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 15, 2018, 9:08 am
#256
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: Bonvoy :Ambassador , ALL :Diamond, Skywards :Silver, Krisflyer :Silver
Posts: 2,808
FWIW, email reservation confirmations still contain the following:
"Enjoy these Gold Benefits* during your stay. Guaranteed lounge access for you and a guest. Free continental breakfast for member plus one guest daily."
*Benefits vary by brand and hotel. Please see full terms and conditions."
No mention of changes come Aug 1.
"Enjoy these Gold Benefits* during your stay. Guaranteed lounge access for you and a guest. Free continental breakfast for member plus one guest daily."
*Benefits vary by brand and hotel. Please see full terms and conditions."
No mention of changes come Aug 1.
Interesting
May 15, 2018, 9:28 am
#257
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,881
Just did another post August refundable booking and it appeared. It's towards the bottom of the email confirmation under the heading of "Your Rewards Information", just below the "Rate Details and Cancellation Policy" heading.
May 15, 2018, 9:37 am
#258
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
Just curious, did it list the current (legacy) benefits or the new program benefits?
May 15, 2018, 11:11 am
#260
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
A guest who checks into a hotel after the shift to the new program will staying under the new benefits and with the new status. Had it ever been otherwise, everyone losing status would have furiously made reservations for the next year so as to keep unearned perks and status. To get perks, a guest with the requisite status needs to be staying in the room. If a guest was Plat at the time of the reservation but is Gold at check-in, no Plat guest will be staying in the room to fulfill that requirement. Wording on the reservation is clearly based on current status and is not intended to guaranty these benefits are available even if the status drops. The assumption is members are mature and honest enough to act in a business-like manner and not try to gain unearned perks through a silly argument.
That giant asterisk on the email instructing one to check the terms and conditions allows Marriott to change the benefits and any time and expressly states there is no contract guaranteeing any benefits.
The wording on the reservation is clumsy. If anyone questions if the hotel will honor the lost perks, reach out to the hotel ahead of time. IME, most hotels will give you the perks, especially non-US properties and more likely closer to the date things change, but the attitude that anyone is entitled to the benefits because of Marriott's bad wording is an attempt to take advantage.
That giant asterisk on the email instructing one to check the terms and conditions allows Marriott to change the benefits and any time and expressly states there is no contract guaranteeing any benefits.
The wording on the reservation is clumsy. If anyone questions if the hotel will honor the lost perks, reach out to the hotel ahead of time. IME, most hotels will give you the perks, especially non-US properties and more likely closer to the date things change, but the attitude that anyone is entitled to the benefits because of Marriott's bad wording is an attempt to take advantage.
May 15, 2018, 11:27 am
#261
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
A guest who checks into a hotel after the shift to the new program will staying under the new benefits and with the new status. Had it ever been otherwise, everyone losing status would have furiously made reservations for the next year so as to keep unearned perks and status. To get perks, a guest with the requisite status needs to be staying in the room. If a guest was Plat at the time of the reservation but is Gold at check-in, no Plat guest will be staying in the room to fulfill that requirement. Wording on the reservation is clearly based on current status and is not intended to guaranty these benefits are available even if the status drops. The assumption is members are mature and honest enough to act in a business-like manner and not try to gain unearned perks through a silly argument.
That giant asterisk on the email instructing one to check the terms and conditions allows Marriott to change the benefits and any time and expressly states there is no contract guaranteeing any benefits.
Now if they just cut over to one program, as they do have the ability to do, I'd agree with your assessment.
The wording on the reservation is clumsy. If anyone questions if the hotel will honor the lost perks, reach out to the hotel ahead of time. IME, most hotels will give you the perks, especially non-US properties and more likely closer to the date things change, but the attitude that anyone is entitled to the benefits because of Marriott's bad wording is an attempt to take advantage.
That giant asterisk on the email instructing one to check the terms and conditions allows Marriott to change the benefits and any time and expressly states there is no contract guaranteeing any benefits.
Now if they just cut over to one program, as they do have the ability to do, I'd agree with your assessment.
The wording on the reservation is clumsy. If anyone questions if the hotel will honor the lost perks, reach out to the hotel ahead of time. IME, most hotels will give you the perks, especially non-US properties and more likely closer to the date things change, but the attitude that anyone is entitled to the benefits because of Marriott's bad wording is an attempt to take advantage.
