Marriott’s New MegaBonus Doesn’t Live Up to the Name

Longtime Marriott loyalists fondly recall the days when the company’s recurring MegaBonus promotions could be counted on to deliver great value, typically featuring a free night at a lower-category hotel after two qualifying paid stays.

Arise and awake! The MegaBonus is mega no more, and hasn’t been for awhile, notwithstanding Marriott’s continued (and somewhat misleading) use of that catchy name.

Depending on whether your expectations are low or high, this latest MegaBonus will either live up or down to them.

Offer Details

Marriott Rewards members will earn individually targeted bonuses for stays at participating EDITION, JW Marriott, Autograph Collection, Renaissance, Marriott, Marriott Vacation Club, Gaylord, AC, Courtyard, Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites, Fairfield Inn & Suites, TownePlace Suites, Moxy, Protea, and Ritz-Carlton hotels between September 15, 2015, and January 15, 2016.

Among the offers reported by Rewards members on FlyerTalk:

• Earn 2,000 bonus points on the second and subsequent stays, up to 20,000 bonus points
• Earn 15,000 bonus points after 15 paid nights plus 2,000 bonus points after each additional night, up to 35,000 bonus points
• Earn 25,000 bonus points after 20 paid nights plus 2,000 bonus points after each additional night, up to 45,000 bonus points
• Earn 35,000 bonus points after 20 paid nights, plus 2,000 bonus points after each additional night, up to 55,000 bonus points

Your targeted offer will be displayed in the promotions section of Marriott’s website, after logging in with your Rewards credentials.

Registration is required, by November 15.

Travel Smarter! Sign up for our free newsletter.

By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Sign Up

Deal or No Deal

Judging from the promotion’s tepid bonuses and the high hurdles to earn them, Marriott must feel it’s doing just fine with no aggressive marketing required to keep occupancy rates high.

In which case, Marriott might have done better to do nothing than to mount a less-than-heartfelt promotion that tarnishes the brand. Because the reaction from Rewards members has been decidedly negative: “No thanks,” “expected the misery given the MegaBonus promotion period in previous years…,” “not going to help me one iota,” “underwhelmed by it,” and “oh well.”

Maybe if Marriott rebranded this as a MiniBonus, Rewards members would be more enthusiastic. Maybe not.

Reader Reality Check

Will you log more Marriott nights as a result of this promotion?

More From Smartertravel:

• 10 Hotel Chains with the Best Free Bath Amenities
• Marriott Adds Netflix To In-Room Entertainment
• Marriott Gets Tough on Points Expiration

This article originally appeared on FrequentFlier.com.