A reminder that you can win 25,000 Starpoints or 5,000 Priority Club points from Loyalty Traveler, but you only have today and tomorrow by noon California time remaining to enter these two Loyalty Traveler giveaways.

SPG American Express is sponsoring the 25,000 points giveaway as part of my 2-night staycation earlier this month at the St. Regis San Francisco.

Holiday Inn is sponsoring Loyalty Traveler for the 5,000 Priority Club points giveaway as part of their celebration of 60 years as a hotel brand.

Be sure to read Loyalty Traveler next week when I will finish off the SPG Amex Stars 2012 giveaways with a 60,000 points sweepstakes in celebration of my stay at Starwood’s St. Regis Bal Harbour, Miami Beach.

Cozy sea lions at Monterey Fisherman’s Wharf on the first day of winter 2012.

Registration for Marriott MegaBonus 2013 opened December 20 for stays from February 1 through April 30. The current Marriott MegaBonus ends January 15.

Promotion registration is required by March 15, 2013 for marriott MegaBonus 2013.

As expected, I continue with the free night certificate for a category 1-4 hotel after every two stays, up to three free nights for the promotion period. This is the same offer I have received every MegaBonus for the past few years. One free night after two stays is a great offer for the leisure traveler considering most other hotel loyalty promotions lately generally require many nights or lots of cash to earn one free hotel night.

Here are the four different Marriott MegaBonus offers that have been posted on FlyerTalk.

1. Stay 2 times, Get 1 CAT 1-4 Certificate (Maximum 3 free night certificates)

2. Stay 2 times, Get 1 CAT 1-5 Certificate (Maximum 2 free night certificates)

3. Stay 15 Nights Get 25,000 Points or Stay 20 Nights Get 40,000 Points

4. Stay 20 Nights Get 35,000 Points or Stay 25 Nights Get 50,000 Points

You must log into your account and check Promotion Central to see your targeted offer. The links below show the terms and conditions for each offer.

Stay 2 times, Get 1 CAT 1-4 Certificate (Maximum 3 free night certificates)

Congratulations! You are now enrolled in the Spring MegaBonus® Promotion. Stay at any of more than 3,600 Marriott hotels worldwide between February 1, 2013 and April 30, 2013 and earn 1 free night toward a future stay, after every second paid stay, up to a maximum of three free night awards. That’s in addition to the base points you’ll earn on those stays.

Registration is required.

Marriott Rewards® members who register for this promotion by March 15, 2013 will earn one (1) free night award at a category 1-4 hotel after each second paid stay made between February 1 and April 30, 2013, at a participating Marriott property.

A stay is defined as consecutive nights spent at the same hotel, regardless of check-in/check-out activity.

The member receiving this offer has been specifically targeted and the offer is not transferable.

Maximum three (3) free night awards earned with this promotion per member.

An earned free night award can be redeemed for a future stay at participating Marriott Rewards category 1-4 properties for one (1) free night.

Free night award will expire one (1) year after the date of issuance.

An earned free night award is good for one (1) single or double occupancy standard room only and includes the cost of the hotel room and applicable room taxes only.

An earned free night award will be added to the member’s account within 3-5 business days after the second qualifying stay.

Awards are not transferable and may not be given as a gift.

This offer is not transferable.

Nights spent while redeeming an award are not eligible for credit and Marriott Vacation Club® owner-occupied weeks are not eligible for credit.

Only one room per hotel is counted toward a member’s nights or stay.

Members electing to earn miles are not eligible for this promotion.

Participating brands include JW Marriott®, EDITION®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, AC Hotels by Marriott^SM, Marriott® Hotels & Resorts, Gaylord Hotels, Courtyard by Marriott®, SpringHill Suites by Marriott®, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott®, Residence Inn by Marriott®, TownePlace Suites by Marriott® and Marriott Vacation Club. Stays at our exclusive luxury hotel partner, The Ritz-Carlton®, will count toward achievement.

All Marriott Rewards program terms and conditions apply.

Visit MarriottRewards.com/MegaBonus2013, call 888-MARRIOTT (627-7468), or call your local Marriott Rewards Customer Support office for complete details.

Stay 2 times, Get 1 CAT 1-5 Certificate (Maximum 2 free night certificates)

This offer seems to be primarily targeted for non-US members.

