Marriott to buy Starwood

[YankeeFan]

Good news for all of you with lots of Marriott points:

Marriott International said on Monday that it had agreed to buy Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide for $12.2 billion in cash and stock, creating the world’s largest hotel company.

Under the terms of the deal, Marriott will pay $72.08 a share in cash and stock for Starwood, whose brands include Westin, the W, Sheraton and St. Regis. Starwood shareholders would own 37 percent of the combined company.
...
The combined Marriott and Starwood company would have more than 5,500 owned or franchised hotels with 1.1 million rooms around the world, and would have posted more than $2.7 billion in fee revenue for the 12 months ended Sept. 30.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/17/business/marriott-to-buy-starwood-hotels.html?_r=0

 

[cranberry]

I have a lot invested in Starwood points. I'll be interested to see how that plays out.

 

[YankeeFan]

I have a lot invested in Starwood points. I'll be interested to see how that plays out.

Starwood is my program too.

Just used a ****load of 'em, but still have a bunch, and still collect them with my credit card use.

I'd think it will be a good thing. Marriott's program is considered one of the best. I don't think they'll water it down, or do anything to upset the loyal Starwood customers they want to acquire.

 

[Moderator1]

Even though I haven't traveled regularly in years, I have about 50,000 points left in each program. But they're facing expiration so saving them until the purchase closes probably won't work.

 

[The Big Ragu]

The deal itself is a take under, not a take over. They got Starwood at a 4 percent discount to its value at the close of markets on Friday. Both have seen revenues declining the last few years -- lots of reasons, but I think the rise of AirBnB hasn't helped. It probably makes sense. Marriott dominates in the U.S., and Starwood gets 2/3 of its revenue outside of the U.S.

 

[TheSportsPredictor]

Funny:

 

[playthrough]

I was a Marriott guy throughout my sportswriting career, then went to work for a company that had a sponsorship deal with IHG so I've been a Holiday Inn guy ever since. Always missed Marriott though, and if this means those points are even more valuable, dang.