All about Marriott's MegaBonus promotion for fall 2016

Marriott has announced their promotion for the fall of 2016 called - no surprises here - MegaBonus. However, the sub-text this time is Your Bonus. Your Choice. Unlike earlier MegaBonus promotions, which offered targeted rewards for members based on their stay history, this time the options are fixed for all members, though you get to choose your option. Register is required, and the stay period is 15 September 2016 to 15 January 2017. Here's more.


The two options available are as follows:

As you can see, there are two options:
  • 5,000 points after your 2nd paid stay
  • 10,000 points after every 10 nights, up to 50,000 points.

The difference between the two is that the first one is based on number of stays, while the second one is based on the number of nights' stay. And as with almost all hotels, a "stay" is defined as consecutive nights spent at the same hotel, regardless of check-in/checkout activity. 

Registration is required for this promotion, which can be done here after you login to your Marriott Rewards account. Once chosen, you cannot change your offer. You will need to register before you stay - retroactive stays won't count.

Poolside at the JW Marriott Juhu, Mumbai

Redeeming Marriott Rewards points

Marriott classifies its properties into 9 categories, starting at 7,500 points per night for an award night at category 1 hotels, going up to 45,000 points a night at the highest category (9) hotels. Similarly, there's a more expensive chart for Ritz-Carlton hotels.

With 5k points under this promotion, it will help significantly towards getting one night's award (7,500 points) at a category 1 hotel.

Here are the Marriott Rewards category 1 hotels in India:

And here are the category 2 hotels in India, which require 10,000 points for an award night.

Conclusion

Making your choice under this promotion seems quite simple. If you aren't a Marriott high-roller, then option 1 (for 5,000 points) is probably your best bet. On the other hand, if you expect to spend 10 nights or more with Marriott, then option 2 is what you should go for.
Personally, I belong to the first category, so I know exactly which one I'm choosing.

One problem with this promotion could be if you don't know what your stay pattern is likely to be, particularly if you think it might be close to the 10-nights mark. Or you could always decide to go with the 5,000 points offer, and then use another chain's promotion if that works for you. After all, Hilton HHonors, SPG and IHG have already announced their fall 2016 promotions.

Readers: What's your Marriott story? Are you a high-roller? Or will you to with the 5k points offer?

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