Has the Starwood to Marriott conversion ratio been leaked?

I thought I’d drop this in during the afternoon as something to think about ….

This morning a Mandarin-speaking reader, who I know fairly well via previous emails, sent me a document which has been doing the rounds on Chinese frequent flyer sites today.

It appears to be an internal briefing document of some sort relating to the Starwood Preferred Guest transition details.  It is in Mandarin so I haven’t posted it.

The key takeaway of this document is that allegedly the conversion ratio from Starwood Preferred Guest points to Marriott Rewards points will be 1:3.

If correct, this is fair.  Not hugely generous, but fair.  After all my own valuations, which I mention on here occasionally, are 0.5p per Marriott Rewards points and 1.5p per Starwood Preferred Guest point.

If confirmed, it could have been a lot worse.  Marriott clearly isn’t out to stiff SPG members from Day 1.

The other takeaway is that status matching will be available, perhaps immediately, from Starwood to the equivalent Marriott level.  Starwood Gold would get you Marriott Gold which means lounge access and (in the lounge) breakfast.

This makes American Express Platinum (my review) very interesting for Marriott stayers.   That card comes with free Starwood Gold status which would match to Marriott Rewards Gold.  It also comes with a bonus of 30,000 American Express Membership Rewards points which would turn, via SPG, into 45,000 Marriott Rewards points.

The Starwood Preferred Guest American Express (my SPG / Marriott Bonvoy American Express review) would be worth 30,000 Marriott Rewards points as a sign-up bonus (ie 10,000 SPG).

This is only speculation of course and I may be proved totally wrong tomorrow.  Let’s see.

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How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points and status from UK credit cards (June 2025)

There are various ways of earning Marriott Bonvoy points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.

The official Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card comes with 20,000 points for signing up, 2 points for every £1 you spend and 15 elite night credits per year.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 15th July 2025, the sign-up bonus on the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card is TRIPLED to 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. This would convert into 25,000 Avios or into 40 other airline schemes. It would also get you at least £300 of Marriott hotel stays based on our 0.5p per point low-end valuation. Other T&C apply and remain unchanged. Click here for our full card review and click here to apply.

You can apply here.

Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card

60,000 points (to 15th July) and 15 elite night credits each year Read our full review

You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points by converting American Express Membership Rewards points at the rate of 2:3.

Do you know that holders of The Platinum Card from American Express receive FREE Marriott Bonvoy Gold status for as long as they hold the card?  It also comes with Hilton Honors Gold, Radisson Rewards Premium and MeliaRewards Gold status.

We reviewed The Platinum Card from American Express in detail here and you can apply here.

The Platinum Card from American Express

50,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points indirectly:

• American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• The American Express Rewards Credit Card (10,000 bonus Amex points)

and for small business owners:

• The American Express Business Gold Card (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• The American Express Business Platinum Card (50,000 bonus Amex points)

The conversion rate from American Express to Marriott Bonvoy points is 2:3.

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which can be used to earn Marriott Bonvoy points.