This Fall, Earn Up to Two Free Nights From Marriott

While the name has remained the same, Marriott’s recurring MegaBonus offer has taken many different forms over the years.

For last year’s fall MegaBonus, Marriott offered 2,500 bonus points after every second and subsequent stay charged to a Visa card.

This fall, Marriott has fashioned its MegaBonus promotion around free nights instead of bonus points.

Offer Details

Between September 15, 2010, and January 15, 2011, members of Marriott’s Rewards program can earn one free night after the second paid stay charged to a Visa card. A maximum of two free nights can be earned during the promotion.

Free nights may be taken at Category 1 through Category 4 hotels, between September 15, 2010, and May 31, 2011. Awards are not transferable.

Registration is required, and must be completed by October 31.

(Note: It’s standard Marriott policy to have a basic MegaBonus offer, plus a few variants sent to targeted members. So you might receive a slightly different version of the basic MegaBonus offer.)

Deal or No Deal

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A free night after two stays. Good.

A four-month promotion period. Good.

A maximum of two free nights. Not so good—frequent travelers will have to look elsewhere for bonuses after their first four stays during the promotion period.

Free nights available only at Category 1 through 4 hotels. Again, not so good. Marriott has eight hotel categories, so the rewards are relegated to the lower-priced half of the portfolio.

The Visa requirement. A potential deal-breaker, if you don’t happen to have a Visa-branded card in your wallet.

Overall, this is a solid offer, possibly one of the best available for fall stays.

Reader Reality Check

Bonus points or free nights—what’s your preference?

This article originally appeared on FrequentFlier.com.