I just noticed some new features in the Marriott Rewards portion of the Marriott website. The trip planner section allows you to save your favorite hotels as well as indicate some travel interests. Click the thumbnails below for a closer look at some of the options in the trip planner section of the website.
It’s hard to believe it but I think I’m about to go over 500,000 Marriott Rewards points for the first time. I guess that means a couple of things.
I have cashed in a couple of nights here and there so my net point earnings have eclipsed 500K but this is the first time the balance has gotten that high. I think it’s time to visit the Dream Rewards Tracker and start shopping.
I received a letter in the mail yesterday from Northwest Airlines offering Guest Silver Elite status from now until the end of February 2008. The letter says that I received the offer because I am, “a valued Marriott Rewards member.” It’s always good to know that I’m valued.
Some of the benefits of Northwest WorldPerks Silver Elite are:
These perks are very similar, if not the same as those in the Continental Airlines OnePass program of which I’m currently an elite member. I checked out the promotion website just the same. You need the promotion code contained in the letter in order to get the offer. They’re also offering easier access to Silver and Gold status on NWA in 2007 if you fly two or five “qualifying roundtrips” respectively.
I don’t plan on flying Northwest anytime soon. I have flown them before to cities such as Detroit, Minneapolis, Bismarck and Calgary. Since my plans are taking me to other places I will be flying frequently on Continental. If you’re a non-elite Northwest flyer then this offer would probably make traveling a bit easier. In that case, keep an eye on your mailbox for a letter containing the offer.
I got an email a couple of days ago inviting me to take a sneak peek at a new Marriott Rewards ad campaign. The campaign is called You’ve Earned More Than Points™.
According to the email, “The ads reflect just a few of the benefits we offer to make your travel more rewarding.”
The sneak preview of the ads shows customers being reminded of features like the eFolio electronic bill option, extended profile options and Marriott’s new DreamRewards Tracker.
I think that highlighting these features is a good idea to show people that you get more than points with the Marriott Rewards program. You get some great tools to help make travel more comfortable and convenient. I’ve been using the eFolio option as a convenient way to keep track of my bills for business purposes. And I’ve utilized the enhanced preferences as well. Now I need to set up my DreamTracker because I hope to use my many rewards points for a great vacation someday soon.
Tags: Marriott, Marriott Rewards
Marriott Rewards members can now get a copy of their bill for a stay automatically via email. This new feature is called the eFolio option. You can view a sample eFolio here.
I see this as a very handy feature for folks like me who always need a receipt for business expense purposes. Sometimes those paper ones get lost and it’s nice to have a backup.
To sign up for the eFolio option you should login to your Marriott Rewards account and then go t0 My Account => Edit Email Preferences. Once there you can check a box to select the eFolio option.
Tags: Marriott, Marriott Rewards, Hotels, Travel
Marriott has a new program that allows couples who plan wedding at Marriott hotels to earn rewards points that can then be used to book a free honeymoon. Darn, it’s too bad I’m already married.
Members of Marriott Rewards can redeem points for Marriott Gift Cheques which can be used towards hotel rooms and food at Marriott Hotels and Resorts. The American Red Cross will be distributing the gift cheques.
Got my Marriott Rewards statement in the mail with the usual assorted offers that and information come in the envelope with the statement. I like the sound of the newly renovated Newport Beach Marriott overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Or how about the soon to be completed Cleveland Downtown Marriott at Key Center? Once the renovation is complete the hotel will feature flat screen TVs among other upgraded amenities. I just wish I had the time to check out some of these properties. Given my business schedule I’m now hoping for a client visit in either Newport Beach or Cleveland.
There are also some 10% off deals on Marriott Rewards Merchandise. This is one of the more intruiging points of the rewards program. I’m always considering trading in my points for some nice merchandise but I always hold out thinking that I’ll take an amazing trip on points some time in the near future. Two items that catch my eye are the Sharp 56″ projection TV for 270,000 points and the Sony DVD Camcorder for 105,300 points. There are some other nice items as well that are 10% off their usual point levels.
A couple of weeks ago I noticed a pair of additional preferences that I was able to save as part of my Marriott Rewards account. Those preferences were for “Floor Type” and “Newspaper.” I happily chose High Floor and Wall Street Journal. Whenever I stay at a Courtyard, Fairfield or Residence Inn I always want to be on the top floor because their ceilings tend to be thinner and are susceptible to the sound of heavy footed travelers. I also prefer to read The Wall Street Journal. Well, on my second stay since noting those preferences I can say that so far they have not been met. In my last two stays I’ve been booked on the 8th floor of a 15 floor hotel and on the 5th floor of a 10 floor hotel. I’ve also received USA Today every morning. I’m not complaining, yet. After all they did book me into a suite this week and I know that there will be a copy of the WSJ available at the front desk or in the concierge lounge. Still, it would be nice for the preferences set in my account to be reflected in the service delivered at the hotels.
