Starwood scraps deal with Marriott

[Open123]

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@Closingracer99 wrote:

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@Open123 wrote:

Guys, just curious?

Money's green, why would it matter if Starwoods is owned by the Chinese?  Or, even African, Middle Easter, European, or Martian?  So long as they leave the current management and employees in place.

I mean, not as if there's National Security involved.

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It's the Chinese... Personally I would never trust them with security. Same reason why I would never buy a device that is made by a chinese company ( The company that is chinese )

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Sure, I agree completely when it comes to national security and many products, but a hotel? 

[redpat]

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@Open123 wrote:

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@redpat wrote:

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@Open123 wrote:

Awesome!

I couldn't care less who buys Starwood, just don't mess with (1) my lifetime Plat status, and (2) the SPG program.  For now, reallocate all non-general spend to my SPG card!

Really wish I could app for the 35K bonus!

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Traitor, LOL!

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LOL...Hey, when it comes to my checkbook, all bets are off!

Jokes aside, this offers some sembalance of hope for the following: 

1.  Starwoods and SPG employess are really good people who work extremely hard to ensure their Elite guests needs are met.  I don't want to see any of them become victims of "Corp synergy."  Over the years, some of them I'd call friends, who have gone out of their way to ensure my stay is "exactly" as I prefer.  I would never experience this with Marriott.

2.  Amex and SPG - for me, the best general spend card of them all.  Let's leave this undisturbed.  Now, with no-FTF, it's my favorite card.

3.  No longer have to worry about the tons of SPG points being devalued by the Marriott conversion.

At least, for now.  Anything can happen, still.  I'm awfully tempted to app for the personal SPG.  Maybe, it's been long enough since I've had my personal one to skirt under the lifetime thing.

*Edited*  CC - You should app!  No gardening is worth passing up 35K bonus, especially if the program isn't going to be changed.

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I have 15 - 20 stays with SPG annually and it's my favorite, but I have been transitioning to Hyatt recently when I can because of my boat load to UR points and found them just as accommodating.  So there is really no love loss with SPG, since I don't have their CC anyway.  Since I have Amex plat I do get gold Status with Hilton so I have moved some stays there as well.

[Open123]

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@redpat wrote:

I have 15 - 20 stays with SPG annually and it's my favorite, but I have been transitioning to Hyatt recently when I can because of my boat load to UR points and found them just as accommodating.  So there is really no love loss with SPG, since I don't have their CC anyway.  Since I have Amex plat I do get gold Status with Hilton so I have moved some stays there as well.

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I like Hyatt and have Diamond status from my SPG match and MLife.  But, I still prefer SPG, given some of the personal relationships I've forged over the past decade or so.  Nothing can replace or replicate the comfort level one has with these personal relationships during a stay.  It's like IRROPs, when you have a relationship, they'll take care of you.

I doubt I'd ever experience the same treatment with Hyatt or Hilton, regardless of my on the surface status with them.  Now, the Ritz, that's another story...

*Edited* PS - I was planning to transition many of my Starwoods stays over to Hyatt.  I even app'ed for their CC in preparation of the change, but if SPG remains independent, then I doubt Hyatt will see much of my business.

[redpat]

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@Open123 wrote:

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I like Hyatt have Diamond status from my SPG match and MLife.  But, I still prefer SPG, given some of the personal relationships I've forged over the past decade or so.  Nothing can replace or replicate the comfort level one has these personal relationships during a say.  It's like IRROPs, when you have a relationship, they take care of you.

I doubt I'd ever experience the same treatment with Hyatt or Hilton, regardless of my on the surface status with them.  Now, the Ritz, that's another story...

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Uhhh, the Ritz, I have been thinking of getting that card because with 10k annual spend you get Marriott gold status.  Not bad for net $95 annually.

But I bail out because that takes away UR and MR points.

[Closingracer99]

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@Open123 wrote:

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@Closingracer99 wrote:

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@Open123 wrote:

Guys, just curious?

Money's green, why would it matter if Starwoods is owned by the Chinese?  Or, even African, Middle Easter, European, or Martian?  So long as they leave the current management and employees in place.

I mean, not as if there's National Security involved.

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It's the Chinese... Personally I would never trust them with security. Same reason why I would never buy a device that is made by a chinese company ( The company that is chinese )

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Sure, I agree completely when it comes to national security and many products, but a hotel? 

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They have your CC info. I will never trust anything that is owned by a chinese company. 

[Open123]

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@Closingracer99 wrote:

They have your CC info. I will never trust anything that is owned by a chinese company. 

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With 0 fraud liability, I couldn't care less about that.  I'm sure many crooks already have my CC info.  Unlike some here, I don't worry about CC fraud, at all.  It's between the Merchants and the Issuer, and none of my concern.

I'd wager many SPG Elites are feeling a sense of relief at the hopes of being saved from Marriott.

[Anonymous]

Marriott has 5 days ro respond with an higher offer. Been procrastinating about applying for this card. Still have a few more days until the end of the month. 😁 More than likely apping this weekend

[Open123]

Focussing on "Nationality" of the buyer is really misguided, in my view.

In this case:

1.  Usually, in deals such as this, the Buyer has no interest in "running" or "operating" the concern, just to own it. 

2.  Starwoods and SPG folks, your fellow Americans, get to keep their jobs and not joint the ranks of the unemployed.  This should be reason enough to cheer and hope for a buyer other than another Hotel chain.

3.  Options - more competition leads to a better product for consumers.  Competition should always be enouraged, regardless of borders.

4.  SPG Elites who've earned their lifetime status may actually have it honored.

5.  The best rewards program on Earth may remain in tact.

What's there not to like?  Even the Marriott Folks should cheer this, if only because SPG will force Marriott to compete.

[Open123]

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@Anonymous wrote:
Marriott has 5 days ro respond with an higher offer. Been procrastinating about applying for this card. Still have a few more days until the end of the month. 😁 More than likely apping this weekend

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I'm hoping Marriott will give up, as I think their shareholders are too.  MAR can barely run their own outfit, let alone Starwoods too.

[Bmac66]

I may reconsider applying for the SPG card to get the 35,000 point bonus if this is true:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2016/03/18/starwood-marriott-international-anbang-insurance-grou...