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How to Link Your Marriott & Starwood Accounts to Get an Instant Status Match

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    Yesterday, I shared exciting news for folks with points or elite status at Marriott or Starwood.

    You can now link your loyalty accounts to get instant elite status match between programs.  And you can transfer points between your Marriott and Starwood accounts at a 3:1 ratio.

    Although this is a BIG change following the merger, each of the hotel brands will still continue to operate their own loyalty programs through the end of 2017.

    Folks Can Now Link Their Starwood & Marriott Accounts to Enjoy Elite Status Perks at Each Chain and Transfer Points Between Accounts

    I’ll explain how quick and easy it is to link your accounts!

    Link Starwood & Marriott Accounts

    Link:   New Marriott & Starwood Loyalty Site

    It only takes a minute to link your accounts.

    Step 1 – Visit the Marriott Website

    First, go to the Marriott site.  Then, select any one of the loyalty programs to get started.  I clicked on the purple tab for Starwood Preferred Guest members.

    To Begin Linking Your Accounts, You Can Select Your Existing Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, or Starwood Loyalty Account

    Step 2 – Enter Your Loyalty Account Information

    This example shows the linking process by beginning with Starwood.  Simply enter your username and password and click “Sign In”.

    Next, Enter Your Starwood Log-In Information

    Step 3 – Link Your Accounts

    After you log-in, you’ll have the option to link your Starwood account to Marriott or Ritz-Carlton.  Remember, these 2 programs are essentially the same loyalty programs, just with different marketing.  I clicked “Link to Marriott Rewards”.

    You Can Link Your Starwood Account to Marriott or Ritz-Carlton

    If you don’t have a Marriott or Ritz-Carlton rewards account, you can create one quickly.  It’s free to sign-up.

    Step 4 – Discover Your Status Match

    Your accounts are now linked!

    All Done! You Can Now Enjoy the Perks of Each Program!

    Depending on your existing elite status, this is how your automatic status will be applied:

    Transfer Points Between Marriott & Starwood

    Now that your accounts are linked, you’ll have the ability to transfer points between both programs.

    You can transfer points between your Marriott and Starwood accounts at a 3:1 ratio.  Meaning 3 Marriott Points = 1 Starwood point.  Or 1 Starwood point = 3 Marriott points.

    And there’s no maximum limit to the number of points you can move between accounts.

    Bottom Line

    You can link your Marriott & Starwood accounts in a few quick steps.  It takes less than a minute!

    If you have elite status with either chain, you’ll get an instant status match between programs after your accounts are linked.  Plus, you’ll be able to transfer points between programs!

    Are you looking forward to using elite status perks with each hotel loyalty program?

    Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)