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 17, 2018, 10:54 am
#271
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: WAW
Programs: A3(*G), Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 2,534
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, 11:34 am
#272
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: 100,404
I think this is wise for everyone. In my case, I don't expect it to matter as I'll be LTPP automatically from MR LTP and I have SPG LTP too.
However, I don't want to merge until I see more details about SNAs. I might wish to get the ten SNAs from SPG for Plat50 in addition to or instead of getting five plus five of the new combined program SNAs from MR for the MR nights I've already credited this year. However, it might not matter as it would be a stretch for me to get to 50 SPG nights by the end of the year, and probably impossible by August as I'm not willing to book and pay for two extra rooms that would be empty (although the triple room credit with SPG has made me wonder a few times whether it would make sense to try to book two confirmed connecting rooms and use the space like a suite, namely with one room for office/meetings/living room and guest bathroom and the other as my bedroom with more private bathroom).
However, I don't want to merge until I see more details about SNAs. I might wish to get the ten SNAs from SPG for Plat50 in addition to or instead of getting five plus five of the new combined program SNAs from MR for the MR nights I've already credited this year. However, it might not matter as it would be a stretch for me to get to 50 SPG nights by the end of the year, and probably impossible by August as I'm not willing to book and pay for two extra rooms that would be empty (although the triple room credit with SPG has made me wonder a few times whether it would make sense to try to book two confirmed connecting rooms and use the space like a suite, namely with one room for office/meetings/living room and guest bathroom and the other as my bedroom with more private bathroom).
May 17, 2018, 11:45 am
#273
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
I think this is wise for everyone. In my case, I don't expect it to matter as I'll be LTPP automatically from MR LTP and I have SPG LTP too.
However, I don't want to merge until I see more details about SNAs. I might wish to get the ten SNAs from SPG for Plat50 in addition to or instead of getting five plus five of the new combined program SNAs from MR for the MR nights I've already credited this year. However, it might not matter as it would be a stretch for me to get to 50 SPG nights by the end of the year, and probably impossible by August as I'm not willing to book and pay for two extra rooms that would be empty (although the triple room credit with SPG has made me wonder a few times whether it would make sense to try to book two confirmed connecting rooms and use the space like a suite, namely with one room for office/meetings/living room and guest bathroom and the other as my bedroom with more private bathroom).
However, I don't want to merge until I see more details about SNAs. I might wish to get the ten SNAs from SPG for Plat50 in addition to or instead of getting five plus five of the new combined program SNAs from MR for the MR nights I've already credited this year. However, it might not matter as it would be a stretch for me to get to 50 SPG nights by the end of the year, and probably impossible by August as I'm not willing to book and pay for two extra rooms that would be empty (although the triple room credit with SPG has made me wonder a few times whether it would make sense to try to book two confirmed connecting rooms and use the space like a suite, namely with one room for office/meetings/living room and guest bathroom and the other as my bedroom with more private bathroom).
"If you earn SNA's in advance of August, you will receive them. After August, if you achieve other night milestones, you will have the option to choose additional SNA's."
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts LLC
[email protected]
Last edited by Starwood Lurker; May 17, 2018 at 11:56 am
May 17, 2018, 11:55 am
#274
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
With regard to SNA's, this is what we have been told:
"If you earn SNA's in advance of August, you will receive them. After August, if you achieve other night milestones, you will have the option to choose additional SNA's."
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts LLC
[email protected]
"If you earn SNA's in advance of August, you will receive them. After August, if you achieve other night milestones, you will have the option to choose additional SNA's."
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts LLC
[email protected]
Last edited by CJKatl; May 17, 2018 at 12:11 pm
May 17, 2018, 3:49 pm
#275
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: BA Blue, IHG Spire, Marriott Gold
Posts: 401
@Eskimoboy, even if the hotel is wrong, IME the hotel will honor your email and not penalize you for their mistake. Is there a risk? Yes, but it seems pretty low.
May 18, 2018, 2:30 am
#276
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Accor Gold, OW Emerald, SIXT Diamond
Posts: 833
For those who are adamant SPG Gold / Marriott Gold will not get Lounge access (new Platinum) come August, care to explain how it would work for current SPG Plat who just made it based on 25 stays (and 25 nights) ? Would they be given Gold in the new program ?
