You’ve chosen a playful and succinct name in “Bonvoy” – was it challenging to find a name that fits your diverse range of brands?

We had a number of objectives in developing the Marriott Bonvoy brand:

 • Because the brand represents our portfolio, it needed to speak to the goal of growing, innovating and expanding as a global portfolio and company, which is why we refer Marriott Bonvoy as a travel program, such as our focus on experiences.

 • Therefore, we sought a brand and logo to elevate the portfolio as modern, fresh and aspirational, but also attainable and accessible to all travelers since – not everyone stays at luxury properties.

 • Additionally, it had to reflect our forward-thinking vision to inspire travelers to join our program.

It appears that travelers now have many more options to earn and redeem before. Are you hoping that your brand loyal customers will explore more aspects of the Marriott portfolio?

By completely integrating our legacy programs, it truly follows the axiom the whole is greater than sum of parts. One program under one brand brings to life our extraordinary portfolio of global brands in 129 countries and territories, including the largest selection of luxury and lifestyle properties, and makes them more accessible. Examples include:

• Sun-soaked overwater bungalows at The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort

• Mountain-side resorts nestled against ski slopes like at The Westin Resort and Spa Whistler

• Iconic urban towers offering panoramic views like at the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai

Just about anywhere our members want to travel, we have a hotel and a brand for them to satisfy their aspirations and provide them endless inspiration.

Traditional hotel and airline loyalty programs focus on earning points and miles that can be redeemed for a room in a hotel or a seat on a plane. But with Marriott Bonvoy, a travel program, we believe travel is about discovery whether it is experiencing something new or traveling to pursue a passion, like cooking, music or sports. Marriott Bonvoy members will enjoy seamless access to our experiential platform called Marriott Bonvoy Moments (replaces MR Moments and SPG Moments). Together, the platform will offer approximately 8,000 experiences for redemption. We also offer Marriott Moments where all guests can purchase any of 110,000 experiences in 1,000 destinations.

What’s truly special are the once-in-a-lifetime experiences available for redemption that cannot be replicated powered by our partnerships with iconic brands like the NFL, Universal Music Group, the championship F1 racing team – Mercedes-Petronas and more.

Is it easy for previous loyalty members to adopt the new system?

If you’re an existing member in one of our loyalty programs, you are all set to enjoy Marriott Bonvoy with your existing member number and password.

Thanks to the new program economics, we can offer our members the richest benefits of any hospitality loyalty program. Since Marriott introduced the unified loyalty benefits under Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards and SPG last August, members have been able to seamlessly book stays and earn and redeem points across the entire portfolio and achieve Elite status faster with new Elite tiers.

Since we unified the programs, it is easier to achieve the benefits that come with elite status. Now we have one tier structure in which it takes just ten nights to earn Silver elite status, 25 nights to earn Gold and 50 nights to earn the first Platinum level.

With unification, it is easier to earn and burn points. Now members earn on average 20 percent more points per dollar spent. They can accelerate earn with our co-branded credit cards from Emirates NBD and Mastercard in the UAE.

Are there any enticing promotions for late adopters to now jump on the bandwagon?

Guests who are not members are welcome to join the program and enjoy the Marriott Bonvoy benefits and amazing experiences.

How exactly does “Lifetime Status” translate to the new program?

If members have achieved lifetime status previously, they will continue to enjoy their status benefits

What are the exclusive benefits available to top tier Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite members?

Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite – Members receive all the benefits of Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite including Ambassador service and Your24 (check-in any time you want and check-out 24 hours later).

And finally, with the recent high-profile data breach – how are your customers being assured about data protection moving forward?

Data protection is important to us. We have been communicating directly with guests about this incident through a dedicated website and call center, working with law enforcement. Our intention is to be fully transparent, responsive and helpful at every turn. As it is still an ongoing investigation there is not much more I can say.