Marriott Announces Merger with Starwood

[Bolthead]

Announced yesterday via email:

Copy from email.......

As a valued member, we're excited to share the news that Marriott International will join together with Starwood Hotels & Resorts to create the world's largest hotel company. For our Marriott Rewards members, this will mean even more choices in even more places, giving you access to 1.1 million rooms across 5,500 hotels in more than 100 countries.

Marriott Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) are among the industry's most-awarded loyalty programs, and they should be even stronger when the companies merge. Our programs and brands complement each other well, and we intend to draw upon the best of both programs to provide more value for our guests and hotels.

This is the start of a long journey as we combine our two companies. For now, we remain separate, and there is no change to your Marriott Rewards program status, your Rewards points or your existing reservations. You will continue to earn Rewards points and elite stay/night credit for your stays, and bonus points for any promotions in which are you are participating. There is no change to how you manage your Rewards account or book reservations.

Over the coming months, as we have more to share we'll be sure to reach out to you by e-mail, at marriottrewards.com and via twitter (@MarriottRewards). In the meantime, we remain at your service wherever you need us—whether in our hotels, at marriottrewards.com, the Marriott mobile app, or via our Customer Care Centers.

All my best,

Arne Sorenson
President and Chief Executive Officer
Marriott International, Inc.

End quote....

 

[burmans]

Dear valued member, blah blah blah, we think you are stupid blah blah blah

 

[Danger]

http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/starwood-spg/potential-buyout-of-spg-71689.html

http://www.australianfrequentflyer..../marriott-buy-starwood-hotels-12-a-72147.html

 

[medhead]

So what is happening with this merger in practical terms. If I rock up to a Marriott property with SPG Gold will they even care?

 

[Moindardt]

Probably be a year before anything happens. Currently at the Sheraton Mirage Gold Coast and would have far preferred the Marriott.

 

[medhead]

Thanks. Did some Qantas searches and realised nothing.

This means trouble SWMBO is set on Club access at a Ritz Carlton, but it seems the luxury suites don't include club access. There is no apparent option to add club access. :shock:

 

[andye]

I've already found it useful.

Couldnt find somewhere suitable for five beds in NYC except with marriott-easy to transfer spg points. Whole process took moments.

Would have had an even better deal if we were staying 5 nights (or even 7 for a travel package) not 3.

No idea if my matched Gold will bring anything but happy nonetheless

 

[NZflygirl]

I've already found it useful.

Couldnt find somewhere suitable for five beds in NYC except with marriott-easy to transfer spg points. Whole process took moments.

Would have had an even better deal if we were staying 5 nights (or even 7 for a travel package) not 3.

No idea if my matched Gold will bring anything but happy nonetheless

https://www.marriott.com/marriott-rewards/member-benefits.mi

upgrade 4pm checkout lounge access and breakfast for 2.

what I do see is SPG gold is/was only 10 stays. There is a preferred guest plus tier now which I think will equate to silver in the other programmes meaning in 2018 gold might need a lot more nights as per Marriott requirements.

I don't remember seeing a preferred guest plus tier before.

I hope they keep the ability to buy SPG points and transfer to airlines.

 

[moa999]

Any benefits to delaying a match?? Not likely to keep SPG Gold

 

[Fifa]

Moa999 - I read on Flyertalk that your Marriott Gold will be linked to SPG Gold membership so once one expires so does the other.