I Got Them!
 

If you want some history on this promo, here is the link to the original:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum63/HTML/000150.html

If you know what this is about, here is the last message I posted after getting my 40K!

I got it!

I don't know how this happened b/c I didn't even stay the required 18 nights yet. I've been busting my hump trying to make it happen, but thought I would fall short. Then today I check my account on line and voila...40,000 for the mega bonus!

I think the kicker here was that I had a week long stay at the Ren. in Seattle that started before the bonus date and ended after it. I paid for one of my employees and used my MR number on her room as well. They must have counted my entire stay for both of us. I also paid for my wife to take advantage of some cheap nights at another Marriott while I was on the road and use my MR number...they counted her stay as well!

I'm not a die hard traveller like a lot of folks here, but I had used all of my points on a trip to Maui/Kauai last August and am already at 150,000 again...another free week's stay!

I love this country!

My 10K bonus posted 5 days after my last qualifying stay...

Marriott updates their database every Sunday night for stays over the past week.

Normally (but not always!) it takes up to two 'updates' for any bonus points to be entered (since they wait for the official update before calculating your bonus)

The Marriott website is usually WAY behind the 800 number info re: current postings.

Congrats to Marriott for actually setting up a bonus that worked from a system point of view. My 15th night (for 35,000) was on a Thursday, and the points were in on the Monday.

Add in some Amex points and me and the missus are going cruising!

Well, while online I don't see it, there suddenly is a 40,000 point jump in my account balance on the phone. The bonus is not listed as activity, but obviously it's there. The bonus posted very quickly for me too.

I wish they had a first class, or at least business class version of their travel package rewards. I'd really like to go to Australia on my points but doubt I want to go in coach.

Could somebody post what the 800 number is to check your account? Thanks.

dg1 - I think the only airline option to Australia is United. The way Marriott handles this is to credit your United Mileage Plus account with enough miles for your trip; it's up to you to arrange the trip with United. That means that if you have enough OTHER Mileage Plus miles you can go in an upgraded class.

fyodor - 1-800-450-4442

That's interesting -- has anyone else confirmed that's how Marriott deals with airline awards? So after transferring the requisite miles to the corresponding FF account it really is up to you what you spend it on?

Oh well, since I won't fly United, guess I'm going to have to burn US miles to get to Australia (on Quantas). Will use Marriott for Hawaii then http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Thanks for the information, TravelLover.

You're welcome. I had a nice talk with the Marriott Rewards folks a few days ago because I had a few questions about the 200k award. Boy, is THAT a deal! And I just reached 200k thanks to the 20k bonus that just showed up in my account.

TravelLover - Thanks for listing the phone number. Could you elaborate on any additonal info they told you about the 200 k award that is not on the website? I am thinking of saving up until i get to that level. How does it work exactly? You can fly anywhere in the world?

I just got back from using a 200k award to Palm Springs. Wow what a deal. Each airline is different. We flew NW and were given some certificates from Marriott and presented them to the city ticket office. I suggest you plan well in advance to match hotel and air reservations. I think the 200k award may be the best deal around. My only complaint with Marriott resorts is they do not honor the free breakfast for black ard holders.

Does anyone know with the 200k award is it possible to go to Australia?

fyodor - I called Marriott Rewards and specifically asked them about Australia. Yes, you can go anyplace in the world as long as one of the award airlines goes there and United does serve Australia.

I think I know where I'm going with MY 200k!

Thanks for the info TraveLover. I do think that going to Australia or Asia is probably the best "bang for the buck".