Justin Sullivan/Getty Images(BETHESDA, Md.) — Marriott has just closed a deal to acquire Starwood Hotels & Resorts, creating the largest hotel company in the world.
Marriott announced the completion of the merger Friday in a statement that said the Starwood & Marriott loyalty programs would be linked, with the new company operating or franchising “more than 5,700 properties and 1.1 million rooms” across 30 brands in over 110 countries. For now, the Wall Street Journal reports, loyalty members of the two companies — 85 million in all — will be able to transfer points between the two programs, but three Marriott points will only match one Starwood point.
“Marriott will draw upon the very best each program offers and we can’t wait to show the loyal members of these programs the power and benefits of Marriott and Starwood coming together,” Stephanie Linnartz, Marriott Executive Vice President and Global Chief Commercial Officer, said.
The merger more than doubles Marriott’s distribution in Asia, the Middle East and Africa combined, the company said.
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