Marriott Plat Status for Matched UA Elites staring Aug 18,2018 until Jan 2019, after?
Jun 27, 2018, 10:47 pm
#31
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: NYC/WAS
Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL '90s PM, now FK (Flying Kettle)
Posts: 541
I posted this in the GS forum, but it seems to be more appropriate here.
Has this happened to anyone else? Just got an email from Marriott telling me I now have Silver status! When the program linkage began I started at Platinum, then quietly slipped to Gold last year, now this. Ah well. When I was Platinum, I got breakfast AND a special gift at check-in (in one case, an ice cream bar). No more special gift for me! 
Jun 27, 2018, 11:00 pm
#32
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 4,998
And, some M lounges, like the one at IAH, are small. I will admit that, as both a lifetime Marriott Platinum and a 1K, I have little use for the so-called matching, and as mentioned, the Marriott lounges can be ridiculously overcrowded because of the Starwood elites who have been matched.
As far as I'm concerned, if you want to use Marriott lounges, stay at Marriott/Starwood, buy the credit card, etc. After all, how would we UA elites feel about Marriott elites who don't generally fly UA getting group 1 just because of a deal between UA and Marriott?
As far as I'm concerned, if you want to use Marriott lounges, stay at Marriott/Starwood, buy the credit card, etc. After all, how would we UA elites feel about Marriott elites who don't generally fly UA getting group 1 just because of a deal between UA and Marriott?
On the other hand, I don't think overcrowding is going away as I am able to buy lounge access at many of my favorite Asian properties for ~$20- extra per night. I recently asked an executive lounge manager in Bangkok about how many were Marriott elites and how many were paying and she told me that around 70% of the guests in the lounge were on "package" rates that included lounge access.
Jun 27, 2018, 11:20 pm
#33
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: UA 1K; *G, AA Plat
Posts: 1,700
As someone who stands to lose access, I actually agree with you. It seems like too good a deal for UA flyers.
On the other hand, I don't think overcrowding is going away as I am able to buy lounge access at many of my favorite Asian properties for ~$20- extra per night. I recently asked an executive lounge manager in Bangkok about how many were Marriott elites and how many were paying and she told me that around 70% of the guests in the lounge were on "package" rates that included lounge access.
On the other hand, I don't think overcrowding is going away as I am able to buy lounge access at many of my favorite Asian properties for ~$20- extra per night. I recently asked an executive lounge manager in Bangkok about how many were Marriott elites and how many were paying and she told me that around 70% of the guests in the lounge were on "package" rates that included lounge access.
Jun 27, 2018, 11:35 pm
#34
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
SPG Gold requires 25 nights, but Marriott Gold requires 50 nights instead (same for SPG Platinum). Without the new program, many of these SPG Gold would be aligned to Marriott Silver.
The reason why the speculation favors UA Gold or above getting Marriott Platinum in the new program because UA elites are comped with a more superior level. On the other hand, AMEX Platinum are comped with the a less superior level.
IMHO - if our speculation is true, Marriott is purposely creating a new level to retain (and not to upset) SPG Gold. Hence, no impact to UA elites.
Jun 28, 2018, 12:07 am
#35
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: UA MileagePlus 2MM
Posts: 1,567
Jun 28, 2018, 5:20 am
#36
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: IAD, DCA
Programs: UA-Plat, Marriott-Plat, AAI, AAII
Posts: 3,758
It was a simple trade-off for the past few years - Marriott gave me breakfast, I gave them loyalty.
I guess it's back to Hotels.com for me.
I guess it's back to Hotels.com for me.
Jun 28, 2018, 5:51 am
#37
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Silicon wasteland
Programs: UA 1KMM
Posts: 1,381
Originally Posted by gre;rn
It was a simple trade-off for the past few years - Marriott gave me breakfast, I gave them loyalty.
I guess it's back to Hotels.com for me.
I guess it's back to Hotels.com for me.
you realize that you probably could get breakfast AND use hotels.com too? Typically third party sitrs like Expedia prevent you from earning elite credits, not using benefits you already have.
Jun 28, 2018, 6:26 am
#38
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 1
I've been UA Global Services for several years and enjoyed Marriott Platinum and Starwood Platinum for a few years. Last week when I checked into the Mexico City Marriott I noted that my Marriott status had been downgraded to Gold. In short, everything in the travel business is fleeting and don't expect anything in the long term. Your loyalty means very little!
Jun 28, 2018, 6:28 am
#39
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 4,998
To clarify, she did not say that 70% of the hotel guests had lounge access, only that 70% of those with lounge access had paid for it (i.e. only 30 % of the crowding was due to elites).
Jun 28, 2018, 6:38 am
#40
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: UA 1K; *G, AA Plat
Posts: 1,700
I've been UA Global Services for several years and enjoyed Marriott Platinum and Starwood Platinum for a few years. Last week when I checked into the Mexico City Marriott I noted that my Marriott status had been downgraded to Gold. In short, everything in the travel business is fleeting and don't expect anything in the long term. Your loyalty means very little!
