One Million Points Marriott Rewards contest
Jul 6, 2015, 9:42 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: UA 2P, NWA & AirTran A+ refugee
Posts: 188
One Million Points Marriott Rewards contest
I've been receiving emails urging me to "CHECK IN WITH OUR APP FOR A CHANCE TO WIN 1 Million Marriott Rewards® bonus points." Thinking that sounds pretty cool, I downloaded and used the app to check in. So far, so good.
I realize that my chances are slim of winning, but it turns out if you are a US resident, your chances are zero. If you read the fine print here, you first see that you have to register. The solicitation email didn't mention that, but fine, I'll register (though I am disappointed I wasted a few check-in/entry opportunities conducted with the app before I registered). But here the real kicker. This contest is only "Open to legal residents of Austria, Canada, mainland China (excludes Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau), France, India, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, and UK who are at least the age of majority and are members of the Marriott Rewards Program."
Marriott has my US mailing address and my credit card billing address on files, so they clearly know I am a US resident. So basically they are circulating a sham contest to get folks to download the app to enter a contest that they technically are disallowed from entering. Boo, Marriott.
I realize that my chances are slim of winning, but it turns out if you are a US resident, your chances are zero. If you read the fine print here, you first see that you have to register. The solicitation email didn't mention that, but fine, I'll register (though I am disappointed I wasted a few check-in/entry opportunities conducted with the app before I registered). But here the real kicker. This contest is only "Open to legal residents of Austria, Canada, mainland China (excludes Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau), France, India, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, and UK who are at least the age of majority and are members of the Marriott Rewards Program."
Marriott has my US mailing address and my credit card billing address on files, so they clearly know I am a US resident. So basically they are circulating a sham contest to get folks to download the app to enter a contest that they technically are disallowed from entering. Boo, Marriott.
Last edited by flatlined; Jul 7, 2015 at 7:32 am
Jul 6, 2015, 10:11 pm
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 827
all those wasted milli-seconds.
I've been receiving emails urging me to "CHECK IN WITH OUR APP FOR A CHANCE TO WIN 1 Million Marriott Rewards® bonus points." Thinking that sounds pretty cool, I downloaded and used the app to check in. So far, so good.
I realize that my chances are slim of winning, but it turns out if you are a US resident, your chances are zero. If you read the fine print here, you first see that you have to register. The solicitation email didn't mention that, but fine, I'll register (though I am disappointed I wasted a few check-in/entry opportunities conducted with the app before I registered). But here the real kicker. This contest is only "Open to legal residents of Austria, Canada, mainland China (excludes Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau), France, India, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, and UK who are at least the age of majority and are members of the Marriott Rewards Program."
Marriott has my US mailing address and my credit card billing address on files, so they clearly know I am a US resident. So basically they are circulating a sham contest to get folks to download the app to enter a contest that they technically are disallowed from entering. Boo, Marriott.
I realize that my chances are slim of winning, but it turns out if you are a US resident, your chances are zero. If you read the fine print here, you first see that you have to register. The solicitation email didn't mention that, but fine, I'll register (though I am disappointed I wasted a few check-in/entry opportunities conducted with the app before I registered). But here the real kicker. This contest is only "Open to legal residents of Austria, Canada, mainland China (excludes Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau), France, India, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, and UK who are at least the age of majority and are members of the Marriott Rewards Program."
Marriott has my US mailing address and my credit card billing address on files, so they clearly know I am a US resident. So basically they are circulating a sham contest to get folks to download the app to enter a contest that they technically are disallowed from entering. Boo, Marriott.
Jul 6, 2015, 10:37 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SNA
Posts: 18,240
Scroll to the bottom of that page for US the t and c's. You clicked on the link for the international t and c's.
US -
"*No purchase necessary. Open to legal residents of U.S. (D.C), Puerto Rico & USVI who are 18 years of age or older and are members of the Marriott Rewards Program. Membership in the program is free. Sweepstakes entry only valid for mobile check-ins for stays from 4/3/15 – 12/31/15 at participating Marriott brands within the U.S., PR & USVI. See Official Rules for (1) how to enter without a hotel stay, (2) how to opt-out of the Sweepstakes after checking in with the Marriott mobile app and, (3) other additional terms and conditions including full prize details and odds of winning. Message and data rates may apply with use of the Marriott Mobile App. Void where prohibited.
Additional countries will be participating in a similar promotion in the coming months."
US -
"*No purchase necessary. Open to legal residents of U.S. (D.C), Puerto Rico & USVI who are 18 years of age or older and are members of the Marriott Rewards Program. Membership in the program is free. Sweepstakes entry only valid for mobile check-ins for stays from 4/3/15 – 12/31/15 at participating Marriott brands within the U.S., PR & USVI. See Official Rules for (1) how to enter without a hotel stay, (2) how to opt-out of the Sweepstakes after checking in with the Marriott mobile app and, (3) other additional terms and conditions including full prize details and odds of winning. Message and data rates may apply with use of the Marriott Mobile App. Void where prohibited.
Additional countries will be participating in a similar promotion in the coming months."
