Articles tagged “spg”

We're pretty sure everyone is thinking: "Is it short for 'Bon Voyage?'" Personally, we were betting on Marriott Moments.

Can Marriott hold onto hotel owners and SPG elites? That was the underlying question on many analysts' minds during Marriott's second quarter earnings call. After all, the bigger you are, the harder you have to fall, right? But the world's largest hotel company, not surprisingly, doesn't see things that way.

How much do we want to bet that the new loyalty brand that debuts next year turns out to be Marriott Preferred Guest? Or better yet, just Marriott Rewards?

Should other hotel loyalty programs follow World of Hyatt's lead in being much more revenue-based and geared toward high-end travelers? This survey's findings seem to suggest it, but we have some reservations.

While it's fairly straightforward to quantify the value of a loyalty program in terms of "payback," that doesn't account for all the other special perks and experiences that travelers may value.

Marriott really, really, really wants SPG members to know it won't forsake them as it tries to combine all three of its loyalty programs into one by next year.

This survey, which had Wyndham as its winner, only looked at the value you get when you redeem your points for free nights, and it didn't necessarily take into account other loyalty program perks or benefits that can transform a guest into a loyal customer.

Last year marked a pivotal moment in terms of keyless room technology, as Starwood, Hilton, Marriott, and other brands announced investments in the mobile tech. And while there is consumer uptake, this still feels like a transitional technology that has us asking: What's next?

At a time when a lot of brands are looking into virtual reality and 360-degree video to immerse consumers in a destination, this campaign proves that incredible visuals and a killer sense of perspective go a long way toward building brand awareness, and making consumers feel like they're right there with you.

This is the best of both worlds for independent hotels: Keep your freedom, but get access to the a broader network. And Starwood can boast more destinations with little effort.