Corporations make mistakes too, especially when their input is from another company (aka Marriott gets its information from United). It's very easy for data to get mixed up, lost, or modified when passing from one system to another. I wouldn't jump the gun and say "Your loyalty means very little".
(Welcome to Flyertalk....)
sorry. My bad on the interpretation.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jun 28, 2018 at 2:18 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member
Jun 28, 2018, 7:56 am
#41
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: New York
Programs: UA 1K, 1MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 43
Hilton Gold through AMEX PLAT provides Lounge access? Are you sure?
This will be interesting to watch. I use Marriott hotels due to the lounge access as 1K (automatic Marriott Gold), but I now have the same benefit with Hilton through Amex Platinum, so if 1K does not provide Platinum at Marriott those reservations will go to Hilton. Pity as the Renaissance at LHR and IST are same of my favourite airport hotels, but I do like the Hilton Paddington/Hilton Metropole as an alternative LHR hotel if my flight is after 10am.
My first SPG gold experience (after the merger of SPG and Marriott) was underwhelming so have avoided the SPG hotels, but if the new program upgrades the experience may reconsider.
Really hope 1K provides Platinum benefits going forward with Marriott.
My first SPG gold experience (after the merger of SPG and Marriott) was underwhelming so have avoided the SPG hotels, but if the new program upgrades the experience may reconsider.
Really hope 1K provides Platinum benefits going forward with Marriott.
I am in same boat as you but I just checked AMEX PLAT HH GOLD benefits, no lounge access.
https://www.americanexpress.com/icc/...ld-status.html
Can you confirm Lounge access for HH GOLD?
Thanks
Jun 28, 2018, 7:58 am
#42
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,459
It seems {some} here want the free benefit (breakfast) but are not willing to deliver the requisite business to Marriott. It's the "I'm entitled to something for nothing" theory.
Actually, Marriott is the only major hotel program that provides benefits on OTA rates. The others do not.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jul 6, 2018 at 3:27 pm Reason: discuss the issues, not the poster{s}
Jun 28, 2018, 8:02 am
#43
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: SPG, Marriott, UA, AA, CX, SQ
Posts: 165
First off, before I get slammed, I want to be clear I’m not cheering this move one bit
that said, I’ve been a net beneficiary of both the UA-Marriott and the UA-Hertz deals, and the gravy train was so lucrative I knew the Great Gatsby party has to end and bring things closer to normality. Zero complaints here.
I dunno if I was actually “profitable” from their promo’s P&L, but since I was close to a pure kayaker* in terms of hotels and rental cars prior to these partnerships, I’ve definitely routed a lot of my personal travel dollars straight into their direct booking channels, including going from never ever stayed in Ritz Carlton before to 4 visits (and soon 5) within the last year and change.
(Rant over. Now back to battling CPU rates even more disappointing than .....
Germany 😜
that said, I’ve been a net beneficiary of both the UA-Marriott and the UA-Hertz deals, and the gravy train was so lucrative I knew the Great Gatsby party has to end and bring things closer to normality. Zero complaints here.
I dunno if I was actually “profitable” from their promo’s P&L, but since I was close to a pure kayaker* in terms of hotels and rental cars prior to these partnerships, I’ve definitely routed a lot of my personal travel dollars straight into their direct booking channels, including going from never ever stayed in Ritz Carlton before to 4 visits (and soon 5) within the last year and change.
(Rant over. Now back to battling CPU rates even more disappointing than .....
Germany 😜
Jun 28, 2018, 8:06 am
#44
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA AA
Posts: 57
No "standard" UA Status gives lounge access
I agree - "about time". The lounges have gotten way too crowded. Too many people are eligible. Some hotels seem like 1/2 the guests are eligible. Marriott has created M Lounges at some properties on the 1st or 2nd floor to handle the crowd, but I am not a big fan of the M Lounge.
Marriott gave too much to United. UA only gave Silver MR - which does not get Lounge access. Seemed like Marriott was getting the short end of the stick by giving the old MR Gold with lounge access. The new MR Gold (without lounge) is more matched to UA Silver.
Marriott gave too much to United. UA only gave Silver MR - which does not get Lounge access. Seemed like Marriott was getting the short end of the stick by giving the old MR Gold with lounge access. The new MR Gold (without lounge) is more matched to UA Silver.
Jun 28, 2018, 8:32 am
#45
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,620
No dog in this fight as the wife is a Lifetime Marriott Rewards Platinum and we never bothered with the crossover status match.
With that said, (at least for the wife and I) airbnb is not a suitable replacement for chain hotels or even local hotels. Like another poster, our first airbnb stay was our last due too many issues that we would not have experienced at a normal hotel and the levels of bureaucracy of dealing with airbnb corporate was painful (and I am used to dealing with levels of bureaucracy).
With that said, (at least for the wife and I) airbnb is not a suitable replacement for chain hotels or even local hotels. Like another poster, our first airbnb stay was our last due too many issues that we would not have experienced at a normal hotel and the levels of bureaucracy of dealing with airbnb corporate was painful (and I am used to dealing with levels of bureaucracy).