Marriott and SPG Remain Separate Plus Upcoming Changes
Marriott, SPG and Ritz Carlton loyalty programs will continue to operate separately in 2018. Today, Marriott announced a few minor changes to Marriott Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest and they’re mostly positive- especially for SPG Loyalists. Click here for more complete details. Of course, if you haven’t already done so, make sure you link your SPG and Marriott Accounts for status matching and reciprocal benefits.
Upcoming Changes
- Hertz Benefits for top-tier members
- End of Marriott Status buy-back and elite rollover nights
- SPG Lifetime Status Members get to keep their points forever
Hertz Partnership
Marriott Rewards Platinum Elite members and SPG Platinum members will receive Complimentary Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Five Star status (registration required). While, Platinum Premier Elite and Platinum with Ambassador will receive Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle status. Hertz status benefits include complimentary upgrade and expedited rentals.
Marriott Ending Rollover Nights and Buy Back Status
You can no longer use excess nights to qualify for status in the following year. Rollover nights are those earned in excess of Elite requirements that can be applied toward retaining elite status the following year or may help achieve a higher Elite level. Any excess nights from 2017 will rollover to 2018 and count for status level, but no nights are eligible to rollover in 2019.
Perhaps the biggest and (most disappointing) upcoming change is that Marriott is ending the ability to buy back elite status. For years, Platinum members have been able to buy-back their status for a meager 40,000 Marriott Points. It seems unfortunate that many people will be left out in the cold since there was very little notice given of this change. Simply put, you will not be able to buy back status in 2018. I’m guessing many members would have done things a little differently if they had been given fair warning of this upcoming change.
SPG Lifetime Status Members
For SPG Lifetime Status members, points will never expire. This is a small but positive change and in line with Marriotts’ own policy.
Conclusion
These changes are definitely not earth shattering and won’t make too much of a difference in the way you’ve been doing things. Hertz status can be helpful for people who rent cars, but is available through several other programs, so it’s unlikely to help all that many people. Unfortunately, the only major change that could definitely adversely affect people is the end of elite status buy back and roll over nights. This definitely puts a dent in my plans for this year! How does this change your plans for 2018? Let me know in the comments.
HT: Doctor Of Credit
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