Marriott now has added information regarding their acquisition of SPG to their website (and also SPG’s website here). You can link your accounts by using this link. I’d recommend reading the F.A.Q in full, but here are some key points most people will want to know:
- You can transfer SPG points to Marriott points at a rate of 1:3, additionally you can also transfer Marriott rewards points to SPG at a rate of 3:1
- Must transfer in increments of 1,000
- Can transfer up to your full balance
- Transfers are instant
- Can only transfer points between your own accounts
- Cannot transfer points earned through Vistana Signature Experiences or Marriott Vacation Club
- Transfers don’t qualify as activity for points expiration
- Elite night stay credits cannot be transfered
- They don’t anticipate the two programs will be combined before 2018 and will communicate any updates
- Status match will take your highest status within the three programs (Marriott Rewards, Ritz Carlton Rewards or SPG) and apply that to all three of your linked accounts. Full table can be viewed below
- Stays in one program will not count towards elite status at another
Our Verdict
Overall I’m pretty happy with these changes, I like that points can be transferred both ways. It would be awesome if you could combine stays with all three loyalty programs to get status with one, but that’s probably a bit too difficult to work out until the programs are actually fully combined. I’m sure people will find a lot of things to complain about, but I think all things considered they have done a pretty good job here.
Marriott cards become a bit more interesting for me personally as I can convert those points to SPG. I’ll have a round up of those options soon.
Hat tip to reader @tvvitteryid
So what about transferring Marriott points to spg and transferring 20k of those to an airline program? I assume you can still do that and get the extra 5k point kicker?
Correct
I wasn’t sure which post to put this under. We finally have a shopping portal for star points via the Marriott portal.
Yup, that’s true!
Any idea if this transfer ratio and capability of to-fro transfer between spg and marriott rewards is going to last until the end of this year? I plan to do the transfer at the end of the year when I can make a redemption for nights and flight package on marriott.
I believe it will last until the programs are merged, there is always the possibility they will remove it though
do transfers from SPG to marriott count towards lifetime marriott statuses?
Don’t think so
No. Until 2018 the programs are separate.
Well, this makes it “easier” to transfer points between family members at Marriott. Just transfer them from the spouse’s Marriott account to her SPG, then from there to your SPG, then from there to your Marriott account. No need to make a reservation and cancel it. Of course only works in blocks of 3,000 Marriott points I guess…
I have a Marriott 7 night flight & hotel package in cat 7. Does anyone know if it could be used @ a SPG property?
No unfortunately not according to the FAQ
Any thoughts on whether we should link now or wait a bit thinking that they may offer a bonus to link your accounts?
If you don’t need to link your accounts (e.g need to transfer points or match status) i’d personally wait.
Good reason to get a Chase Marriott card now, then transfer the points.
I’m pleasantly surprised by this outcome. I figure for sure they were planning to seriously hose SPG folks on the xfer rate. Rewards program people like to way over hype the value of their points and won’t admit outside speculative assessments. I guess that whole press leak about how incredibly nervous they were combining these loyalty programs helped bring some serious analysis to this decision.