Sep 6, 2017, 8:13 am
Last edit by: sdsearch
Fall 2017 MegaBonus Terms and Conditions
*A 'stay' is defined as consecutive nights spent at the same hotel, regardless of check-in/check-out activity. [Although the T&Cs don't say it clearly, a stay can be as short as one night.]
• Registration is required.
• Marriott Rewards members who register for this promotion by November 30, 2017 will earn one (1) free night award at a category 1-5 hotel (value of standard free night award ranges from 7,500 points for Category 1 hotels to 25,000 points for Category 5 hotels) after two paid stays* made between September 12, 2017 and January 15, 2018, at participating Marriott® properties.
• If a member completes two qualifying stays during the promotional period, an additional offer may be unlocked and become available in the members account within 2-3 days after the second qualifying stay.
• The member may not receive additional notification except through their online member account and must register for the additional offer within two (2) weeks from the date the additional offer becomes available.
• Maximum one (1) free night award earned with this promotion per member to be redeemed for a future stay at participating Marriott Rewards category 1-5 properties.
• Free night award will expire six (6) months after the date of issuance.
• An earned free night award is good for one (1) single or double occupancy standard room only and includes the cost of the hotel room and applicable room taxes only.
• An earned free night award will be added to the member’s account within 3-5 business days after the second qualifying stay.
• The awarded free night certificate is not transferable and may not be given as a gift.
• Nights spent while redeeming an award are not eligible for credit and Marriott Vacation Club® owner-occupied weeks are not eligible for credit.
• Stays at ExecuStay and Marriott Executive Apartments are not eligible for credit toward this promotion.
• Only one room per hotel is counted toward a member’s nights or stay.
• Members electing to earn miles are not eligible for this promotion.
• For a list of current Marriott Rewards participating brands, visit https://www.marriott.com/marriott-re...earn/hotels.mi.
• Stays at our exclusive luxury hotel partner, The Ritz-Carlton®, will count toward achievement.
• Rooms booked through most third party online retailers and select travel agency bookings are ineligible to earn for this promotion.
• All Marriott Rewards program terms and conditions apply.
• See https://www.marriott.com/rewards/terms/earning.mi for more information.
• Visit MarriottRewards.com/FreeNightMegaBonus for complete details.
• © 2017 Marriott International, Inc.
US T&C above, here are all the T&C links I found:
https://www.marriott.com/File_Blocks/MarriottRewards/PromotionCentral/Terms/2017/FA17A/Terms_and_Conditions_FA17A_us.html
https://www.marriott.com/File_Blocks/MarriottRewards/PromotionCentral/Terms/2017/FA17A/Terms_and_Conditions_FA17A_fr.html
https://www.marriott.com/File_Blocks/MarriottRewards/PromotionCentral/Terms/2017/FA17A/Terms_and_Conditions_FA17A_us.html
https://www.marriott.com/File_Blocks/MarriottRewards/PromotionCentral/Terms/2017/FA17A/Terms_and_Conditions_FA17A_au.html
https://www.marriott.com/File_Blocks/MarriottRewards/PromotionCentral/Terms/2017/FA17A/Terms_and_Conditions_FA17A_us.html
https://www.marriott.com/File_Blocks/MarriottRewards/PromotionCentral/Terms/2017/FA17A/Terms_and_Conditions_FA17A_jp.html
https://www.marriott.com/File_Blocks/MarriottRewards/PromotionCentral/Terms/2017/FA17A/Terms_and_Conditions_FA17A_kr.html
https://www.marriott.com/File_Blocks/MarriottRewards/PromotionCentral/Terms/2017/FA17A/Terms_and_Conditions_FA17A_es.html
https://www.marriott.com/File_Blocks/MarriottRewards/PromotionCentral/Terms/2017/FA17A/Terms_and_Conditions_FA17A_de.html
https://www.marriott.com/File_Blocks/MarriottRewards/PromotionCentral/Terms/2017/FA17A/Terms_and_Conditions_FA17A_cn.html
2017 Fall MegaBonus (Sept 12 to Jan 15)
Sep 8, 2017, 4:57 pm
#166
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: WN A+ CP, UA 1MM/*A Gold, Mar LT Tit, IHG Plat, HH Dia
Posts: 6,285
I'm with you on this. It's frustrating to try to find suitable opportunities to redeem the Cat 1-5 certs earned from the Chase credit cards because there we're comparing the value of the room night to the card's annual fee. Getting a $100-125 room months later in exchange for the hard cost of the $85 AF is a marginal value. Now consider the cost of acquisition here. It's zero. It's a bonus that can be earned in as little as two nights at inexpensive properties. Getting even a $100 room night as a bonus for two short stays is a great bonus.
