May 10, 2018, 7:14 am
Last edit by: Tokyoite
Regardless of the various arguments on whether SPG Golds were ever really "entitled" to Marriott Gold benefits, etc., etc... one thing is clear: SPG Golds will be losing a benefit mid-year, which is guaranteed 4 pm checkout.
It’s been clarified as of today. Starwood Lurker also just posted a clarification here:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29734454-post980.html
It’s been clarified as of today. Starwood Lurker also just posted a clarification here:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29734454-post980.html
Lifetime and Elite Status Updates
Since our announcement last month, we’ve been listening to member feedback and have a few updates and clarifications to share.
LIFETIME
Based on member response, we’re adding more flexibility for Lifetime Platinum Premier qualification. Now, SPG and Rewards members who achieve 750 nights and 10 years of Platinum status by December 31, 2018 will be grandfathered into that Lifetime tier, which starting in 2019 will no longer be available to earn. Rewards members can also qualify under the current criteria (750 nights + 2M points) through year end.
As we shared previously, members can also qualify for all other Lifetime tiers through both the new criteria on an ongoing basis and under the current criteria through December 31, 2018. And remember, we’ll combine lifetime activity across both Rewards and SPG toward qualification when members combine accounts in August.
AUGUST ELITE STATUS
We’ve also received some questions regarding status in the new program for members who status matched to receive elite in both SPG and Rewards. In August, nights earned (vs. linked status) will determine Elite status in the new program. For example, a SPG Gold member (10 stays/25 nights) who status matched to Rewards Gold Elite (50 nights) will be mapped to Gold Elite (25 nights) in the new program, whereas a Rewards Gold Elite (50 nights) will be mapped to Platinum Elite (50 nights).
The below FAQs hopefully provide even more detail, and have now been added to members.marriott.com. Please be sure to let us know what other questions we can help answer.
Additional FAQs
Can I earn Lifetime status under the legacy requirements (active prior to August 2018) for Lifetime Elite status in Marriott Rewards, Ritz-Carlton Rewards or SPG? If so, when will I be notified of my Lifetime Elite status?
Yes, in addition to earning based on the new criteria, members can earn Lifetime Elite Status under the legacy requirements through the end of 2018. If Lifetime status is achieved by legacy requirements, between August and December 31, 2018 you will receive notice of your updated Lifetime Elite status in January 2019. If Lifetime status is achieved based on the new criteria, you will be notified both in August 2018 as well as any time it is achieved through the end of the year.
Example: An SPG member has 300 Lifetime nights, 4 years of Gold Elite Status, and 1 year of Platinum Elite Status after August, 2018. Under the SPG legacy Lifetime requirements, this member would earn Lifetime Gold Elite status which would reflect in their account January 2019.
If I will not be grandfathered into Lifetime Platinum Premier Elite, will I have the ability to earn into this level in 2018?
Yes, members can earn Lifetime Platinum Premier Elite in 2018 if they achieve 750 Lifetime nights and 10 years at Platinum Elite status. This requirement is only for 2018 and will not be continued in future years. Members will receive notice of this Lifetime achievement in January 2019.
How are years at tenure calculated for Legacy MR and RCR members?
We are keeping members “whole” in the applicable night tier in which they earned their Elite status.
Example: If a member has 4 years of Elite status at the 50 night level (Gold Elite status) they will be counted in August and beyond as 4 years at the new 50 night level (Platinum Elite status). Only the names of the levels are changing. How we account for tenure is not changing.
I already linked my SPG and Rewards accounts. What will happen to my matched elite status in August?
The current status matching opportunity is tier for tier (e.g. Gold gets Gold, Platinum gets Platinum), even though the qualification requirements and benefits between SPG and Rewards are quite different. Given this, the following Elite status mapping will occur in August (unless a member has also qualified by nights for higher status):
SPG Members
· SPG Gold (10 stays/25 nights) is status matched to Rewards Gold Elite (50 nights) and in August will be Gold Elite (25 nights)
· SPG Platinum (25 stays/50 nights) is status matched to Rewards Platinum Elite (75 nights) and in August will be Platinum Elite (50 nights)
Rewards Members
· Rewards Gold Elite (50 nights) is status matched to SPG Gold (10 stays/25 nights) and in August will be Platinum Elite (50 nights)
· Rewards Platinum Elite (75 nights) is status matched to SPG Platinum (25 stays/50 nights) and in August will be Platinum Premier Elite (75 nights)
Question: Does this mean that SPG Gold who is given the elite status from Amex Plat or an airline program with 0 or less than 5 qualifying nights will get matched to... nothing (ie basic)?...Answer: I'm told "No" –if you have the card and get Gold today…you will be mapped to the NEW Gold tier. So, if you have the AMEX Plat/Centurion card that gives you Gold today…you’ll still get Gold status – just with the newly-defined post August 2018 benefits.
