Combined Marriott and SPG program

[potm]

What’s New – Marriott – Marriott Members

Announcement just made this morning. Anyone else following along?
I think they have done a very good job. The biggest unknown at the moment is where each hotel slots into the new categories. Hopefully they give us some notice before August to make bookings under the old rate if needed.

Another unknown for me is how Marriott travel package certificates will convert. Hopefully into any category up to the 35k point level.

With both Marriott and SPG hotels available, I should be able to maintain Platinum Premier each year.

 

[kamchatsky]

The biggest shame is that it looks like the Marriott Travel Packages is ending. It is THE best feature of Marriott Rewards, and I have already redeemed a couple of packages myself.

 

[potm]

The biggest shame is that it looks like the Marriott Travel Packages is ending. It is THE best feature of Marriott Rewards, and I have already redeemed a couple of packages myself.

Lucky from Omaat mentioned that they would remain but prices may change. Hopefully they’ll still be pretty lucrative.
I suspect we’ll do pretty well out of the transition to the new categories with our 1-5 cat converting to up to 35k point properties.
This is obviously too generous ongoing so they’ll do an adjustment.

 

[dajop]

From the SPG side it would seem more difficult to achieve gold now (25 nights instead of 10 stays or 25 nights) and the late checkout has changed from guaranteed (except resorts ) to “priority” and for gold it’s back to 2pm instead of 4pm. And for 50 night platinums it’s 5 suite nights instead of 10 (and no choice of free night).

 

[jonboixxx]

Has anyone seen any detail on any changes to the many points transfers, to and from SPG, that are currently available? eg MR to SPG

 

[BillytheFIsh]

Has anyone seen any detail on any changes to the many points transfers, to and from SPG, that are currently available? eg MR to SPG

No word yet as far as I have seen and I'm keeping an eye out. Maintaining the status quo would involve changing 1 Amex = 0.5 SPG to 1 Amex = 1.5 Marriott, so hopefully that deal gets done. Anything less, e.g. 1 Amex = 1 Marriot, or the removal of SPG with no deal being done for Marriott points at all would be a big devaluation for AU Amex...

 

[potm]

I’ll be transfering a decent chunk over. I can’t see the Amex Au > SPG/Mar ratio getting better.
Hopefully we find out the new categories soon before the transfer options change.

 

[andye]

The airline transfer options look like they have remained good (some might be pleased about QF being added though clearly better options with AS/AA for Oneworld) but as said, a big part of the value proposition is the Amex transfer rate. I've never found the earn rate at SPG or Marriott hotels high enough to be a big deal

 

[opusman]

Makes the Amex Platinum card significantly less valuable if it continues to only offer Gold SPG/Mariott.

 

[fairbasa]

Makes the Amex Platinum card significantly less valuable if it continues to only offer Gold SPG/Mariott.

"Gold" is changing to "Platinum" in the new world, it's just they're effectively adding another tier below Gold. I fully expect Amex Platinum to offer Platinum status moving forward.

 

[potm]

Makes the Amex Platinum card significantly less valuable if it continues to only offer Gold SPG/Mariott.

It originally only had SPG gold without Marriott so the benefit was not worth much. It got a significant boost when Marriott decided to match SPG gold to the much higher Marriott gold. Things are normalising again now.

 

[opusman]

It originally only had SPG gold without Marriott so the benefit was not worth much.

It was if you stay at SPG hotels! Guaranteed 4pm late checkout is much better than "2pm on request", which you can often get without status just by asking nicely.

I fully expect Amex Platinum to offer Platinum status moving forward.

If that's true, then that's great - because Platinum also gets breakfast, upgrades (including suites), lounge access and five suite nights a year. A significant enhancement. Which is why I doubt it's true

 

[potm]

I would put the possibility that Amex charge getting automatic Marriott platinum is close to 0. The new luxury Marriott Amex will only be given gold with platinum after $75k spend.

 

[coolkid101]

The biggest shame is that it looks like the Marriott Travel Packages is ending. It is THE best feature of Marriott Rewards, and I have already redeemed a couple of packages myself.

travel packages are here to stay.
confirmed by VFTW who quoted marriott head of loyalty and also confirmed by OMAAT . Just no details yet on the conversion rates, but there will be less package options to simplify the process

 

[big_RED]

The updated American, SPG Amex has had some changes.
6 x points per dollar spend across Marriott & SPG (used to be 5ppd at just SPG).
Also 2 ppd on normal spend as opposed to 1ppd.
And also complimentary Silver Status.

The "new" American, SPG Luxury Card is $450/yr and gives you Gold Status

Details here: Marriott Rewards Credit Cards

I don't think anyone's mentioned it - but I keep reading "In a one-time conversion in August, Starpoints® will automatically become points and your Starpoints balance will be multiplied by three."

 

[KitKat]

Life Time Platinum Elite is now 600 nights..... bummer so near yet so far now with this new change

 

[jokes128]

Hope someone can tell me, I am a bit confused. So in short, does it mean that:

(i) Until 31/12/2018, we can still get 10 stays in SPG properties and qualify for SPG/Marriott Gold elite, valid until Mar 2020?
(ii) I am currently SPG Gold(qualified 2017 but not requalified in 2018 yet), since I can become Marriott Gold now and through August, does it mean that without requalifying SPG Gold with 10 stays in 2018, my Marriott Gold will only last until Mar 2019 or will it still last until Mar 2020 without requalifying in 2018?
(iii) After August 2018, even with my SPG Gold staying at SPG properties, my entitled late checkout will only be 2pm rather than the current 4pm?
(iv) I believe that currently, lounge access or even breakfasts are entitled benefits of Marriott Gold, and after August 2018, these are no longer Marriott Gold benefits?

Thank you in advance.

 

[opusman]

Marriott Gold will be converted to Platinum, but SPG Gold will be converted to Gold, even though SPG Gold can status match to Marriott Gold.

Seems they haven't quite thought this through...

 

[potm]

There’s a bit of confusion out there about whether having Marriott gold which is matched from SPG gold will convert to platinum in the new program or not.

 

[mrtupperware]

Any idea on how MR will convert to Marriott?