Loyalty Lifts Off With Marriott Rewards and United MileagePlus Partnership

BETHESDA, Md. and CHICAGO, July 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Marriott Rewards® and United MileagePlus, two of the biggest names in travel, have joined forces to provide their most loyal members with unprecedented travel benefits. Starting today, "RewardsPlus" offers Marriott Rewards Platinum Elite members MileagePlus Premier Silver status, featuring some of United's most popular Premier perks, and gives United Global Services, Premier 1K, Premier Platinum and Premier Gold members Marriott Rewards Gold Elite status, and all of the benefits that come with it. Status offerings will be effective until Jan. 31, 2014.

RewardsPlus will soon include other features as well. Beginning in August, Marriott Rewards and United MileagePlus members will receive added value when transferring points into miles and will get additional miles for travel packages. Also, for the first time, MileagePlus Premier members will be able to convert their miles into Marriott Rewards points.

"We share United's belief that a high level of customer service and recognition are among the most important elements of our members' travel," said Ed French, senior vice president, Marriott Rewards.  "We are bringing together the world's leading hotel and airline loyalty programs to enhance the customer experience from beginning to end." 

"United and Marriott are advancing our partnership to provide unmatched recognition and benefits for our mutual customers," said Tom O'Toole, United's senior vice president of marketing and loyalty and president of MileagePlus. "The combination of United's global network, Marriott's brand scale and our top-rated loyalty programs enables our best customers to enjoy a heightened level of service wherever they travel."

For United's Global Services, Premier 1K, Premier Platinum and Premier Gold MileagePlus members, Marriott will offer Gold Elite status*, including:

• Lounge access and complimentary continental breakfast at participating JW Marriott®, Renaissance Hotels®, Marriott® Hotels and Autograph Collection® Hotels (Resorts are excluded)
• Room upgrades, based on availability
• Complimentary high-speed internet access at more than 3,700 hotels globally
• 25 percent point bonus on all Marriott stays
• Priority late check-out
• Gold Elite customized offers and awards
• One-to-one transfer of MileagePlus miles into Marriott Rewards points, a benefit United's Premier Silver members will also receive

For Marriott Rewards Platinum Elite members, United will offer Premier Silver status, including:

• Complimentary access to Economy Plus seating at check-in, when available
• Complimentary Premier Upgrades on domestic flights, when available
• Premier Access travel services, which include designated ticket counter check-in lines, priority security lines and priority boarding and baggage handling
• One complimentary standard checked bag
• 25 percent Premier bonus award miles on United flights

In addition, beginning in August, all MileagePlus and Marriott Rewards members will receive 20 percent more value when converting Marriott Rewards points into MileagePlus miles and a 10 percent bonus for MileagePlus miles on Marriott Rewards travel packages.

For more information about RewardsPlus, visit marriottrewards.com/rewardsplus or united.com/rewardsplus. 

About Marriott Rewards

Marriott Rewards is free to join and has no blackout dates.  Members can earn and redeem points at 3,700 hotels across 14 distinctive brands around the world.  Members can also redeem points for frequent flyer miles, cruises, car rentals, merchandise and more.  Marriott Rewards has won the Freddie Award for "Best Hotel Rewards Program in the Americas" six years in a row and the 2011 and 2010 Frequent Travel Award for "Best Hotel Rewards Program."  Marriott Rewards has been named best hotel rewards program by the readers of About.com, Business Traveler, Global Traveler, Executive Travel and BusinessWeek magazines. For information about Marriott Rewards, guests can call 1-800-450-4442 or visit MarriottRewards.com.  Connect with Marriott Rewards at Facebook.com/MarriottRewards.

About Marriott International, Inc.

Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) is a leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with more than 3,800 properties in 74 countries and territories and reported revenues of nearly $12 billion in fiscal year 2012. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 18 brands, including Marriott Hotels, The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Bulgari, EDITION, Renaissance, Gaylord Hotels, Autograph Collection Hotels, AC Hotels by Marriott, Courtyard, Fairfield Inn & Suites, SpringHill Suites, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, Marriott Executive Apartments, Marriott Vacation Club, Grand Residences by Marriott  and The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club.  There are approximately 325,000 employees at headquarters, managed and franchised properties.  Marriott is consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business operations, which it conducts based on five core values: put people first, pursue excellence, embrace change, act with integrity, and serve our world. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. 

About United

United Airlines and United Express operate an average of 5,446 flights a day to more than 370 airports across six continents. In 2012, United and United Express carried more passenger traffic than any other airline in the world and operated nearly two million flights carrying 140 million customers. United is investing in upgrading its onboard products and now offers more flat-bed seats in its premium cabins and more extra-legroom economy-class seating than any airline in North America. In 2013, United became the first U.S.-based international carrier to offer satellite-based Wi-Fi on long-haul overseas routes. The airline also features DIRECTV® on 200 aircraft, offering customers more live television access than any other airline in the world. United operates nearly 700 mainline aircraft and has made large-scale investments in its fleet. In 2013, United will continue to modernize its fleet by taking delivery of more than two dozen new Boeing aircraft. The company expanded its industry-leading global route network in 2012, launching nine new international and 18 new domestic routes. Business Traveler magazine awarded United Best Airline for North American Travel for 2012, and readers of Global Traveler magazine have voted United's MileagePlus program the best frequent flyer program for nine consecutive years. According to the 4^th annual Switchfly Reward Seat Availability Survey published by IdeaWorksCompany in May 2013, United has the most saver-style award-seat availability among the largest U.S. global airlines. United is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 194 countries via 27 member airlines. More than 85,000 United employees reside in every U.S. state and in countries around the world. For more information, visit united.com or follow United on Twitter and Facebook. The common stock of United's parent, United Continental Holdings, Inc., is traded on the NYSE under the symbol UAL.

* Gold Elite benefits may vary by hotel brand.  Limitations and restrictions may apply.  See full terms

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SOURCE United Airlines