Marriott Rewards to Make 12 Millionth Member a 'Millionaire'; Program Marks Milestone With One Million Point Giveaway

When signing up either online via marriottrewards.com, over the phone, or at the front desk of any of the more than 1,700 participating hotels worldwide, the 12 millionth member will learn immediately of his or her fortune. As a new Marriott Rewards "Millionaire," he or she can then create vacations for a lifetime, selecting from exciting reward options such as hotel stays, cruises, frequent flyer miles, and golf and ski packages, and destinations from Chicago, Cancun and Cairo to Moscow, Milan and Montreal.

The new member can redeem his or her points all at once or use them for multiple vacations over years to come. Marriott Rewards points never expire, so the options are innumerable. A sample of selections include:

• Three months of cross-country accommodations to explore the 50 United States;
• Six week-long family vacations at Marriott Vacation Club International villas throughout the United States, Spain and Aruba;
• Three romantic cruises for two -- visiting the Greek Isles, Alaska, or Mexico and the Caribbean -- aboard Holland America Line, Carnival Cruise Line or Costa Cruise Lines;
• Six round-trip tickets to Australia from the United States;
• 333,333 frequent flyer miles.

"Reaching this major milestone is testament that Marriott Rewards is the world's most popular frequent guest program," said J. W. Marriott, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer, Marriott International, Inc. "We are excited to recognize our special 12 millionth member and celebrate the remarkable growth and richness of Marriott Rewards."

Since becoming the first multi-brand reward program in 1997, Marriott Rewards has been more honored than any other hotel frequent guest program. Marriott Rewards boasts three straight Business Traveler International awards for " Best Hotel Reward Program in the World," and two consecutive InsideFlyer Freddie Awards for "Best Frequent Guest Program of the Year." In addition, it holds the current Freddie Award for "Best Reward Redemption, " based on the program's ability to give frequent travelers what they want most -- easy, fast and attainable awards.

To enroll in Marriott Rewards, travelers may visit the program's web site at marriottrewards.com, or call 1-800-249-0800 from the United States and Canada, and their local Marriott Guest Services office from anywhere else. Membership applications may also be obtained at the front desk of any participating hotel.

In May 1997, Marriott International, Inc. [NYSE: MAR] introduced Marriott Rewards, the world's largest multi-brand frequent guest program now featuring 1,700 participating hotels and more than 11 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. For the past two years, Marriott Rewards has been named "Best Frequent Guest Program of the Year" by InsideFlyer magazine, and the past three years as "Best Hotel Reward Program in the World" by Business Traveller International magazine

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. [NYSE: MAR] is a leading worldwide hospitality company with over 1,900 operating units in the United States and 58 other countries and territories. Marriott Lodging operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Ramada International brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership (timeshare) resorts under the Marriott, Ritz-Carlton and Horizons brands; operates executive apartments and conference centers; and provides furnished corporate housing through its ExecuStay by Marriott division. Other Marriott businesses include senior living communities and services, wholesale food distribution, and procurement services. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has approximately 140,000 employees. In fiscal year 1998, Marriott International reported total sales of $8.0 billion.

Changing of the guard at Marriott | miamiherald.com Tuesday 14 February 2012