NEW YORK, Sept 24 — The merger between Marriott and Starwood is now complete, bringing with it a host of new implications for loyalty members at some of the biggest brands around the world.
Nearly a year after announcing plans to acquire Starwood Hotel & Resorts, Marriott International is now officially the world’s largest hotel company, a merger that expands the brand’s portfolio as well as the benefits that loyalty members can now reap.
To appease nervous guests who had racked up a healthy number of points with either Marriott Rewards or Starwood Preferred Guest, Marriott has announced that members will have their status matched across both programmes, giving them access to brands and destinations that were previously unavailable.
For instance, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) members will now be able to reap benefits at luxury brands like the Ritz-Carlton and Bulgari Hotels & Resorts, while Marriott Rewards members can now accrue points for stays at the Sheraton, Aloft, St. Regis and W Hotels.
Likewise, Marriott Rewards members now have access to new destinations like the Maldives, Santorini, Greece and Bora Bora, while SPG members have access to Aruba, Serchio Valley in Tuscany and Kruger National Park in South Africa.
Overall, that translates to 30 hotel brands, 5,700 hotels and 1.1 million rooms in over 110 countries, says Marriott International.
Guests who book directly through the Marriott mobile or SPG app will also receive free in-room Wi-Fi.
Loyalty members can link their accounts at members.marriott.com — AFP-Relaxnews
