Eligible SPG Members Now Have Lifetime Marriott Platinum Premier Perks
While many Marriott members have experienced some frustration following the merger, at least one group of former SPG elites likely woke up to a very pleasant upgrade today: Lifetime Platinum Premier Elite status (soon to be Bonvoy Titanium Elite).
2018 was actually the final year Marriott offered Platinum Premier for life, and certain SPG members were grandfathered in. According to the chain:
"Members who reach 750 nights and 10 years at Platinum by December 31, 2018, will be grandfathered into Lifetime Platinum Premier Elite status (notified January 2019). In addition, members that achieve Marriott Rewards Lifetime Platinum under the legacy requirements by year end will also be grandfathered into Lifetime Platinum Premier Elite status. And don't forget that we'll combine Lifetime activity across both Rewards and SPG toward qualification when members combine accounts. Beginning in 2019, qualification into Lifetime Platinum Premier Elite status will not be available."
Marriott has confirmed that eligible accounts have now been upgraded — if you see Lifetime Platinum Premier Elite reflected in your profile online or via the SPG or Marriott Rewards apps, you should be good to go with Lifetime Bonvoy Titanium once that launches next month.
I, for one, made an extra push at the end of 2018 to hit that 750-night requirement, finishing the year with 755 (my stats below reflect the six nights I've stayed so far this year).
Lifetime Platinum Premier members are eligible for standard Platinum benefits, including suite upgrades, complimentary enhanced Wi-Fi, breakfast at many hotels and lounge access. Additionally, members earn a 75% points bonus and are eligible for Marriott's "48-Hour Guaranteed Availability" program, allowing them to always book a paid room at most sold out hotels, except over blackout periods, such as during "special events."
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Choose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.