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.
Jul 26, 2018, 9:07 am
#301
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: lounge next door
Programs: *A Gold / ST Elite+ / OWS / EK G / HH Diam. / MR Tit / Hyatt GLOB / IHG Diam. / SL Jade / GHA Tit.
Posts: 1,527
If you are a valued Marriott Rewards Gold Elite member when you check in, you will receive those benefits. If you're not, you won't.
I could make a reservation as a PLT today for next July. If I only stay at Marriott 3 times in 2018, do you think I'd get PLT benefits when I arrive next year?
I could make a reservation as a PLT today for next July. If I only stay at Marriott 3 times in 2018, do you think I'd get PLT benefits when I arrive next year?
If I'm platinum and book 1 night next year (and will be gold at check in for exemple), I will have the benefits of a gold (as it's my status at check in).
Jul 26, 2018, 9:13 am
#302
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: lounge next door
Programs: *A Gold / ST Elite+ / OWS / EK G / HH Diam. / MR Tit / Hyatt GLOB / IHG Diam. / SL Jade / GHA Tit.
Posts: 1,527
However, many have reported it to have happened exactly that way. Remember, this is FT, so the normal situation is only problems get posted since good news does not get anyone excited. And this is a situation if you don't ask, you may not receive (just like with upgrades many times). I guess that's why we have YMMV.
And yes, if I agree to terms today, I do expect them to live up to them, regardless of being a member or not.
An additional point: Had they NOT spelled out the benefits in the confirmation, then I'd probably have a different viewpoint.
And yes, if I agree to terms today, I do expect them to live up to them, regardless of being a member or not.
An additional point: Had they NOT spelled out the benefits in the confirmation, then I'd probably have a different viewpoint.
The way it work is (for all programs) : you have the benefits linked to your status the day you check in.
Sounds logical and as already stated SPG Gold should be already happy as marriott has gave them much more benefits as what they had initially in the SPG program.
Jul 26, 2018, 10:31 am
#303
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
Those benefits are linked to a status and the definition of the benefits of this status are defined in the T&C.
The way it work is (for all programs) : you have the benefits linked to your status the day you check in.
Sounds logical and as already stated SPG Gold should be already happy as marriott has gave them much more benefits as what they had initially in the SPG program.
The way it work is (for all programs) : you have the benefits linked to your status the day you check in.
Sounds logical and as already stated SPG Gold should be already happy as marriott has gave them much more benefits as what they had initially in the SPG program.
Jul 26, 2018, 11:54 am
#304
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
The terms and conditions clearly indicated it is the status at time of check-in that govern no matter what tortuous justification someone might put forth of FT. Hotels are free to do as they choose but are not required to honor your previous status. Your confirmation governs your reservation and not your participation/perks in MR. Do not show up at the hotel expecting lounge access. Telling the desk clerk that someone on the internet said some Marriott person said hotels would do the opposite of what the terms spell out and allow access based on the time of reservation means nothing while an email from the hotel manager will be honored and likely already noted in your reservation.
I now know of four people who have reached out to hotels, let them know lounge access was a status perk when the reservation was made and asked if that could be extended for the stay. All four have been granted access. Asking ahead of time avoids wondering and placing the front desk clerk in an awkward position. Hotels seem to be lenient when former Gs ask ahead of time.
As others have pointed out, if the status at the time of reservation dictated perks people losing status would have been making reservations eleven months ahead every year,
I now know of four people who have reached out to hotels, let them know lounge access was a status perk when the reservation was made and asked if that could be extended for the stay. All four have been granted access. Asking ahead of time avoids wondering and placing the front desk clerk in an awkward position. Hotels seem to be lenient when former Gs ask ahead of time.
As others have pointed out, if the status at the time of reservation dictated perks people losing status would have been making reservations eleven months ahead every year,
Jul 26, 2018, 4:05 pm
#305
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
Could it be that the first stay (or at least check in date) will be before August 18th while the next stay is after this date?
