Marriott Rewards Members Can Donate Points to Favorite Charities
Enhanced Donation Program Already Includes Children's Miracle Network and The American Red Cross
WASHINGTON, DC, November 16, 2006. Now members of Marriott Rewards(R), Marriott International, Inc.'s (NYSE:MAR) award winning loyalty program, can donate Marriott Rewards points they have accumulated to the charity of their choice anywhere in the world. Marriott Rewards today announced Rewarding Communities that enables members to redeem points for 'Marriott Cheques' that can be used by charitable organizations for a variety of purposes, including hotel stays, food and beverage, and fundraising. In addition to Marriott Cheques, members can also redeem points for donations of dining certificates.
"The Marriott Rewards program is all about being flexible and giving members many ways to use their points. Likewise, Rewarding Communities gives our members flexibility to support their favorite charity and use their points to help charitable organizations in their communities or around the globe," said Ed French, senior vice president, customer relationship marketing. "Members typically inquire about donating points after natural or man-made disasters and now they will be able to respond easier and quicker than ever before."
Rewarding Communities is one of three philanthropic giving options offered by Marriott Rewards to its members. For seven years, members have been able to donate points to Children's Miracle Network, allowing families to stay at hotels close to their children who are receiving treatment at children's hospitals across the U.S. and Canada. Marriott Rewards members have donated more than 30 million points since the program began in 1999.
Last year after Hurricane Katrina, Marriott Rewards teamed up with the American Red Cross. Continuing this relationship, donated points provide the Red Cross with Marriott Cheques that assist in providing for the needs of disaster victims across the country. This includes providing temporary shelter and food for those displaced from their homes during disasters, or for Red Cross workers engaged in disaster relief efforts.
For more information about Rewarding Communities or donating to Children's Miracle Network or the American Red Cross, members can go to marriott.com/rewards/usepoints/donatePoints.mi. Members can donate points directly to Children's Miracle Network for room stays, and to the American Red Cross for Marriott Cheques. With Rewarding Communities, members receive a Marriott Cheque that notes their charitable gift that they then forward to their philanthropic organization of choice.
*Comparison based on seven nights at Starwood, Hilton, InterContinental Hotel Group and Hyatt full-service hotels of similar quality and points earned on dollars spent. Assumes standard award offerings for base-level members. All comparisons made as of 6/06.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
