Marriott Plat Status for Matched UA Elites staring Aug 18,2018 until Jan 2019, after?
Jun 29, 2018, 4:36 pm
#61
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: 4éme
Posts: 12,042
For those of us who obtained our current Marriott status through either a UA match or an SPG Gold match and who are also Hilton Gold (present company included), the lounge-accessibility factor is likely among the factors which we weigh in choosing whether to stay at a Marriott or a Hilton. I often go for Marriott over Hilton, due to the guaranteed lounge access. If my status is downgraded in the new program to where I no longer receive lounge access or breakfast, Hilton will win.
Jun 29, 2018, 6:45 pm
#62
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1MM GS, Marriott Platinum Elite, Hilton Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 283
I can almost always buy food and drink better than what would be served in a lounge. I often pay more for a SPG/Marriott with the platinum benefit of guaranteed 4pm late checkout, if my departure plans are later in the day. That’s my biggest gripe with HH diamond. Otherwise price/property over everything else.
Jun 29, 2018, 7:52 pm
#63
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,174
I am debating accelerating to UA Gold via MiePlay. An added incentive would be matching to the old Marriott Gold prior to Aug 1 so that I get bumped to new Plat for rest of year. Decisions decisions.
Jun 29, 2018, 8:14 pm
#64
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,136
It's not clear that the UA-matched Marriott Gold would get bumped to Marriott Plat come Aug 1. The e-mails I've gotten from Marriott are somewhat conflicting on that point, but the fine print does claim that the conversion is based on "earned" status, not "linked" or "matched" status... which to me implies they intend to leave RewardsPlus-based status at the current level (e.g. devaluing them come 8/1). So don't get your hopes up...
Jun 29, 2018, 9:21 pm
#65
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: None - previously UA
Posts: 4,864
Jun 30, 2018, 12:27 am
#66
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
No more lounge access at full service Marriotts?! Darn, looks like I'll be checking out early to hit up the UC and other *A lounges 
Jun 30, 2018, 1:11 am
#67
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: HND, NRT
Programs: UA Gold (1K 2016–2023 by miracle extensions; RIP 1K status), 1MM
Posts: 220
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 30, 2018, 1:14 am
#68
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,866
It would have been nice if they held off till the end of the year, or honored status for pre-booked reservations. I will probably change a few hotels over to Hilton. It also seems that Marriott is devaluing the Starwood points. Double whammy.
Jun 30, 2018, 1:57 am
#69
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,174
exerda I will read more carefully. If matched gold doesn’t move to Plat then it is pretty worthless. I have earned silver which is nearly the same as new gold.
Jun 30, 2018, 10:29 am
#70
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,174
From the website
https://members.marriott.com/marriottrewards/
It says
https://members.marriott.com/marriottrewards/
It says
- Note, the chart below does not apply to SPG Gold and SPG Platinum members who received Rewards Elite status due to linking and status matching. Click here to see SPG Elite status chart.
Jun 30, 2018, 11:16 am
#71
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: None - previously UA
Posts: 4,864
But If you look at the Starwood chart it confirms the drop in status: the matched Gold Marriott status for Starwood Gold will become Marriott Gold August 1.
Jun 30, 2018, 11:22 am
#72
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,219
SPG gold was not worth it IMO. Experienced once when they first merged and never chose another SPG property again. Will likely be the same if 1K matches to the new gold.
It is about location, lounge access and price, but was willing to go a little higher on price knowing I had lounge access. Do not care about free breakfast.
It is about location, lounge access and price, but was willing to go a little higher on price knowing I had lounge access. Do not care about free breakfast.
Jun 30, 2018, 11:35 am
#73
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,174
that has nothing to do with folks matched to MR Gold from another program.
This is actually consistent - anyone with a MR Gold acquired via any means becomes Plat. This is Marriott’s show now so they can favor their own elites.
Jun 30, 2018, 11:40 am
#74
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: UA 1K; *G, AA Plat
Posts: 1,700
Yes folks given SPG Gold by virtue of having MR Gold will be comped to the new Gold
that has nothing to do with folks matched to MR Gold from another program.
This is actually consistent - anyone with a MR Gold acquired via any means becomes Plat. This is Marriott’s show now so they can favor their own elites.
Statuses before August:
SPG Gold - No lounge access
MR Gold - Lounge Access
Statuses after August:
SPG Gold -> SPG Gold: No lounge access (consistent with before August)
MR Gold -> MR Platinum: Lounge access (consistent with before August).
They are merely trying to remain consistent and ensure that if you had lounge access due to being Marriott gold prior to August, that you still have this access post August while the program 'transitions'. At some point they had to draw the line and I suspect that's why they said if you earned the status, you'll get it, but if you simply matched into it due to the MR/Starwood reciprocity, then you won't continue to get it since you never really had it in the first place and only got it due to the program match.
Jun 30, 2018, 12:11 pm
#75
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,721
I do not believe they are favoring their own elites. It's merely just facts/consistency.
Statuses before August:
SPG Gold - No lounge access
MR Gold - Lounge Access
Statuses after August:
SPG Gold -> SPG Gold: No lounge access (consistent with before August)
MR Gold -> MR Platinum: Lounge access (consistent with before August).
.
Statuses before August:
SPG Gold - No lounge access
MR Gold - Lounge Access
Statuses after August:
SPG Gold -> SPG Gold: No lounge access (consistent with before August)
MR Gold -> MR Platinum: Lounge access (consistent with before August).
.
Statuses after January 2019:
SPG Gold -> New MR Gold: No lounge access
MR Gold through UA status match -> New MR Gold: No Lounge access (massive downgrade).
MR Gold through 50 EQN -> New MR Plat: Breakfast (and supposedly lounge access)
It would be stupid to suddenly downgrade UA elites in August but come January don't expect much.