Category 8 pricing will be introduced on 5 March, meaning it is best to lock in stays at luxury properties now.
Since first published in April 2018, this master guide to the merger has been revised numerous times to include the latest news and updated advice.
New Category 8 pricing
Since the merger in August last year, some top-tier properties have been available for the artificially low price of 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night—this is a fantastic deal.
When the new award chart comes into effect on 5 March, these properties will move to a new, higher Category 8, costing 85,000 points, which is ~41% more expensive than now.
And later in the year (date unconfirmed), peak and off-peak pricing will be introduced, meaning they will cost up to 100,000 points during peak dates (~66% more expensive than now).
So which properties are increasing in price? There are almost 70 and are mostly of the Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis and Luxury Collection brands. Here are some popular ones:
- The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai
- The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong
- The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto
- The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe
- The Ritz-Carlton, New York Central Park
- The Ritz-Carlton, Naples
- The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo
- The St. Regis Aspen Resort
- The St. Regis Bali
- The St. Regis Bora Bora
- The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
- The St. Regis New York
- The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort
- The St. Regis Rome
- Blue Palace, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa, Crete
- Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai
- The London EDITION
- W South Beach
Note that these properties have potentially experienced a dramatic drop in availability for booking with points both due to a lot of demand from travellers.
Property reclassification
In a separate change, 5 March will also bring category changes for properties across the board. Of the properties affected, most are going up in price.
Fortunately, there is only one Australian property affected by the changes—the Courtyard Sydney-North Ryde is actually dropping a category from 4 to 3.
You can check the full changes here.
The merger in brief
- Three hotel loyalty programs—Starwood Preferred Guest, Marriott Rewards and Ritz-Carlton Rewards—combined into one in mid-August 2018
- Points and elite status in SPG were transferred over to Marriott
- The new combined program name Marriott Bonvoy launched on 13 February 2019
- In December 2018, there was a security breach on the Starwood Preferred guest reservation database—if you are one of the approximately 500 million (!) guests affected, you should have been contacted by email
What stayed the same?
- Fifth night on award stays free
- Cash and points awards
- SPG 25% transfer bonus to frequent flyer programs (effectively—see below)
New award chart
There will be eight categories instead of the previous nine in Marriott Rewards. From sometime in 2019 (date unconfirmed), the award chart will differentiate between peak and off-peak rates, which are slated to be more or less evenly split over the year.
There are no blackout dates at any property.
There is a searchable table of all 6,700+ Marriott, Starwood and Ritz-Carlton properties with their current and future pricing. Here is the timeline:
- Until 4 March 2019: Categories 1-7 under one unified award chart
- From 5 March 2019: Category 8 added into award chart
Almost 70% of properties require the same or fewer points, meaning that over 30% have increased in price.
For example, The Old Clare Hotel in Sydney used to cost 12,000 Starpoints/36,000 Marriott points (remember: 1 Starpoint = 3 Marriott Bonvoy points), and this dropped by 1,000 points to 35,000 in the new program.
The Aloft Perth dropped from 21,000 Marriott points to 17,500 points.
The W Brisbane is the only one of the 20 Australian properties in the combined program that increased in price, from 30,000 Marriott points to 35,000 points.
But—and a big but it is—the new amounts are for ‘standard’ pricing. From March 2019, there will be a pricing difference between off-peak and peak dates and we don’t have information on those what exactly those dates are yet.
There is now a rotating PointSavers list, with 20% off points redemptions at select hotels.
Bad news: American Express points transfers to Marriott Bonvoy
With the launch of the combined program in August 2018, and post the changes to the American Express Rewards program in April 2019, the transfer rate from American Express to Marriott Bonvoy is as follows:
Read our guide to the American Express Membership Rewards Points program here.
Hotel + Air Packages
This has historically been a really popular points redemption avenue for Marriott Bonvoy members and, as an extension, SPG members.
Most Marriott Hotel + Air Packages are now priced the same, regardless of the airline you are transferring your points to, rather than split into five tables. The only exception is United MileagePlus, with whom you’ll get a 10% bonus.
This new table is a devaluation but still offers better value than just a straight Marriott points-to-airline transfer.
Status
Elite status is now recognised across all three programs with five elite tiers—basically like SPG used to have plus a Marriott Silver tier.
Marriott Rewards and Ritz-Carlton Rewards Gold now translate into Platinum Elite—this is the main elite status to aim for—whilst Platinum has become Titanium Elite.
