MARRIOTT BUZZ NO. 13 - 2018

16 This April Marriott International unveiled a brand new unified benefits program that will be applicable broadly across Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) programs for its members beginning in August 2018. The unification of these different rewards programs under the same umbrella means that guests will now be able to benefit from an incredibly rich hospitality loyalty program in which they will have the opportunity to garner more rewards points in a shorter amount of time than in comparison to the previous programs. On average this difference is estimated to result in about 20% more points accrued for every dollar spent. Also beginning in August, valued loyalty members will have the ability to book stays across the entire unified portfolio for the first time on Marriott.com, SPG.com or through designated customer engagement centers, across 29 participating global brands comprising 6,500 hotels across 127 countries and territories. Marriott International Senior VP of Global Loyalty David Flueck hailed the new program saying that ‘we listened to the travel aspirations of our members and set our sights on unlocking the full potential of our loyalty programs’. Flueck made it clear that beginning in August members will be able to enjoy one set of benefits across the ‘extraordinary portfolio’ that Marriott International has developed. Flueck maintained that these programs will unlock a vast portfolio of destination havens for all contrasting travel passions, ‘whether it is resorts featuring overwater bungalows, peaceful secluded Marriott International Unveils New, Better and Broader Unified Loyalty Programs MA R R I O T T I N T E R N AT I ON A L