“This company would not be where it is today without our most loyal guests,” said Bill Marriott, chairman and CEO of Marriott International, Inc. “We saw at once the true value of this program and it fit perfectly with our company’s culture of treating our guests as family.”

Marriott International hotels around the world will be celebrating the anniversary by surprising members with special recognition throughout the day.

Marriott Rewards, the longest continuously running hotel program, was the first to combine brands and allow members to earn points towards free stays at multiple brands. It was also the first program to allow members to earn elite credit at all brands. Marriott Rewards recently announced that it is eliminating blackout dates beginning January 15, 2009.

“Marriott Rewards is about much more than just points. It’s about easing the stress of travel and making life more rewarding for members while they are on the road,” said Ed French, senior vice president, Marriott Rewards. “One out of every two guests at our hotels is a Marriott Rewards member, and we know that on average Marriott Rewards members will go nearly 20 minutes out of their way to stay at a Marriott hotel.”

The program is free to join. Points can be redeemed for hotel stays, frequent flyer miles with 32 airline partners, cruises, car rentals, brand-name merchandise, luggage delivery service and more. Marriott Rewards won the 2008 Freddie Award for “Best Hotel Rewards Program” and has been named best hotel rewards program by the readers of Business Traveler, Global Traveler, Travel Savvy, Executive Travel and BusinessWeek magazines