1) What if the guest hasn't merged their accounts to create the MPG account? Shouldn't they lose all status benefits in that case?
2) They have said we have until 12/31 to earn status according to the legacy rules, shouldn't benefits follow suit? Effectively they have chosen to have three different programs and need to extend legacy benefits through 12/31, if one chooses to not merge accounts.
3) If the confirmation states they have certain benefits wouldn't it be reasonable to expect those benefits?
Yes, every property has the ability to go above and beyond the minimum. What I take exception to is when they say they will grant what we've booked as "a one-time exception". Personally, I've had so many "one-time exceptions" to fill a lifetime!
May 15, 2018, 12:24 pm
#262
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
Just a couple of points here...
1) What if the guest hasn't merged their accounts to create the MPG account? Shouldn't they lose all status benefits in that case?
2) They have said we have until 12/31 to earn status according to the legacy rules, shouldn't benefits follow suit? Effectively they have chosen to have three different programs and need to extend legacy benefits through 12/31, if one chooses to not merge accounts.
3) If the confirmation states they have certain benefits wouldn't it be reasonable to expect those benefits?
Yes, every property has the ability to go above and beyond the minimum. What I take exception to is when they say they will grant what we've booked as "a one-time exception". Personally, I've had so many "one-time exceptions" to fill a lifetime!
1) What if the guest hasn't merged their accounts to create the MPG account? Shouldn't they lose all status benefits in that case?
2) They have said we have until 12/31 to earn status according to the legacy rules, shouldn't benefits follow suit? Effectively they have chosen to have three different programs and need to extend legacy benefits through 12/31, if one chooses to not merge accounts.
3) If the confirmation states they have certain benefits wouldn't it be reasonable to expect those benefits?
Yes, every property has the ability to go above and beyond the minimum. What I take exception to is when they say they will grant what we've booked as "a one-time exception". Personally, I've had so many "one-time exceptions" to fill a lifetime!
- Existing Elite members will continue to be Elite and will achieve a new, but similar, tier level in August. Elite tier will be based on the status earned, not status granted via linking and status matching. See chart below for August status.
Which is why I have never understood the common advice on here, which Marriott has never stated... Combining your accounts will not mean you cannot qualify for LTPP under the old parameters. Marriott has made it clear that count will continue whether accounts are combined or not.
Combining will allow you to possibly bump up status for 2019, which should become effective immediately like in the past. If someone has YTD 40 Marriott nights and 40 SPG nights on the day the new program counts, both the MR and SPG levels will translate to Gold in the new program. Without combining, the member can use either number and will be Gold in the new program and will be treated as such. If the member combines the accounts the member will have 80 nights and will become Plat 75 in the new program, so it makes sense to combine quickly. The member will not magically keep Plat in the new SPG program and get those benefits as hotels will no longer be looking at that or offering benefits based on that.
And the email does not guaranty future benefits. The member gets the gold benefits in effect during the stay if the member is still Gold. That is included in the T&Cs which are specifically incorporated in the email.
Last edited by CJKatl; May 15, 2018 at 12:31 pm
May 15, 2018, 12:29 pm
#263
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
You are confusing what happens in August with what happens when accounts are merged.
Note it does not say you get a new status when you link your accounts. It does not say that anywhere. The new status happens in Aug. Period. Keeping tabs on the old qualification parameters, which is happening, is different than having a new status in the new program. Hotels are not going to have different sets of perks for different programs. If you do link your accounts or not you will have the new level on the conversion chart. The materials are clear. It's not like someone who is Gold can avoid the downgrade by just not linking accounts. In Aug you will have your new status under the new program and get the benefits associated with that even if you have not linked your accounts. That is the purpose of the conversion charts. That's the whole argument about Gold benefits changing mid-year.
Which is why I have never understood the common advice on here, which Marriott has never stated... Linking your accounts will not mean you cannot qualify for LTPP under the old parameters. Marriott has made it clear that count will continue whether accounts are linked or not.
Linking will allow you to possibly bump up status for 2019, which should become effective immediately like in the past. If someone has YTD 40 Marriott nights and 40 SPG nights on the day the new program counts, both the MR and SPG levels will translate to Gold in the new program. Without linking the member can use either number and will be Gold in the new program and will be treated as such. If the member combines the accounts the member will have 80 nights and will become Plat 75 in the new program, so it makes sense to combine quickly. The member will not magically keep Plat in the new SPG program and get those benefits as hotels will no longer be looking at that or offering benefits based on that.
