Originally Posted by ohmark

Rule is that you only get credit for a night that was paid for. I too have sometimes received credit for a free EEO night, including a recent experience. I believe this happens when the info is not entered correctly at the hotel. More often, I've not received the credit. If the OP is counting on getting credit for that night, it's chancey. The rule generally cited at properties to deny credit is this: "Reward certificate stays do not count toward Elite membership." http://www.marriott.com/rewards/terms/elite.mi
When I've asked Marriott Rewards reps about this, I've been told that only paid nights, not free nights, count for elite credit. Obviously, your experience is to the contrary. If you've been told by a Marriott rep that such credit is proper, please post. If accurate, that would be good news and I would be owed about six additional nights credit this year.