LIFETIME
Based on member response, we’re adding more flexibility for Lifetime Platinum Premier qualification. Now, SPG and Rewards members who achieve 750 nights and 10 years of Platinum status by December 31, 2018 will be grandfathered into that Lifetime tier, which starting in 2019 will no longer be available to earn. Rewards members can also qualify under the current criteria (750 nights + 2M points) through year end.
As we shared previously, members can also qualify for all other Lifetime tiers through both the new criteria on an ongoing basis and under the current criteria through December 31, 2018. And remember, we’ll combine lifetime activity across both Rewards and SPG toward qualification when members combine accounts in August.
AUGUST ELITE STATUS
We’ve also received some questions regarding status in the new program for members who status matched to receive elite in both SPG and Rewards. In August, nights earned (vs. linked status) will determine Elite status in the new program. For example, a SPG Gold member (10 stays/25 nights) who status matched to Rewards Gold Elite (50 nights) will be mapped to Gold Elite (25 nights) in the new program, whereas a Rewards Gold Elite (50 nights) will be mapped to Platinum Elite (50 nights).
The below FAQs hopefully provide even more detail, and have now been added to members.marriott.com. Please be sure to let us know what other questions we can help answer.
Additional FAQs
Can I earn Lifetime status under the legacy requirements (active prior to August 2018) for Lifetime Elite status in Marriott Rewards, Ritz-Carlton Rewards or SPG? If so, when will I be notified of my Lifetime Elite status?
Yes, in addition to earning based on the new criteria, members can earn Lifetime Elite Status under the legacy requirements through the end of 2018. If Lifetime status is achieved by legacy requirements, between August and December 31, 2018 you will receive notice of your updated Lifetime Elite status in January 2019. If Lifetime status is achieved based on the new criteria, you will be notified both in August 2018 as well as any time it is achieved through the end of the year.
Example: An SPG member has 300 Lifetime nights, 4 years of Gold Elite Status, and 1 year of Platinum Elite Status after August, 2018. Under the SPG legacy Lifetime requirements, this member would earn Lifetime Gold Elite status which would reflect in their account January 2019.
If I will not be grandfathered into Lifetime Platinum Premier Elite, will I have the ability to earn into this level in 2018?
Yes, members can earn Lifetime Platinum Premier Elite in 2018 if they achieve 750 Lifetime nights and 10 years at Platinum Elite status. This requirement is only for 2018 and will not be continued in future years. Members will receive notice of this Lifetime achievement in January 2019.
How are years at tenure calculated for Legacy MR and RCR members?
We are keeping members “whole” in the applicable night tier in which they earned their Elite status.
Example: If a member has 4 years of Elite status at the 50 night level (Gold Elite status) they will be counted in August and beyond as 4 years at the new 50 night level (Platinum Elite status). Only the names of the levels are changing. How we account for tenure is not changing.
I already linked my SPG and Rewards accounts. What will happen to my matched elite status in August?
The current status matching opportunity is tier for tier (e.g. Gold gets Gold, Platinum gets Platinum), even though the qualification requirements and benefits between SPG and Rewards are quite different. Given this, the following Elite status mapping will occur in August (unless a member has also qualified by nights for higher status):
SPG Members
· SPG Gold (10 stays/25 nights) is status matched to Rewards Gold Elite (50 nights) and in August will be Gold Elite (25 nights)
· SPG Platinum (25 stays/50 nights) is status matched to Rewards Platinum Elite (75 nights) and in August will be Platinum Elite (50 nights)
Rewards Members
· Rewards Gold Elite (50 nights) is status matched to SPG Gold (10 stays/25 nights) and in August will be Platinum Elite (50 nights)
· Rewards Platinum Elite (75 nights) is status matched to SPG Platinum (25 stays/50 nights) and in August will be Platinum Premier Elite (75 nights)
Question: Does this mean that SPG Gold who is given the elite status from Amex Plat or an airline program with 0 or less than 5 qualifying nights will get matched to... nothing (ie basic)?...
