Marriott SPG merged!

[+ Keith30309]

For some reason I never got the email notification from Marriott. However, during a recent stay they did give me a card touting the benefits of merging with the Marriott rewards program.

 

I did ask a friend who works for Sheraton and he advised me to stay with Stareood for the time being as the programs will not be officially merger until 2018. In the meantime he also advised to use whatever points you have. I took his advice and used them for an assignation last week. For those who have merged their points is it an exact one for one exchange as Marriott properties charge more points vs. Stareood properties?

 

Like @Keith30309 I am Starwood gold and I would interested to know what he and others think or are doing now that it has been a few weeks since the announcement. Though as I mentioned I have yet to get the email.

 

My take is that all things being equal, I'll stick with SPG's. There is a nice St. Regis in a city where I travel allot and it's better than any of the Marriott offerings (and they don't ask any questions when I have guests). More generally, the only plus-side for Marriott is SPG Gold's will get the Marriott lounge access/breakfast (there's some debate about if this benefit extends to Ritz Carltons; they're really snotty about their concierge floor rooms).

 

There's a discussion about early experiences at --> http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-starwood-preferred-guest/1793320-spg-members-post-your-marriott-stay-experiences-after-linking-your-account.html Allot of these guys are Platinum... out of my league.

 

I suspect your info is correct - best to use the SPG points you have in 2017.

[rvwnsd]

Marriott has clocks with iPhone ports. Maybe they can install them in all SPG hotels. Oh, heck, maybe they can buy Hilton next and install them there!!

[+ VictorPowers]

I stayed at a Westin hotel last month and they, too, offered 500 SPG points if i elected not to have my room cleaned / serviced. Since I was only staying two nights I accepted the offer.

 

Does anyone know if this type of offer happens in other hotels?

 

I, for one, do not like it when hotels groups merge as there is usually a devaluation of points.

I'm an SPG guy and stay in their hotels all over the country. I have found Westin and Sheraton offer the Green Choice Award most often. I have had one W property in Dallas do this as well. If you're really after the points, choose your free reakfast option AND at Che joint ask for 500 point award. If the front desk person likes you enough, they'll comp both. Also ask for drink voucher cards. I received 5 free drinks in Time Square by only asking.

[+ bashful]

Also ask for drink voucher cards. I received 5 free drinks in Time Square by only asking.

 

Most of my points are SPG, and I use the SPG Amex card whenever I can. Thanks for the tip for free drinks.

[marylander1940]

An escort just texted me about the way Sheraton's quality in the Club Lounge has been downsized to Marriott levels...

 

"Hors d'oeuvres sucked! Nothing but finger food! I need protein after my workout, not cheese and crackers!"

[+ azdr0710]

So glad a rube like me doesn't have to worry about points, miles, status, Club level, mergers, boarding group, upgrades, and what-have-you

 

Found a "hot deal" on Hotwire at the Super 8 in Barstow last week and slept like a baby

[marylander1940]

So glad a rube like me doesn't have to worry about points, miles, status, Club level, mergers, boarding group, upgrades, and what-have-you

 

Found a "hot deal" on Hotwire at the Super 8 in Barstow last week and slept like a baby

 

Yes, but priceline and hotwire are not what they used to be... they now stick to a price and won't go down.

 

I just use hotels.com and get 1 free night out of 10.

[Nvr2Thick]

Yes, but priceline and hotwire are not what they used to be... they now stick to a price and won't go down.

 

I just use hotels.com and get 1 free night out of 10.

 

I've used hotels.com five times. The last two times they booked me into hotels with no rooms available.

[marylander1940]

I've used hotels.com five times. The last two times they booked me into hotels with no rooms available.

 

lawyer up!

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

lawyer up!

 

Read the fine print. They're well within their right to overbook and put you at another 'comparable' hotel nearby.

 

This is why you always book directly. They always bump the bulk bookings first.

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

An escort just texted me about the way Sheraton's quality in the Club Lounge has been downsized to Marriott levels...

 

"Hors d'oeuvres sucked! Nothing but finger food! I need protein after my workout, not cheese and crackers!"

 

 

He expected more from a Sheraton?

 

Club floors, unless you're at a place like Four Seasons, Ritz or St Regis have scaled back to a point of uselessness.

[marylander1940]

He expected more from a Sheraton?

 

Club floors, unless you're at a place like Four Seasons, Ritz or St Regis have scaled back to a point of uselessness.

 

I find it nice waking up to eggs, and fresh coffee.

[marylander1940]

Read the fine print. They're well within their right to overbook and put you at another 'comparable' hotel nearby.

 

This is why you always book directly. They always bump the bulk bookings first.

 

Quote him @Nvr2Thick , they did it to him... not to me!

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

Quote him @Nvr2Thick , they did it to him... not to me!

 

Ah, but you suggested lawyering up... Something that would have him spend a ton of money and get no real result from.

[marylander1940]

Ah, but you suggested lawyering up... Something that would have him spend a ton of money and get no real result from.

 

It's an expression that doesn't necessarily mean getting a Lawyer and spending money.

[Nvr2Thick]

Read the fine print. They're well within their right to overbook and put you at another 'comparable' hotel nearby.

 

 

As noted, it those were the last times I'll do business with them. "well within their right" is just one way of describing a bad business model. Three levels of customer service got an earful about the definition of "confirmation number" before I was done with them.

[rvwnsd]

An escort just texted me about the way Sheraton's quality in the Club Lounge has been downsized to Marriott levels...

 

"Hors d'oeuvres sucked! Nothing but finger food! I need protein after my workout, not cheese and crackers!"

They typically serve protein-packed meals in the hotel restaurant.

[marylander1940]

They typically serve protein-packed meals in the hotel restaurant.

 

or you can make a protein shake... is there any emoji for obvious?

[rvwnsd]

or you can make a protein shake... is there any emoji for obvious?

Or one for cheap-ass, processed-food-eating son of a so-and-so?

[marylander1940]

Or one for cheap-ass, processed-food-eating son of a so-and-so?

 

Or judgmental...

 

I don’t judge how folks spend their money or what they eat.

 

Someone complains that the Sheraton club lounge menu is not what it used to be and you go ballistic because of that?

[MikeBiDude]

I find it nice waking up to eggs, and fresh coffee.

Leave the room service card on your door handle at night with your order.

[marylander1940]

Leave the room service card on your door handle at night with your order.

 

thank you, such clever advice...

[GBoi]

He expected more from a Sheraton?

 

Club floors, unless you're at a place like Four Seasons, Ritz or St Regis have scaled back to a point of uselessness.

 

Actually they are quite nice outside the US. I agree the domestic ones generally suck...only benefit for me is they are a convenient place to get more bottles of water to offer my visitors

[MikeBiDude]

thank you, such clever advice...

Bonus...possible hot room service waiter!

[marylander1940]

Bonus...possible hot room service waiter!

 

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