doc-

I love your many very helpful posts. I think your post here is one of the rare ones that is misleading.

Doing as your post suggests doesn't earn any "bonus points" for signing up, which is what superdawg was asking about. In fact, following the NW trail means he would get NW miles instead of Marriott Rewards points.

Signing up for miles instead of points is a dubious choice, at best, unless the traveler (1) has a need to accrue additional miles to qualify for a particular airline award or (2) doesn't expect enough stays at Marriott properties to earn significant Marriott Rewards points.

Miles are generally worth about two cents each. Marriott Rewards points are generally worth a little over one cent each, if used effectively. Although there are some differences for the lesser branded Marriott hotels, one generally gets 10 points (10 cents plus of value) or 3 miles (about 6 cents of value) for each dollar spent at Marriotts. You choose!