Jul 27, 2018, 7:56 am
#306
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
The terms and conditions clearly indicated it is the status at time of check-in that govern no matter what tortuous justification someone might put forth of FT. Hotels are free to do as they choose but are not required to honor your previous status. Your confirmation governs your reservation and not your participation/perks in MR. Do not show up at the hotel expecting lounge access. Telling the desk clerk that someone on the internet said some Marriott person said hotels would do the opposite of what the terms spell out and allow access based on the time of reservation means nothing while an email from the hotel manager will be honored and likely already noted in your reservation.
I now know of four people who have reached out to hotels, let them know lounge access was a status perk when the reservation was made and asked if that could be extended for the stay. All four have been granted access. Asking ahead of time avoids wondering and placing the front desk clerk in an awkward position. Hotels seem to be lenient when former Gs ask ahead of time.
As others have pointed out, if the status at the time of reservation dictated perks people losing status would have been making reservations eleven months ahead every year,
One thing FT brings to the table is people's experiences. And we know there are properties that are not all that strict about following the T&Cs and others that are. Regardless, I still think OP is likely (as I worded it, should) to get the benefits. I find I get most reasonable requests when asking nicely.
Jul 27, 2018, 9:52 am
#307
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
One thing FT brings to the table is people's experiences. And we know there are properties that are not all that strict about following the T&Cs and others that are. Regardless, I still think OP is likely (as I worded it, should) to get the benefits. I find I get most reasonable requests when asking nicely.
Jul 27, 2018, 10:21 am
#308
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
Nicely asking or asking ahead of time is a great idea. Telling people they have some sort of legal right to perks based on status at the time of booking or wording in an email confirmation is irresponsible and wrong. The confirmation does not cover Marriott Rewards based perks while the T&Cs do, both before and during the reservation. The terms are clear that the perks at the time of check-in govern and Marriott decides disputes and has the last word. Hopefully nobody believes there is any legal right to perks after status falls despite that canard being repeated on FT several times.
Jul 27, 2018, 11:16 am
#309
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
Never said anyone had a "legal right", just that the benefits may get honored if the rez is not refreshed before check-in. Seems many properties have proven they do not routinely update their in-house systems so if that happens they should get the benefits. Now the fact that they have spelled out what benefits are being offered on the confirmation, it's not far-fetched for someone to expect them to be delivered. Yes, we can argue this point but I'm going by what was on the confirmation, and I do believe it can supercede the T&Cs (I didn't see any weasel words saying subject to T&Cs or the such).
Jul 27, 2018, 12:24 pm
#310
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,881
Shouldn't thread title be renamed "after August 17th"?
Aug 18, 2018, 10:54 pm
#311
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 224
I was Marriott Gold by way of SPG linking. My status is showing as Platinum now.
Aug 18, 2018, 11:01 pm
#312
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 448
Same, I was SPG gold and now I see that I am Marriot platinum elite.
Aug 18, 2018, 11:09 pm
#313
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC Silver, ITA Club Executive, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,599
Same here, I’m Platinum now but my partner - in the same situation - is Gold.
By the way, I only see Platinum Elite on the Marriott app, but I see Gold on the SPG one.
What will happen when I combine the accounts?
By the way, I only see Platinum Elite on the Marriott app, but I see Gold on the SPG one.
What will happen when I combine the accounts?
Aug 19, 2018, 2:31 am
#314
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 448
I am in the same situation, I show Gold Elite on my spg account and Platinum Elite on my Marriot account. Do you see an option to combine?
Aug 19, 2018, 6:13 am
#315
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 224
The head of the program who created the new rules is on a released video explaining in detail at least twice that an SPG Gold will become Gold in the new program regardless of any Marriott Status Match. He explains why the decision was made and walks through the very example of a present SPG Gold with Marriott Status Match. If you choose to believe some blogger who says he talked to some Marriott employee who did not set the program parameters that is your prerogative but don't expect that you will be Plat come Aug 1. Marriott might change the rule, unlikely, but as the program stands now the sole arbiter who set the rules states status will be determined by present earned status regardless of any status match.