Easy SPG Marriott Rewards Status Match and high points transfer

Marriott recently announced their plans for merging Starwood Preferred Guest and Marriott Rewards, following their merger. Although the SPG program will continue until at least 2018, it’s now possible to link both accounts and receive an SPG Marriott Rewards Status Match.

How to link Starwood Preferred Guest, Marriot Rewards and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards

Although The Ritz-Carlton Rewards used to be a separate loyalty program, Marriott has also announced details of how to link those accounts also.

Here is the link to the sign-up page to link all three accounts

Simply select the loyalty program you want to link from – in this case, SPG – and you will be taken the relevant sign-up page.

Why you should link SPG and Marriott Rewards accounts

Instant SPG Marriott Rewards Status Match

As soon as you complete your linking of accounts, you will receive a Status Match in Marriott Rewards of your SPG status.

As an SPG Platinum, I instantly was matched to become a Platinum Elite in Marriott Rewards

In a later post, we will look at the Platinum Elite benefits and Marriott Rewards a little closer.

3:1 Points Transfer from SPG to Marriott Rewards

In addition to a Status Match, points are instantly transferable between the programs. SPG Starpoints to Marriott Rewards points transfer at a rate of 3:1, so for every

SPG Starpoints to Marriott Rewards points transfer at a rate of 3:1, so for every Starpoint you will receive 3 Marriott Rewards points.

Whilst this seems a favourable rate for conversion, we will have a closer look at redemption opportunities and rates in a future article.

Increased earning and redemption opportunities

With the merger of two large hotel loyalty programs and the inclusion of The Ritz-Carlton, redemption and earning opportunities have increased enormously.

Now there are over 5,500 hotels from over 100 countries in one merged loyalty program – which can only be good news.

Have you linked your SPG and Marriott Rewards account yet? What do you think of the merger?

We'd love to hear from you, using the comments below