Hotel Changes Coming

Big Changes Are Coming for Marriott Customers This Year — Here’s What You Can Expect

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TALIA AVAKIAN

Marriott International is now offering a slew of new perks for members of its rewards program to make it easier to take advantage of benefits that range from free stays and discounted packages to exclusive amenities.

From a more seamless way to integrate and combine rewards points to new experiences and ways to make your stay easier once you arrive at your hotel, here are the changes you can expect.


Unified Rewards Program: 

Starting in August, members of Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards, and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) programs will have one unified option to look forward to.

This will give members the chance to book stays and earn points across the 29 different brands and 6,500 hotels that make up the program, ranging from boutique properties and extended stay accommodations to select service and luxury hotels.

Members will be able to earn an average of 20 percent more points for every dollar they spend under the new program with added points for money spent on food, drinks, and room incidentals. The program will also shorten the length of stays required for travelers looking to earn elite status.

Starting in August, members will only need to stay 10 nights (as opposed to 10-49 nights) to earn Silver Elite status. Perks include free Wi-Fi and no blackout dates. Gold Elite Status, which includes guaranteed room type, complimentary upgrades, and late checkout, will be earned after 25 nights as opposed to 50-74. And Platinum Elite status, which gives you a 50-percent bonus on rewards points, gifts upon arrival, and 48-hour guaranteed availability, will require 50 nights as opposed to 75.

None of the programs will have blackout dates and all will operate under a single currency, making it simpler to transfer your points and earn additional points.

For example, SPG members will be able to triple their points balance when they combine them into the new program starting in August, while all members can earn 10 points for every dollar spent at all brands except for Resident Inn, TownPlace Suites, and Elements, where they’ll earn five points for every dollar they spend.

Customers will be able to book through both Marriott’s and SPG’s websites, as well as through each of the brand’s mobile apps, which will also have new features that allow you to get room alerts, chat with hotel staff, and open your room door with your phone.

New Credit Cards: 

The brands will also unveil two new credit cards, the Chase Marriott Rewards Premiere Plus Credit Card and the Starwood Preferred Guest American Express Luxury Card.

Most of the perks will look the same for customers, with Marriott’s card providing six points per dollar spent at participating hotels and two points per dollar on other eligible purchases, in addition to a free night’s stay that amounts to up to 35,000 points.

The Starwood card provides you with three points per dollar spent on flights and restaurants, two points on other eligible purchases, an automatic upgrade to Gold Elite status, $100 for Global Entry, and a free night award of up to 50,000 points.

New Experiences: 

Travelers will now be able to purchase 110,000 new experiences coming to Marriott’s Moments with a credit card, regardless of whether or not they are a member of the rewards program.

These experiences will rage from adrenaline-pumping activities like shark diving to destination tours and tickets to popular attractions.

Meanwhile, Marriott is also adding 10,000 new Moments that will be exclusively for its rewards members and redeemable with points. These include everything from VIP experiences like meet and greets with Jared Leto, a food tour of New York City with chef Daniel Boulud, behind-the-scenes access to Keith Urban’s upcoming tour, and master classes with the likes of Formula One racer Lewis Hamilton.