It has been an exciting few months for Starwood, as Marriott and Anbang have been bidding against one another for control:
Continue reading: The Merger Between Marriott & Starwood Has Been Finalized
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
I'm thrilled. Not. Yet another merger, yet another step forward to a one world: one airline, one hotel chain, one pharmacy chain, one supermarket chain, one office supply chain, one bank, one telephone company, one cable TV company, one airline manufacturer, one, one, one. They call it 'synergy', I call it b.s. So long, Starwood - and Marriott. Will now use Hyatt and Hilton - until they too are swallowed up, then it'll be carrying a tent on my trips.
Email from Marriot reward stating the same thing, both program will run in parallel for some time after the merger:
"After we become one company, we expect to run parallel loyalty programs while we engage in the complicated work of integration. During this period, there is no change to how you manage your Marriott Rewards account or book reservations, and you will maintain your existing member benefits for some time.
The good news is that we have many possibilities ahead of us because Marriott and Starwood both have great loyalty programs. We intend to draw upon the very best of both Marriott Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG®) to provide even more value to our members."
Sounds like a new plan is in the work, until shareholders complaint about earning then devaluation & cutting benefits start...
@me...what a racist...
So, Marriott didn't get a sweetheart deal and had to pay closer to fair market value. They didn't blink and THEN overpay after the Chinese shadow consortium...sorry "dental office", goosed the bid and then chickened-out.
Why is it racists always seem to show-off how they occupy the lower bands of the IQ ranges??
You're wrong that it's finalized. There are still some regulatory approvals needed. The deal won't be final until all government approvals have been obtained and Marriott pays out the money to buy SPG's shares.
The merger is not finalized. Regulatory clearances are necessary from the Chinese and European govt.
Hooray for the stockholders! Too bad for the traveling public.Why? Because less competition means Stariott stockholders can now pull the money out of your wallet without having to compete against the other half of the conglomerate.
As a multi year platinum and 100 night stayer, I haven't received any email from Starwood . Funny, they always send their promotional crap, but nothing on this. Oh well.
"Marriott and Starwood - the merger of silence and corruption.
A demand for corporate transparency and integrity in the hospitality industry"
www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/479/463/831