I also had this problem and it was suddenly fixed recently. Good to know it wasn't just me.

Last time I changed, the rep told me it would have been much, much more difficult for them to make the change after the promo ended. So I would wait until nearly the end, but not after the stay deadline.

As far as when to register, the language in my promo says:

...which seems to imply that, as long as you register by March 31, it'll count all the stays back to Feb 1. But really, there is no practical reason to test that... registering before staying takes away any ambiguity.

The Cat 1-4 version of the promo is working out very well for me, also. I've used the certs to add tourist days to business trips, mostly staying in very nice Residence Inns. Also used one on a visit to family, so no one would have to deal with me showing up in the middle of the night after the late flight. They've proven very useful and have definitely galvanized my loyalty.

I usually stay almost exclusively at Hiltons, but their Q1 special is pretty weak. Because of that, I signed up for a Marriot account with the Q1 megabonus.

Last week on the basis of this 2 night get one night free megabonus, I stayed at a Marriot. Looking at my Marriot account I think I am going to miss out on the promo. When I signed up I selected points, but when I reserved the room via my corporate travel site it must have attached my United account?

Anyway long story short I guess taking airline miles invalidates the offer. Any way to belatedly correct that or am I hosed?

It doesn't matter if your reservation list your United account number. What matters is how your Marriott account is set up . If you are set up for points you will be fine.

If your account was showing you the megabonus, it is likely your account is set up for points correctly. If you have miles selected it does not give you the option to sign up for the promotion when you are logged into your MR account and at the promotions page.

If you had it (your account) set up wrong, you should call MR asap. They may change it for you as long as the stay has not posted yet.

You really need to check your preference for earning on your Marriott account.

Really annoyed....spoke with a MR agent several weeks ago and requested that my Megabonus be changed from the default (35K after 20 nights) to 1 free night for every 2 stays (max 3 free nights). They agreed and she even helped me make a reservation for the summer using the certain-to-be-earned cat 4 nights. In looking at my account online, I noticed that it still showed the points promo, so I sent an e-mail to customer service. Their response:
__________________________________________________ _________
Dear billycwhatup,

Thank you for contacting Marriott Rewards regarding the 2012 Spring MegaBonus Promotion. I see you are a Platinum Elite member. Thank you for your valued loyalty and continued patronage.

Our records indicate you are enrolled in the 2012 Spring MegaBonus Promotion that began February 1, 2012 and ends April 30, 2012. You have been selected to receive a bonus of 35,000 Marriott Rewards points when you stay a total of 20 paid nights. You can receive an additional bonus of 15,000 Marriott Rewards points, up to a maximum bonus of 50,000 points, when you stay a total of 25 paid nights. You may track your progress through our website at MarriottRewards.com.

Elite nights earned through other promotions that appear as non-stay nights in your account and timeshare owner stays during a designated owner week do not qualify for this promotion.

Please accept my apologies that we are unable to enroll you in an alternate 2012 Spring MegaBonus Promotion offer.

Thank you for choosing Marriott.

Sincerely,

REDACTED
Internet Correspondence Specialist
Marriott Rewards Guest Services
__________________________________________________ ____

Now on the phone - currently in my 10th minute of hold.

Don't mess with them, PM Marriott Concierge. He/she will fix it.

Update: customer service said the e-mail was just plain wrong and that all is fine. Still disappointing that the customer service agent wouldn't bother to check.

So, I had not thought I would make the 15/20 night 25k/40k Megabonus. I requested being moved to the Cat 4's. NOW, I have met the 15 nights after I check out today. Marriott removed my request to switch Megabonus promos.

My question is: Do I get the first 25k points as soon as the 15 nights post or do they show up at the end of the Megabonus?

I did it the same with Visa megabonus, then the MR CS I emailed to 'grant' me an exception to allow me to change to e-cert. Then I thought it was ok, but then I wasn't able to use the e-certs until the promo was ended. Fortunately I didn't need to use it during the promo.

This time I PM Marie and she got our our promos changed, and the best thing is that I could see the promo on my Marriott's page!

So I learned the lesson.

You should get the 25K points after passing 15 nights if that was your original promo. I have always got the 35K points after 20 nights for MegaBonus promos.

Right now, I don't think I will hit 25 nights for the 50k points. I am probably going to ask to be switched to the 40k points for 20 nights. Hyatt's promo is at the same time, and I want to max that promo out.

Perfect. Just what I was hoping. Thank you.

Does anyone else have problems with redeeming these certificates? According to Marriott Reservations they are unable to get into my account even though I have given them the password to my account.

Is there anyway to make a reservation online using these certs so I don't have to talk to these bumbling idiots?

They should NOT have to login to your account. They should just need your MR number. However, you should be able to make an award res. through the website. It should offer you the option to use your certificate instead of points.

I have never had problems with the reservation agents though.

You were correct. I had my 15th megabonus night post today. Instantly got the 25k points.

Congrats on meeting your megabonus already.^ I'm still contemplating which one to switch to (certs or points). So far, I've been doing the miles. It's working out rather nicely.

4 nights needed to get the 15k kicker!