By : Mr Credit Card

Review of the Marriott Rewards Program

Summary - The Marriott Hotel chain is one of the largest in the world and it has a pretty good frequent guest program as well. In this review, we will look at the Marriott Rewards program in detail and suggest ways for Marriott Rewards members to rack up even more points.

Benefits - First, let's start with the benefits of being a member. If you achieve gold and platinum status, you get free internet access at all Marriott hotels (which is a great benefit for me since I can run this website on the road). More importantly, Marriott Members can also earn and use their points for redemption at Ritz Carlton Hotels. Call it a partnership if you will, but for those who stay at both hotels, this is a great perk.

Earning Points

Let's get to the meat of it all, how do you earn Marriott Points. Well, Marriott Rewards members earn 10 points per dollar spent at Marriott Hotels & Resorts, J.W. Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Renaissance Hotels & Resorts, Marriott Conference Centers, Courtyard, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites, and Marriott Vacation Club International. You'll earn five points per dollar at Residence Inn, and TownePlace Suites; 2.5 points per dollar at Marriott ExecuStay (minimum 30-day stay) and Marriott Executive Apartments (stays of 1-180 days); and 1,000 points per night at Hotel New Otani in Tokyo, Makuhari or Hakata.

Earn Points via Credit Card

Marriott have teamed up with Chase for their credit cards. In fact, there are two versions. The regular Marriott Rewards® Credit Card allows you to earn triple points at Marriott Hotels. The Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card is the higher end version and allows you to earn five points for every dollar that you spend at Marriott. The nice perk about both these cards is that you automatically qualify for silver elite status as a card member.

Earn Miles

Marriott Rewards members can choose to earn airmiles instead of frequent guest points when they stay at Marriott Hotels. You can earn miles for Air Canada Aeroplan, Air China Companion Club, Air France/KLM Flying Blue, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, Alitialia MilleMiglia, American Airlines AAdvantage, America West Airlines FlightFund, ANA Mileage Club, Asiana Club, British Airways Executive Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, China Southern Sky Pearl Club, Continental OnePass, Delta Skymiles, Emirates Skywards, LANPASS, Lufthansa Miles & More, Meixcana Airlines Freceunta, Northwest Worldperks, Quantas Frequent Flyer, Singapore Airlines Krisflyer, SN Brussells Airlines Privilege, SouthWest Airlines Rapid Rewards, TAP Air Portugal Victoria, United Mileage Plus, US Airways Dividend Miles, Varig Brasil.

For most of these airlines (except Quantas, Southwest Airlines), you can 2 miles for every dollar you spend at Marriott Hotels and Resorts, JW Marriott Hotels and Resorts, Renaissance Hotels and Resorts, Marriott Vacation Club International. You can earn 1 mile for every dollar you spend at Courtyard by Marriott, Fairfield Inn by Marriott, Springhill Suites by Marriott, TownePlace Suits by Marriott and Residence Inn by Marriott.

Other Ways to Earn Marriott Points

Marriott has partnered with several merchants to allow members to earn Marriott Points when they shop at the following places: Boston Coach, Chase Home Equity Loan or Mortgage (earn up to 35,000 points), FTD.com, Hertz, Marriotts Rewards Mall, Netbank, Skymall (which is another Marriott Rewards online mall - earn 10 points for every dollar you spend) and Travelling Connect.

Converting Diners Club Points

Diners Club cardholders can convert Diners Club Points to Marriott Reward Points. The points can be converted at a rate of 1250 Diners Club points for 1500 Marriot Reward Points.

Reward Choices

Marriot Reward Points can be redeemed for Marriott hotel stays in a few ways. You can redeem them for a night's stay. Marriott divides its hotels into 7 categories. For the lowest category 1, you need 7,500 points for one nights' stay. For the top of the line category 7 hotel, you need 35,000 for one night's stay.

One of members favourite is the Pointsaver program, which allows members to use up to 33% less points for a stay at more popular hotels. Points can also used for stays at Marriott Vacation Club locations. Points can also be used for room upgrades.

Hotel partners include The Ritz Carlton, Orient-Express Hotels, New Otani, Peppers Retreates & Resorts, Ashford Castle and Dromoland Castle so that you can use Marriott points for stays at these hotels.

Marriott allows members to redeem their Marriott Reward points in a number of other ways. You can

• Convert Marriott points into airmiles

• Cars, Rails and Cruise Rewards

• Travel packages (includes hotel only and hotel plus air travel rewards)

• Sports and Leisure Rewards (including ski, spa and theme parks rewards)

• Shopping and Gift Certificates

• Donate Points to charities - you can either donate to your own local favourite charity or to the Red Cross

Membership Levels

Silver Elite - Unlike other programs, Marriott uses the number of nights stayed at the basis for entrance into their elite status. Silver Elite membership requires 10 nights stay in a year. You get 20% bonus on Marriott Reward Points, reservation guarantee, Elite reservation line, exclusive guest service line, priority late checkout, 10% weekend discount at participating Courtyard and Springfield suite locations, cash checking of up to $200 per day, 10% discounts at Marriott gift shops and exclusive elite rewards.

Gold Elite - In addition to the benefits that silver elite members get, Gold members get 25% bonus on Marriott Rewards, guaranteed lounge access and free continental breakfast, guaranteed room type, room upgrades, free local phone/fax, cash checks of up to $500. Gold membership requires 50 nights stay.

Platinum Elite - Platinum members get 30% bonus on Marriott Rewards Points, 48 hours guaranteed availability and Platinum "arrival gift". 75 nights of stay in a calender is required for platinum status.



Verdict - The Marriott Rewards program is a very comprehensive hotel frequent guest program that offers members rewards that are easily earned and used. Its reward choices are quite comprehensive as well. Furthermore, there many Marriott Rewards credit card to choose from.