Marriott/SPG Merger Finalized - Instant Status Match

[wasCB14]

---

@jsucool76 wrote:

---

@plastic_man wrote:

---

@wasCB14 wrote:

---

@plastic_man wrote:

So , in my case , I have the Marriott card , Ritz and SPG from AMEX . 

It  makes no sense to keep using my Marriott and Ritz cards . I'll just use SPG for everyday spending and transfer points to Marriott if needed .

Or AM I missing something ?

---

From the perspective of earning points, SPG Amex is the way to go.

But are you dependent on Marriott or Ritz card spending to maintain your elite status?

---

I just need to spend $10k on Ritz to keep Gold . But after that it makes more sense to just use the SPG .

Or I can get SPG gold through AMEX platinum and subsequently get Marriott Gold with the merger . ( But I will probably cancel amex platinum anyway by the middle of next year , so I still need to spend $10k w/ the Ritz card )  

---

I was gonna cancel my amex plat, but they gave me a $200 statement credit to keep it, so I did. haha. $50 annual fee after the airline credit. Worth it. That's one centurion lounge visit. 

---

Annual spend on Platinum?

And did you explicitly ask them to close it before you got the offer, or you just made a general inquiry as to whether you could get a retention offer?

I use the Cent lounge at SFO fairly often, and I'd probably be willing to pay the full AF, so I'm uneasy about the possibility of them calling my bluff.

[Anonymous]

I personally do not like Marriott hotels at all  (love Westin and W hotels through SPG, but have zero interest in staying in a Marriott hotel),  and am concerned that Marriott will eventually devalue the SPG points program, which is worth much more than the Marriott one.

Guess we will have to wait and see what happens. Thanks OP for providing the link and information.

[Anonymous]

My only concern is there will be fewer and fewer gold or platinum upgrades. I as a marriott/Ritz-Carlton platinum member will enjoy having more highend hotels to use like St Regis and the W.
However i wonder come next year if marriott will scrap the 2 party system and bring all the hotels into one tent.
If i am standing at lets say the W hotel and a gold SPG member that has stayed 30 nights is standing there why should I as having no stays EVER be given the better room at this point. It just doesnt seem fair.
But as i said im happy to have more choices i just hope they get the points system done the right way.