SPG Gold today? You will NOT be getting Platinum after August 1st.
Apr 19, 2018, 4:35 pm
#76
Join Date: May 2002
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, United Silver, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 2,276
AusBT isn't the sole report. Frequent Miler spoke to VP of MR Bob Behrens who stated the same. Both Raffles and Business Traveler spoke to the European loyalty VP who stated the same.
So, three different Marriott execs at 3 different location said the same thing.
So, three different Marriott execs at 3 different location said the same thing.
David Fueck came from Starwood Preferred Guest and has been leading Marriott's effort to combine Rewards and SPG since February 28, 2017. In this role, he's lived and breathed the combination of the loyalty programs leading up to the announcement four days ago. I'm sure he had to sign off on every detail.
We know what David Fueck said.
The fact that Marriott was not updated the "Members" website can mean one of two things. Either Marriott's web update process moves very slowly, even when there's an urgent need to fix something. Or there are now folks at Marriott rethinking what the definitive answer should be.
The decision does not effect me. I routinely accrue more than 75 Marriott nights per year. And I currently have Lifetime Marriott Platinum Elite, which will become Lifetime Platinum Premier Elite in August.
I sympathize with SPG Gold members who want a definitive answer, especially those who have reservations at Marriott full-service properties through the end of 2018 with the understanding that they had been promised the Gold benefits of the current Marriott Rewards program. When such members log on to Marriott.com, it says they have Gold Elite status -- just as StarwoodHotels.com says I have Platinum Preferred Guest status (even though I've accrued fewer nights at Starwood properties in the past ten years than I do at Marriott properties in a typical year.
Apr 19, 2018, 5:13 pm
#77
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,881
I sympathize with SPG Gold members who want a definitive answer, especially those who have reservations at Marriott full-service properties through the end of 2018 with the understanding that they had been promised the Gold benefits of the current Marriott Rewards program. When such members log on to Marriott.com, it says they have Gold Elite status -- just as StarwoodHotels.com says I have Platinum Preferred Guest status (even though I've accrued fewer nights at Starwood properties in the past ten years than I do at Marriott properties in a typical year.
Apr 19, 2018, 5:35 pm
#78
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: WAW
Programs: A3(*G), Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 2,534
More constructive than taking the word of Flueck in a TPG interview and treating it as gospel, then posting across multiple threads saying that this video alone is the final, definitive answer, without considering the lack of written confirmation or the numerous contradictory statements made by other senior people, such as Bob Behrens, all the while high-handedly dismissing each and every claim to the contrary as 'erroneous' or ill-informed, and even going so far as to say that a well-known blogger will soon be forced to issue a retraction for his sins (for having quoted some Marriott representatives that told him that SPG Golds matched to MR Gold before Aug 1 will get Plat).
Yet somehow the website that was supposedly corrected and updated to remove this erroneous information has no such update or correction at all, and then we're told a different story, that sometime soon (maybe tomorrow) it will be updated to take every quote that was reproduced from the interview and say the polar opposite, while issuing a public retraction. And if, by some miracle, this correction and retraction ever appears in print, we will no doubt be told by the same poster that this is the final proof, the final answer, even though it will come from the very same website that they trashed as being obscure when it stated the exact opposite.
The dog may bark but the caravan moves on.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29661483-post505.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29661610-post506.html
Apr 19, 2018, 6:19 pm
#79
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London / Los Angeles
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Globalist, BA Silver
Posts: 1,631
Finally, someone gets it, puts two and two together to make four.
More constructive than taking the word of Flueck in a TPG interview and treating it as gospel, then posting across multiple threads saying that this video alone is the final, definitive answer, without considering the lack of written confirmation or the numerous contradictory statements made by other senior people, such as Bob Behrens, all the while high-handedly dismissing each and every claim to the contrary as 'erroneous' or ill-informed.
