Those of you with large SPG points balances - what are you doing?
Apr 30, 2018, 5:09 pm
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR/SPG LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus
Posts: 31,010
Does anyone know how the combined program is going to compensate hotels for award nights? SPG had a formula that greatly increased the payment when the hotel was (almost) full, so that hotels weren't terribly unwilling to give available standard rooms as award nights. I don't know what Marriott's policy has been on this, but I suspect it's different.....or maybe the MR program is just less willing to pay significant amounts of cash to hotels for our free nights, so that the capacity controls are imposed at the corporate level rather than by individual hotels.
I doubt anyone who knows the future compensation policy is going to post it here.
Apr 30, 2018, 5:11 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR/SPG LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus
Posts: 31,010
Apr 30, 2018, 6:56 pm
#18
Join Date: Apr 2018
Programs: Marriott Ambassador/United 1K
Posts: 68
I have 11 million SPG points right now and another 3 million Marriott points. I actually think new program isn't that bad and until August, it's really great. Right now, Marriott hotels are well undervalued - the Ritz Carlton in LA should be more than the Meredian in Santa Monica. The new awards chart should increase rates at Marriott, and keep them steady for SPG. Not sure how the in season/out of season will shake out however.
My only real disappointment is the SPG Amex, which will get 2 points instead of 3. I'm actually getting as many SPG points as a I can right now, and then will likely switch cards to something else and wind down my SPG point balance as I get free nights. I like having an 8 figure balance, and will miss it
.
My only real disappointment is the SPG Amex, which will get 2 points instead of 3. I'm actually getting as many SPG points as a I can right now, and then will likely switch cards to something else and wind down my SPG point balance as I get free nights. I like having an 8 figure balance, and will miss it
.
Apr 30, 2018, 7:08 pm
#19
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: 100,417
That's an amazing number of Starpoints.
Apr 30, 2018, 7:33 pm
#20
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: ATX
Programs: AA EP, USAir Chairman, MR Lifetime Plat
Posts: 275
May I ask as to how one acquires 11m SPG points? Convert over to 36m MR points, lol--that's amazing.
Apr 30, 2018, 7:51 pm
#21
Join Date: Apr 2018
Programs: Marriott Ambassador/United 1K
Posts: 68
Lots of SPG Amex Spend. In fact, I earned nearly 2 million SPG points last month alone!
Apr 30, 2018, 7:52 pm
#22
Join Date: Apr 2018
Programs: Marriott Ambassador/United 1K
Posts: 68
Proof! Had to wait until my 5th post to post a photo!
Apr 30, 2018, 7:53 pm
#23
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: 100,417
Apr 30, 2018, 8:17 pm
#25
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: YVR
Posts: 1,085
Has there been any sort of confirmation that the travel packages are remaining unchanged after Aug 1? Or were you referencing to no change in direct transfer to airline miles?
Last edited by pentiumvi; Apr 30, 2018 at 9:51 pm
May 1, 2018, 8:10 am
#26
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DAY
Programs: Rapid Rewards, Skymiles, Hilton HHonors, SPG/Marriott Rewards
Posts: 4,956
I have 11 million SPG points right now and another 3 million Marriott points. I actually think new program isn't that bad and until August, it's really great. Right now, Marriott hotels are well undervalued - the Ritz Carlton in LA should be more than the Meredian in Santa Monica. The new awards chart should increase rates at Marriott, and keep them steady for SPG. Not sure how the in season/out of season will shake out however.
My only real disappointment is the SPG Amex, which will get 2 points instead of 3. I'm actually getting as many SPG points as a I can right now, and then will likely switch cards to something else and wind down my SPG point balance as I get free nights. I like having an 8 figure balance, and will miss it.
My only real disappointment is the SPG Amex, which will get 2 points instead of 3. I'm actually getting as many SPG points as a I can right now, and then will likely switch cards to something else and wind down my SPG point balance as I get free nights. I like having an 8 figure balance, and will miss it
.
May 1, 2018, 8:59 am
#27
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,720
Check into a Cat 1 room for 14 years on Awards and on check-out get appointed Diamond Ambassador for life.
but you get tax free spg points 
May 1, 2018, 12:51 pm
#29
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Knoxville, TN
Programs: Marriott Plat, SPG Plat, SPG LTG, UA Silver, AA Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 14
I am going to transfer my 200k SPG points to Marriott and probably purchase one or 2 of those 7 day vacation packages. United and Alaska seem to have the easiest redeeming for saver international flights. If you are looking for some nice 7 night packages, I like the level 5 Renaissance in Sao Paulo (seems typically to run $200+ for a night during weeknights) and also the Marriott Bangkok (with the roof bar) as a level 5. I am debating using points Vail Marriott and/or Hong Kong JW which both typically are over $200+ per night.
I don't see this as a win for anyone. Without competition there is no need to improve
I don't see this as a win for anyone. Without competition there is no need to improve
May 1, 2018, 1:12 pm
#30
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Programs: UA-1k, 1mm, Marriott-LT Platinum, Hertz-Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,355
Had about 330k SPG points and just redeemed 40k for 2 different moments experiences. Good value for the points and happy to treat mom and dad for a fathers and mothers day gift from SPG.
Will keep them and just transfer them over. I usually buy AA, Avianca, even UA miles sometimes, thus won't transfer them into FF programs. Have over 650k UA and 600 AA, 155k JAL, 90k Avianca, 80k Avios so I'm FF somewhat rich right now as a single person. Thus will hoard my SPG points and use them judiciously.
Will keep them and just transfer them over. I usually buy AA, Avianca, even UA miles sometimes, thus won't transfer them into FF programs. Have over 650k UA and 600 AA, 155k JAL, 90k Avianca, 80k Avios so I'm FF somewhat rich right now as a single person. Thus will hoard my SPG points and use them judiciously.