriott fails to integrate SPG for yet another year.

Kacee

lol, didn't you hear, it's the other way around - all the SPG Plats are flooding over to Marriott

SPG flooding Marriott with platinums

UA-NYC

How many of those 75 nights were 1) from the credit card (either 15 annually or $3K spend per added night), 2) rollover nights, or 3) booking a meeting room for the 10 nights? Inquiring minds want to know...