Congratulations! You are now enroled in the Spring MegaBonus® Promotion. Stay at any of more than 3,600 Marriott hotels worldwide between 1 February 2013 and 30 April 2013 and earn 1 free night toward a future stay, after every second paid stay, up to a maximum of two free night awards. That’s in addition to the base points you’ll earn on those stays.

Registration is required.

Marriott Rewards® members who register for this promotion by 15 March 2013 will earn one (1) free night award at a category 1-5 hotel after each second paid stay made between 1 February and 30 April 2013, at a participating Marriott property.

A stay is defined as consecutive nights spent at the same hotel, regardless of check-in/check-out activity.

The member receiving this offer has been specifically targeted and the offer is not transferable.

Maximum two (2) free night awards earned with this promotion per member.

An earned free night award can be redeemed for a future stay at participating Marriott Rewards category 1-5 properties for one (1) free night.

Free night award will expire one (1) year after the date of issuance.

An earned free night award is good for one (1) single or double occupancy standard room only and includes the cost of the hotel room and applicable room taxes only.

An earned free night award will be added to the member’s account within 3-5 business days after the second qualifying stay.

Awards are not transferable and may not be given as a gift.

This offer is not transferable.

Nights spent while redeeming an award are not eligible for credit and Marriott Vacation Club® owner-occupied weeks are not eligible for credit.

Only one room per hotel is counted toward a member’s nights or stay.

Members electing to earn miles are not eligible for this promotion.

Participating brands include JW Marriott®, EDITION®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, AC Hotels by Marriott^SM, Marriott® Hotels & Resorts, Gaylord Hotels, Courtyard by Marriott®, SpringHill Suites by Marriott®, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott®, Residence Inn by Marriott®, TownePlace Suites by Marriott® and Marriott Vacation Club.

Stays at our exclusive luxury hotel partner, The Ritz-Carlton®, will count toward achievement.

All Marriott Rewards programme terms and conditions apply.

Visit MarriottRewards.co.uk/MegaBonus2013, call 44 20 7012 7312, or call your local Marriott Rewards Customer Support office for complete details.

Stay 15 Nights Get 25,000 Points or Stay 20 Nights Get 40,000 Points

Congratulations! You are now enrolled in the Spring MegaBonus® Promotion. Stay at any of more than 3,600 Marriott hotels worldwide between February 1, 2013 and April 30, 2013 and earn 25,000 bonus points after 15 paid nights plus an additional 15,000 bonus points after 20 paid nights – up to a maximum of 40,000 bonus points. That’s in addition to the base points you’ll earn on those stays.

Registration is required.

Marriott Rewards® members who register for this promotion by March 15, 2013 will earn 25,000 bonus points after 15 paid nights plus an additional 15,000 bonus points after 20 paid nights – up to a maximum of 40,000 bonus points for stays made between February 1 and April 30, 2013, at participating Marriott properties.

A ‘stay’ is defined as consecutive nights spent at the same hotel, regardless of check-in/check-out activity.

The member receiving this offer has been specifically targeted and the offer is not transferable.

Nights spent while redeeming an award are not eligible for credit.

Only one room per hotel is counted toward a member’s nights or stay.

Bonus points will be awarded to the member’s account within 3-5 business days after the qualifying stay.

Awards are not transferable and may not be given as a gift.

This offer is not transferable.

Nights spent while redeeming an award are not eligible for credit and Marriott Vacation Club® owner-occupied weeks are not eligible for credit.

A stay is defined as consecutive nights spent at the same hotel, regardless of check-in/check-out activity.

Only one room per hotel is counted toward a member’s nights or stay.

Members electing to earn miles are not eligible for this promotion.

Participating brands include JW Marriott®, EDITION®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, AC Hotels by Marriott^SM, Marriott® Hotels & Resorts, Gaylord Hotels, Courtyard by Marriott®, SpringHill Suites by Marriott®, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott®, Residence Inn by Marriott®, TownePlace Suites by Marriott® and Marriott Vacation Club.

Stays at our exclusive luxury hotel partner, The Ritz-Carlton®, will count toward achievement.

All Marriott Rewards program terms and conditions apply.

Visit MarriottRewards.com/MegaBonus2013, call 888-MARRIOTT (627-7468), or call your local Marriott Rewards Customer Support office for complete details.

