A LoyaltyLobby reader Tweet us (access here) about a message that he had received from Marriott Rewards via Facebook Messenger about “exciting” changes to the program that would be announced next week.
Then there was this post on FlyerTalk this morning (access here) about well placed source having shared information about combined tiers that would be launched in August.
You can access Marriott Rewards here.
READ MORE: Marriott Rewards Rate & Bonus Points And Miles Promotions
Remember that I had post last week where Marriott President and CEO Mr. Sorenson said that programs would be ready to merge in the second half of this year (access here).
Here’s what the new status levels are per the FT post:
- Silver 10 nights
- Gold 25 nights
- Platinum 50 nights
- Platinum Premier 75 nights
- Ambassador 100 nights and $20,000
Seems that Marriott Rewards would move away from STAY based qualification for SPG members. Many SPG members have qualified for Platinum status on fewer than 50 nights because you could on 25 stays.
Marriott Rewards has required 50 nights for Gold and 75 nights for their Platinum status. I would assume that most of current Gold benefits such as lounge access and breakfast are removed and offered only at the new Platinum level or otherwise this change makes very little sense.
Platinum Premier as well as SPG Ambassador benefits have always been undefined. It is interesting to see if they will introduce additional hard benefits for those members.
SPG Ambassador program has required 100 nights but there hasn’t been spend requirement that now would be introduced at $20,000. This would mean minimum $200 per night at 100 nights before taxes/fees/service charges.
Conclusion
It is always messy to merge two programs and especially much loved SPG with very vocal membership to Marriott Rewards (whatever the name will be in 2019).
Seems that they are retaining some of the Marriott and SPG status levels and number of nights requirements if the leaked information is correct.
I am very eager to learn what will happen to the actual confirmed benefits at each of these levels. I would assume that many SPG Ambassador members might be long term guests at specific properties due to projects that may have hard time hitting the spend requirement.
We should learn more next week per the Marriott Rewards message sent on the Facebook Messenger.
If no stay qualification and no real benefits for Gold, the program is extremely disappointing.
Seems that the stay qualification is gone if this information is correct.
*If* new Gold still gives lounge access (if not, I see no point in keeping Silver and Gold both, what’s the difference then?), 25 nights is reasonable, but the latest rumors suggest that there is a spending threshold as well (if so, bye-bye Marriott, even pathetic IHG program will look more attractive).
I want to know what will happen to current SPG Lifetime Gold and, like in my case those who are on a way to reach SPG Lifetime Platinum level in the next 3-4 years…
You won’t reach SPG lifetime because the program is gone next year. We should learn more about everything else next week.
I’m on pace to hit LTG later this year (have the years, need the nights). Assuming that status quo remains through the end of the year at least I’ll know if that push is worthwhile.
Interesting. Does that mean that those of us who are Lifetime Platinum will become Lifetime Platinum Premier? And if you are like me and have double that required for current Lifetime Platinum, will we be given Lifetime Ambassador? Seems they need to tread carefully to not only avoid irritating SPG members but also current high-loyalty Rewards members.
This is one of those questions that needs an answer. How the Marriott/SPG lifetime statuses match in the new program.
Does anyone know when this new program is going to start? I should reach platinum member in a couple of months
We should know more by early next week.
Personally I find using only one metric for status a poor decision, because it does allow for rampant gaming if not on money spent alone (which on its own, can be off-putting).
If Stays are going to be abandoned (which is a shame, considering Gold in SPG was – while being fairly light in benefits beyond the 4pm checkout – was not too hard to achieve for most on stays metric, which generated good brand loyalty), I’d like to see a structure using money spent as the secondary alternative metric for all levels, so that you could either qualify on spend or nights.
It makes little sense to me to treat someone who has stayed in the cheapest budget brands for a number of nights, the same as someone who has been shelling out for suites (albeit less nights) at a St Regis or other premium brand.
Needs to be an equalising measure in either you spend big or you stay long, or even work it for both (for example, using a status credit scheme like the airlines do, so things are evened out).
There are new rumors, that are extremely bad (hopefully, fake). If even remotely true, it is the end.
https://www.doctorofcredit.com/more-rumored-spg-marriott-information-award-nights-becoming-dynamic-more/
What is going to happen to members who have already achieved both SPG Platinum and Marriott Platinum Lifetime going into this new program ? ?
Also, presumably now, one would need to stay 75 nites at Marriott or Starwood hotels to achieve Platinum, and presumably reach 100 nites and $20K base to reach Ambassador for this ONE combined program as it will be only one program going forward, correct?
Does anyone have a thought or opinion on buying a few points before August to get to Lifetime Platinum? I will likely be 20 – 25K short of Lifetime Platinum in August (I already have the nights). I would be hoping to get “grandfathered” into the highest tier possible in the new structure.
Hi…
I just wanted to know whether we still be able to purchase points and transfer those points to airlines.