And the email does not guaranty future benefits. The member gets the gold benefits in effect during the stay if the member is still Gold. That is included in the T&Cs which are specifically incorporated in the email.
Note it does not say you get a new status when you link your accounts. It does not say that anywhere. The new status happens in Aug. Period. Keeping tabs on the old qualification parameters, which is happening, is different than having a new status in the new program. Hotels are not going to have different sets of perks for different programs. If you do link your accounts or not you will have the new level on the conversion chart. The materials are clear. It's not like someone who is Gold can avoid the downgrade by just not linking accounts. In Aug you will have your new status under the new program and get the benefits associated with that even if you have not linked your accounts. That is the purpose of the conversion charts. That's the whole argument about Gold benefits changing mid-year.
Which is why I have never understood the common advice on here, which Marriott has never stated... Linking your accounts will not mean you cannot qualify for LTPP under the old parameters. Marriott has made it clear that count will continue whether accounts are linked or not.
Linking will allow you to possibly bump up status for 2019, which should become effective immediately like in the past. If someone has YTD 40 Marriott nights and 40 SPG nights on the day the new program counts, both the MR and SPG levels will translate to Gold in the new program. Without linking the member can use either number and will be Gold in the new program and will be treated as such. If the member combines the accounts the member will have 80 nights and will become Plat 75 in the new program, so it makes sense to combine quickly. The member will not magically keep Plat in the new SPG program and get those benefits as hotels will no longer be looking at that or offering benefits based on that.
And the email does not guaranty future benefits. The member gets the gold benefits in effect during the stay if the member is still Gold. That is included in the T&Cs which are specifically incorporated in the email.
May 15, 2018, 12:41 pm
#264
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
Yes, still lots of open issue. Linking only applies to legacy account to legacy account. They have toggled on whether your linked status to MR, for example, will get you new program status. Last I saw as Yes. They have not elaborated on what happens when you merge your accounts. I don't trust them to keep all three accounts open or track your progress as though all three are open. That's why my advise for caution before doing the merge. Let's see what the details/ramifications are first. Sounds like a safe way to go.
They have consistently said you may qualify for a higher status when you merge accounts, so if someone will qualify for a higher level they should merge quickly. They have clearly said SPG Gold becomes new program Gold in Aug, not upon merger at a later day. They have clearly said the new program starts in Aug, there will be midyear changes and have never said they would be running four separate programs until the end of the year. You can still qualify for LT status under the old rules until the end of the year, but there has been nothing coming from Marriott that would indicate the old programs would otherwise be running. Everything indicates the new program starts in Aug and other than LT qualification parameters the old programs end.
May 15, 2018, 12:47 pm
#265
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
From the updated marketing materials:
Elite tier will be based on the status earned, not status granted via linking and status matching. See chart below for August status.
May 15, 2018, 1:53 pm
#266
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: 100,413
Immediately after posting I realized the word linking was wrong and changed all those references to merge or combine. Sorry about that. While I agree caution is always best and Marriott has always had bad IT, it is clear tier and benefits change when the program changes and not based on when accounts are merged. Nowhere does Marriott claim the changes happen when someone merges accounts and all references state clearly new status starts in Aug, new benefits start in Aug.
They have consistently said you may qualify for a higher status when you merge accounts, so if someone will qualify for a higher level they should merge quickly. They have clearly said SPG Gold becomes new program Gold in Aug, not upon merger at a later day. They have clearly said the new program starts in Aug, there will be midyear changes and have never said they would be running four separate programs until the end of the year. You can still qualify for LT status under the old rules until the end of the year, but there has been nothing coming from Marriott that would indicate the old programs would otherwise be running. Everything indicates the new program starts in Aug and other than LT qualification parameters the old programs end.
They have consistently said you may qualify for a higher status when you merge accounts, so if someone will qualify for a higher level they should merge quickly. They have clearly said SPG Gold becomes new program Gold in Aug, not upon merger at a later day. They have clearly said the new program starts in Aug, there will be midyear changes and have never said they would be running four separate programs until the end of the year. You can still qualify for LT status under the old rules until the end of the year, but there has been nothing coming from Marriott that would indicate the old programs would otherwise be running. Everything indicates the new program starts in Aug and other than LT qualification parameters the old programs end.