Sep 8, 2017, 5:13 pm
#167
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,220
I'm usually a cheerleader for the 1-5's, but looking over my upcoming trips for the next 6+ months and I'm having a hard time...we usually have to stay overnight in SEA because of crazy schedules back to EUG, and my go-to, the FFI, is now a 6.
I also don't compare it to what "that" 1-5 would cost, I compare it to what I can book at a competitor's hotel (usually Hilton for us) and I have to admit it's getting more and more difficult to glean the value.
I'm taking a pass on this promo because I'll have a struggle using my Chase's, I don't need another one to deal with. Bring it up to Cat. 6 and it is a world of difference.
I also don't compare it to what "that" 1-5 would cost, I compare it to what I can book at a competitor's hotel (usually Hilton for us) and I have to admit it's getting more and more difficult to glean the value.
I'm taking a pass on this promo because I'll have a struggle using my Chase's, I don't need another one to deal with. Bring it up to Cat. 6 and it is a world of difference.
Sep 8, 2017, 5:30 pm
#168
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Seattle WA, USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott LT Plat, AS Lounge
Posts: 3,478
Just FYI the category 5 Springhill Suites in Renton is a decent place and has an airport shuttle to SEA. They are not as convenient for early departing flights as the FFI due to their distance from SEA but might be an option for you for later departures. It's hard to imagine the FFI being a 6, although we haven't stayed there in years so maybe it's been spruced up.
Sep 8, 2017, 5:40 pm
#170
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2013
Programs: UA Au Marriott Ti Hilton C
Posts: 159
Personally, I'd prefer points for the greater flexibility in lieu of a Cat 5 certificate. Still, there's value in the certificate.
I think the best way to use a certificate is for hotels that still have award availability, but cash rates that are high for an event.
I'm using my Chase cert to cover a Cat 5 hotel that wanted $339 for one of my stay nights. I'll pay cash ($199 per night) for the first two nights and burn the certificate for the final evening.
I think the best way to use a certificate is for hotels that still have award availability, but cash rates that are high for an event.
I'm using my Chase cert to cover a Cat 5 hotel that wanted $339 for one of my stay nights. I'll pay cash ($199 per night) for the first two nights and burn the certificate for the final evening.
Sep 8, 2017, 5:56 pm
#171
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,220
Just FYI the category 5 Springhill Suites in Renton is a decent place and has an airport shuttle to SEA. They are not as convenient for early departing flights as the FFI due to their distance from SEA but might be an option for you for later departures. It's hard to imagine the FFI being a 6, although we haven't stayed there in years so maybe it's been spruced up.
Sep 8, 2017, 5:59 pm
#172
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: BWI, PHL, IAD
Programs: Marriott LT Titanium; Mileage Plus 1K, 1 MM; Global Entry
Posts: 1,516
Sep 8, 2017, 7:44 pm
#173
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: DUB-BOS
Programs: various
Posts: 3,690
How fast does the megabonus night post?
My 2nd stay ends 7 days prior to the night I want to use the megabonus night. Night is held with points but no way I would burn 25k points when I can get the nearby Hampton at $100. I thought the free night posts within a day or 2, but cannot recall for sure as never had such a tight window before.
My 2nd stay ends 7 days prior to the night I want to use the megabonus night. Night is held with points but no way I would burn 25k points when I can get the nearby Hampton at $100. I thought the free night posts within a day or 2, but cannot recall for sure as never had such a tight window before.
Sep 8, 2017, 11:20 pm
#174
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: PHL
Programs: AA ExP, Marriott Amb, National EAE, Hilton Diamond, SPG Plat (RIP), US CP (RIP)
Posts: 2,379
There are two cat 5 hotels within 3 miles of the airport. Yes, if you are so location specific that 2-3 miles is a deal breaker than paying cash is probably your best option.
