Starwood Preferred Guest Gold members hoping to nab Platinum Elite status under Marriott’s new combined hotel loyalty program will be disappointed, with the chain now confirming that these travellers will only be matched to Gold Elite under the new scheme – not Platinum Elite as previously advised.
In April, Marriott International told Australian Business Traveller that SPG Gold members could achieve Platinum in the new program by matching their existing status to Marriott Rewards Gold today, and using that Marriott status rather than their SPG status to parlay Platinum Elite come August.
Read: Five things you need to know about Marriott’s new loyalty program
The idea was that if you were to link your SPG Gold card directly to the new, combined program, you’d get Gold Elite in August, while existing Marriott Rewards Gold members are instead being offered the superior Platinum Elite status: and under today’s rules, SPG Gold can be instantly matched to Marriott Rewards Gold, which in theory, created a savvy ‘status shortcut’.
However, Marriott’s earlier advice and commentary on this was incorrect.
The company now states that the only way an SPG Gold member will achieve Platinum Elite status under the new program will be if they’ve spent 50 nights or more in hotels this calendar year across their combined rewards accounts to qualify for the new tier officially: otherwise, they’ll be stuck at Gold Elite.
The news is a pretty big blow for AMEX Platinum Charge Card holders who currently receive gratis SPG Gold status for as long as they hold their AMEX card, which by extension, currently unlocks Marriott Rewards Gold under today’s linking system.
Read: Instant status match: how to link your Marriott, Starwood accounts
Marriott’s previous advice about the new loyalty program would have seen these members elevated to Platinum Elite by way of that matched Marriott Gold status, but based on this week’s update, their status in the new program will remain at Gold Elite.
Platinum is the new Gold
So, what’s the big deal? Under the new scheme, Platinum is really the ‘new’ Gold, and carries most perks currently offered at the Marriott Gold Elite level, including favourites such as hotel executive lounge access, daily breakfast and a guaranteed 4pm check-out at most hotels.
These are all benefits that SPG Gold members enjoy when staying at Marriott hotels today, courtesy of their linked Marriott Rewards Gold status: but come August, these perks disappear when these members are relegated to the new Gold Elite tier, which is more akin to today’s Marriott Silver.
That means no guaranteed late check-out – instead, an earlier 2pm check-out “based on availability” only – plus no hotel lounge access or free brekky, although other privileges such as room upgrades (excluding suites) and a 25% points bonus on stays will still be available.
How Marriott got it wrong
Marriott has confirmed that the information the company originally provided to Australian Business Traveller was incorrect, but has declined to offer further comment.
Previously, Marriott International’s Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for Asia Pacific, Peggy Fang Roe, told AusBT that “as long as you’re a Gold in Marriott, you’re going to become a Platinum Elite (in the new program)... even if you were to link your (SPG and Marriott) accounts now”.
Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Jan 2015
Total posts 70
The loss of 4pm checkout will hit me the most :( Being lifetime Gold with Starwood this was the perk that held my loyalty.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Nov 2016
Total posts 64
Amex Platinum Charge card changes complimentary hotel loyalty cards on a semi regular basis. Maybe they will look for another alternative to SPG/Marriott now. In the past they offered IHG and Accor. I know I will be emailing Amex to voice my concern over this downgrade of benefits.
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2432
AMEX Australia's partnership has always been with Starwood, not Marriott. Getting Marriott Gold by way of having SPG Gold in recent times as a result of the merger was a nice add-on (especially with the offer of lounge access and breakfast which comes with that tier), but it's in the same camp as getting Taj InnerCircle status or KrisFlyer Silver/Gold via Shangri-La: not 'official' AMEX perks as such but nice to have them as extras.
(That said, as an SPG Gold member myself, I'll certainly miss the higher perks which are currently provided through the Marriott program!)
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
10 Aug 2015
Total posts 79
SPG gold will feel like IHG gold does. A bit pointless. Makes HH gold look like platinum.
Virgin Atlantic Airways - Flying Club
02 Oct 2018
Total posts 1
I think after 25 years I'll give IHG a go as I am very disenfranchised with the way the idiots at Marriott have destroyed my loyalty benefits.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 May 2017
Total posts 84
I think it makes sense though.
04 May 2015
Total posts 261
Not really. They're the same in name but that's about it. Marriott is basically taking what's currently the Gold level, renaming it Platinum, taking Silver, renaming it to Gold, and telling SPG Gold members they'll still be "Gold" under the new program, despite the fact that SPG Gold currently gives Marriott Gold, so Marriott currently considers them to be equal. From August, SPG is the poor cousin and these members will all get fewer perks across the board.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Nov 2014
Total posts 357
I do agree with Chris. SPG gold in itself never qualified us for free breakfast and lounge access. Having matched to Marriott Gold was a bonus, as looking at the perks, Marriott gold is more in line with SPG platinum, and Marriott Gold wasn't as easy to attain as SPG gold.
