Marriott and SPG Linked! Transfer Points and Status Match!

The Marriott and SPG merger is here! And while it is not set to to be fully complete until 2018, the integration of the two loyalty programs has already started! As of today there are two awesome things that you can now do: 1) Link your accounts and transfer points back and forth between the two programs; and 2) Request a status match between the two programs. This post will detail out those two perks primarily and later today I’ll write more about the programs and some loopholes to take advantage of!

Link accounts and transfer points

Everyone was wondering how SPG points would actually convert to Marriott points. Well, we now know that the conversion and I think it is pretty fair in my opinion – it does not royally suck which many of us anticipated and it is not overly generous. Starwood points will convert 1:3 Marriott Reward points. This means that if you are sitting on 60,000 SPG points, for example, you can transfer that over to 180,000 Marriott points. And points can transfer the other way as well. If you have 60,000 Marriott points, for example, that will equal 20,000 SPG points. You can link your account you can transfer points here.

This means you can use your Marriott points at Starwood properties and use your SPG points at Marriott properties. This is great for those sitting on a lot of points at either one of the chains and looking for more flexibility! This also opens up a wide range of options for maximizing and utilizing points and miles which I will detail out in another post later today – for example, ways to earn the Southwest Companion Pass, using your Chase Ultimate Reward points.

Status match

If currently have SPG or Marriott/Ritz Carlton status you are in luck! You can now earn an equivalent status with the other program.

• Marriott Rewards Platinum = Starwood Preferred Guest Platinum
  Marriott Rewards Gold = Starwood Preferred Guest Gold
  Marriott Rewards Silver = Starwood Preferred Guest Preferred Plus (no real status perks)

This status match opportunity is pretty awesome! For those that have Platinum at either chain, being able to transfer over Platinum benefits is great. The mid-tier Gold status can also provide some perks, but it is the Platinum perks that are usually get you something at the two chains. I’ll detail out the two program status benefits in another post later today.

Now, for those that already have SPG Platinum status, you are now able to earn United Silver status as well. Congrats! This is due to the partnership between Marriott and United where if you have Marriott Platinum you’ll receive United Silver status by linked up your Marriott and United accounts. Since SPG Platinum status will get your Marriott Platinum status, you are entitled to the United Silver status even if earned through the status match opportunity! You can link up your Marriott and United accounts here.

Additionally, for those that have the Amex Platinum card you receive SPG Gold status. This means those with the Amex Platinum card now receive Marriott Gold status as well!

Overall…

While accounts can be linked for now, the two programs will operate as two separate entities until some point in 2018. There are also many questions that are still unknown, such as: What will happen to lifetime status? Will stays and nights towards status be added together?

What do you think of the announcement this morning? Overall, I am extremely pleased that there will be many more opportunities over the next 18+ months. I am also happy with the 1:3 conversion rate!