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.
May 9, 2018, 11:29 am
#181
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: HOME
Programs: HH Dia;SPG Plat;Marriott Plat;GHA Black
Posts: 335
And there you have it, straight from the horses mouth.
good for marriott to clarify this
good for marriott to clarify this
May 9, 2018, 11:33 am
#182
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: Aeroplan, Amex AeroPlat
Posts: 977
@Starwood Lurker
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)?
That, is going to be very interesting indeed.
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)?
That, is going to be very interesting indeed.
Last edited by theOtherHolmes; May 9, 2018 at 12:15 pm
May 9, 2018, 11:38 am
#183
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,039
We are seeing this across over crowded airport lounges, devalued FFPs (upgrades, etc) and I think we'll continue to see it at some point in the hotel programs as well.
So, I try to be rational in how I respond to stuff like this. Do I take advantage of credit card provided benefits? Sure, of course. But I also don't delude myself into believing that I'm an important/high value customer to that company (which btw I don't sense that you feel that way either, you seem quite rational). That just isn't realistic and this situation, IMHO, where everyone is special just isn't scalable or sustainable in the long run.
Regards
May 9, 2018, 11:51 am
#184
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
@Starwood Lurker
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)?...
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)?...
We aren’t going to take away anyone’s status.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts LLC
[email protected]
May 9, 2018, 11:59 am
#185
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: SPG Gold, Hyatt Plat, Fairmont Premier
Posts: 173
I think the mapping from SPG Gold to the new program's Gold tier is fair, even though as a Amex Platinum cardholder I don't like it. However, I do think it's bad form by Marriott to change our status tiers with only three months advance notice, as I did have reservations with Marriott past the August conversion date in which I was expecting Marriott Gold benefits (i.e. free breakfast). I will have to reconsider those bookings and will likely cancel my Amex Platinum, as Hilton Gold is much more appealing now.
May 9, 2018, 12:19 pm
#186
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: Aeroplan, Amex AeroPlat
Posts: 977
I think the mapping from SPG Gold to the new program's Gold tier is fair, even though as a Amex Platinum cardholder I don't like it. However, I do think it's bad form by Marriott to change our status tiers with only three months advance notice, as I did have reservations with Marriott past the August conversion date in which I was expecting Marriott Gold benefits (i.e. free breakfast). I will have to reconsider those bookings and will likely cancel my Amex Platinum, as Hilton Gold is much more appealing now.
It is definitely not cool to give with one hand and take away with the other.
May 9, 2018, 12:23 pm
#187
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,486
I think the mapping from SPG Gold to the new program's Gold tier is fair, even though as a Amex Platinum cardholder I don't like it. However, I do think it's bad form by Marriott to change our status tiers with only three months advance notice, as I did have reservations with Marriott past the August conversion date in which I was expecting Marriott Gold benefits (i.e. free breakfast). I will have to reconsider those bookings and will likely cancel my Amex Platinum, as Hilton Gold is much more appealing now.
May 9, 2018, 12:37 pm
#188
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,878
I think the mapping from SPG Gold to the new program's Gold tier is fair, even though as a Amex Platinum cardholder I don't like it. However, I do think it's bad form by Marriott to change our status tiers with only three months advance notice, as I did have reservations with Marriott past the August conversion date in which I was expecting Marriott Gold benefits (i.e. free breakfast). I will have to reconsider those bookings and will likely cancel my Amex Platinum, as Hilton Gold is much more appealing now.
Note, I was able to cancel pre-paid non-refundable reservations without penalty. Took some effort though. I rebooked same nights with points to draw down my account. I will keep the Amex Plat.
May 9, 2018, 12:49 pm
#189
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: LHR
Programs: Accor PLT,Thai Silver, HH Dia, SPG Titanium (LT Gold), Aegean Gold, BA Silver
Posts: 5,117
So having achieved LTG the hard way by stays it is thrown back at you as you can get Gold for zeros stays. Nice
May 9, 2018, 1:44 pm
#191
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London / Los Angeles
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Globalist, BA Silver
Posts: 1,631
Still, am glad it has been clarified.
May 9, 2018, 2:00 pm
#192
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,324
Same here. I booked bunch SPG and Marriott hotels for two upcoming trips totaling a number of 36 nights, banking on the new plat status between Aug 2018 to Feb 2019. I will move at least 20 of them now to HH or Hyatt where my elite benefits give me free breakfast, better upgrade and/or late checkout.
It is definitely not cool to give with one hand and take away with the other.
Last edited by HHonors OUTSIDER; May 25, 2018 at 2:38 pm
May 9, 2018, 4:07 pm
#193
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: LHR
Programs: Accor PLT,Thai Silver, HH Dia, SPG Titanium (LT Gold), Aegean Gold, BA Silver
Posts: 5,117
Surely LTGs should then be bumped up one level or again loyalty does not mean anything. Oh and spending 250+ nights is a little more expensive the 699 CAD even if you pro rata it.
May 9, 2018, 7:22 pm
#194
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 50
The mid year change is pretty bad form IMHO. I have a few post Aug 1 bookings that now will be cancelled as I can find better value elsewhere. Yes we got benefits that exceeded the SPG equivalent but as trips are booked many months in advance we need proper notice. Ultimately its Marriott that’s losing revenue here.
May 9, 2018, 8:08 pm
#195
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 600
So I assume "linking and status matching" includes a status obtained from Ritz-Carlton credit card, correct? I noticed that many people here talk about Amex Platinum but not much about Ritz-Carlton credit card.