Marriott Launches 2012 Megabonus

Marriott is very predictable when it comes to their promotions - they use the same name and overall concept making slight tweaks each time. So once again, they announced a Megabonus promotion for Spring 2012 and you will get one free night at a category 1-4 hotel for every two stays. You must register by March 31, 2012, for paid stays made between February 1 and April 30, 2012.

Registration link.
Press release link.

Higher-ranking elites will get better, targeted offers that will be available in your "Promotion Central" portion of your marriott.com account. These will be in addition to the basic Megabonus and can get lucrative - like 50,000 extra points for 25 nights.

I think this is a decent promotion, but nothing that will get me to switch my loyalty to Marriott anytime soon. Frankly, my main issue with Marriott's program is that their top-tier status is only achieved with 75 nights, whereas Hyatt and Starwood (which in my opinion offer more valuable top-tier programs) allow qualification with as little as 25 one-night stays or 50 total nights.

Additionally, Marriott has 8 free-night tiers and you can only use their free nights from Megabonus at categories 1-4, which are disproportionately their lower-end hotels. I personally value loyalty programs to allow me to stay in aspirational, higher end properties.

That being said Marriott has a great footprint and a hugely loyal following so they must be doing something right!
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