Starting on Aug. 18, Marriott Rewards, Starwood Preferred
Guest and The Ritz Carlton Rewards will operate as one, with one set of unified
benefits and one rewards currency across Marriott's 29 brands.
In April, Marriott International announced
August as the month that its loyalty programs would combine after Marriott acquired
Starwood Hotels & Resorts, but now it's nailed down a precise date for the
event.
That morning, the company's sites and apps will be down
intermittently as Marriott migrates its systems to a single platform. The
migration will interrupt customers' ability to book online and redeem points
through rewards membership. Marriott recommends customers book in advance of
Aug. 18 or wait until later in the day.
Once the programs are merged, all SPG members will receive a
nine-digit account number consistent with the new system, as will some Marriott
Rewards members. Passwords will remain the same.
As previously reported, benefits of the merged platform will
include the ability to earn more points, redeem points in more places and earn
elite status faster. There will be no blackout dates, and SPG Starpoints
balances will triple.