Marriott, Starwood loyalty programs to stay independent until 2018

Sunday, 12 Apr, 2016 0

Shareholders have unanimously approved Marriott International’s $13.3 billion deal for the takeover of Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

Marriott says the acquisition is still on schedule to complete by the middle of the year, creating the world’s largest hotel group.

Meanwhile, Starwood Preferred Guest members have been told their member accounts will remain independent of Marriott until at least 2018.

Starwood CEO Thomas Mangas outlined plans to SPG members in an email, saying an integration of SPG and Marriott Rewards will be ‘a long journey.’

"We don’t anticipate launching a newly combined program until 2018. This means SPG will continue to run separately until then," he wrote.

"In the meantime, we’re actively exploring ways to build bridges between the two programs to further enhance your experience."

Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson also echoed this in a message to Marriott members posted on its website.

"We expect to run parallel loyalty programs while we engage in the complicated work of integration," Sorenson said.

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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.