May 18, 2018, 6:01 am
#277
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
- Starting January 1, 2019, Elite status will be achieved on nights and not on stays. Until then, SPG members can achieve status based on stays at SPG-associated brands only, but can also qualify based on nights at any of the 29 brands.
The materials are also clear that anyone who is SPG Gold will be matched to the new Gold. The new Gold does not have lounge access as a perk.
Last edited by CJKatl; May 18, 2018 at 6:19 am
May 18, 2018, 6:17 am
#278
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
- 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.
May 18, 2018, 6:38 am
#279
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,521
The marketing materials are quite detailed and clear on this.
In other words, if you qualify for Plat under the old SPG rules, you are Plat and will be matched to Plat. If you qualify for Plat under the legacy program you are not Gold in either the legacy SPG or new combined program. Starting in 2019, stays will no longer be part of the qualification parameters.
The materials are also clear that anyone who is SPG Gold will be matched to the new Gold. The new Gold does not have lounge access as a perk.
In other words, if you qualify for Plat under the old SPG rules, you are Plat and will be matched to Plat. If you qualify for Plat under the legacy program you are not Gold in either the legacy SPG or new combined program. Starting in 2019, stays will no longer be part of the qualification parameters.
The materials are also clear that anyone who is SPG Gold will be matched to the new Gold. The new Gold does not have lounge access as a perk.
May 18, 2018, 7:01 am
#280
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: Bonvoy :Ambassador , ALL :Diamond, Skywards :Silver, Krisflyer :Silver
Posts: 2,808
And shows on the chart that old SPG Gold will be matched to the new program Gold. And shows on the benefit chart that Gold does not get lounge access. Yet despite these clear parameters are you still thinking an SPG Gold will be entitled to lounge access come Aug? If so, based on what?
May 18, 2018, 7:24 am
#281
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: WAW
Programs: A3(*G), Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 2,534
I am sorry, but I have got to ask... Do you think that despite the recent announcements and the updated marketing materials which clarified this that there is a chance that SPG Gold is going to be matched to Plat? Do you think the company got it wrong when it added this to the flyer?
And shows on the chart that old SPG Gold will be matched to the new program Gold. And shows on the benefit chart that Gold does not get lounge access. Yet despite these clear parameters are you still thinking an SPG Gold will be entitled to lounge access come Aug? If so, based on what?
And shows on the chart that old SPG Gold will be matched to the new program Gold. And shows on the benefit chart that Gold does not get lounge access. Yet despite these clear parameters are you still thinking an SPG Gold will be entitled to lounge access come Aug? If so, based on what?
I've just sent Marriott another email, asking for further clarification of my partner's status, as their reply from May 12 directly contradicts the recent updates issued regarding status. Maybe what they say this time will be the opposite of what they said just a few days ago.
May 18, 2018, 8:01 am
#282
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
Put those granted exceptions aside, are you seriously saying that the clear statement and updated materials are wrong and the hotel exceptions mean there is a different policy? It was exceedingly clear since the April announcement that SPG Gold would not have lounge access. Marriott has issued an additional clarification and made this very clear in the marketing materials. The execs who provided incorrect information have seemingly been hushed. Anyone can look at all this information and think the clear clarification is wrong and one email that is right is trying very hard to avoid reality.
What is very sad is that anyone would look at these individual hotels that are trying to be nice and use their granting an exception as evidence of some sort of policy. Rather than thanking the hotels for the exception if guests start making demands on those exceptions the exceptions will likely go away. The hotels are being generous, but if guests act entitled and demanding I would not blame the hotels for taking a harder stance.
May 18, 2018, 8:26 am
#283
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: WAW
Programs: A3(*G), Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 2,534
First, I have posted on various threads that if you reach out to the hotel they may grant you access. Personal friends had success and someone posted on this thread that he had success. Or that an email that has not been updated, which BTW does not state access is "definite," is correct? There is a difference between an individual hotel bending rules and that being the rule going forward. If lounge access is important, reach out to the hotel and ask if you can have it despite your reservation being past Aug 1. Hotels can always go above and beyond what is required, which means individual hotels can grant lounge access, but Golds are note required to be given lounge access after Aug 1. That is the rule.
