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Yesterday, we discussed some rumors surrounding the Marriott-Starwood merger. This morning, two of these rumors have been confirmed! The 3:1 Marriott-Starwood transfer ratio is live, and status matches between the programs are happening. Follow along as we break down the details, show you how to link your accounts, and identify some excellent sweet spots.
How to Link Your Marriott Rewards and SPG Accounts
Linking your two award accounts is very simple. Follow this link.
Log into your SPG account and answer the security question. Then, you will be prompted to enter your Marriott credentials. Once you confirm both accounts are correct, you can click to link the accounts. Upon linking, I received a message that Marriott had instantly matched my SPG Gold status with Marriott Gold!
How do Point Transfers Work?
Once your accounts are linked, you will be able to transfer points both ways between the accounts at the rate of 3 Marriott Rewards Points to 1 SPG Point. This is the best realistic transfer ratio we could have hoped for. Reward point values are difficult to nail down, but we value Marriott points around 0.8 cents each and SPG points around 2.4 cents each. This makes the 3:1 transfer ratio pretty perfect!
Where are the Transfer Sweet Spots?
Sweet Spot #1: Southwest Companion Pass – As we pointed out yesterday, this will create a great opportunity for earning a Southwest Companion Pass, using the Flights and Hotel Packages (package #3). For only 90,000 SPG points, you can get seven nights at a category 1-5 Marriott and 120,000 Southwest Miles!
Sweet Spot #2: Marriott -> SPG -> Airlines – One of the biggest perks of the SPG program is the ability to transfer points to over 30 airlines. Most airlines offer a 1:1 ratio, with a 5,000 bonus on transfers of 20,000 points. For example: 60,000 Marriott -> 20,000 SPG -> 25,000 Airline Miles.
Sweet Spot #3: SPG -> Marriott -> United – This one gets a bit deeper into the math. While most airlines convert SPG points at 1:1, United coverts at 2:1. However, if you first transfer from SPG to Marriott and use their transfer to United, the ratio improves to 1:1.3 (better than other transfer partners)! 
For example:
- Old Way: 19,000 SPG -> 9,500 United
- New Way: 19,000 SPG -> 57,000 Marriott -> 25,000 United (1,000 Marriott remainder)
What About the Credit Card Options?
American Express currently offers two credit cards to earn SPG points:
- Amex SPG Personal Card – 25,000 SPG Point Bonus (75,000 Marriott)
- $3,000 spend
- $95 fee waived first year
- Amex SPG Business Card – 25,000 SPG Point Bonus (75,000 Marriott)
- $5,000 spend
- $95 fee waived first year
Chase offers three credit cards that earn Marriott/Ritz Carlton Points. However, only two offer a sign up bonus at this time:
- Chase Marriott Personal Card – 80,000 Marriott Point Bonus + 7,500 for Authorized User (29,166 SPG)
- $3,000 spend
- $85 fee NOT waived first year
- Free cat 1-5 night annually
- Under 5/24 rule
- Chase Marriott Business Card – 80,000 Marriott Point Bonus (26,666 SPG)
- $3,000 spend
- $99 fee NOT waived first year
- Free cat 1-5 night annually
- NOT under 5/24 rule
One More Thing!
One more unintended benefit from this merger is the added benefit for the American Express Platinum Card. This card confers SPG Gold Status (that’s how we earned it), which now becomes Marriott Gold. Gold status gives you access to Marriott lounges and free breakfast!
Closing Thoughts
We are very happy with the developments in this merger. After a lot of dread, it seems that Marriott and Starwood are holding true to their promise that the merger will be positive. In the FAQ’s for the linking of reward accounts, the answers state that the programs will not be fully merged until 2018. This gives us plenty of time to work out sweet spots and take advantage of our points. Do you see any additional advantages that we did not cover?
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Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
