SPG Marriott Unification

[blondietink]

How do you even know how old the points are? I’ve never had an issue with points expiring.


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If you call them to use your points instead of booking online, they can tell you which points are expiring and when if you ask.

 

[molly32]

The biggest mystery is how the SPG options will transfer to Marriott points. I own 81,000 options with the ability to covert to 42,000 SPG points. So my question is how many Marriott points for my ownership convert to ?? Anyone call services today and ask!!!?

If they do not offer 3 to 1 conversion it’s going to be a s$&t show.

After augustby the way our AMEXSPG for each dollar spent will give you 2 Marriott points

I called today -April 18th- and asked about the starpoint conversion and was told it will be a one time conversion of 3-1 and after that we are apparently out of luck. I mentioned a possible class-action lawsuit because that was the reason we bought in and will not be happy if that isn't addressed.

 

[gravitar]

I called today -April 18th- and asked about the starpoint conversion and was told it will be a one time conversion of 3-1 and after that we are apparently out of luck. I mentioned a possible class-action lawsuit because that was the reason we bought in and will not be happy if that isn't addressed.

HUCA!

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[VacationForever]

I called today -April 18th- and asked about the starpoint conversion and was told it will be a one time conversion of 3-1 and after that we are apparently out of luck. I mentioned a possible class-action lawsuit because that was the reason we bought in and will not be happy if that isn't addressed.

It is very apparent to me when I read that after August 1st, all Starpoint will automatically be converted to 3X in the new point system.

 

[NNerland]

Thanks for posting the FAQ from Vistana
https://www.vistana.com/news-faq

It appears for 5* who get Platinum there are two small changes - one indifferent and one improved benefit...if my interpretation is correct.

We lose the 72 hour room guarantee - downgrade
5 Suite Night Awards vs OLD required 50 nights to get 10 awards -- upgrade?
** we get 5 with our status match OR a gift choice

Also from another message from the Head of the Program - he seemed to indicate we will get points for Spa and other onsite spend we haven't in the past.

My major disappointment or frustration comes from earning Elite NIGHTS on more than 1 room. When traveling as a family and getting 2 rooms, it is frustrating to only get 1 rooms credit. However, if we do get 5 SNA's for our new 5* match, I am less worried about it. I always shot for 50 to get those 10 nights. Now you need 75 and with only one room credit would be impossible. If our agreement gives us 5 nights - well that is a good meet in the middle. IMO Suites should be potentially easier as they only release 5 at 50 and another 5 at 75....that would weed out the pool I would guess. But again, this is all based on my reading of the chart stating we get a choice of 5 SNA or Gift.

Also under SPG Platinum's used to earn 3 points per $ spent -- which would be 9 in this system. It will now be 15 points, plus more earning from what I understand (spa, etc)

The AMEX Downgrade from 3 in the system to 2 is a bummer. But I did hear an interesting stat (true or not) that if you traditionally spent 35,000 or less you are actually earning more on the new card as they will now give you 1 free night (up to 35,000 point property). I understand it is 35,000 less for Airline transfers and such...but if you use for hotels (like I do most often) then this is kind of a wash. I can get double on my spend (still) and a free night...so I actually come out ahead as I used primarily to pay dues, for hotels, etc.

My fingers are crossed on the 5 nights SNA that is always a nice bonus for my wife and I our our special trips.

 

[VacationForever]

Thanks for posting the FAQ from Vistana
https://www.vistana.com/news-faq

It appears for 5* who get Platinum there are two small changes - one indifferent and one improved benefit...if my interpretation is correct.

We lose the 72 hour room guarantee - downgrade
5 Suite Night Awards vs OLD required 50 nights to get 10 awards -- upgrade?
** we get 5 with our status match OR a gift choice

Also from another message from the Head of the Program - he seemed to indicate we will get points for Spa and other onsite spend we haven't in the past.

My major disappointment or frustration comes from earning Elite NIGHTS on more than 1 room. When traveling as a family and getting 2 rooms, it is frustrating to only get 1 rooms credit. However, if we do get 5 SNA's for our new 5* match, I am less worried about it. I always shot for 50 to get those 10 nights. Now you need 75 and with only one room credit would be impossible. If our agreement gives us 5 nights - well that is a good meet in the middle. IMO Suites should be potentially easier as they only release 5 at 50 and another 5 at 75....that would weed out the pool I would guess. But again, this is all based on my reading of the chart stating we get a choice of 5 SNA or Gift.

