Marriott announces rewards plans [Linking MR / Starwood Preferred Guest Accounts]

[Ken555]

I don't think I'm phrasing this correctly.

For now and until MR and SPG are fully integrated, then I expect that MR Points when converted to SPG Points will be usable for VSE timeshare stays. (At least, any MRP not earned by exchanging MVW timeshares - although the system may allow that as it always has.)

Not all Vistana (how I hate that name) properties will have availability redemption via SPG StarPoints. Most do, but not all, and sometimes availability is very tight.

No, what I'm trying to figure out is the ramifications now and down the road of the VSE timeshares not being included at all in the combined Brands listing - click the "Compare Brands" box at this link. Unless I'm missing something I'm assuming this means that MI has not affiliated with VSE at all, so am wondering what people think this might mean down the road if they never do? I understand that of course VSE isn't included in the MI/Starwood takeover - but I've been thinking all along that the affiliation between SPG and VSE would be represented in some way, and would extend to MR when MR and SPG are fully integrated.

I guess I just never considered that VSE would be left out completely when MI finishes completely integrating Starwood, if that's what will be happening?

Vistana owners have been assured that they will continue to have association with the hotels, so I think you're overly worrying at this point. Vistana resorts aren't part of Marriott, so don't show up on their list. I wouldn't be surprised, though, to find them there a year or so from now as affiliated resorts, etc. This has been discussed repeatedly for many months on the Starwood (~Vistana) forum.



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[BigMac]

This could get interesting. Starwood spins off its timeshares as a separate unit (VSE) and then sells it to Interval Leisure Group in May 2016. As part of the sale Starwood gets about 60% of ILG's shares and 4 members of an 11 member board. So I suppose this means that Marriott will own a majority of ILG's shares. In addition to the Westin, Sheraton and Hyatt timeshares, ILG also owns Interval international.
Wonder what Marriott International will do with all of this.

 

[The Haileys]

Perhaps you can be that first person.

I did a test transfer from my mixed bag of SPG points, earned from VSE owner update attendance, VSE purchase bonus, SPG Gold stay awards and earning, SPG Amex spending and bonus on VSE MFs, and while I did not submit the transfer, it looks like it would do a 1 to 3 transfer from SPG to MR.

I can't imagine how they would be able to sort out the origin of the points, since they're all dumped into one bucket, and if there's been redemptions, which points are redeemed first?

I posted this similar question on the SPG Facebook page, and they quit answering me ... LOL! :whoopie:

 

[rickandcindy23]

I am trying to figure out why I'd even want to keep the Starwood card. I can never get Platinum status with either program, and there are negligible benefits for paying the $95 fee each year. What do I get for the fee?

With Club Carlson, I get 40K points each year for the $75 annual fee, which is one free night. I keep it for that reason.

With IHG, I get a free night each year, annual fee of $49, and we have stayed in Seattle at the Crown Plaza for our free night a few times.

With Hyatt, I get a free night each year, category 1-4 hotel, $75 fee.

 

[taffy19]

Some questions and answers here. I hope that it's OK to link to that? I am listening to it now.

 

[Pat H]

Marriott Gold v SPG Gold

Not sure if this is the right place to post this question so feel free to move it. I reach SPG Gold every year due to credit card spending. Does Marriott give you gold for reaching a $ amount in spending or can you only earn it by stays? What's the difference in perks between the two? I know the programs won't be merging for awhile but I'm curious. TIA.

 

[alchook]

It seems another advantage to the merger is the ability to buy points, if you're so inclined. Marriott allows the purchase of up to 50,000 points per year. Starwood allows the purchase of 30,000 points per year, which can be transferred to Marriott at a 3:1 ratio, for a total of 140,000 points per year.

Anyway, I think I got that right.

 

[VacationForever]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this question so feel free to move it. I reach SPG Gold every year due to credit card spending. Does Marriott give you gold for reaching a $ amount in spending or can you only earn it by stays? What's the difference in perks between the two? I know the programs won't be merging for awhile but I'm curious. TIA.

Pat,
Marriott credit card gives 15 nights per year as freebie. Every 3k spent gets 1 night. Marriott stays get whatever number of nights, 1 to 1. Total of 50 nights give you gold. Marriott gold is much better than SPG gold. When I stay at Marriott internationally, with gold, I get free food and drinks, including alcohol, pretty much all day, at their lounge.

 

[DeniseM]

Marriott credit card gives 15 nights per year as freebie.

Please clarify.

 

[jeepie]

Just link your accounts

I reach SPG Gold every year due to credit card spending. Does Marriott give you gold for reaching a $ amount in spend...

Just link your SPG and MR accounts. MR Gold will be automatic. Cheers.

 

[Fasttr]

Does Marriott give you gold for reaching a $ amount in spending or can you only earn it by stays?

Pat,
Marriott credit card gives 15 nights per year as freebie. Every 3k spent gets 1 night. Marriott stays get whatever number of nights, 1 to 1. Total of 50 nights give you gold.

Please clarify.

Status in Marriott system is based on # of elite nights earned. You can earn them various ways....from stays, via spending on Marriott credit card, etc. The credit card provides you with 15 elite nights on each anniversary of your credit card (as does it also provide you with 1 free night stay at a category 1-5), and you also get 1 elite night for each $3K spent on the card as sptung noted. 10 elite nights gets you Silver, 50 Gold, 75 Platinum.

