Marriott sets loyalty programme integration date

It is worth highlighting August 18 if you’re a Marriott Rewards member.

That’s the day when Marriott International plans to integrate its three loyalty programmes (Marriott Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards) into one platform.

But on that date you won’t be able to book stays across its 29 brands and 6,500 hotels, as its sites and apps will shut down to complete the global integration, which has involved 20 million new lines of code.

Read: US hotel group Marriott unifies loyalty programme

Speaking exclusively to Business Traveller Middle East, David Flueck, Marriott International’s senior vice president of loyalty, said: “It will start in the morning in the US east coast, so Middle East members shouldn’t see too much disruption in the evening, but if you are travelling at this time, services will be intermittent. We don’t expect it to last longer than 24 hours.”

Marriott advises members to book stays in advance, wait until later in the day or check the free night award chart if they are considering whether to redeem before or after the 18th.

Although the ultimate goal is to integrate the three programmes into one singular brand, a new SPG app will launch, mirroring the functionality of the Marriott Rewards app, including mobile requests.

Read: UAE to become Marriott’s largest MENA market after Starwood deal

All SPG members will receive a new nine-digit account number that aligns with the new system’s specifications.

Members will earn 10 points per $1 spent on qualifying hotel charges; 5 points per qualifying $1 at Element, Residence Inn and TownePlace Suites hotels; and 2.5 points per qualifying $1 at Marriott Executive Apartments and ExecuStay properties.

Flueck said 70 per cent of its properties “cost the same or are less expensive” under the combined programme.