21 Aug 2015
Total posts 86
It was always going to happen, Marriott have begun to trash the SPG program,it was a great loyalty program, the only one that moved my spend, but not any more.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
14 May 2018
Total posts 2
All these programs are actually cost you. So best to stay clear and get the best price for your money. All should feel insulted and therefore stop using SPG and Marriott. I spend more than
18 Aug 2015
Total posts 55
Looks like i better stay at a few Marriotts before August then...
21 Sep 2011
Total posts 69
Do you guys seriously believe they would give you Platinum in the new program when you can hit SPG Gold with just 10 stays? Haven't there been enough complaints from Marriott properties when their lounges are flooded by SPG Gold linked Marriott Gold in the past few months?
17 Feb 2016
Total posts 21
I always thought the Amex Platinum Accor Hotels platinum status was fantastic - it came with one complimentary night, 50% off dining, late check out, complimentary welcome drinks, and lots of hotel choices in the Asia Pacific region.
21 Jul 2012
Total posts 128
Agreed. Accor Platinum was the one hotel status that actually made me shift business and book directly with the hotel. I used to really enjoy my Sofitel stays, but since I lost Platinum I've booked whatever 5* hotel was most convenient on Hotels.com instead.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Nov 2013
Total posts 475
When my Accor Platinum period expired after they left the AMEX program Accor called me and offered to renew it annually for (I think) $300. So I get the free night, lounge access, and free breakfast - more than pays for itself...
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 467
I don't care what they call the various levels, but as someone who has been an SPG (and before that Sheraton Club) Gold for 24 years, I did expect that my benefits wouldn't be downgraded. The 4pm late checkout is the benefit that has always mattered most to me, especially for night flights back to Australia out of the US and Asia. So it being watered down to "2pm if available" is hopeless, as I need certainty to book flights and airport transfers. God knows why Marriott wanted to buy the Starwood business if it doesn't value SPG members.
11 May 2018
Total posts 17
A little annoyed about this as I made bookings at Marriotts after 1 August on the understanding that they gave me lounge access and breakfast. They could have at least have extended the Marriott gold benefits on existing bookings till the end of the year. Just leaves a sour taste. I’ve effective prepaid them via the Marriott hotel and airline packages.
Cathay Pacific - The Marco Polo Club
20 Jun 2013
Total posts 63
Loaylty out the window...Will now be seeking alternative Hotel accommodation other than Marriot.
BA Gold
01 Apr 2012
Total posts 196
Urgh i'm finding this Marriott uncertainty really annoying.
United Airlines - Mileage Plus
13 Mar 2015
Total posts 79
Can someone explain to me this “merger” that is not a merger? I’m Gold Marriott and I was regular with SPG but when I linked both accounts my SPG becomes Gold at that point… but for what I can hear I still need the Marriott for Marriott and SPG for SPG… or if I stay in a SPG my Platinum would be recognized? Or my Marriott would be downgraded because the SPG? I moved all my points from SPG to Marriott… and probably it would be better to cancel my SPG…
I'm truly confused by all this "yes but no" situation
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 May 2012
Total posts 134
I’m a HH platinum (for free brekkie, lounge access and room upgrades) but this offer did get me to sign up to Marriott through my AMEX charge card. Looks like they’ve lost my custom without me ever staying! I’ll stay with Hilton group.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
02 May 2014
Total posts 3
To say I was happy to receive the following information in an email from Marriott Rewards on Saturday would be the "understatement of the year":
Congratulations on achieving the Gold Lifetime status! We are thrilled that you have reached this milestone with Marriott Rewards.
Having achieved this status on your Marriott Rewards account will provide you with the Lifetime Platinum Elite status in August."
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Nov 2016
Total posts 64
Point Hacks website have just done a pretty good article on the SPG/Marriott loyalty program merger. Apparently there is a grace period August 1 to 31 December 2018 where you can book and receive a significant discount on hotels. It may assist some travellers.
22 Aug 2018
Total posts 1
Not sure if anyone has seen but my previous Gold status with both Marriott and Ritz Carlton was upgraded to Platinum elite and then today down graded to Gold Elite. Anyone else had the same issue?
11 May 2018
Total posts 17
Same happened to me. Bit of a bummer. I read on TPG that this was going to happen. Has put me off Marriott.
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2432
There have been pretty widespread reports recently about Marriott members seeing the wrong status (some higher than they should have been, some lower), but I believe that's now largely been fixed up.
11 May 2018
Total posts 17
Just an update. I was one of the amex people that got downgraded to Marriott gold which then excluded the lounge access and breakfast. Despite having made the booking prior to the tier status downgrade. I stayed at the Marriott parklane which is fabulous from a central location point of view. However they steadfastly refused to give me any lounge access or breakfast. Following the letter of the law there.
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