My biggest problem with SHS is that many (all?) of them do not have any true 1-bedroom suites. Learned that the hard way...

If you want a suite at Marriott, either book one at an FS property - or book RI or TPS.

Sorry for the minor threadjack...

Hello Bsdstone,

Some of the following promotions occur daily and some occur quarterly:

Daily Promos:

Bonus Bucks (BBs):When staying one night at Full Service (FS) Marriotts, Hotels and Suites, you can receive $50 BBs or you can receive $100 BBs when you stay at least two nights toward a future 2-night stay. I have seen some hotels rates that include receiving a $25 BB for a 1-night stay and a $50 BB for a 2-night stay; these are particularly at non FS Marriotts. You would need to book the reservation for a weekend stay using the M11 code.

Gold and Platinum members can receive Buy 1 Get 1 Free Exclusive Elite Offers (EEOs) in which you can receive the EEOs certificate. You would have to sign in to your Marriott account online and view your Gold or Platinum Offers and look for the Stay and pay for 1 night and get the 2nd night free.

Visa Premier Card: Apply online at marriott.com and you can receive 20,000 points with any first purchase and receive a free night award to stay at any Category 1-5 Marriott hotel. You would earn 15 free nights toward your account which could help you reach Gold Level or Platninum Level; you would receive 5 points/$ spent on any Marriott hotel stay, earn 2 pts./$ when paying for rental vehicles, and 1 pt./$ spent on all other purchases. The free night award and the 15 free nights are earned annually provided that your account is in good standing.

Sign up for weekly hotel specials through the "Marriott E-breaks" specials.


Quarterly Promos:

Megabonus Promotion: Based on your account history, these are promotions in which you can earn a set amount of points for a period of time for a staying a certain amount of nights in a certain period of time (for example, earn 35,000 points when you stay 15 nights in a 3 month period)

Double Nights/Points Promo: This promo can earn you 2 nights for every night stayed during the promo period as well as earn double points for the period of the promo.

Hope this helps.

Thanks Marcell...that post was very well thought out and helpful!
Unfortunately it confirms what I suspected and that is that while Marriott may run quite a bit of promotions, the ones I am after are the points earning type, and they don't seem to run too many of those other than mega bonus. I have the Marriott Credit Card and about 125K in points. I am saving my points for a 5 night stay at the Ritz in either Grand Cayman or Turks and Caicos (assuming it participates in MR Redemption program). It may take a few years as Marriott is a tertiary program for me, but I need my kids to get out of diapers before we make that trip! :-)

Thanks again!