WASHINGTON — If you have been earning points at both Starwood Hotels & Resorts properties and Marriott properties, don’t delete the email you just got from Starwood or Marriott.
A simple click and you can walk through the process of linking both your accounts.
Marriott completed its $13.6 billion acquisition of Starwood Friday, and what it means for rewards programs has been a cause of angst for travelers. Both programs are popular.
It is not clear what perks from each program will transition to the merged loyalty program, but Marriott said by linking accounts now, it will instantly match members’ highest status in either program, and points earned in one program can be transferred to the other.
“By linking their accounts, they will get the benefits of whatever elite status they have in both programs, and they can very easily transfer points from one program to the other so that they can redeem in any one of our 5,700 hotels across the world,” said Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson.
Marriott’s existing Marriott Rewards program is No. 2 on U.S. News and World Report’s 2016 list of best hotel rewards programs. The Starwood Preferred Guest program ranked No. 11.
Marriott’s program, considered good for both business and leisure travelers by U.S. News, is already linked to two Chase Visa Marriott Rewards credit cards, and Marriott points can also be redeemed for flights on airline rewards programs including United MileagePlus and Delta SkyMiles.
Starwood’s existing program, which caters mostly to business travelers, has ties to both Delta and Emirates Skywards, as well as a Starwood Preferred Guest credit card from American Express. Starwood points can also be spent at retailers, including iTunes, Amazon and Starbucks.
You don’t need to be a road warrior to take advantage of perks programs from these hotels or others. Most hotel chains have rewards accounts and many are linked to credit card purchases, not just hotel stays.
“If you’re not able to earn them by staying several times a year, there are the co-branded credit cards, there are shopping portals, there are a lot of different ways to earn points and really make the perks worth it,” said U.S. News’ Erin Shields.
And you don’t have to stay at fancy hotels to earn rewards either. Rockville-based Choice Hotels, whose brands include Econo Lodge and Quality Inn, tied Marriott for No. 2 on the U.S. News list of best hotel rewards programs.
Because of the credit card partnerships Marriott and Starwood have, fully merging the two programs will take several months.