More brands now offer breakfast, notably Courtyard and resort properties, but Ritz-Carltons and some others will still not feed you for free.
How do the changes affect me if I hold SPG Gold status?
SPG Gold became Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite, meaning those members lost out with reduction of guaranteed 4pm late check-out to 2pm late check-out subject to availability, and only bonus points as arrival gift instead of choice between that and a welcome drink.
The backdoor access route to free breakfast for SPG Gold Elite members (no breakfast) through status matching to Marriott Gold Elite for free breakfast at Marriott properties has disappeared.
Your earn rate on stays has increased from 3 Starpoints (= 9 Marriott Bonvoy points) per US$1 spent to 12.5 points, which is a positive change.
The American Express Platinum Card still offers automatic Gold Elite status.
How do the changes affect me if I hold SPG Platinum status?
SPG Platinum members became Platinum Elite in the new program.
You get complimentary suite upgrades subject to availability, as well as five confirmed Suite Night Awards each year.
Your earn rate on stays has increased from 3 Starpoints (9 Marriott Bonvoy points) per US$1 spent to 15 points, which is a substantial increase.
Earning points
The base rate of 10 points per US$1 spent is the same as the previous Marriott Rewards program, with that rate halved at Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites and Element properties.
Redeeming points by transferring to frequent flyer partners
Here are two bits of great news!
Firstly, the new program has kept the same ratio as the current sweet spot in transferring from SPG in increments of 20,000 Starpoints to get a 5,000-point bonus. Under the new scheme, if you transfer 60,000 rewards points to a frequent flyer partner, you get a 5,000 bonus miles (equivalent to 15,000 bonus points), which will equal 20,000 + 5,000 bonus = 25,000 frequent flyer points.
The new program has 3:1 transfer ratio to frequent flyer partners, meaning it basically works the same as the current SPG program.
Secondly, all current SPG and Marriott Bonvoy transfer partners have been kept, which increases the versatility of your points. Notably, Qantas Frequent Flyer is now included as one of the transfer partners—it was not an SPG partner but was previously available through Marriott—and Velocity was an SPG partner but not Marriott partner and is also included in the new program. Apart from that, I have seen no notable/useful additional partners coming on.
Summing up
It has been a rocky road during this merger, which is partly understandable given the huge challenges in unifying three programs but a general consensus amongst the frequent flyer community is that the new program does not offer the same value as it used to and the changes have not been communicated or implemented in the ideal way.
Let’s hope that the final touches to the merger go more smoothly in 2019 and you can be sure we will update this guide with our analysis of them.
How has the merger of Marriott Bonvoy and SPG affected you and your travel plans?
Matt, that was never the case. Marriott have always stated ‘coming early 2019’ – they have never ever mentioned January 1 – it’s just some people assumed this was the date but with absolutely no confirmation from Marriott.
It still says 3 American Express point
For 2 STARPOINT….
Since we know it is starpoints are no more…. does it mean 2 Marriott points? (Means typo on Amex website)
Or it actually mean starpoint, which is 6 marriot points? Have anyone transferred and find out?
Does that mean if I transfer Amex points to SPG, then do an account combination, I’ll get the old rate as a one time thing?
I am from Singapore, I have approx 2.5 million SPG point, do you think worth to convert all to air miles?
I have 12 years platinum with SPG and 1344 night at the moment , I should be able to reach lifetime Platinum right。
Does anyone else have this problem??
From Amex:
I have already checked and SPG cannot be linked to your account for direct point transfer.
As per the recent update, there are going to be changes to the SPG Loyalty program and the system is being updated between 27th July to 27th August 2018 to accommodate these changes in the Membership rewards program.
We regret this inconvenience, however since it does take time for the upgrade to happen and sync with the partner program, we have this time frame between which this will not be available
If you’re going to devalue points, and then freeze transfers, then really Marriott should give people notice and allow them to make any informed decisions before locking in the devalued rate.
“Aim to redeem your points for a Hotel + Air Package before 1 August but hold off until mid-July or so when we will hopefully have more information on how your hotel certificate will be honoured under the new program”
Currently being told that I have to book the hotel before August if I want a Hotel + Air package.
When you redeemed for Hotel + Air, is it the same package for all airlines you get or do you still have to choose between the 4 packages? If so, which one did you get and why? I am considering redeeming about 4 of these 7 night hotel + Air package and leaning towards ANA for the flight. Any input is much appreciated.
