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https://www.doctorofcredit.com/marriott-spg-programs-will-not-merge-2018-mostly-minor-changes-2018/
Have to say this is good news for a lot of people on here especially if we won't hear any official news about it til 2019 at the earliest. Have yet to get this email myself which is why I'm sharing it on the board.
Awesome!!!!
I haven’t received anything either yet!
Added: I read somewhere that Amex and SPG’s contract was valid till 2020. I wonder if that’s another reason why no big changes.
I’m more worried about this then I am the merger with SPG because I’m not able to get back in with American Express.
I guess the real good news for readers of this site is that this would surely mean that both American Express & Chase co-branded cards will be continued to be offered into at least 2019, unless the rumored card launches earlier than the full merger and I just don’t see that happening.
Since I have the SPG Amex business and not yet the pesronal SPG. Suppose once the 35k personal offer omes around I will be opening that as well to get another fat bonus and some nice free stays at either SPG or Marriott properties for spending I would do regarless.. Last time got a 2 night stay in suite for 90k points at the cosmo where room rates were 800+ a night for a total of 1600+.. Not a bad return
I got the email from both Starwood and Marriott earlier today. Yeah, TPG interviewed the head of Marriott Rewards this summer and the official word was "no changes through the end of 2018," so I'm happy that that part is not changing at least (unless things got better sooner, of course). A little bit of a mixed bag as far as actual news goes. I'm not Platinum or higher, so the rest of the announcements are pretty much a non-issue for me at this point as I'll just barely miss hitting that this year by a mere 60 nights.
@CreditCuriosity that's exactly why I so love the current way that Marriott/SPG is working. My last two redemptions were for Category 9 rooms at peak demand that were going for well over $1k a night - mix that with a free 5th night and the redemption value can be insane!
My hopes are for Amex to get the Marriott account and have earnings like the current SPG card; changing the SPG and Marriott Premier to a mid-tier $100ish card would be rather seamless. My dream is of course for a $450 (or higher; I don't care as long as the value is there) top tier card that comes with Platinum Elite status like their new Hilton.
I still am under the belief Amex will not let the SPG go without a mighty fight. I bet they are doing everything in their power to either keep the card or possibly even get the Chase portfolio of cards. Chase bar none has the best award cards out their and own the market IMO on sign-up bonuses and cards. They could stand to lose the Marriott and be as profitable as ever lol with their normal branded cards or on of 20 co-branded cards they have lol(20 might be a bit high, but get my idea)
Starwood email if anyone cares to see it:
Marriott email if anyone wants to see it:
@Justagirl73 wrote:Awesome!!!!
I haven’t received anything either yet!
Added: I read somewhere that Amex and SPG’s contract was valid till 2020. I wonder if that’s another reason why no big changes.
I don't think that's as much an obstacle the further along we get with this. I would assume a buyout would take place if anything is planned for 2019 but I'm in the camp like CreditCuriosity that Chase/AMEX want to keep their respective brands/cards as is because the bidding war to be sole proprietor for the whole portfolio is too much money to get away from unless that's what Marriott wants. Now, as 2019 comes and goes the longer nothing on the SPG end is announced the more interesting this is gonna get.