Also under SPG Platinum's used to earn 3 points per $ spent -- which would be 9 in this system. It will now be 15 points, plus more earning from what I understand (spa, etc)

The AMEX Downgrade from 3 in the system to 2 is a bummer. But I did hear an interesting stat (true or not) that if you traditionally spent 35,000 or less you are actually earning more on the new card as they will now give you 1 free night (up to 35,000 point property). I understand it is 35,000 less for Airline transfers and such...but if you use for hotels (like I do most often) then this is kind of a wash. I can get double on my spend (still) and a free night...so I actually come out ahead as I used primarily to pay dues, for hotels, etc.

My fingers are crossed on the 5 nights SNA that is always a nice bonus for my wife and I our our special trips.

The way I read is that you need to reach 50 or 75 nights per year before you get the 5 suite award nights at each milestone. Being Platinum gets you possibility of upgrade only.

 

[NNerland]

The way I read it is below from the Vistana site -- however I would agree 100% if you read "Platinum Elite" on the Marriott Definitions it states this is an earned reward at 50 nights. My interpertation is that this was negotiated and we would have an annual choice of those 5, perhaps to make up for what we lost??? Just guessing; but I agree on the definition of qualifying through earn on Marriott is slightly different that what they are telling us is our New August Platinum Elite Definition.

ARE PLATINUM PREFERRED LEVEL BENEFITS CHANGING?

• Please see comparison chart below:
  CURRENT: PLATINUM PREFERRED AUGUST: PLATINUM ELITE
  Stay qualifier waived for 5 Star Elite VSN members Stay qualifier waived for 5 Star Elite VSN members
  50% bonus earning (bonus on earned points) 50% bonus earning (bonus on earned points)
  Enhanced Room Upgrade when available, Including standard suites Enhanced Room Upgrade when available, including standard suites
  72-hour guarantee No longer available
  Arrival gift of points, breakfast or amenity Arrival gift of up to 500/1000 points or breakfast or amenity (varies by brand, some exclusions apply)
  Lounge Access Lounge Access
  No Blackout Dates No Blackout Dates
  P50 Choice: Suite Night Award (SNA) or gift option Annual choice option (5 SNAs or gift option)
  Enhanced Wi-Fi Enhanced Wi-Fi
  4 p.m. check-out 4 p.m. check-out
  

 

[NNerland]

Sorry the above to squished together -- had it spaced out per the table on the website.......

 

[travelfam18]

Does this mean anything to an owner of a resale at a voluntary resort?? It doesn’t seem to but I could be wrong.

 

[duke]

The way I read it is below from the Vistana site
ARE PLATINUM PREFERRED LEVEL BENEFITS CHANGING?

• Please see comparison chart below:
  CURRENT: PLATINUM PREFERRED AUGUST: PLATINUM ELITE
  Stay qualifier waived for 5 Star Elite VSN members Stay qualifier waived for 5 Star Elite VSN members

Agree: THIS IS GREAT! Number of stays are waived. We get 5 SuiteNightAwards.
WOW, Quite an IMPROVED benefit for 5*Elite.

 

[VacationForever]

The way I read it is below from the Vistana site -- however I would agree 100% if you read "Platinum Elite" on the Marriott Definitions it states this is an earned reward at 50 nights. My interpertation is that this was negotiated and we would have an annual choice of those 5, perhaps to make up for what we lost??? Just guessing; but I agree on the definition of qualifying through earn on Marriott is slightly different that what they are telling us is our New August Platinum Elite Definition.

ARE PLATINUM PREFERRED LEVEL BENEFITS CHANGING?

• Please see comparison chart below:
  CURRENT: PLATINUM PREFERRED AUGUST: PLATINUM ELITE
  Stay qualifier waived for 5 Star Elite VSN members Stay qualifier waived for 5 Star Elite VSN members
  50% bonus earning (bonus on earned points) 50% bonus earning (bonus on earned points)
  Enhanced Room Upgrade when available, Including standard suites Enhanced Room Upgrade when available, including standard suites
  72-hour guarantee No longer available
  Arrival gift of points, breakfast or amenity Arrival gift of up to 500/1000 points or breakfast or amenity (varies by brand, some exclusions apply)
  Lounge Access Lounge Access
  No Blackout Dates No Blackout Dates
  P50 Choice: Suite Night Award (SNA) or gift option Annual choice option (5 SNAs or gift option)
  Enhanced Wi-Fi Enhanced Wi-Fi
  4 p.m. check-out 4 p.m. check-out

I see what you mean. Platinum through Vistana 5 star elite does not require 50 nights stay to qualify for 5 nights suite awards.

