Why I’m excited about United and Marriott hooking up

18

While its unclear who proposed, you’ve probably heard by now that United Airlines and Marriott got married, and their new union is named RewardsPlus.  Plenty of other bloggers have already shared the details.  Here are a few such posts:

Two benefits of the new relationship stand out to me:

  • United elite members (Premier Gold or higher) receive complimentary Marriott Gold Elite status.  Register here.
  • Marriott Platinum elite members receive complimentary United MileagePlus Premier Silver status.  Register here.

The interesting thing about these benefits is that they are really only useful under certain circumstances…

When free Marriott Gold status is useful

For this benefit to be useful, you’d have to meet the following conditions:

  1. You have United Gold status or higher (or will get there before United and Marriott divorce)
  2. You do not have Marriott or Ritz Carlton Gold status or higher
  3. You will stay at Marriott or Ritz Carlton properties and benefit from the perks (e.g. free internet, free breakfast at most properties, etc.), or use the status to status match to another chain.

I don’t meet either of the first two above conditions.  I currently have no status with United, but I do have Platinum status with Marriott.

When free United Silver status is useful

For this benefit to be useful, you’d have to meet the following conditions:

  1. You have Marriott Platinum or Platinum Premier elite status
  2. You do not have status with United
  3. You can make use of United Silver status perks

Bingo!  I fit all three!  I fly out of the Detroit airport which is a Delta hub with relatively few Star Alliance flights.  As a result, it doesn’t make sense for me to spend much time or money pursuing United elite status.  On the other hand, I have oodles of United miles, so I do occasionally fly United.  In those circumstances, Silver status will be a boon.  I’ll be able to take advantage of the following benefits:

  • Reduced change fees
  • Reduced close-in award ticketing fees
  • For coach awards:
    • Access to Economy Plus seating at check-in
    • Complementary Premier upgrades (probably won’t happen, but you never know)
    • Premier Access lines at the airport
    • Free checked bag

I can’t say that I’ll use any of these benefits often, but I’m very glad to have them for free!

One little hitch

My only problem right now is that United knows me as “Gregory” whereas Marriott thinks of me more as “Greg”.  Until I can get the two to agree on a single name for me, they’ll refuse to offer me their promised wedding gift.  I’ve sent a copy of my passport to Marriott to try to clear things up.  Now, I wait.

How about you?

Are any of the new benefits meaningful to you?

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