Maximizing SPG Marriott Integration
This morning Marriott and SPG officially merged. With the merger also came an integration of their loyalty programs that includes reciprocal status matches and points transfers. I covered the specifics in this morning’s post.
One of the cool things about this integration is that both Marriott Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest each have their own unique features and benefits. Now that points can be transferred and elite statuses matched, there are some really cool ways to take advantage of the programs. While I wish that I was quick enough to the draw, I came across three posts today that each tackle this integration in a different way. Reading them helps to draw a clear picture on how you can best take advantage of this new reality.
Frequent Miler
Marriott SPG Complete Guide to Sweet Opportunities
So maybe I have a soft spot for Frequent Miler given I am an Editor there, but Greg did an amazing job with his post. In his post he covers the best opportunities created for:
- Earning points
- Free nights
- Nights & Flights (And getting the Southwest Companion Pass)
- Getting Elite Status
- Transferring Points to Miles
- And More
Basically this is a one stop shop for fully understanding this new integration and the opportunities it presents.
View from the Wing
Six Great New Opportunities Created by the Marriott-Starwood Merger
Gary takes a higher level approach and focuses on some of the bigger things to look at. Among my favorites are the new option to spend your way to SPG Platinum (something I am seriously considering) and looking into the lifetime status options. We don’t yet know how Marriott will treat lifetime nights (will they combine nights between programs, etc.), but it stands to reason that they will do something and now might be the time to start formulating a strategy if you will be close.
Free-quent Flyer
Transfer large blocks of Starpoints using Marriott Flight and Hotel Packages
Leave it to Gideon to look at the effects this new integration has on manufactured spend. While you should absolutely read his post, the short version is it makes the SPG card a very valuable tool to generate a variety of different kinds of miles through Marriott’s Flights & Nights. And of course this strategy is the same one that could get you a Southwest companion pass as well.
Conclusion
Three great posts, all looking at different opportunities created from this integration. All three show that so far this has turned out pretty good. Let’s hope it stays that way!
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Does SPG point transfer to Marriott points count toward lifetime status?
Does Marriott point transfer from someone else count toward lifetime status?
Transfers will not count towards lifetime status or elite status qualification as far as I understand.
Search for Marriott 5 night air and hotel packages and there are lots of results.
Liz,
Where did you get that package? I only see 7 nights package Cat 1-5 and at least 270,000 points for 120K miles
Marriott has a 5 night package for 235,000 with 120,000 miles. I am hoping to get that package in January and get the SW companion pass, but I wonder if I should just get Alaska miles instead.