On one of my first Marriott stays as I checked in the front desk stated that "The room you booked is not going to be big enough. I'll just go and upgrade you". I wasn't a member of the rewards program, I was with my wife and two small children and this was in Niagra Falls Canada. There was no reason to upgrade us other than just being nice. They had me hooked from then on.

I joined the rewards program and made Marriott the only Hotel I stay at. Now 15 years later my son works for Marriott and loves the way they treat the employees.

I also like the family discounts I get now