Marriott eliminating Starwood agent rate program

On Jan. 2, travel agents participating in Starwood's SPG Pro program will switch to Marriott International's Fam-Tastic discount rates, which the company says are typically lower than SPG Pro's.

The change will give agents bigger discounts for personal stays and lift the limit on how many personal stays agents can have each year, Marriott said. SPG Pro agents are currently limited to five stays per year.

Agents will no longer earn Starpoints for bookings, though they will retain their Starpoint balances.

Professional meeting planners will still get Starpoints for booking meetings but will receive Plan-Tastic discount rates for personal bookings.

The changes reflect Marriott’s continued efforts to integrate Starwood Hotels & Resorts and its programs with Marriott's.

Marriott, which acquired Starwood last year, has estimated that the Marriott Rewards and Starwood SPG loyalty programs will be fully integrated by the end of next year.