These promotions are twofold. First to get some competitor business to try Marriott. At the same time many people belong to several programs, I am Platinum at Marriott,Diamond at Hilton and Platinum at Starwood. I have seen Hilton's Double Miles,Double Points through February, if Marriott didn't do something for those three months I would be at Hilton. Starwood is also doing the free Friday's that is a super deal stay 5 nights and get 2 Friday's.

According to Randy's milelink email, it's based on the base points you typically earn. I'm assuming this has to do with the 5 points vs 10 points per dollar spent.

crju & bagold...I understand now, at least that logic does make more sense.

Thanks for pointing it out.

Fyodor: I've also always thought it a bit strange that Residence Inns only gave 5 pts/dollar. After all, Fairfields and Courtyards give 10, and are usually less-expensive properties.

The only thing I can think of is that Residence Inn stays are typically longer in duration than other Marriot stays (i.e., more two-week or monthly stays than Marriotts, where a 4-night stay is more common). Not that I think that's justification to give fewer points-per-dollar, but that could be part of the history behind it.

BTW - I'm currently in the midst of a two-month Marriott Execustay stay. I get 2.5 points per dollar, plus (hopefully) a 20% silver bonus.

As explained to me by a Marriott Sales & Marketing Rep, RI's only give 5/$ due to the amenities offered. Full breakfast, dinner choices, drinks, etc. are most of the reason for the lowered points.

When I stayed at the RI in Manhattan Beach, CA, they paid for shuttle service to LAX. Not their van, a third party shuttle. I used it 4-5 times during my stays.

The offer may also take revenue / profitability into account. I was given the 30k/15 offer and was automatically registered for it. [Anyone else experience this? I didn't have to sign up] FWIW, I'm Platinum, (also Starwood Plat), and spend a lot of time and money at relatively upscale Marriotts and/or Renaissance properties. Thus far I have never redeemed any Marriott rewards, and have several hundred thousand points.

baobab, my wife is a Plat. and got 15K/15 stays. Her card also said she was automatically registered. As a Gold, I got 10K/10 stays but had to sign up.

We also have tons of Marriott points & haven't redeemed any yet...