Marriott Bonvoy is the successor to the Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) program, but they are not exactly the same. In 2016, Marriott International acquired Starwood Hotels & Resorts in a massive $13 billion merger. Following the acquisition, Marriott spent several years integrating the two loyalty systems along with The Ritz-Carlton Rewards. In February 2019, the combined program was officially rebranded as "Marriott Bonvoy." While Bonvoy includes all the former Starwood brands (like Westin, W Hotels, Sheraton, and St. Regis), the "SPG" name and its specific unique currency were retired. Many long-time travelers still nostalgically refer to the "Starwood days" because SPG was known for its highly valuable points and generous elite benefits. Today, Bonvoy is the largest hotel loyalty program in the world, boasting over 30 brands and 8,000+ properties, but it operates under a single, unified points system and elite status structure that differs from the original Starwood model.