Jul 6, 2015, 11:26 pm
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 827
based upon your post seems the only thing bogus about the OPs post is the OPs post 
Scroll to the bottom of that page for US the t and c's. You clicked on the link for the international t and c's.
US -
"*No purchase necessary. Open to legal residents of U.S. (D.C), Puerto Rico & USVI who are 18 years of age or older and are members of the Marriott Rewards Program. Membership in the program is free. Sweepstakes entry only valid for mobile check-ins for stays from 4/3/15 – 12/31/15 at participating Marriott brands within the U.S., PR & USVI. See Official Rules for (1) how to enter without a hotel stay, (2) how to opt-out of the Sweepstakes after checking in with the Marriott mobile app and, (3) other additional terms and conditions including full prize details and odds of winning. Message and data rates may apply with use of the Marriott Mobile App. Void where prohibited.
Additional countries will be participating in a similar promotion in the coming months."
US -
"*No purchase necessary. Open to legal residents of U.S. (D.C), Puerto Rico & USVI who are 18 years of age or older and are members of the Marriott Rewards Program. Membership in the program is free. Sweepstakes entry only valid for mobile check-ins for stays from 4/3/15 – 12/31/15 at participating Marriott brands within the U.S., PR & USVI. See Official Rules for (1) how to enter without a hotel stay, (2) how to opt-out of the Sweepstakes after checking in with the Marriott mobile app and, (3) other additional terms and conditions including full prize details and odds of winning. Message and data rates may apply with use of the Marriott Mobile App. Void where prohibited.
Additional countries will be participating in a similar promotion in the coming months."
Jul 7, 2015, 2:01 am
#5
In memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: MAN
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, IHG Spire, UA Silver, Dennis The Menace Fan Club
Posts: 1,457
Oooopps Flatlined
If it helps however, this post did one thing, it made me aware that this Marriott sweepstake was available to international members... The first one for a long time. So I've now registered just in time for my first July stay...
If it helps however, this post did one thing, it made me aware that this Marriott sweepstake was available to international members... The first one for a long time. So I've now registered just in time for my first July stay...
Jul 7, 2015, 7:33 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: UA 2P, NWA & AirTran A+ refugee
Posts: 188
Oops indeed. I wonder why I was directed to the international page when I attempted to register. Must be user error - I blame jet lag. I've updated the thread title to reflect the points you all raised, but left my (incorrect) rant to preserve my shame.
Jul 7, 2015, 7:56 am
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,103
Here are the rules:
http://mobileapp.marriott.com/official-rules/
And for those of us who don't have ios or Android or just don't want to download the app/do mobile check in, here's the snail mail way to enter:
Enter by Mail: To enter without making a reservation at a Marriott property or using Marriott Mobile Check-in, hand print your name, address, day and evening phone numbers, email address, Rewards Account Number, and date of birth on a 3″ x 5″ piece of paper and mail it in an envelope with proper postage to “Marriott Mobile Check-in,” c/o HelloWorld, Inc., P.O. Box 5046, Department 818005, Kalamazoo, MI 49003-5046, U.S.A. You will receive one (1) entry into the applicable Monthly Entry Period and one (1) entry into the Grand Prize drawing. Limit: You will receive one (1) entry per envelope. You may send up to ten (10) mail-in entries each Monthly Entry Period. All mail-in entries must be handwritten and must be postmarked by the last day of the Month (or the following day if the last day of the month is a Sunday) and received by five (5) business days after the last day of the month to be included in that Monthly Entry Period drawing. All entries become the exclusive property of Sponsor and none will be acknowledged or returned. Proof of sending or submission will not be deemed to be proof of receipt by Sponsor. Sponsor is not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, invalid, unintelligible, illegible, misdirected or postage-due entries, which will be disqualified.
LIMIT: Entrants may only receive ten (10) entries during each Monthly Entry Period by any combination of entry methods.
http://mobileapp.marriott.com/official-rules/
And for those of us who don't have ios or Android or just don't want to download the app/do mobile check in, here's the snail mail way to enter:
Enter by Mail: To enter without making a reservation at a Marriott property or using Marriott Mobile Check-in, hand print your name, address, day and evening phone numbers, email address, Rewards Account Number, and date of birth on a 3″ x 5″ piece of paper and mail it in an envelope with proper postage to “Marriott Mobile Check-in,” c/o HelloWorld, Inc., P.O. Box 5046, Department 818005, Kalamazoo, MI 49003-5046, U.S.A. You will receive one (1) entry into the applicable Monthly Entry Period and one (1) entry into the Grand Prize drawing. Limit: You will receive one (1) entry per envelope. You may send up to ten (10) mail-in entries each Monthly Entry Period. All mail-in entries must be handwritten and must be postmarked by the last day of the Month (or the following day if the last day of the month is a Sunday) and received by five (5) business days after the last day of the month to be included in that Monthly Entry Period drawing. All entries become the exclusive property of Sponsor and none will be acknowledged or returned. Proof of sending or submission will not be deemed to be proof of receipt by Sponsor. Sponsor is not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, invalid, unintelligible, illegible, misdirected or postage-due entries, which will be disqualified.
