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50,000 Marriott Rewards Points Giveaway

Aug. 16, 2012
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4 min read
50,000 Marriott Rewards Points Giveaway
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Throughout August, Marriott Rewards is hosting a "What's Your Travel Type" Facebook game where members can win one of six grand prizes tailored to their personal travel tastes and preferences. To celebrate this promo they've given me 50,000 Marriott Rewards points to give away to a lucky TPG reader as well, so read on below to find out how you can win.

Here are the details on each of the packages Marriott is offering on Facebook:

Family Traveler

Package includes:

  • 10 rooms for 4 days / 3 nights at any Residence Inn in the U.S.
  • $300 gift card to stock your in-room fridge
  • 10 Snapfish® photo books
  • $500 gas card
  • $3,000 in spending money

Weekend Warrior

Package includes:

  • Five 3 day / 2 night weekend stays at any Courtyard in the U.S. or Canada for winner + guest
  • Breakfast for two each morning in The Bistro
  • $500 gas card
  • $2,500 in spending money
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Luxury Lover

Package includes:

  • 6 day / 5 night stay at any JW Marriott worldwide for winner + guest
  • 500,000 Rewards points to convert to airline miles
  • Daily spa treatments
  • Private consultation with resident nutritionist & fitness expert
  • $2,500 in spending money

Individualist

Package includes:

  • 6 day / 5 night stay at El Monte Sagrado, Taos, NM for winner + guest
  • 500,000 Rewards points to convert to airline miles
  • Customized art, spa & food experience
  • $2,500 in spending money

Discoverer

Package includes:

  • 8 day / 7 night stay for winner + guest at both hotels in one of the following locations – Europe (Barcelona & Paris), Caribbean (Puerto Rico & Miami) or U.S. (New Orleans & Chicago)
  • 500,000 Reward points to convert to airline miles
  • Personalized Discovery Experience curated by local Renaissance Navigators
  • $3,000 in spending money

Urban Explorer

Package includes:

  • 5 day / 4 night stay in Madrid for winner + guest
  • 3 day / 2 night stay in Toledo for winner + guest
  • Two round-trip train passes from Madrid to Toledo
  • 500,000 Reward points to convert to airline miles
  • Dinner for two at Madrid’s historic Santo Mauro hotel
  • Two tickets to Thyssen Museum
  • $2,500 in spending money

Personally, the Luxury package is the one that interests me most, but since I love Madrid, I might just have to choose the Urban Explorer package one day since those 500,000 Marriott Rewards points that come with it will be converted to 100,000 miles on airlines including Delta, United and British Airways. You can find the rest of the terms and conditions here. You have until August 31, 2012 to enter, and you can enter once each day, so might as well go back to the Facebook page every day for more chances to win. Winners will be contacted on or after September 5.

My 50,000 Point Giveaway

Even if you don't win Marriott's contest, you still have a chance at the 50,000 Marriott Rewards points I'm giving away and they've informed me t hat there are no taxes on the 50,000 points. That's enough for 2 nights at a Marriott Category 5 property (25,000 points a night) like the JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok, and even if you used it at a top-tier Category 8 Marriott property like the Autograph Collection Boscolo Palace Roma, you'd still have 10,000 points left over. You could also consider using these points for free nights at Ritz-Carltons, whose Tier 1 properties like the Ritz-Carlton Beijing require just 30,000 points for a free night redemption, while the full 50,000 points would get you a free night at a Tier 3 property like the Ritz-Carlton Istanbul, or the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay.

In order to enter my giveaway, you have to enter Marriott's Facebook promo and then tell me in the comments of this post which package you chose and why. You have until Sunday August 19, 2012 at 6:00pm Eastern Time to enter and a winner will be picked at random and announced on Monday August 20th. Good luck!

I'd stay at the JW Marriott in Rio if I won the Luxury Lover package.

[card card-name='Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card' card-id='221210956' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']

TPG featured card

Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

Apply for American Express® Gold Card
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site

Rewards

1 - 4X points

Intro offer

As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

Annual Fee

$325

Recommended Credit

Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.