For those of us who currently hold an Amex card, we are able to transfer points to a large amount of additional frequent flyer programs (e.g. Alaska, Hawaiian, American Airlines ect..) via SPG.
1 Amex MR point = 0.5 SPG points. SPG points then equate 1:1 to a majority of the different frequent flyer programs (with a bonus of 5k points for every 20k points transferred).
Does this mean that using this SPG ‘hack’ of transferring Amex points to these other frequent flyer rewards programs via SPG is just about to get a lot more expensive/ less worthwhile?
If so, could you please update your article to include a section of how the devaluation will impact those wanting to make an flight redemption using Amex points.
Thank you
This is sad news for Amex holders. Such a shame that this benefit is going to be heavily devalued!
🙁
I do the same MR → SPG → 1:1 airline partner. Previously to work out how much your MR points were worth (including the 25% transfer bonus) you would calculate this by multiplying your MR points by 0.625. Now you would need to multiply by 0.2777777778 (or multiply by 5, then divide by 18) This is a massive devaluation and having an AMEX is no longer a viable option.
Thanks for a great article.
I have got a few questions to ask:
You have mentioned that the
“Book top-tier Starwood hotels (including all-suite properties) for over 40% off from August
For the first time, all-suite SPG properties like The St. Regis Bora Bora will be bookable at standard rates.”
These will go down to 20,000 star-points (60,000 Marriott points in new currency).
Do you know if its applicable to all category 7 properties ?
This is from SPG website:
PLEASE NOTE: Free Night Awards at the following locations require higher Starpoint redemption amounts either because the hotel does not have standard rooms or the standard rooms it offers have a mandatory Full Board requirement in peak seasons: St. Regis Resort Bora Bora, and Le Méridien Bora Bora, Bora Bora, French Polynesia; W Maldives, Maldives; Sunset Key Guest Cottages, A Westin Resort, Key West, Florida; Mystique, Santorini, Greece; Pine Cliff Residences, Albuferia, Portugal; and Cala Di Volpe, Hotel Pitrizza, and Hotel Romazzino, Porto Cervo, Italy. The minimum number of Starpoints required for a free night at The Resort at Singer Island, a Category 5 property, ranges from 24,000 to 64,000 Starpoints; the minimum number of Starpoints required for a free night at the Pine Cliff Residences, which is a Category 6 hotel, is 40,000 to 100,000 Starpoints; and the minimum number of Starpoints required for a free night at the other listed properties, which are all Category 7 properties, ranges from 60,000 to 140,000 Starpoints depending on the hotel, its category, its room types, the time of year, and/or its mandatory requirements. Redemptions at these hotels must be booked through your local customer contact center.
So I want to ask if the 20,000 Star-points (60,000 in new currency) will be applicable to all the above mentioned properties as well or we don’t have that information as yet ?
Hope to see your reply soon.
Cheers.
Hassan.
Another question in relation to this.
The table you are referring to, I believe the no. of points mentioned there are “the points” which will come in Aug. like 90k points (equivalent to 30k starpoints) for example lets say for Al Maha Dubai resort.
Which is 60,000 points.
Thanks Matt.
The website wasn’t allowing me to comment below your 2nd answer, thats why here.
Another question in relation to this.
For SPG Gold through AMEX platinum charge, they will move onto Gold Elite, with changes as you have mentioned above. Previously as SPG Gold members, we used to get upgrade of hotel rooms if available on arrival- will this still be the case ?
Another question in regards to this.
SPG facebook chat says that for Designer hotels- only standard rooms are available for booking via points-and not the suites- is that true or they don’t have this info yet ?
From your article i got the impression that from Aug- date till undecided till Dec. we could book any category 7 hotels including suits at the rate of 60k new points = 20k starpoints current.
Correct me if i am wrong or i have mis-interpreted something ?
Thanks.
Currently I require 2 MRs to get 1 JAL point. This change means I will require 4.5 MRs to obtain 1 JAL point.
Is this correct?
Thanks
This is disappointing if true and will certainly influence my redemption behaviour and even loyalty. Hilton Gold is better than the future Marriott Gold.
This means they will delete SPG and add Marriott and that will be that – no discussion about whether Marriott members are better or worse off.
This obviously isn’t an official Amex statement, just what I was told when I asked customer service.
Thanks for this article. I am wondering how I should be allocating my points strategy from now one.
