Marriott Rewards« Voted "World's Best Hotel Program" -- Preferred Over Starwood, Hilton
MARRIOTT REWARDS® VOTED "WORLD'S BEST HOTEL PROGRAM" -- PREFERRED OVER STARWOOD, HILTON
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Dec. 22, 2000 - For the fourth consecutive year, the readers of Business Traveler magazine have named Marriott Rewards® "Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World." The publication asked its readers to review a variety of hotel frequency programs and Marriott Rewards was ranked number one, ahead of Starwood Preferred Guest and Hilton HHonors.
"We are especially pleased to be highly rated by Business Traveler magazine because it truly reflects the opinions of frequent travelers," said Holly Mendelson, director of loyalty and database marketing for Marriott Rewards. "Marriott Rewards continues to provide strong value and meaningful benefits to its members."
Additional Marriott Rewards Recognition
- Best Loyalty Program / Trophees Hermes -- HTR Eurotrends and Marketing, a European lodging magazine, gives Marriott Rewards its top honor.
- Highest Grade (A) -- BizTravel.com®'s frequent guest program report card awards Marriott Rewards its top grade.
- Standard of Excellence Web Award -- The Web Marketing Association applauds Marriott Rewards' web site as the standard "all corporate web sites should strive for."
- Best Bet -- Good Housekeeping magazine selects Marriott Rewards as its top pick for travelers.
Marriott Rewards is the fastest way to a free night and is recognized as the world's largest frequent guest program with more than 14 million members and 2,000 hotels in 55 countries. Marriott Rewards points never expire and the program stands alone as the largest provider of free nights.
Best Value
Marriott Rewards members spend less money and less time to earn free stays. For example, a Marriott Rewards member spends only $5,000 to earn enough points for a three-night stay at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Washington, D.C. By comparison, a Starwood Preferred Guest member must spend $15,000 to earn a three-night stay at the Westin Grand in Washington, D.C., and a Hilton HHonors member spends $8,500 to earn an equivalent stay at the Capital Hilton. Based on a rate of $150 per night, the Starwood Preferred Guest member must spend 67 more nights on the road than the Marriott Rewards member to earn a three-night stay - two months of additional travel.
Marriott Rewards Voted "Best" Program
Comparison Example -- Three Free Nights in Washington, D.C.*
| Description | Location | ||
| JW Marriott | Capital Hilton | Westin Grand | |
| Points required for 3 free nights | 50,000 | 85,000 | 30,000 |
| Points earned per dollar spent | 10 | 10 | 2 |
| Dollars spent to earn 3 free nights | $5,000 | $8,500 | $15,000 |
| Nights required @ $150 a night | 33 | 57 | 100 |
| Additional nights required | - | 24 | 67 |
Fastest Way to A Free Flight
Marriott Rewards makes it easier and faster for members to earn free airline miles. For members who choose miles, Marriott Rewards offers three miles for each dollar spent at Marriott Hotels, Resorts and Suites and Renaissance Hotels, Resorts and Suites. Starwood offers only two miles per dollar plus a bonus. For travelers trying to earn the 25,000 miles usually needed for a free domestic airline ticket, Starwood's program requires an additional $1,667 in spending, or 11 more nights (based on a rate of $150 per night).
Comparison Example -- 25,000 Frequent Flyer Miles*
| Description | Marriott Rewards | Starwood Preferred Guest |
| Miles earned per dollar spent | 3 | 2 |
| Dollars spent to earn 25,000 miles | $8,333 | $10,000 |
| Nights required to earn 25,000 miles @ $150 a night | 56 | 67 |
| Additional nights required | - | 11 |
Additional Marriott Rewards Program Enhancements
Marriott Rewards is also recognized for both its earning and redemption partnerships. Currently, a relationship with SkyMall, Inc. allows Marriott Rewards members to redeem points for gifts online at www.marriottrewards.com. Marriott Rewards and E*TRADE® have teamed up to offer members up to 50,000 points when opening a new account. Members are also able to earn 5,000 points for subscribing to AT&T WorldNet's® Internet service.
Marriott Rewards Voted "Best" Program
Earlier this year, Marriott Rewards introduced a new elite-level program that offers its most frequent travelers exclusive perks and special recognition at all nine participating Marriott lodging brands. Members who gain elite level status can receive benefits that range from reservation guarantees and point bonuses to room upgrades and welcome refreshments. Elite status is earned after spending as few as 15 nights per year.
Marriott Rewards also enhanced its online point redemption process. Now when redeeming free nights at www.marriottrewards.com, members can view their point balance, search for rewards based on preferred destination or number of points, redeem points for a chosen reward and reserve free hotel stays.
To enroll or obtain information about Marriott Rewards, call (800) 249-0800 from within the U.S. or Canada, visit www.marriottrewards.com, or pick up a membership application at participating hotels.
* The foregoing information about other frequent guest programs and comparisons between those programs and Marriott Rewards is based on information listed in the 1999 Hilton HHonors Member Guide, the Hilton HHonors web site, and the Starwood Preferred Guest web site.
-----------------------------
In May 1997, Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) introduced Marriott Rewards, the world's largest multibrand frequent guest program with nearly 2,000 participating hotels and more than 14 million members. Marriott Rewards is the industry's only frequent travel program to offer members the choice of earning/redeeming points or earning frequent flyer mileage at nine distinct lodging brands -- Marriott Hotels, Resorts and Suites; Renaissance Hotels, Resorts and Suites; Marriott Conference Centers; Marriott Vacation Club International; Courtyard by Marriott; Fairfield Inn by Marriott; Residence Inn by Marriott; SpringHill Suites by Marriott and TownePlace Suites by Marriott. Points may also be earned at ExecuStay by Marriott and Marriott Executive Apartments.