Marriotts new combined program is actually really good but there’s no way I can make lifetime platinum before end of year :(
Update
I started this adventure with a little under 1,000,000 lifetime points
- Got a 10k bonus and 80k (so far) in referrals for the new 100k Marriott card
- Some more points from work stays and spend on cards
- Signed my wife up for the two cards she could get, Marriott biz and new 100k Marriott
- Transferred my entire balance of 452k to my SPG account, then from my SPG to my wife's SPG, then from her SPG to her Marriott. This does not deduct from my current lifetime balance and in the process Marriott loses track of the points basically.
- Called Marriott and booked a 20 night stay in Kauai for 640,000 points and had them transfer my wife's 640,000 points to my account to pay for it (you are allowed to transfer an unlimited amount once per year if it is satisfying a booking). I will cancel this stay and the points will come back to my account, in effect I have transferred my points to myself for double credit, plus got lifetime credit from her points too.
- I now have 1,851,741 lifetime points, with the 80k still coming from referrals, and 723 nights.
- After some more stays and topping off with Chase UR, plus doing two "meetings" for 10 night credits apiece, I will arrive at the 2,000,000+ required points and 750+ required nights to obtain Lifetime Platinum status sometime in July, which will then convert to Lifetime Platinum Premier in August
sweet