New Elite Status Revealed With SPG And Marriott

We knew this day was coming and now more details are being revealed. The Starwood Preferred Guest program and Marriott Rewards move closer to the final merger on August 1,2018, Emails are being sent out to customers of both programs describing how the yet to be named combined program will look. 

Highlights include: 

• New Elite Status - Marriott says now it will be easier to obtain Elite status and member perks. If you are a frequent traveler, that might be true. If you are a casual family traveler like me, not so much. If you stay between 0-9 nights at any of the 29 brands, you earn Silver status. But that doesn't get you much. You need to stay a minimum of 50 nights to earn lounge access which includes free breakfast. 
• New Award Redemption - Check out the chart. Award redemptions will start at 7,500 standard in August and then move to a peak and off-peak rate in early 2019. You can still pay for 4 nights and get a 5th night FREE. 
• Combined Points - Your SPG points will be combined with your Marriott points into one new balance in August. You will receive 3 Marriott points for every SPG point. 
• Transfer to airlines - There will be 40 airline transfer partners. For every 60,000 points you transfer, Marriott will give you 15,000 bonus. This is the same as SPG existing policy. Though new airline partners include Jet Blue. 
• Earn Points- If you use your SPG credit card at any of the 29 brands, you will earn 10X points for the stay. 5X points at Element, Residence Inn and Townsplace Suites. 
• Credit Cards - The SPG credit card benefits are changing. You will earn 6x points at SPG and Marriott hotels for the basic card and 2X for everything else. With the business card, you earn the same plus 4X at gas stations, restaurants and for wireless services. And the new luxury card, you earn 6x on hotel stays, 3x on gas and airline purchases and 2x everywhere else. All the cards will come with the anniversary award of one FREE award night at a redemption level of 50,000 points or less. 

We will continue to unpack the changes as we move closer to August 1, 2018. But the best advice right now is to load up spending on your SPG card and book any hotels on awards now rather than later.