Sep 9, 2017, 1:05 am
#175
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,185
Just FYI the category 5 Springhill Suites in Renton is a decent place and has an airport shuttle to SEA. They are not as convenient for early departing flights as the FFI due to their distance from SEA but might be an option for you for later departures. It's hard to imagine the FFI being a 6, although we haven't stayed there in years so maybe it's been spruced up.
Sep 9, 2017, 1:53 am
#176
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,220
I see a few that are 4-5 miles, east of the I-5, and I do admit they have not been on my radar. Might have to give them a try someday.
Sep 10, 2017, 7:01 am
#177
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,113
There are also some basic Cat 5 properties that, depending on time of week or special event (Super Bowl, World Cup, Formula 1, Sturgis, Eclipse viewing, major football games US or int'l
, or concerts, etc) that book for quite a bit of $$ & are a good use of night certs. Also, they can come in handy for early morning or late night departures, when often near an airport there's a Cat 1-5 & it means a bit more sleep, or in unexpected events such as blizzards, typhoons, hurricanes, or even medical events when one needs to stay near a hospital, such as I used mine when my sister had breast cancer, or even when yes, one is in a not so popular location for something like a family reunion or to attend a wedding.
A few years ago when ORD was shut down for 3 days due to a major blizzard I found myself having to stay longer in LA because of that. The Ren LAX (at the time) was a Cat 4; regular room rates were close to $300/night because it was mid-week & because other travelers were stuck as well. I was very thankful I had 2 Cat 1-4 certs in my account, as it saved me $600. It also saved me having to use a boatload of points for those nights.
Yes. Marriott provides elite benefits regardless of your rate. This includes free nights.
Marriott's policy of treating elites as elites, regardless of rate, is one of the unheralded benefits of MR compared to the competition, where an ineligible paid rate (e.g., booked through an OTA or contracted) gets you NOTHING.
Marriott's policy of treating elites as elites, regardless of rate, is one of the unheralded benefits of MR compared to the competition, where an ineligible paid rate (e.g., booked through an OTA or contracted) gets you NOTHING.
Some elites go to cities such as London & yes, while staying at the LHR Ren is not the same as staying in central London, at least it's an easy ride on the Picadilly line into the city. Same w/ Chicago. One can stay out near ORD & take the blue line into downtown. But there are also cities in the US with full-service Cat 5s, as well as the more limited service brands.
And there are international cities w/ full service Cat 5 options that have gotten nice reviews such as the Warsaw Marriott, the Marriotts in Abu Dhabi, the 2 Rens in Paris, the 2 Marriotts in Moscow, the Renaissance Malmo, the JW in New Delhi, or a resort like the JW in Vietnam, etc. The Courtyard Arena in AMS offers an option as well. Sure it's not full service, but it's still in AMS & not out near the airport. Those are hardly places that people don't want to go.
With the Cat 1-5s work for every city or all full service properties? No. Can they be used? Absolutely.
Cheers.
Last edited by SkiAdcock; Sep 10, 2017 at 7:24 am Reason: provide additional info on the stackable question and personal examples of use...
Sep 10, 2017, 8:14 am
#178
Join Date: May 2016
Location: HK
Programs: IHG Spire Elite Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Aegan Gold, British Airways Bronze
Posts: 182
Thanks SkiAdcock for your answer. Great! I've found a great hotel to redeem those certificates in...
Sep 10, 2017, 9:19 am
#179
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: DL Gold, UA nothing (ex-GS), Marriott lifetime Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 920
If due to my travel patterns, I will be unable to redeem the Cat 1-5 cert, is there any way to extract some value from the first phase of this promo?
Appears to be:
Appears to be:
- impossible to buy up with points to a higher category
- impossible to convert to any amount of points
- against T&C to use as a gift for someone else
Sep 10, 2017, 9:55 am
#180
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 743
Check in for a night using your cert and invite the kids over.
I often stay at a Cat. 3 FI near some family members who don't have a pool of their own. Doesn't seem to matter to the kids that the pool is dinky and in an enclosed space. They just want to go swimming. Usually a very big hit. They swim for a couple of hours and then we use my room to towel off, shower, etc. and then they leave.
Just a thought. And better than wasting it.