EID Registration & Help
December 29, 2017 Integration Updates

OFB Transition Update

Franchise Management Companies of SPG Hotels | As previously communicated, all SPG hotels globally will transition to Marriott’s Owner & Franchise Billing (OFB) on January 1, 2018. The OFB process facilitates the billing and collection of fees (management and franchise) and the reimbursable cost of programs and services in which the hotels participate.

Hotels will experience a number of key differences from the current Starwood process including:

  • Fewer invoices and multiple invoice formats
    • Two types of invoices per month – Fees, Reimbursables (Sales & Marketing Fund, SPG, Reservations, and other Programs and Services); number of invoices may vary by property, but fewer number than in SAP today
    • Invoice and backup available in both Excel and PDF versions, enabling flexibility for review and analysis
  • Greater visibility of charges
    • Invoice includes a Summary and Detail Charges section
    • Full breakdown of detail and basis of charges are available
  • Faster resolution of inquires
    • Billing Dispute Resolution (BDR) functionality automates routing of inquiry and/or dispute of charge to the billing source
  • Greater consistency and compliance
    • Billing is from contractual MI legal entities
    • Withholding Taxes configured in OFB and included on invoices
  • Enhanced automation and process efficiency
    • PeopleSoft Billing & Accounts Receivable (PSBAR) application used to complete all activities within the OFB process
    • Email alerts (with links to PSBAR) when invoices are ready for retrieval
    • Franchise Reported Results input in PSBAR and due 3rd calendar day of the month
    • Payment remittance automated or captured prior to remittance in PSBAR

Note: the January ACH process will continue as usual for December SAP invoices. Funds will be pulled on Jan. 15 or 25 per the hotel’s usual schedule.

If hotels need to remit payment for any other outstanding invoices that appear on their Starwood/SAP statement, they must:

  1. Use the updated Starwood Remittance Form and submit the completed form to: Remittance@starwoodhotels.com.
  2. Add “HOTC” to wire or check payment details why paying the outstanding invoices.
  3. Send payment in accordance with instructions on the invoice being paid.

Hotels will also be asked, via the January 1 Weekly Update, to take the following actions.

  1. The email notification of availability of invoices is allowed for up to two email addresses. Hotels must confirm the two email addresses that will receive invoice notifications by Jan 5.
  2. Franchised hotels must provide the name and contact information for the individual responsible for submitting Reported Results (revenue date and stats) by Jan 5.
  3. Associates that will play a role in the OFB process must obtain access to the PeopleSoft Billing & Accounts Receivable application.
  4. Associates that will play a role in the OFB process must attend an OFB training webinar in January. Training dates/times and registration information are available on MGS.
  5. Starting in February, the automated ACH pull for U.S. Franchised hotels will be initiated from a new account: MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL INC. If applicable (i.e., the hotel has special filters set up on their account), hotels must add a new ACH filter for: ACH ID 2522055918 (Name: MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL INC.). This action must be completed by Jan. 29.

Additional Resources

Additional information, including the 2018 Invoice Calendar and 2018 Reported Results Calendar is available on the Owner & Franchise Billing MGS Page. If you have any further questions, contact ProjectTetris@marriott.com.