Marriott’s Summer MegaBonus promotion just started yesterday and will run from May 15 through September 2, 2013. While Marriott is calling this promotion the “Unexpected Bonus,” it is really the same exact promotion that they run about 3 times a year for the past many many many years. With all MegaBonus promotions, each individual is targeted for a different promotion depending on their stay pattern. In the past, members were able to call Marriott and get moved to another promotion. The last go-around Marriott was not allowing this, but you might have luck this time around. A friend was able to confirm that he was able to change it, but it might vary per member depending on your level.
You’ll need to sign into your account and see which promotion you received, but they include the following:
Typical offers are (based on past promotions):
- 2 stays = 1 free night for a category 1-4 hotel (expires 1 year from the date issued) – limit of three free night certificates earned during the promotion
- 2 stays = 1 free night for a category 1-5 hotel (expires 1 year from the date issued) – limit of two free night certificates earned during the promotion
- 20 nights = 35,000 points; 25 nights earns additional 10,000 for a total of 45,000 points
- 20 nights = 35,000 points; each additional night earns 2,000 points per night, up to 10 nights for a total of 55,000 points
- 15 nights = 25,000 points; 20 nights earns additional 10,000 for a total of 35,000 points
- 15 nights = 25,000 points; each additional night earns 2,000 points per night, up to 10 nights for a total of 45,000 points
Even with the recent category changes, the other hotel summer promotions are sub-part, so this might be an enticing promotion (especially if you can get the free cat 1-5 night after two stays). I also like that they started extending the expiration date to 1 year for the certificates. Since I won’t be traveling much this summer, I’ll probably have two different stays which will still get me a free 1-5 cat certificate.
Click here to view Marriott hotels and book a reservation.
The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Any tips on how to find cheap marriotts to complete the challange?
@Scott – Airport hotels or random non-city suburban hotels can sometimes have cheap rates. Sunday nights are usually the cheapest in general.
My understanding of this offer is that a “stay” is actually a minimum of two consecutive nights in the same hotel. As far as I can tell, this means you have to stay four nights to earn one free night. Can anyone comment on this?
@john doe – No, a stay consists of your time spent at the hotel from check in to check out. This could mean it is one night or a week, for example. But a stay can absolutely be just one night.
Is there a way to get this if you did not get a targeted email?
Jeff
@Jeff – There is no targeted email, you just need to sign into your Marriott rewards account and go to the promotions page. If you call Marriott Rewards they will be able to directly enroll you as well.
I saw your post and registered for the promotion. I just stayed two consecutive nights at a Marriott. Does that count as two stays? If so, how do you go about applying the free night?
@John – A stay is defined by check in/check out, regardless of the number of nights. So two consecutive nights counts as one stay.