I just did a short trip and had 3 nights free (no points used for these) with Marriott.

My annual free night for renewal of the card.

A free night for spending (these figures are close but may not be exact) $750 in maybe a two month period.

Another free night for spending maybe $2000 in a 3 month period.

There was in fact a problem with my registration for the $750 spending----it did not take---OK maybe I did it wrong----I called and they gave it to me any way.

Then I had a 4th night free for only 10,000 points. It was a nice but not a high cat Spring Hill Suites.

For me the card works.

Those 3 free night coupons were worth $400 in free stays.