More constructive than taking the word of Flueck in a TPG interview and treating it as gospel, then posting across multiple threads saying that this video alone is the final, definitive answer, without considering the lack of written confirmation or the numerous contradictory statements made by other senior people, such as Bob Behrens, all the while high-handedly dismissing each and every claim to the contrary as 'erroneous' or ill-informed.
I agree that the people in this thread and elsewhere who were taking Flueck's contradictory fumbled answer as definitely saying one thing (what they personally wanted the answer to be) were being silly.
Apr 19, 2018, 6:49 pm
#80
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: WAW
Programs: A3(*G), Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 2,534
Not to mention that even what Flueck said was contradictory - "absolutely no members will lose any benefits they currently have through end of 2018" and then "only 'earned' Marriott Gold will become Platinum". I personally think Flueck fumbled his answer and given every other senior Marriott exec has stated since that matched Golds will become Platinum in August, the weight of evidence is pointing that way.
I agree that the people in this thread and elsewhere who were taking Flueck's contradictory fumbled answer as definitely saying one thing (what they personally wanted the answer to be) were being silly.
I agree that the people in this thread and elsewhere who were taking Flueck's contradictory fumbled answer as definitely saying one thing (what they personally wanted the answer to be) were being silly.
Hopefully, we'll find out the answer sometime before July 31 anyway!
Apr 19, 2018, 7:13 pm
#81
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, MLife Gold, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Caesars Diamond, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,943
I got Marriott Gold via SPG Gold, and I'm taking the Marriott website at its word: Marriott Gold Elite will become Platinum in August. It's plastered all over the place in print without caveat.
Apr 19, 2018, 8:34 pm
#82
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 28
"Auto Golds" like the Amex Platinum benefit or the easier to earn Gold earned through SPG is looked at as lesser. Why would they auto Platinum these lesser people when you are putting a 75K yearly spend requirement on a new Luxury Amex card in order to get that valued Platinum status?
They are putting importance in rewarding the way you earn it. Otherwise they know too many Platinums out there would dilute the status.
Apr 19, 2018, 8:54 pm
#83
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Denver, Colorado
Programs: IHG Spire, Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Titanium, Mileage Plus Gold
Posts: 1,736
Email Reply From MR Associate Regarding SPG Matched Gold
Well here is the reply that I got back from Marriott Rewards today. The first reply stated that I would be Platinum in August and I replied back to clarify that I earned my MR Gold via SPG status match and that I earned my original Gold via SPG and NOT Marriott. SPG Lurker can you confirm???
Apr 20, 2018, 11:52 am
#84
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: WAW
Programs: A3(*G), Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 2,534
Well here is the reply that I got back from Marriott Rewards today. The first reply stated that I would be Platinum in August and I replied back to clarify that I earned my MR Gold via SPG status match and that I earned my original Gold via SPG and NOT Marriott. SPG Lurker can you confirm???
Apr 20, 2018, 12:25 pm
#85
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: Aeroplan, Amex AeroPlat
Posts: 977
That is, the rewards programs include by and large members who are not readers on FT or of any of the frequent reward blogs. These people may include highly valuable customers, such as my friend who is a business executive that travels often, stays at well appointed SPG or Marriott rooms but has not even bothered to link his SPG account to Marriott.
These people will not obsess over any details regarding which status is earned or matched. They will take the printed content on the Marriott website at face value, as they should, and understand that if they are Gold, they will become Plat in August. They will not pause to think, wait a second, but my status comes from a credit card or an airline matching program, what then?
Common business sense tells us, at least for 2018, all MR Golds will be Plat under new program. This is the representation made by Marriott to the public at large. This will most likely be honoured.
Apr 20, 2018, 12:40 pm
#86
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 984
I don't know if this matters in the SPG Gold becomes what discussion, but I have current SPG "Preferred" due to the Amex SPG, and supposedly, after linking my accounts, I was supposed to be Marriott Silver right? I just logged into my Marriott account the other day to make sure everything was linked for the August merger, and noticed I was only listed as a Marriott "member". If I was supposed to be Silver, is Marriott already not honoring the status matches online and that was how they were going to weed out the SPG Golds from the "true" Marriott Golds.
