Marriott Announces Conversion Chart for Travel Package Certificates
One of the biggest outstanding questions of the Marriott/SPG/Ritz integration has now been answered. The company has officially announced how existing travel certificates from Hotel + Air packages issued before today (August 18) will convert in the new program. Let's dive right in:
| Brand | Existing Certificate | Converted Certificate (valid across combined Marriott/SPG/Ritz portfolio) |
|---|---|---|
Marriott | Category 1-5 | Category 1-4 |
Marriott | Category 6 | Category 1-4 |
Marriott | Category 7 | Category 5 |
Marriott | Category 8 | Category 5 |
Marriott | Category 9 | Category 6 |
Ritz-Carlton | Tier 1-3 | Category 6 |
Ritz-Carlton | Tier 4-5 | Category 7 |
As you can see, these all exactly match my predictions (the conservative set) from earlier in the week. While I know many members were hoping for a more generous conversion rate, I do think these are fair. As I noted in that earlier story, the vast majority of hotels at the old levels were sticking around at my predicted (and now confirmed) levels. In addition, certificate holders are gaining access to many additional SPG properties.
Also, keep in mind that Category 8 pricing doesn't go into effect until 2019, and a Marriott spokesperson confirmed that old Tier 4-5 certificates (which are now new Category 7 certificates) can be used at any top-tier property in the combined program until Category 8 pricing goes live. Since this gives you a window of at least four months to lock in these stays, I think this is a fair compromise.
Finally, it's worth noting that this new rates will not cross over to other categories when peak/off-peak pricing goes into effect in 2019. Marriott has confirmed that a certificate valid at a Category 6 property will only be valid at Category 6 properties, even though peak pricing for those hotels (60,000 points per night) is the same as standard pricing for Category 7 hotels.
My main complaint is that this information wasn't communicated ahead of time. While I've been crystal clear in my recommendations for what to do with these certificates, I know that many were taking a "wait-and-see" approach, holding out hope for a generous conversion rate. Given that these are converting at a relatively conservative level, why didn't Marriott just announce it ahead of time to allow its customers to make a fully informed decision?
If you did decide to hold off on attaching your certificates to a Marriott hotel, just a reminder that a month-long blackout period for using these certificates is now in effect. You won't be able to make any new reservations until September 18, and while Marriott has indicated that simply canceling a reservation with a certificate between now and then is doable, you won't be able to change a reservation with a certificate until then.
I sincerely hope that many of you took my advice and attached these certificates to a hotel before today, as these conversion rates don't really offer any sort of "windfall" for any certificate holders. However, if you're not thrilled with the hotel you've booked and want to change your reservation to a legacy Starwood hotel starting September 18, a Marriott spokesperson has confirmed that you'll be able to do just that.
We'll continue to update all our coverage of the new Marriott program throughout the weekend and into next week as more of the integration goes live. You can also watch the answers to some of the most common questions about the new Marriott program from TPG's Senior Points & Miles Editors, and be sure to follow us on Facebook or Twitter for up-to-the-minute information!
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- 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.
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- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.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.