 

[VacationForever]

Does this mean anything to an owner of a resale at a voluntary resort?? It doesn’t seem to but I could be wrong.

No change to Vistana voluntary owner as far as Vistana elite perks go, but you still get the new points earnings table for spendings, the multiplier being dependent of your Elite status in however you have acquired. For instance if you get Platinum through Marriott, that status gives greater bonuses on Vistana/Marriott spendings.

 

[molly32]

I called today -April 18th- and asked about the starpoint conversion and was told it will be a one time conversion of 3-1 and after that we are apparently out of luck. I mentioned a possible class-action lawsuit because that was the reason we bought in and will not be happy if that isn't addressed.

Now we just got an email saying they will do a one time conversion of current points and going forward they will do a 3-1 from here on out. I must not have been the only one to complain...

 

[duke]

Can you please direct me to where on the Marriott site it shows 5*Elite and therefore Platinum gets SuiteNightAwards? I am 5*Elite and Platinum but I don't see it.

 

[KevSki]

Can you please direct me to where on the Marriott site it shows 5*Elite and therefore Platinum gets SuiteNightAwards? I am 5*Elite and Platinum but I don't see it.

It’s in the FAQ on Vistana’s website.

 

[dioxide45]

Can you please direct me to where on the Marriott site it shows 5*Elite and therefore Platinum gets SuiteNightAwards? I am 5*Elite and Platinum but I don't see it.

It is listed in the chart here. Though we don't know if ownership based status gets Suite Night Awards as there is a caveat also listed "Awarded with 50 qualifying nights". You may not get the Suite Night Awards if you don't actually get to the required nights each year.

Edited to add: I stand corrected on the above as I see this in the Vistana FAQ linked above "Stay qualifier waived for 5 Star Elite VSN members"

 

[duke]

"Stay qualifier waived for 5 Star Elite VSN members"

Yes I see it but Not sure what it actually means.
Does it mean - Stay qualifier waived to get Platinum or waived for the 50 night requirement too?
When I go to the SPG web site it says I am Platinum but when I click on to get my 50 night bonus it says I am not eligible.
Please advise?

 

[VacationForever]

Yes I see it but Not sure what it actually means.
Does it mean - Stay qualifier waived to get Platinum or waived for the 50 night requirement too?
When I go to the SPG web site it says I am Platinum but when I click on to get my 50 night bonus it says I am not eligible.
Please advise?

It is not yet August 2018.

 

[vistana101]

Unfortunately, nothing about timeshare nights counting towards status

 

[VacationForever]

Unfortunately, nothing about timeshare nights counting towards status

You mean in future for Vistana? It has not counted up till now. Is it stated somewhere that it continues to be so in the future? As you may know, up to this point in time, stays at Marriott resorts count towards status.

 

[dioxide45]

Yes I see it but Not sure what it actually means.
Does it mean - Stay qualifier waived to get Platinum or waived for the 50 night requirement too?
When I go to the SPG web site it says I am Platinum but when I click on to get my 50 night bonus it says I am not eligible.
Please advise?

I think it means you don't need to actually stay the 50 nights to get the 5 Suite Night Awards. The program officially doesn't change until August 1, so you may have those Suite Night Awards after that date.

 

[Ken555]

Did I read correctly that there will no longer be a free 5th night at hotels using points? If so, that's another reduction of benefits for me... along with the 33% reduction in credit card earnings, this program may well be out of the running for me. Most of my SP stays are 5-nights for this benefit.

 

[sb2313]

Did I read correctly that there will no longer be a free 5th night at hotels using points? If so, that's another reduction of benefits for me... along with the 33% reduction in credit card earnings, this program may well be out of the running for me. Most of my SP stays are 5-nights for this benefit.

I believe that it’s been confirmed the fifth night free stays. I’ll have to find the article again as I’ve read so many last couple of days, but I’m 99% sure it stays.

 

[Ken555]

I believe that it’s been confirmed the fifth night free stays. I’ll have to find the article again as I’ve read so many last couple of days, but I’m 99% sure it stays.

Excellent. Thanks for posting.

 

[rog2867]

so are we saying here that if I convert my week to points going forward I get 3x the points so in essence it really just stays the same?