Put those granted exceptions aside, are you seriously saying that the clear statement and updated materials are wrong and the hotel exceptions mean there is a different policy? It was exceedingly clear since the April announcement that SPG Gold would not have lounge access. Marriott has issued an additional clarification and made this very clear in the marketing materials. The execs who provided incorrect information have seemingly been hushed. Anyone can look at all this information and think the clear clarification is wrong and one email that is right is trying very hard to avoid reality.
What is very sad is that anyone would look at these individual hotels that are trying to be nice and use their granting an exception as evidence of some sort of policy. Rather than thanking the hotels for the exception if guests start making demands on those exceptions the exceptions will likely go away. The hotels are being generous, but if guests act entitled and demanding I would not blame the hotels for taking a harder stance.
Put those granted exceptions aside, are you seriously saying that the clear statement and updated materials are wrong and the hotel exceptions mean there is a different policy? It was exceedingly clear since the April announcement that SPG Gold would not have lounge access. Marriott has issued an additional clarification and made this very clear in the marketing materials. The execs who provided incorrect information have seemingly been hushed. Anyone can look at all this information and think the clear clarification is wrong and one email that is right is trying very hard to avoid reality.
What is very sad is that anyone would look at these individual hotels that are trying to be nice and use their granting an exception as evidence of some sort of policy. Rather than thanking the hotels for the exception if guests start making demands on those exceptions the exceptions will likely go away. The hotels are being generous, but if guests act entitled and demanding I would not blame the hotels for taking a harder stance.
So that's all really. But thank you for the advice on contacting the hotels directly. That is the kind of constructive approach I appreciate, and it's probably my best option from here on.
Unless Marriott now does a volte face (like they did on LT SPGs) I'm prepared to sit it out for now, and wait to see if Marriott's response to my latest query is consistent with what's currently in the Wiki.
May 19, 2018, 6:03 am
#284
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Accor Gold, OW Emerald, SIXT Diamond
Posts: 833
I am sorry, but I have got to ask... Do you think that despite the recent announcements and the updated marketing materials which clarified this that there is a chance that SPG Gold is going to be matched to Plat? Do you think the company got it wrong when it added this to the flyer?
And shows on the chart that old SPG Gold will be matched to the new program Gold. And shows on the benefit chart that Gold does not get lounge access. Yet despite these clear parameters are you still thinking an SPG Gold will be entitled to lounge access come Aug? If so, based on what?
And shows on the chart that old SPG Gold will be matched to the new program Gold. And shows on the benefit chart that Gold does not get lounge access. Yet despite these clear parameters are you still thinking an SPG Gold will be entitled to lounge access come Aug? If so, based on what?
1. There's a camp saying SPG Gold / Marriott Gold will not get matched to Platinum because it is now based on EARNED status, which is 50 nights.
2. What I'm asking is what happens to SPG Plat (25 nights) ? Will they get Gold or Platinum in the new program ?
EDIT:
The marketing materials are quite detailed and clear on this.
In other words, if you qualify for Plat under the old SPG rules, you are Plat and will be matched to Plat. If you qualify for Plat under the legacy program you are not Gold in either the legacy SPG or new combined program. Starting in 2019, stays will no longer be part of the qualification parameters.
The materials are also clear that anyone who is SPG Gold will be matched to the new Gold. The new Gold does not have lounge access as a perk.
In other words, if you qualify for Plat under the old SPG rules, you are Plat and will be matched to Plat. If you qualify for Plat under the legacy program you are not Gold in either the legacy SPG or new combined program. Starting in 2019, stays will no longer be part of the qualification parameters.
The materials are also clear that anyone who is SPG Gold will be matched to the new Gold. The new Gold does not have lounge access as a perk.
If SPG Plat will be matched to "new" Plat then the stay/nights requirements are still tilted into SPG's favour ...
I'm trying deciding if it's worth a few more nights to get SPG Plat before August. Any idea if the new status is from August 18 - Jan 19 ? Or up to Jan 20 ?
Last edited by wantan; May 19, 2018 at 6:15 am
May 19, 2018, 6:32 am
#285
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,167