It is now one month after Marriott Rewards and SPG programs were merged (or SPG program was moved to Marriott platform) on August 18, 2018.
The program merger was supposed to happen at the end of 2018, then at the beginning of August and then they finally settled for August 18, 2018 when their IT system was not ready.
SPG launched their Ambassador program unofficially years ago and invited few select guests based mostly on their revenue contribution (and some early influencers).
SPG then made the program official back in 2012 and members who had consumed minimum of 100 nights in 2011 were invited into it (myself included). Next year, Marriott requires $20K spend in addition to 100 nights for the “personalized” ambassador service.
A LoyaltyLobby sent us an email about issues that he is still facing month after Marriott and SPG programs were merged (SPG members moved to Marriott platform).
Remember that you can always email us, send a message via Facebook or use Twitter and include photos too. We’ll try to cover Reader Questions & Comments here several times a week.
Marriott & SPG merged their loyalty programs on August 18, 2018, and it has been very difficult for many to know what their elite benefits are at all of the 28 different brands.
Marriott produced very handy Elite Benefits Pocket Guide for property use that a LoyaltyLobby reader forwarded to us and we published last week (read more here). Many readers asked us to make this available as downloadable PDF. You can use this to clear up any “misunderstandings” that Marriott or legacy Starwood branded hotels may have.
It seems the deficiencies about the newly combined Marriott / SPG program don’t want to end anywhere. It is well known that the previously semi-acceptable SPG Platinum Welcome Amenity has now been also been reduced to Marriott Standards.
SPG Platinum members previously received 500 SPG points at full service properties and 250 points at select service brands such as aloft and Four Points – either that or pick a daily breakfast.
The next time you choose to skip the housekeeping at a Marriott affiliated hotel in the United States and put one of those “Make A Green Choice” tags outside of your room, don’t be surprised if you find one of these leaflets waiting in the evening.
Marriott is having a dispute with the union representing housekeeping in many cities and strikes are looming on the horizon. Housekeeping staff members are also complaining that the “Green Choice” initiative is cutting into their hours and are nothing but profit initiative for hotels.
On Tuesday, we wrote Air Canada Aeroplan promotion of 35% conversion bonus for transfers made from Marriott Rewards and SPG programs that starts today! The offer is valid for transfers made between September 13 – 17, 2018. .
Remember that you should convert in chunks of 60,000 points to miles, Aeroplan included, because Marriott Rewards/SPG will give you an additional 5,000 miles bonus making it 25,000 miles. This is before the additional sweetener from Aeroplan.
SPG had a very good Best Rate Guarantee program that was “enhanced” on May 25, 2018 to match that of Marriott’s (read more here).
Now, Marriott has made a decision that it won’t honor the number of Starpoints awarded for successful claims processed on/or before August 18, 2018 based on the responses we have received from readers.
Marriott Rewards has now launched their next MegaBonus that is valid for stays between September 26 – January 31, 2019.
Members earn 2,000 bonus points for each stay of two nights or longer and 1,000 bonus points each brand they try starting from the second one. You need to register for this offer by January 7.
A LoyaltyLobby reader dropped us a note yesterday that the new SPG accounts (opened when accounts were moved to Marriott platform) are eligible for buying points even if member has previously maxed out Starpoints and Marriott Rewards points purchases for the year.
This only works if the accounts are not consolidated or they are merged under the new SPG number.
Marriott & SPG merged their loyalty programs on August 18, 2018, and it has been very difficult for many to know what their elite level benefits are at all of the 28 different brands.
Marriott has produced very handy Elite Benefits Pocket Guide for property use that a LoyaltyLobby reader forwarded to us. You can use this to clear up any “misunderstandings” that Marriott or legacy Starwood branded hotels may have.
A LoyaltyLobby reader sent us an email about Marriott & SPG booking woes that has plagued the platform since Starwood was integrated into it three weeks ago on Saturday.
Remember that you can always email us, send a message via Facebook or use Twitter and include photos too. We’ll try to cover Reader Questions & Comments here several times a week.
A LoyaltyLobby reader send us a question by email about SPG Platinum amenity that appears to be gone at SPG properties if lounge is closed and member would like to have a breakfast.
Remember that you can always email us, send a message via Facebook or use Twitter and include photos too. We’ll try to cover Reader Questions & Comments here several times a week.
