SPG Lifetime Platinums Can Now Lock in Top-Tier Lifetime Platinum Premier Status

May 09, 2018

•

4 min read

SPG Lifetime Platinums Can Now Lock in Top-Tier Lifetime Platinum Premier Status

The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

Today brings some fantastic news for the newly combined Marriott and SPG program. In a move designed to recognize the two chains' most loyal members, you're now able to earn Lifetime Platinum Premier Elite status in an additional way: by having 750 nights and 10 or more years of Platinum status by the end of 2018. This greatly expands the ability to reach Lifetime Platinum Premier, a status level that will only be available through the end of this year.

Full details on this change are available on the program's FAQ page, but there are three key subgroups of travelers who stand to benefit from this update:

Current SPG Lifetime Platinum members: One of the most vocal groups since the new program's announcement was long-time SPG Platinum members. They felt like second-class citizens by being matched solely to Lifetime Platinum, while current Marriott Lifetime Platinums would enjoy Lifetime Platinum Premier Elite. With this announcement, a current SPG Lifetime Platinum member with 750 or more nights will now be Lifetime Platinum Premier Elite.
Marriott members with 750+ lifetime nights but less than 2 million points: The other big group to benefit is those Marriott members who were close to Lifetime Platinum in the Marriott Rewards program. Under the current criteria, you qualify for Marriott Lifetime Platinum with 750 nights and 2 million points. With this change, the program is essentially softening that by replacing one of the criteria: instead of 2 million points, you need 10 or more years of Platinum status. If you've been Platinum for years and have completed 750 nights but wouldn't have reached the 2 million point threshold, you're now eligible for Lifetime Platinum Premier Elite.
Current members of both programs with significant nights/elite status tenure(s): After initially receiving different information, we've since received confirmation from a Marriott representative that this new qualification method will look at combined activity across both programs once you combine your accounts in August. As a result, if you've already hit the 750-night threshold with a combined 10+ years of Platinum status across the two programs (or are able to reach those two thresholds based on your combined activity by December 31, 2018), you'll enjoy Lifetime Platinum Premier Elite status.

For this last group, here's the example our Marriott representative provided TPG:

"If by 12/31/18 a member has five years Platinum with SPG and 250 nights, and five years Platinum with Marriott Rewards and 500 nights, they qualify [for Lifetime Platinum Premier Elite status]."

In summary, there are four ways to earn Lifetime Platinum Premier Elite status:

Be a current Marriott Rewards Lifetime Platinum member
Reach the current Marriott Rewards Lifetime Platinum requirements by December 31, 2018 (750 nights + 2 million points)
Be a current SPG Lifetime Platinum with 750 or more nights
Reach a combined total of 750 nights and 10+ years of Platinum status across the two programs by December 31, 2018

Bottom Line

There's no debating that the integration of Marriott Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest was a massive undertaking, and the new elite status tiers did a solid job of rewarding loyal travelers from both programs. However, it didn't make everyone happy, and this update is a very positive step toward addressing that concern. Many Lifetime SPG Platinum members will now have the same lifetime status as their Marriott brethren, and those members just short of qualifying for Marriott Lifetime Platinum will now have an additional way to snag this top-level status.

Daily Newsletter

Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter

Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts

Just be sure to plan your nights carefully over the rest of the year, since Lifetime Platinum Premier will no longer be available for new members as of 2019.

This story has been updated to note that combined activity across both programs will be used to determine qualification for Lifetime Platinum Premier Elite status through the end of 2018.

TPG featured card

American Express® Gold Card

4 / 5

Go to review

Apply now

at American Express's secure site

Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.

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.
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.

Intro offer

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

Annual fee

$325

Regular APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Recommended credit

Excellent to Good

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.