Marriott Confirms Date for New Program and Award Chart Launch
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:
- SPG balances will be multiplied by 3
- The new combined award chart will become available
- New elite status tiers and benefits kick in immediately
- Elite-qualifying nights will be combined
- Lifetime-qualifying nights and years will be combined
- Stays can be booked at all 6,500+ hotels through any website, app or reservations line
- New earning rates kick in:
- 10 points per US $1 on qualifying charges at most hotels
- 5 points per US $1 at Element, Residence Inn and TownePlace Suites
- 2.5 points per US $1 at Marriott Executive Apartments and ExecuStay
- A new SPG app will launch with the same functionality as the current Marriott app
- Both apps will support keyless room access at all participating hotels
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.
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.
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:
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.