MARRIOTT OFFERS BLACKOUT-FREE STAYS TO OVER 14 MILLION REWARDS MEMBERS

Major program enhancements make claiming free travel faster and easier than ever

Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) announced today that Marriott Rewards® members can now redeem points for blackout-free stays at any of the program's 2,000 participating hotels located in 60 countries. Effective immediately, new "Stay Anytime" awards allow members to claim free vacations in such destinations as Paris, Maui, Bangkok and Rio de Janeiro, even during peak seasons. The awards are one of several enhancements launched this spring to help Marriott's best customers claim free travel faster and easier than ever.

"Continually enhancing our program with awards that are highly valued and within easy reach for our members is a priority that has helped make Marriott Rewards the world's most preferred frequent guest program and the largest provider of free nights," said Lynne Roach-Hildebrand, senior vice president, Marriott International Loyalty and Database Marketing. "We are particularly happy to offer our customers the choices they have asked for at so many locations around the world."

Stay Anytime Awards

Similar to airline programs, Marriott Rewards members can now choose non-restricted awards to claim the vacation they want during a hotel's peak season. Available in increments of one to seven nights, Stay Anytime awards may be used for a member's entire stay or combined as needed with Marriott's standard hotel awards, still suitable for the majority of hotel award redemptions. Even when paying the additional 50 percent more points required for Stay Anytime awards, Marriott Rewards members spend less money and less time to earn a free stay than members of Starwood Preferred Guest.

For example, a Marriott Rewards member spends $22,500 to earn enough points for a 7-night, blackout-free stay at the Paris Marriott Hotel Champs D'Elysees. By comparison, a Starwood Preferred Guest member must spend $42,000 (87 percent more) to earn an equivalent 7-night stay at the Sheraton Prince De Galles Hotel. To include free round-trip air travel for two between the United States and Paris, a Marriott Rewards member would spend a total of $32,500, while a Starwood member needs to spend 2 1/2 times as much, or a total of $82,000.

Comparison Example 1: 7-Night Stay in Paris plus Round-trip Air Travel for Two



Members of Starwood Preferred Guest must spend 2 1/2 times what Marriott Rewards members spend in order to receive
a 7-night, blackout-free vacation to Paris. That difference is even greater when Marriott Rewards members plan around blackout dates when redeeming their free vacation.



Travel Packages

Marriott Rewards' newly structured Travel Package awards offer increased flexibility and value, allowing members to add 50,000 to 120,000 airline miles to any 7-night hotel stay at a ratio of one point for every mile. That means members may add 100,000 miles to their choice of frequent flyer programs for just 100,000 Rewards points – the best value in the industry. Once credited to the member's account, the miles may then be used immediately, banked for future travel or redeemed for upgrades. Plus, members receive a 25 percent discount on a Hertz car rental, and a 100-minute pre-paid AT&T calling card as an added bonus.



One Call to Redeem Free Hotel Stays

Now, members dial one toll-free number ­– 1-800-MARRIOTT – to make their hotel reservation and order their hotel stay award all at once. Of course, free hotel stays using Marriott Rewards points may also be redeemed via Marriott's award-winning web site.

Choose From 40 Airlines When Redeeming Free Flights

Through a network of frequent flyer program partnerships, Marriott Rewards now allows members to redeem points for miles toward travel on any of 40 different airlines, including American Airlines, Air Canada, British Airways, Continental, Delta, Northwest, United, and US Airways. And, with the new 25,000 and 50,000 mileage awards, Marriott Rewards members receive free flights faster than with any other frequent guest program.

For example, a Marriott Rewards member spends $12,500 to earn enough points for two round-trip domestic tickets priced at 25,000 miles each. By comparison, a Hilton HHonors member must spend $17,000 (36 percent more), and a Starwood Preferred Guest member must spend $20,000 (60 percent more) to earn two equivalent round-trip tickets.

Comparison Example 2: Two Round-Trip Domestic Flights

Travelers are required to spend 36% to 60% more with other programs to receive enough points for two round-trip domestic flights.

Redeem Points for Merchandise All Year Round

An enhanced partnership with SkyMall allows Marriott Rewards members to redeem points for televisions, cameras, golf equipment, travel accessories and seasonal products from trusted brands like Sony, Hitachi, Callaway® and Bose any time of the year. Plus, members can choose gift certificates from retailers such as Best Buy and The Sharper ImageTM by visiting a continually refreshed online catalog found via marriottrewards.com.

Dozens of New Adventure Awards

Whether it is exploring the rainforest in Costa Rica with Mt. Travel * Sobek, swimming with the dolphins at Orlando's Discovery Cove, or surviving a murder mystery excursion aboard the Orient-Express, no frequent travel program offers more adventure travel awards than Marriott Rewards.

Adventure award partners include:

Disneyland® Paris

· Disneyland Resort® -- California

· Discovery Cove

· Mt. Travel * Sobek -- Adventure Travel

· Orient-Express

· Polynesian Cultural Center -- Oahu, Hawaii

· Star Cruises

· Universal Orlando® Resort

· Universal Studios Hollywood®

· Walt Disney World® Resort -- Florida

· Warner Bros. Movie World Australia

· Wet n' Wild Australia

In total, Marriott Rewards features 60 program partners and offers more than 240 different types of awards. Marriott Rewards provides travelers the fastest way to a free night or a free flight, as well as the only portfolio of hotels consistently rated at or above the industry average for guest satisfaction, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2000 Domestic Hotel Guest Satisfaction StudyTM.


Marriott Rewards was named “Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World” – ahead of Starwood Preferred Guest and Hilton HHonors – in Business Traveler magazine's 2000 reader poll.