LIMIT: Entrants may only receive ten (10) entries during each Monthly Entry Period by any combination of entry methods.
Jul 7, 2015, 7:56 am
#8
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,555
I will say this: app check-in has saved my hide, twice. Once at PHL Airport, once at Chicago Magnificent Mile. Both occasions where there was a long queue for "regular" check-in and a dedicated place for app check-in where it took 30 seconds to get my key.
I didn't win the million points, but I saved probably 30-45 minutes, which almost makes me more happy! (Considering I had no real expectation of the million points to begin with...)
I didn't win the million points, but I saved probably 30-45 minutes, which almost makes me more happy! (Considering I had no real expectation of the million points to begin with...)
Aug 7, 2015, 8:20 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SF CA USA. I love large faceless corporations. And they cherish me in return (sometimes). ;)
Programs: UA Premier Gold/disappointed 1MM, HH Gold, IHG Plat, MB Gold, BW Diam Sel
Posts: 17,575
Anyhow, I received an email prompting me to check in (for a reservation that starts tomorrow) using the app for a chance to win.
I have the latest version of the app, 5.1, on my iPad, (which is running iOs 8.4) and I'm looking at the reservation on it, but I see no way to check in.
EDITED TO ADD: I sent an email to Marriott about this, and got a very quick response: "The iPad mobile app does not offer mobile check-in or check-out at this time."
Last edited by KathyWdrf; Aug 7, 2015 at 8:31 pm
Aug 9, 2015, 3:03 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,698
So odd, I thought the iphone and Ipad version of any app were the same!!
Aug 9, 2015, 5:30 pm
#13
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Philadelphia, PA, USA
Programs: UA 2P, AA LT Gold, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 3,159
I too started checking in with the app mainly for the 1MM point sweeps but have several times been delighted when the app pops up "your room is ready" - sometimes as early as 11 AM!
I like how you can check in the DAY BEFORE arrival on the app. It asks when you expect to arrive and I have been close to 100% on having room ready, sometimes long before I arrive.
I like how you can check in the DAY BEFORE arrival on the app. It asks when you expect to arrive and I have been close to 100% on having room ready, sometimes long before I arrive.
Aug 9, 2015, 6:36 pm
#14
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Lincoln, NE
Programs: Marriott , United, Delta, Priority Club
Posts: 151
My only concern was that if you 'checked in' via the app, you basically gave up your right to cancel. I checked and they confirmed that you are still able to cancel via normal cancellation protocol even though you checked in via the app. It really is convenient for those of you that haven't tried it. I now use it 100% of the time and it works great.
Aug 9, 2015, 10:50 pm
#15
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: Marriott Titanium and LTP, Hilton Gold, United Silver
Posts: 786
I've been receiving emails urging me to "CHECK IN WITH OUR APP FOR A CHANCE TO WIN 1 Million Marriott Rewards® bonus points." Thinking that sounds pretty cool, I downloaded and used the app to check in. So far, so good.
I realize that my chances are slim of winning, but it turns out if you are a US resident, your chances are zero. If you read the fine print here, you first see that you have to register. The solicitation email didn't mention that, but fine, I'll register (though I am disappointed I wasted a few check-in/entry opportunities conducted with the app before I registered). But here the real kicker. This contest is only "Open to legal residents of Austria, Canada, mainland China (excludes Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau), France, India, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, and UK who are at least the age of majority and are members of the Marriott Rewards Program."
Marriott has my US mailing address and my credit card billing address on files, so they clearly know I am a US resident. So basically they are circulating a sham contest to get folks to download the app to enter a contest that they technically are disallowed from entering. Boo, Marriott.
I realize that my chances are slim of winning, but it turns out if you are a US resident, your chances are zero. If you read the fine print here, you first see that you have to register. The solicitation email didn't mention that, but fine, I'll register (though I am disappointed I wasted a few check-in/entry opportunities conducted with the app before I registered). But here the real kicker. This contest is only "Open to legal residents of Austria, Canada, mainland China (excludes Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau), France, India, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, and UK who are at least the age of majority and are members of the Marriott Rewards Program."
Marriott has my US mailing address and my credit card billing address on files, so they clearly know I am a US resident. So basically they are circulating a sham contest to get folks to download the app to enter a contest that they technically are disallowed from entering. Boo, Marriott.
*No purchase necessary. Open to legal residents of U.S. (D.C), Puerto Rico & USVI who are 18 years of age or older and are members of the Marriott Rewards Program. Membership in the program is free. Sweepstakes entry only valid for mobile check-ins for stays from 4/3/15 – 12/31/15 at participating Marriott brands within the U.S., PR & USVI. See Official Rules for (1) how to enter without a hotel stay, (2) how to opt-out of the Sweepstakes after checking in with the Marriott mobile app and, (3) other additional terms and conditions including full prize details and odds of winning. Message and data rates may apply with use of the Marriott Mobile App. Void where prohibited.