I agree, but being conservative here, I would still advise--based on what has currently been verified about the new combined program--that anyone hoping/planning to get LTPP or any lifetime status based on current SPG rules (or current MR rules) should avoid merging accounts until either the new lifetime status posts or until we are assured that one can merge accounts and still qualify for the particular status (LTPP might be treated differently here, for example, or indeed any lifetime status level) after accounts are merged.
In my case, I'm SPG LTP and MR LTP and I have over 100 Marriott nights this year. I would not expect to instantly become SPG Ambassador when I merge accounts, nor would I expect to be able to use Your24 until my $20,000 spend posts.
In my case, I'm SPG LTP and MR LTP and I have over 100 Marriott nights this year. I would not expect to instantly become SPG Ambassador when I merge accounts, nor would I expect to be able to use Your24 until my $20,000 spend posts.
May 15, 2018, 2:27 pm
#267
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
I agree, but being conservative here, I would still advise--based on what has currently been verified about the new combined program--that anyone hoping/planning to get LTPP or any lifetime status based on current SPG rules (or current MR rules) should avoid merging accounts until either the new lifetime status posts or until we are assured that one can merge accounts and still qualify for the particular status (LTPP might be treated differently here, for example, or indeed any lifetime status level) after accounts are merged.
In my case, I'm SPG LTP and MR LTP and I have over 100 Marriott nights this year. I would not expect to instantly become SPG Ambassador when I merge accounts, nor would I expect to be able to use Your24 until my $20,000 spend posts.
In my case, I'm SPG LTP and MR LTP and I have over 100 Marriott nights this year. I would not expect to instantly become SPG Ambassador when I merge accounts, nor would I expect to be able to use Your24 until my $20,000 spend posts.
May 15, 2018, 2:56 pm
#268
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: 100,413
I'm not predicting different programs or different benefits, just saying that if one wants to qualify for any status based on rules (SPG or MR) from the existing legacy SPG and MR programs, I would be extremely cautious about merging the accounts first. YMMV, but we haven't yet seen any statement of the benefits to us that will come when accounts are merged and be withheld unless/until the person decides to actually take the step of merging the accounts. Assuming that the merging of accounts will be optional in the interim, I wouldn't rush to blindly merge accounts without first understanding the consequences of doing so. Again, YMMV and good luck everyone.
May 17, 2018, 5:47 am
#269
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: BA Blue, IHG Spire, Marriott Gold
Posts: 401
Well I decided to contact one of the Marriott hotels I've got booked in January for a night to ask if they would honour the current benefits I have from my Gold status (late checkout mainly being of most importance but the free breakfast and lounge access would also be good). I explained I thought I would be Gold under the new scheme as I'm matched from SPG Gold and even if I was Platinum I wouldn't have stayed enough in the current year to retain that so come the 31st December 2018 I'd lose that. So asked if they would honour the benefits I was expecting when I made the booking a few months ago and got the following reply:
"First of all , do not worry about your status. After August you will be Platinum level under new program and keep your all benefits of Gold level now. So you will definitely enjoy your stay in January with lounge access and late check out etc….
Regarding to valid 31, December 2018 this topic mention about life time member. I already checked Marriott Customer Care center and found that you are not life time member so don't worry about it."
Am very far from convinced I'll be Platinum come the 3rd January when my stay is but should I take this email as confirmation that they'll give me the benefits anyway? I was expecting a brush off and was going to cancel and book an alternative hotel, now this email has given me a bit of quandry whether to wait and see and try and wing it on the day...
"First of all , do not worry about your status. After August you will be Platinum level under new program and keep your all benefits of Gold level now. So you will definitely enjoy your stay in January with lounge access and late check out etc….
Regarding to valid 31, December 2018 this topic mention about life time member. I already checked Marriott Customer Care center and found that you are not life time member so don't worry about it."
Am very far from convinced I'll be Platinum come the 3rd January when my stay is but should I take this email as confirmation that they'll give me the benefits anyway? I was expecting a brush off and was going to cancel and book an alternative hotel, now this email has given me a bit of quandry whether to wait and see and try and wing it on the day...