Marriott International has completed the long-awaited integration of the three loyalty programmes under its umbrellas.
Marriott Rewards, Ritz-Carlton Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) will now operate under one set of unified benefits and one currency, spanning Marriott’s entire portfolio of 29 brands and more than 6,700 participating properties in 130 countries.
The tie-up was first announced in April and follows Marriott’s 2016 acquisition of Starwood.
Each programme will carry their existing names until early 2019, when Marriott plans to announce a new combined brand name.
Members of each programme will be able to combine their accounts at either Marriott or SPG’s websites and can begin earning and redeeming points across the portfolio. Marriott has also introduced new Elite tiers to help members achieve Elite status faster.
SPG members will receive a new account number to align with the Marriott Rewards system.
Points are earned at different rates depending on the brand of property, and members can earn points on food and beverage, spa and other qualifying incidentals charged to their account as opposed to just the room rate. Blackout dates have been removed for hotels throughout the portfolio.
Members also have access to exclusive rates and free wifi when booking through direct digital and mobile channels. The mobile app also offers check-in and check-out, as well as member alerts when their room is ready, while members can chat with hotel staff through the Mobile Requests messaging service.
David Flueck, senior vice president of global loyalty at Marriott International, commented: “This is an exciting time for our loyalty members, who now have endless inspiration to travel and experience the world to create memories that will last a lifetime. We merged the incredible earning and redeeming power of Marriott Rewards with the phenomenal Elite benefits of SPG to create one of the richest travel loyalty programmes with the most extraordinary global portfolio of hotels – from overwater bungalows, to mountainside ski resorts, to iconic urban landmarks.”
marriott.com; spg.com