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UPDATE: The Marriott/SPG merger is now complete, check out our updated guide covering all the changes.
Ever since the Marriott and SPG merger, a closer integration between the two brands has always been on the cards. Marriott has announced some changes to SPG, and it's loyalty program that will come into effect in 2018. The move is another step in the two programs aligning themselves to become a single loyalty program.
Changes To Come In 2018
- Starting in 2018, SPG members will no longer benefit from rollover nights and the ability to buy back your status with points
- Marriott will be expanding its partnership with Hertz in 2018, while SPG will be starting a new partnership with them. As part of the new tie-in, Platinum members of both programs will be entitled to status match to Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Five Star. Marriott Rewards Platinum Premier and SPG Platinum members with Ambassador service will be entitled to Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle
- Starpoints will not expire for SPG members who have achieved lifetime status with the program
How Big Are The Changes?
The changes are relatively minor and seem to be more about aligning both programs. While SPG lifetime members will welcome the fact that the points will no longer expire, we're guessing Marriott Rewards members will be unhappy with the elimination of rollover nights and the ability to buy back status. The Hertz tie-in is a welcome bonus, but otherwise minimally valuable. While the changes are not massive, they are nevertheless another small step towards the merging of both programs.
Remember that while both programs are ostensibly separate, they are actually linked. Instantly matching your status from one program to another is just one of the few sweet spots you can currently take advantage of.
Our Take
Even though Marriott Rewards is a great loyalty program, and has some valuable redemption options, including Hotel + Air Packages, SPG is no slouch either. Starpoints arguably are the most valuable points out there. If Marriott plays its cards right, they have the potential to create a single loyalty program that combines the strengths of the different programs, while eliminating their weaknesses. If they succeed, the new single program could prove very attractive. So far, they seem to be making small adjustments not to rock the boat either way, and we're ok with that.
Source: One Mile At A Time
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Going slow is good but staying separate would be even better.
I recently became a SPG member so I am interested in what will happen in the future, however I guess since I’m so new it wont really matter what it was like in the past. However, I was encouraged to sign up due to the rewards – I hope they do not change them! Thanks for the updates
I like the go slow approach. Thanks for keeping us all informed.
I agree, for the time being I’m happy with small changes that don’t rock the boat!
Taken a long time since mergers to get to even this point.
Definitely minor, for the moment. The big questions remain, such as: what are points-to-miles transfers going to look like in the combined program?
Is it safe to say thay I can wait on my Hawaii trip until next year? I am hoping to stay at the Marriott in Maui but am hoping the merger doesn’t kill the redemption value…
I’d say yes — at least I would personally count on it still being valid.
I hope the good folks at Marriott and SPG take their time and do this right. It will be a real positive for their business if they can build and retain a large customer base.
I always worry when they mention the word ‘change’
I also cringe when I hear the word “enhance”. It usually means less for more or a change for the worse.
I really hope that they keep all the SPG airline transfer partners and the 5k bonus for 20k transfers.. it would be such a shame if they didn’t.
no expiration for lifetime SPG is a nice bonus for present
Thanks for the update. So far not too bad. We’ll see what next year holds!
Losing the buy back option is a big blow…why on earth are they doing things this way…
As someone that actually earns elite status through sleeping in hotel beds, I love the idea of the buyback option going away.
Fine. So let them also cancel any possibility to acquire elite night credits and elite status via credit card spend – which is only available to US consumers.
On flyertalk I heard a guy saying the same as you while on another thread he was bragging about how he basically got LPT by spending on a Marriott card.
The credit card revenue is likely too much of a money maker and benefit to purge.
I agree that more pain is likely on the future. This announcement was very benign and it feels like they are trying to lull us into believing that everything will be alright. I’m very worried that’s they are going to devalu the SPG points — get rid of the 5000 bonus when you transfer 20000 pints or drastically cut down on the airline transfer partners. But I’m an optimist.
I will miss being able to buy back status!
Well, this doesn’t seem too painful after all.
I expect we’ll see more pain next year 🙁
My favorite Marriott Reward is the Hotel and Air Package.
Glad to see the details coming out! Finally!
Is this from January? It doesn’t seem like much notice to me.
Yes, this is starting January 1, 2018.
I’m usually skeptical about “changes” to programs, but this actually looks ok.
Seems like Marriott is taking the slow approach and not rushing to merge the programs. This seems smart on their part so far. Hoping nothing drastic changes when it all merges.
IMO all the changes are minor and make sense. They need to limit the amount of elites and I think it should only be based on nights spent that year. No buy ups or rollovers is a good thing imo.