Next Gen Travelers Can Have it Now -- Award-winning Marriott Rewards Launches FlashPerks & LocalPerks

BETHESDA, Md., July 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- All good things don't necessarily come only to those who wait. Marriott Rewards -- Marriott International's award-winning loyalty program -- today announced FlashPerks and LocalPerks, two new ways for next generation travelers to enjoy instant gratification. Marriott Rewards members can take advantage of time sensitive offers from Marriott's global portfolio of brands and its partners. Members will be able to choose from a variety of experiences during stays, or between stays via "push" messaging to their mobile devices for Local Perks or through the FlashPerks website.   

"With the best loyalty program in the business, we are constantly innovating to provide our members new and compelling ways to engage with Marriott Rewards," said Karin Timpone, global marketing officer. "With our global portfolio of brands and our ability to scale our mobile activations quickly, we are excited by these and other opportunities that marry new technologies and consumer benefits."

FlashPerks gives members the option to redeem points or use cash for limited-time, exclusive deals and experiences by visiting http://www.marriottrewardsflashperks.com/.  Upcoming FlashPerks, which launches July 17, include member-only special offers for a pampered stay at the world's tallest hotel, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, or the chance for a two day test drive of an exotic car, such as an Aston Martin, Lamborghini or Porsche from Hertz Dream Cars. 

With LocalPerks, Marriott Rewards becomes the first major hotel loyalty program to offer geo-targeted, mobile offers during a member's stay. Using Beacon technology, participating hotels will send guests push notifications on their mobile devices as they move about the property.  Offers will be tailored to the property, ranging from food and beverage to spa to golf. Future plans for LocalPerks include Marriott Rewards offers available locally in the neighborhoods surrounding participating hotels.

FlashPerks and LocalPerks follow the launch of PlusPoints in May 2014 that enables members to earn Rewards points through everyday social behaviors, such as tweets, retweets, check in on Facebook and Instagram posts. Marriott Rewards members enrolled in PlusPoints receive 25 points each time they share content about Marriott Rewards or participating hotels using the hashtag #MRPoints. Members can earn points daily and see them accumulate in real time. To learn more about PlusPoints, go to https://www.marriottrewardspluspoints.com/

To support the introduction of FlashPerks and LocalPerks, Marriott Rewards will communicate with members that they can "Make It Happen."   In a targeted marketing campaign using digital and social media, member communication and event marketing, the creative will use the visual cues of quotation marks to signal an offer that a member can jump on. The campaign also encourages members to share their travel experiences using #LoveMarriottRewards and #MRPoints.

More about FlashPerks

Beginning July 17, Marriott Rewards will begin offering weekly deals, including limited time offers on merchandise, hotel rooms and experiences available at www.marriottrewardsflashperks.com.  For 12 weeks, Marriott Rewards will add about 10-15 flash offers each week, with each offer lasting for a limited time or until it is sold out. Among the first offers, members can access Hertz Dream Cars rentals in Miami choosing from sport, luxury and exotic vehicles for 200,000 points or a luxurious escape to the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, the world's tallest hotel, for 50 percent off executive suites plus 20 percent off at the spa and free lounge access. 

More about LocalPerks

As the first loyalty program in the hospitality industry to utilize Beacon technology, Marriott Rewards' LocalPerks, offers exclusive, localized experiences including food & beverage, golf, and spa deals to members. Using geo-tracking technology, visitors and hotel guests with the Marriott Mobile Guest Services app will receive personalized offers based on their precise location within in the hotel.  LocalPerks launches July 24 at the San Diego Marriott Marquis and Marina followed by the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront and Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort, Golf Club & Spa. To celebrate the launch of LocalPerks, guests will receive an invitation to a LocalPerks Lounge, open from 2:00pm to 6:00pm, July 24-27, 2014, hosted by Marriott Rewards at the San Diego Marriott Marquis and Marina. The LocalPerks Lounge will provide charging stations, complimentary snacks, access to iPads, a "gif" photo booth, and amenities. The Marriott Mobile Guest Services app is available through iTunes and compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. 

More about Marriott Rewards

Marriott Rewards has won the Freddie Award for "Best Hotel Rewards Program in the Americas" seven years in a row and the 2011 and 2010 Frequent Travel Award for "Best Hotel Rewards Program."   Marriott Rewards ranked highest in overall customer satisfaction in JD Power inaugural Hotel Loyalty/Rewards Program Satisfaction Report^SM issued earlier this year. In addition, the program has been named best hotel rewards program by the readers of U.S. News & World Report, About.com, Business Traveler, Global Traveler, Executive Travel and BusinessWeek magazines.

To enroll and for more information about Marriott Rewards, guests can call 1-800-450-4442 or visit MarriottRewards.com.

About Marriott International
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with more than 4,000 properties in 78 countries and territories and reported revenues of nearly $13 billion in fiscal year 2013.  The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 18 brands. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit http://news.marriott.com/

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SOURCE Marriott International