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Marriott Confirms Date for New Program and Award Chart Launch

July 25, 2018
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4 min read
Marriott-Waikoloa
Marriott Confirms Date for New Program and Award Chart Launch
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Mark your calendars for August 18! That's the date Marriott's new combined loyalty program will launch, and when you'll finally be able to book award stays at the new redemption rates.

To recap, here's what's changing when Marriott flips the switch:

While benefits will be identical, customers can choose to maintain either an SPG, Marriott Rewards or Ritz-Carlton account — for now. If you choose SPG, you'll be issued a new nine-digit number, while Marriott or Ritz members will either keep the number they're currently assigned, or be issued a new one if necessary — Marriott and Ritz members will receive an email or phone call with a new number, should one need to be assigned.

The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne in Miami, Florida. (Photo courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami)

Regardless of which program you choose to maintain for the rest of the year, you'll be migrated to the new combined loyalty program in 2019 — if you already have a Marriott account today, I'd pick that one, since there's a much better chance you'll be able to hang on to your existing account number. Your password should remain the same regardless of which account you select.

Marriott chose to launch the new program on a Saturday to minimize the impact on customers — the entire chain's websites and apps will be down at times, while award redemptions will be unavailable for much of the day. While even paid reservations will occasionally be unavailable, it should be possible to make a credit card booking later in the day. If you anticipate needing to book on the 18th, be sure to make your reservation at least a day in advance.

Marriott will make exceptions for customers inconvenienced by the downtime, however — for example, if the reservations system is unavailable leading up to a booking cancellation deadline, you should be able to have a change or cancellation fee waived as long as you contact Marriott once the system is back up and running. Still, I'd plan to make changes before the 18th, if at all possible.

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Additionally, since elite-qualifying nights will be combined on the 18th, many members will have their accounts bumped up to a higher tier. If you happen to reach a new elite level during a stay as a result, your new benefits should be available after the 18th — just be sure to ask the front desk to update your reservation, and add benefits like free breakfast, lounge access and upgrades, if available.

For more on what to expect from the program merger, see:

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Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.