Apr 20, 2018, 12:50 pm
#87
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: TPA
Programs: British, United,SW, Delta,Iberia,KLM, Qatar, IHG, Hilton, Marriott, Starwood, Radisson, Wyndham,
Posts: 255
Sound like Marriott realigns these comp benefit based on the night requirement.
I am a SPG Gold through AMEX Platinum, so I will remain as a Gold (the status level equivalent to 25 nights). Sure.
I am also a Marriott Gold through UA, but based on everything I read/watch so far, I should be elevated to Marriott Platinum (the status level equivalent to 50 nights).
So in the new program - I will be Gold and Platinum? This will be interesting...
Why don't I simply get a Platinum Premier instead
I am a SPG Gold through AMEX Platinum, so I will remain as a Gold (the status level equivalent to 25 nights). Sure.
I am also a Marriott Gold through UA, but based on everything I read/watch so far, I should be elevated to Marriott Platinum (the status level equivalent to 50 nights).
So in the new program - I will be Gold and Platinum? This will be interesting...
Why don't I simply get a Platinum Premier instead
Apr 20, 2018, 1:09 pm
#88
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
My apologies, but no...I cannot. I'm still waiting for further clarification on almost all of the "what if" elite status questions, so if you cannot find the answer in the wiki portion of this thread, I don't have one. All I can tell you at the moment is what is already published for member view at members.marriott.com:
In August, we will introduce new Elite tiers providing members with the best benefits from the combined programs. Elite levels include Silver Elite (10 nights), Gold Elite (25 nights), Platinum Elite (50 nights), Platinum Premier Elite (75 nights) and Platinum Premier Elite with ambassador (100 nights and $20,000 in qualifying revenue). Existing Elite members continue to be Elite and will simply be mapped to a new, but similar tier level (see below) in August. Members who combine Rewards and SPG accounts could also receive a higher Elite tier, as mapping will be based on combined activity starting from January 1, 2018 across Rewards and SPG.
Existing Elite members will receive the following status in August:
SPG*:
MARRIOTT REWARDS/THE RITZ-CARLTON REWARDS:
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts LLC
[email protected]
In August, we will introduce new Elite tiers providing members with the best benefits from the combined programs. Elite levels include Silver Elite (10 nights), Gold Elite (25 nights), Platinum Elite (50 nights), Platinum Premier Elite (75 nights) and Platinum Premier Elite with ambassador (100 nights and $20,000 in qualifying revenue). Existing Elite members continue to be Elite and will simply be mapped to a new, but similar tier level (see below) in August. Members who combine Rewards and SPG accounts could also receive a higher Elite tier, as mapping will be based on combined activity starting from January 1, 2018 across Rewards and SPG.
Existing Elite members will receive the following status in August:
SPG*:
- Corporate Preferred members and Preferred Guest Plus members receive Silver Elite status.
- Gold Preferred members receive Gold Elite status.
- Platinum Preferred members receive Platinum Elite status.
- Platinum Preferred members with 50 nights receive Platinum Elite status.
- Platinum Preferred members with 75 nights receive Platinum Premier Elite status.
- Platinum Preferred members with 100 nights receive Platinum Premier Elite status with ambassador.
MARRIOTT REWARDS/THE RITZ-CARLTON REWARDS:
- Silver Elite members with <25 nights receive Silver Elite Status
- Silver Elite members with 25 – 49 nights receive Gold Elite Status
- Gold Elite members receive Platinum Elite status.
- Platinum Elite members receive Platinum Premier Elite status.
- Platinum Elite members with 100 nights and $20k in qualifying spend receive Platinum Premier Elite with ambassador
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts LLC
[email protected]
Apr 20, 2018, 2:35 pm
#89
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,881
Acc to MR twitter, SPG Gold maps to new Gold
Apr 20, 2018, 4:56 pm
#90
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Denver, Colorado
Programs: IHG Spire, Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Titanium, Mileage Plus Gold
Posts: 1,736
Well the variable here is your Gold was via Amex. I specifically told them mine was earned via SPG and matched to Marriott. Not sure but a theory maybe, CC earned(Gold Plated)
will match to Gold and earned Gold will match to Platinum.
will match to Gold and earned Gold will match to Platinum.