Questions and Answers

Hi Lucky and Co,

I am organising a work event at a Renaissance property (meetings as well as +/- 45 rooms over 3 days (10 rooms on first night, 34 on second night and 1 room on the final night). So far I never showed much interest in Marriott’s nor SPG’s loyalty scheme but stayed loyal to Hilton as I value the free breakfast. I just got my SPG Amex in the UK so willing to review my options.

Marriott does give the organiser some benefits as points for the entire event, 10 elite nights and silver status – as per the attached [URL]https://www.marriott.co.uk/meeting-event-hotels/marriott-rewards.mi[/URL]

Now my questions are as follows:

1. Can these points be credited to my SPG account or it has to go through a Marriott account to then be converted to SPG?
2. Can I benefit from any fast track offer or SPG challenge you recently wrote about with a total of 45 nights during the event?
3. Would you recommend to credit all points Marriott Rewards and convert my points as well as any status to SPG afterwards?
4. Is there any “loophole” in the Marriott or SPG program that I could benefit from as the number of eligible nights to be credited is capped.

Thanks in advance,
Martin

1 – As it stands, you have to credit to Marriott first, then transfer to SPG. The points transfer, but the elite credits will not.
[URL=’https://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2017/01/18/which-hotel-programs-let-you-earn-points-for-multiple-rooms/’]2 – You can call and ask about fast track but I wouldnt be surprised if the 10 elite nights from being an organizer would not count toward the fast track qualification. Marriott only allows the member to earn points for up to 3 rooms per night, assuming you’re the person paying and staying in one of the rooms.[/URL]
3 – Marriott to SPG points transfers are instant. You can transfer them right away or you can wait. Marriotts Hotel & Air packages can be useful. It really depends on what works best for you. Any elite credits wont transfer. However, your elite status in Marriott would earn equivalent status with SPG. However, I’m not sure what Marriott Silver would equate to with SPG.
4 – No loophole that I know of.