sdsearch

Different types of status may have different answers.

They have definitely said before (many times, in official statements on the program merger) that you have until Dec 31 to earn lifetime Plat Premier in the new program under the legacy (Marriott or SPG) lifetime rules for earning legacy lifetime Platinum.

And StarwoodLurker has said multiple times that we can qualify for 2018 SPG Plat through 25 stays at Starwood brands through Dec 31.

So just because someone says things works different for Ambassador status (which is all that the email you got seemed to address), why should that mean that no other legacy status can be earned post Aug 18?

CPRich

The response does say that, but it contradicts everything that has been published, as well as William's clarification that followed. There's enough confusion without CSR's sowing additional disinformation.

CPRich

More like interesting clickbait extrapolating one stay to an entire population, with no data to back it up.

Anyone call themselves SPG'ers? Or as a LT PLT/mulit-year PLT/100, maybe I'm not among the "most loyal travelers".

And if you're "terrified" over FF program perks, you need to step back and re-assess, IMHO.

dshafiee

One other question for ambassador. If we want to qualify under the legacy spg rules do we not combine accounts?

RogerD408

Absolutely possible to earn status under legacy rules, the only question I see is if merging your accounts will prevent this from happening. All the posts have been regarding the basic status levels of Silver, Gold, and Platinum, and with MR now allowing a path the Plat Premier, that is on the table. I haven't seen anything specific about the SPG Plat75, or SPG Plat100 levels under legacy rules.

For me personally, I am holding off merging my accounts until I get confirmation that 494 SPG LT nights and 740 MR LT nights will put me into MPG LTPP status or if I need to make a run past LTP in one or the other.

Starwood Lurker

Not sure that I understand the link between the two being an issue. If you combine accounts, what would prevent you from completing the 100 elite qualifying nights just at Starwood legacy properties to satisfy the SPG legacy requirements?

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Marriott International

[email protected]

dshafiee

Thanks, William. Good to know. Just did not know if the system was programmed to understand that distinction.

UKGrad

Apologies in advance, as I am just a lowly SPG Preferred Plus. If I understand previous posts correctly, it would be possible until the end of this calendar year to achieve Gold with stays...and that would then translate into Marriott Gold for 2019? I have 4 stays left to 10 and though I'm kicking myself for not trying harder for Lifetime Gold (I stopped at 3.5 years when the merger was initially announced), I am still considering going for Gold rather than settling for automatic Silver with Amex personal CC.

mrfussion

Hi Lurker -- any detail yet you can share on premium room redemptions? I read your statement that rate adjustments will be possible to existing reservations. So that was great to hear. However, with SPG, premium rooms were minimal cost so a no brainer. 10k total extra points over 5 nights for a grand deluxe in Aspen is well worth it over a base room. However, if I can't adjust the premium booking because the room category doesn't exist with points (or the new rates for it are outrageous), a grand deluxe room is not worth 50k extra points. So I find myself with duplicate bookings over the coming months (one in a premium room and one in a base room). All bookings are for category 7 (but not villa properties) if it makes a difference on explanation--St Regis Aspen, St Regis Punta Mita, St Regis Bal Harbour, Gritti Palace, and Prince de Galles. I certainly don't want to hold duplicate reservations so would like to clean up my bookings as soon there is clarity. Thanks!

Starwood Lurker III

Yes, you can achieve Gold status through stays at Starwood brands through the end of this calendar year. Gold Preferred members receive Gold Elite status after accounts are merged.

Best Regards,

Christina Zhou
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

CJKatl

Although your answer is very clear and the point has been made over and over, there are a few posters out there who have spread needless panic with the claim that combining accounts will mean a member can no longer qualify under legacy rules. Despite your clear answer the same posters will likely continue spreading this falsehood by trying to claim each case is a "corner case" for which the rules will be different or with tales of Marriott IT not being able to program this simple concept so the rule being changed by the IT people. Thank you for trying, though.

RogerD408

Yes, you can earn SPG Gold with 10 stays to make MPG Gold. How many total nights do you have now? You will make MPG Gold with 25 nights. You can get (at least) 10 nights by scheduling a meeting under the Rewarding Events program Platinum Status in Eight Days and $800 - No Stays Required. There is speculation that you can only get the 10 nights once (a month/quarter/year, not clear for new program) that can get you much closer. So not many BIB nights needed when added with CC nights.

pantanal

Lurker...quick question.

so i have 10 years spg platinum plus 5 years marriott platinum and have a combined total nights of 800. and This year I have 110 nights combined

So i will get lifetime platinum premiere plus will get ambassador for next year correct?

controller1

As to whether you will get ambassador for next year, what is your breakdown of your 110 nights this year. Did you have at least 100 with SPG?

TerryK

I just got a disappointing response from my Ambassador concerning lowered point redemption after Aug 18. Quote from email: "The only way to take advantage of the point savings is to book your stay at Starwood Hotels after the new redemption rates are in place. I am not able to refund points on an existing reservation; I am sorry."

I hope she is wrong.