Earlier this week Marriott revealed the Marriott Rewards Fall 2017 MegaBonus. And, unsurprisingly, it’s a repeat offer.
Fall 2017 MegaBonus
Between September 12, 2017, and January 15, 2018, registered Marriott Rewards members will earn a free night award after two paid stays. And once you qualify for the free night, Marriott may make another offer available to you. Should this happen, you won’t be sent any notification. Instead, those that qualify for an additional offer will need to check their Marriott Rewards account 2-3 days after the second qualifying stay. You’ll then need to register for this other offer within two weeks of it becoming available.
Unusually, Marriott doesn’t say what this second offer could be. And if you’re wondering, the first offer’s free night is limited to category 1-5 properties. This free night certificate will also expire six months after its issue date.
SPG Explore More Offer
At the same time, MegaBonus is running, Starwood Preferred Guest will also be running a Fall 2017 bonus. Starwood’s Explore More offer will award members 1,000 Starpoints per stay at any participating St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, W, Le Méridien, Westin, Sheraton, Tribute Portfolio and Design Hotels properties. Members will also earn 500 points per stay at participating Aloft, Element, and Four Points Properties. And if you make 25 stays during the promotional period, you’ll earn 10,000 bonus Starpoints
Like Marriott’s MegaBonus, this offer is effective from September 12, 2017, through January 15, 2018. Eligible members must register for the offer no later than November 30, 2017.
Marriott Rewards Fall 2017 MegaBonus
To me, Marriott’s Fall 2017 MegaBonus is not worth pursuing. In fact, I have zero interest in any Marriott Rewards promotion that awards free nights. Those category 1-5 certificates are next to useless for me, and I suspect many other Marriott Rewards members. Most popular properties today usually fall into categories 6 and up, with most (in my experience at least) being in category 7 or higher. And yes, I do have the Marriott Rewards Premier Visa Signature from Chase, and yes I always let my free stay certificates expire. There are no category 5 or lower properties here in Hawaii, nor are there any in the cities Mrs. Island Miler and I usually travel to.
The SPG Explore More offer, on the other hand, does make sense for someone like me. Starpoints represent good value and aren’t as easy to earn as Marriott Rewards points are. And, thankfully, it looks as if all Starwood Hawaii properties are participating. This gives me a shot to take advantage of this offer if I so choose to. Especially since I most likely will not be traveling out of state the rest of this year.