Marriott Rewards Members can now Donate Points to Charities Worldwide

Now members of Marriott Rewards, Marriott International’s loyalty program, can donate Marriott Rewards points they have accumulated to the charity of their choice anywhere in the world. Marriott Rewards has launched 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.

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