 

[thinze3]

Please clarify.

With the Marriott Chase card you get 15 nights credited to your account to be used toward your elite status. Since 10 nights gets you silver elite status, you essentially start the year off as a Silver Elite member.

 

[DeniseM]

With the Marriott Chase card you get 15 nights credited to your account to be used toward your elite status. Since 15 nights gets you silver elite status, you essentially start the year off as a Silver Elite member.

Ok - so you just get credit for them - not actual free nights.

 

[thinze3]

Ok - so you just get credit for them - not actual free nights.

Correct.
You do get one free night certificate to use in a Cat 1-5 hotel each year as well.

 

[catharsis]

As someone who has been both for several years as well as being plat in each program also for several years, the benefits of SPG gold were generally nonexistent whereas marriott gold was significant. My experience could have been skewed because the majority of our stays were outside North America, but reasonably frequent suite upgrades coupled with lounge access and essentially mandatory breakfast made Marriott Gold the second most important status I have after FF membership.

SPG plat and in particular plat 75 and plat100 are great, but Marriott Gold is many times superior to SPG Gold.

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[rickandcindy23]

Correct.
You do get one free night certificate to use in a Cat 1-5 hotel each year as well.

That alone is worth the card's annual fee. We stay in hotels 4-6 nights a year.

Even though I attained Gold Elite Status with my transfer of Starpoints to Marriott, I will have to retain the status by staying at the hotels, right? So I am going to lose that status, even though I have a huge number of Marriott points.

Can you transfer Marriott points to Ultimate Rewards? My head is reeling with all of this info.

I told poor Rick I need to re-assess all of our credit cards. The Starwood card does absolutely nothing to warrant my devotion. Ultimate Rewards points are just better for me. I am getting so spoiled on those points, and I finally understand that system. It's taken awhile.

 

[thinze3]

Until they completely implement the "new" system, your SPG Amex will keep you SPG gold which in turn will keep you Marriott gold. In 2018 Marriott may have both Amex and Chase Visa on board, who knows? An even then who knows what the perks will be.

But yes, I usually have about 25 stay nights, and when added to my Marriott card 15 nights and about 5 more bonus nights, it is just enough to keep me gold elite. This year, like most, I will be a little short, but they have yet to downgrade me to silver.

After next year I will have enough nights to be Lifetime Gold so won't have to worry about it anymore.



Added:

Ultimate Rewards points are just better for me. I am getting so spoiled on those points, and I finally understand that system. It's taken awhile.

I just got the Reserve Card, so I will be picking your brain soon enough.

 

[alchook]

I am trying to figure out why I'd even want to keep the Starwood card.

The one advantage I can see is getting one Starpoint per dollar of non-travel expenses. That would translate into three Marriott Rewards points, which is a better return than you get with other cards.

 

[The Haileys]

That alone is worth the card's annual fee. We stay in hotels 4-6 nights a year.

Even though I attained Gold Elite Status with my transfer of Starpoints to Marriott, I will have to retain the status by staying at the hotels, right? So I am going to lose that status, even though I have a huge number of Marriott points.

Can you transfer Marriott points to Ultimate Rewards? My head is reeling with all of this info.

I told poor Rick I need to re-assess all of our credit cards. The Starwood card does absolutely nothing to warrant my devotion. Ultimate Rewards points are just better for me. I am getting so spoiled on those points, and I finally understand that system. It's taken awhile.

There is one huge advantage of the SPG Amex over the MR Visa ... points earned from spending. Both award one point per dollar spent, for the most part - some spending categories are higher, ie., MR hotel spend is 5x while SPG is 3x, but the point earned from the dollar spent on the SPG Amex is equal to three MR points, while the MR Visa is one MR point per dollar spent, hence 1/3 of a SPG point.

Or,
On SPG Amex spend $3000 get 3000 SPG points, or 9000 MR points
On MR Visa spend $3000 get 3000 MR points, or 1000 SPG points

We use the Amex for nearly all our day to day spending, so it makes more sense to keep that rather than get the MR Visa. Most of our travel is our timeshare weeks, and point redemption with very little hotel spending.

Definitely a YMMV thing.

 

[VacationForever]

We have both credit cards and enjoy the perks of Marriott Gold Elite through accumulation of nights. Star points is more valuable through SPG card. We intend to continue to keep both until 2018.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I just checked Rick's SPG account, and he is now Gold Preferred, earning 3X instead of 2X points on our SBP fees. Hmmmm.....wish I could have waited a little longer to pay my 2017 fees.

 

[m61376]

Oops- thought I accidentally didn't enter my earlier post and then found it

 

[sfwilshire]

Yes.

If anybody wants to explain the basics for those of us new to SPG, it'd be much appreciated.

And, with your SPG linked to Delta, you get some bennies there, most noticeably a free bag check. I have been avoiding Delta (who I really like to fly) because I have status on AA from flying and status with United based on my Marriott status. Now SPG gives me some Delta perks, so I'm good to go!

Sheila

 

[Sandy VDH]

Combined I will be at 494 nights for lifetime Gold status, but since SPG doesn't use a point tracker but rather just a night tracker, I am not sure what will happen. Perhaps they will have to do some adjustments. I hope.

 

[JMSH]

Not sure if this has been answered.....under the MVCI will SPG locations be treated as an internal Marriott exchange with II?