“What I suspect will happen is they’ll operate separately for a few years until it’s time to renegotiate the contracts,” Kelly explained. “Then Marriott will go to Chase, Amex and some other credit cards carriers to see who wants the contract.”
Such a delay is not unprecedented. InterContinental Hotels Group completed its acquisition of Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants on 16 January, but the companies’ IHG Rewards Club and Kimpton Karma Rewards programs still remain separate.
Neither Marriott nor Starwood responded to requests for comment by press time.
- See more at: http://www.hotelnewsnow.com/Article/17120/Marriott-Starwood-must-clear-loyalty-hurdle#sthash.QgoGzLvP.dpuf