Marriott's New MegaBonus Promotion: Something for Everyone

After 20 years working in the travel industry, and 15 years writing about it, Tim Winship knows a thing or two about travel. Follow him on Twitter @twinship.

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For years, Marriott has been referring to its periodic systemwide promotions as MegaBonuses. Early on, when the offer was a free night after two paid stays, the name was apt. But recently, the offers have been much less generous; they were more mini than mega. The offers also became more complicated over the years, based on a targeting scheme that generated customized bonuses according to members’ stay histories and other factors known only to Marriott.

The latest MegaBonus continues the trend toward ratcheting back the promotion’s generosity. On the upside, it signals a return to a simple, straightforward offer, available to all.

Offer Details

Between September 15 and January 15, 2017, Marriott Rewards members can choose to earn one of two available bonuses:

5,000 bonus points after the second stay (one time only)
10,000 bonus points after every 10 nights (up to 50,000 bonus points)

Registration is required, and must be completed by December 15.

Deal or No Deal

Without resorting to the dark art and mind-numbing complexity of targeting offers to a multitude of member profiles, this promotion still speaks to the needs of both the frequent and the infrequent traveler. That clarity and simplicity is welcome.

Value-wise, the promotion is significantly less generous than the original MegaBonus offers, which typically featured a free night at a Category 1 – 4 hotel after two stays. However, comparisons with past promotions are moot; what matters is today’s promotional environment. This MegaBonus may not be particularly mega, but it’s no less mega than currently available offers from other major hotel chains.

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After 20 years working in the travel industry, and 15 years writing about it, Tim Winship knows a thing or two about travel. Follow him on Twitter @twinship.

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