I had to cancel all my cards to apply for a home loan where previously I had 600k in KrisFlyer and 500k in Qantas. I have recently redeemed the majority of my points for a trip to Rome business class for a family of four.
As a young family this will be out last big trip for a while and more than likely take domestic trips to NZ, Asia and Domestic. I am thinking maybe my points should now be targeted to maybe Asia Miles (Flight) and SPG (Hotels+Flights). Do you have any advice?
Cheers,
WD
I’m going for a super short honeymoon in August to Fiji. I booked 5 nights at the Sheraton resort in Tokoriki Island (which is a category 5) through SPG. It costed me approx 50,000 points (I used the free night but I also requested the best room). I have the feeling that this booking wasn’t really the most “maximised” way to use my points though. I’m now trying to figure out if there is a valid alternative to it (I need to stay at the Fiji as I already booked my plane tickets).
I have never been a Marriott member before but it seems like that I should start to look at some offers… now, the only Marriott hotel that I can find at the Fiji is the resort is Momi Bay which is shown as category 8 (already?!? My understanding was that they are going to present this category in 2019). The over-water bungalows look quite nice.
Do you guys think that I should book something else (between the Marriott and SPG programs)? I don’t have any status with SPG.
I still have approx 130.000 points in my SPG account.
Thank you so much to anyone able to help me out!
So this is far from basically the same as current. Care to explain?
Thanks
Has Marriott made a decision yet on:
Maximum number of points you can buy per year in the new program?
Maximum number of points you can transfer to other members per year in the new program?
Cost of buying points?
I really hope they continue to allow us to make a points booking without needing to have the points in your account first (as long as you have them in your account 7 days before you stay). It’s really handy to be able to secure a room while you are still waiting for credit card points to transfer over.
Thanks.
You have 20,000 Starpoints now. You can transfer those at 1:1 ratio to, say, KrisFlyer, and receive 25,000 KrisFlyer miles with the bonus.
Come 2019, your 20,000 Starpoints become 60,000 points in the new program because of the 1:3 transfer from Starpoints to Marriott. Your 60,000 points transfer to KrisFlyer at a 3:1 ratio but you also get a 15,000-point bonus, giving you 20,000 KrisFlyer miles + 5,000 bonus miles = 25,000 KrisFlyer miles.
Exactly the same.
Thanks Matt
Anything below 1 AMEX -> 1.5 Spg/MR would be a massive devalution
YES, they will retain that benefit for now and will be transferred over to the Marriott Platinum status come August, but this is not a loophole as you say, it is a stated benefit and Marriott are well aware of it, and doing it cos they don’t wanna disrupt people’s benefits mid-year, so that’s pretty big of them.
However, those who attain Platinum under this scenario will be wound back down to Gold from Feb 2019 and will lose the brekky and lounge (as that is no longer a Gold benefit under the new program). Again, this is something which has been confirmed by Marriott loyalty program head, so people should be well aware of that.
I see a lot of people moaning over losing access to above stated benefit and expect AmEx to somehow compensate this ‘loss’ of benefit. That is hilarious, AmEx never offered Marriott Gold or the benefits that fall under it. Those with the Plat card should be thankful they have had it this good for the last 18 months or so, under the status match offered to them.
Problem is, when you let people have a freebie once, they fall into this ‘entitlement’ mindset and expect it to continue forever. Well tough luck I say to them. Elite statuses are meant for people who actually spend nights and dollars all year around and earn it that way. Why should they have to put up with a bunch of free-loaders intent on gaming the system and crowding lounges for free tipple?
Well done to Marriott for coming up with this new program in a fair and equitable manner. I am SPG Plat (earned it the hard way) and am not happy to see the nights capped at 1, even if I book multiple rooms, but that’s the way it goes. You just have to accept things and move on.
Thanks for this article (and many others you’ve written which have helped me in so many ways)! It’s always great to hear the Australian perspective on the “points and miles” world. However I’d be really interested to hear your perspective on how this change may particularly affect those of us in Aus who transfer Amex Rewards to SPG Starpoints. Do you think we will lose the ability to do this?
My particular case is that I have newly signed up to the DJ’s Amex and was particularly attracted by the high Starpoints earning opportunity at supermarkets and petrol stations – however Marriott is not a transfer partner for the card! If the opportunity to transfer to Starpoints is lost, my ongoing reason to keep the card will also be defunct.
I’m wondering whether to transfer my current balance of Amex Rewards to SPG in the near future, just in case this happens.
Thanks heaps!