Marriott Makes Changes to Starwood Credit Card

Starwood’s SPG credit card isn’t going to earn as much as it used to.

As the Marriott Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) programs are merged into one, Marriott is reducing the rate at which SPG card users earn points, according to a report in Forbes. Cardmembers are being compensated with a complimentary stay at a lower-tier property.

The reduction in benefit is the result of an ongoing merger of the two loyalty programs resulting from Marriott’s acquisition of Starwood in September of 2016.

Details of the merged loyalty programs were first released in April. The combined programs have approximately 110 million members, making it one of the industry’s largest loyalty programs, encompassing 29 brands.

While users are able to combine their points into the new joint loyalty program, the Forbes report noted that Starwood’s credit card was more popular for many members because of its numerous airline transfer partners and favorable bonuses for moving points to air carriers.

Cardholders now earn two Marriott points for every dollar spent on the SPG credit card. Prior to August 1, 2018, those points one Starpoint was worth three Marriott points—around 30 percent less than it was before.

Travelers staying at Starwood and Marriott properties and paying with their SPG cards still earn the 6 points, however.

Users will be able to keep their cards and new applicants can receive as many as 75,000 bonus points when they make $3,000 in purchases during the first three months. Apply before October 31, 2018.

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