With hotel mergers and acquisitions consolidating major brands, the loyalty programs associated with these chains can cause confusion for frequent travelers. If you’ve ever wondered whether Starwood Preferred Guest is the same as Marriott Rewards, you’re not alone.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll clarify the relationship between these two hotel loyalty programs.

If you’re short on time, here’s the quick answer: Starwood Preferred Guest and Marriott Rewards are now linked but remain separate loyalty programs under Marriott International.

The History of Starwood Preferred Guest

Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) is a loyalty program that was originally created by the hotel and leisure company, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. Launched in 1999, SPG quickly became one of the most popular and highly regarded loyalty programs in the hospitality industry.

Origins and Growth as Starwood’s Loyalty Program

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide recognized the importance of rewarding and retaining loyal customers, and thus, SPG was born. The program was designed to provide exclusive benefits and rewards to frequent guests who stayed at Starwood properties, which included well-known hotel brands such as Sheraton, Westin, W Hotels, and St. Regis.

As SPG gained popularity, it expanded its offerings to include partnerships with airlines, credit card companies, and other travel-related businesses. This allowed members to earn points not only through hotel stays but also through various other avenues, such as flights, car rentals, and dining.

Over the years, SPG continued to innovate and enhance its program, introducing new features and benefits that catered to the evolving needs and preferences of its members. The program’s commitment to providing exceptional customer service and valuable rewards played a significant role in its continued success.

Key Benefits and Elite Tier Levels

One of the key attractions of SPG was its generous rewards program. Members could earn points for their stays and redeem them for free nights at any participating Starwood property worldwide. Additionally, SPG offered exclusive benefits to its elite members, who achieved higher tier levels based on their annual stays or points earned.

There were four elite tier levels in the SPG program: Preferred, Gold, Platinum, and Platinum Premier. Each tier level came with its own set of benefits, such as room upgrades, late check-out, welcome amenities, and access to exclusive lounges.

The higher the tier level, the more enhanced the benefits became.

Furthermore, SPG members had the opportunity to transfer their points to various airline loyalty programs, providing added flexibility and value. This feature allowed members to maximize their rewards and gain access to a wide range of travel benefits.

How the Marriott-Starwood Merger Impacted Loyalty Programs

The merger between Marriott International and Starwood Hotels & Resorts in 2016 was a significant event in the hospitality industry. One of the key concerns for loyal customers of both hotel chains was how the merger would impact their respective loyalty programs, specifically Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) and Marriott Rewards.

Let’s take a closer look at the changes that occurred as a result of this merger.

Marriott Acquires Starwood in 2016

In September 2016, Marriott International finalized its acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, creating the world’s largest hotel company. This merger brought together 30 hotel brands, including well-known names like Marriott, Sheraton, Westin, and St. Regis.

With the acquisition, Marriott gained access to Starwood’s extensive portfolio of hotels, expanding its global presence and offering customers a wider range of options for their travels.

Initial Changes to Link Programs

Following the merger, one of the first steps taken was to link the loyalty programs of Marriott and Starwood. This allowed members of each program to earn and redeem points across both hotel chains, providing more flexibility and rewards for loyal customers.

Marriott Rewards members were given the opportunity to match their status to Starwood Preferred Guest, and vice versa, allowing them to enjoy the benefits and perks associated with their respective loyalty tiers.

Additionally, members were able to transfer their points between Marriott Rewards and SPG at a favorable ratio, enabling them to maximize the value of their loyalty currency. This was a significant change for loyal customers who had accumulated a substantial number of points in either program, as it gave them the flexibility to use their rewards at a broader range of hotels.

Furthermore, the merger brought about the introduction of a new unified loyalty program, Marriott Bonvoy, in early 2019. This new program consolidated the rewards systems of Marriott, Starwood, and Ritz-Carlton, providing members with a seamless experience across all participating hotels.

With Marriott Bonvoy, loyal customers could earn and redeem points, enjoy elite status benefits, and access exclusive experiences and perks.

The Marriott-Starwood merger undoubtedly had a significant impact on loyalty programs, bringing together two major players in the hotel industry and creating more opportunities for customers to earn and enjoy rewards.

Whether you were a loyal member of Marriott Rewards or Starwood Preferred Guest, the merger ultimately resulted in a more comprehensive and rewarding loyalty program experience.

Starwood Preferred Guest and Marriott Rewards Today

Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) and Marriott Rewards have come together to form one unified loyalty program since Marriott acquired Starwood Hotels & Resorts in 2016. This merger has created one of the largest hotel loyalty programs in the world, offering members a wider range of benefits and opportunities to earn and redeem points.

Status Match and Elite Benefits

One of the most exciting aspects of the merger is the ability to match your elite status between the two programs. This means that if you were a member of SPG with a certain status, you can now enjoy the equivalent status in the Marriott Rewards program, and vice versa.

This allows members to take advantage of elite benefits such as room upgrades, late checkout, and access to exclusive lounges across both hotel portfolios.

For example, if you were a Platinum member in SPG, you will now have Platinum Elite status in Marriott Rewards. This ensures that loyal members continue to receive the perks they are accustomed to, regardless of which brand they choose to stay with.

Earning and Redeeming Points Across Portfolios

With the merger, members can now earn and redeem points across both the SPG and Marriott Rewards portfolios. This means more options for earning points and more opportunities to use them for free nights, room upgrades, and other rewards.

For every dollar spent at participating hotels, members earn points that can be redeemed for future stays or other rewards. The earning rate may vary depending on the brand and the member’s elite status.

Additionally, members can transfer points between the two programs at a favorable ratio, allowing for even more flexibility in redeeming rewards.

It is important to note that while SPG and Marriott Rewards have merged, the loyalty program continues to evolve and improve. Members are advised to regularly check the official website for the latest updates and promotions.

For more information, you can visit the official Marriott Bonvoy website at .

Conclusion

In summary, while Starwood Preferred Guest and Marriott Rewards are now linked under Marriott International, they continue to operate as separate loyalty programs today. Members enjoy reciprocal benefits and can transfer points, but each program maintains its own elite tiers, point earning rates, and redemption options.

The alliance expanded perks for loyalists of both chains while preserving the distinct brands and value propositions.

We hope this guide has clarified the nuanced relationship between Starwood Preferred Guest and Marriott Rewards for frequent travelers. The loyalty landscape continues to evolve, but members can continue leveraging these programs independently or together within the Marriott umbrella.