Stay 20 Nights Get 35,000 Points or Stay 25 Nights Get 50,000 Points

Congratulations! You are now enrolled in the Spring MegaBonus® Promotion. Stay at any of more than 3,600 Marriott hotels worldwide between February 1, 2013 and April 30, 2013 and earn 35,000 bonus points after 20 paid nights plus an additional 15,000 bonus points after 25 paid nights – up to a maximum of 50,000 bonus points. That’s in addition to the base points you’ll earn on those stays.Registration is required.

Marriott Rewards® members who register for this promotion by March 15, 2013 will earn 35,000 bonus points after 20 paid nights plus an additional 15,000 bonus points after 25 paid nights – up to a maximum of 50,000 bonus points for stays made between February 1 and April 30, 2013, at participating Marriott properties.

A ‘stay’ is defined as consecutive nights spent at the same hotel, regardless of check-in/check-out activity.

The member receiving this offer has been specifically targeted and the offer is not transferable.

Nights spent while redeeming an award are not eligible for credit.

Only one room per hotel is counted toward a member’s nights or stay.

Bonus points will be awarded to the member’s account within 3-5 business days after the qualifying stay.

Awards are not transferable and may not be given as a gift.

This offer is not transferable.

Nights spent while redeeming an award are not eligible for credit and Marriott Vacation Club® owner-occupied weeks are not eligible for credit.

A stay is defined as consecutive nights spent at the same hotel, regardless of check-in/check-out activity.

Only one room per hotel is counted toward a member’s nights or stay.

Members electing to earn miles are not eligible for this promotion.

Participating brands include JW Marriott®, EDITION®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, AC Hotels by Marriott^SM, Marriott® Hotels & Resorts, Gaylord Hotels, Courtyard by Marriott®, SpringHill Suites by Marriott®, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott®, Residence Inn by Marriott®, TownePlace Suites by Marriott® and Marriott Vacation Club.

Stays at our exclusive luxury hotel partner, The Ritz-Carlton®, will count toward achievement.

All Marriott Rewards program terms and conditions apply.

Visit MarriottRewards.com/MegaBonus2013, call 888-MARRIOTT (627-7468), or call your local Marriott Rewards Customer Support office for complete details.

Source: Thanks to FlyerTalk member alc for posting links to T&C of different Marriott MegaBonus offers.

Ric Garrido, writer and owner of Loyalty Traveler, shares news and views on hotels, hotel loyalty programs and vacation destinations for frequent guests. You can follow Loyalty Traveler on Twitter and Facebook and RSS feed.

Another piece of information from MichelleL on Marriott Rewards Insiders is Marriott Gift Cheques will no longer be sold after December 31, 2012. The group provider for these paper gift cheques is retiring the product. Marriott Rewards members may still buy gift cheques through December 31, 2012. Marriott gift cheques purchased in 2012 will remain valid through their expiration date.

https://www.marriott.com/rewards/usepoints/inhotelextras.mi

* As of January 1, 2013, $100 and $1,000 Elite-only gift cheque rewards will no longer be available. Gift cheques purchased by December 31, 2012 will be honored until the certificate’s expiration date.

These Marriott cheques appear to be another one of the good value benefits of hotel loyalty that is being discontinued due to low utilization by members, The end of 2012 has seen a number of these offers on the chopping block like Hyatt Platinum Extras certificates.

The $100 and $1000 paper gift checques (Elite members only) will be pulled on Dec 31, so prepare for the redemption action to be unplugged around the 5-6p Eastern time frame.

Because there are an extremely low number of members who have redeemed for these awards in the past, we decided against a broad communication in favor of interacting within the community, where we know many of those who use these awards are active. We posted the information on the Insiders – which promptly leaked to FlyerTalk – and made comments on the site pages.

MichelleL – Marriott Rewards Insiders

Here is a Loyalty Traveler piece from January 27, 2011 explaining why the $1,000 Marriott Gift Cheques were a high value award redemption.

Marriott Elites Tip: Real Value of $1,000 Marriott Cheques

Ric Garrido, writer and owner of Loyalty Traveler, shares news and views on hotels, hotel loyalty programs and vacation destinations for frequent guests. You can follow Loyalty Traveler on Twitter and Facebook and RSS feed.

Passports with Purpose raised $110,000 from the 2012 travel blogger fundraiser through prizes and sponsor contributions to build five water wells in Haiti. Each water well provide clean water to about 370 people in Boucan Carre and Mirebalais.

The winner of the 110,000 Hyatt Gold Passport points is from Flushing, New York. Plans for 110,000 points are based around a trip to Park Hyatt Maldives in the near future. Congratulations on making that dream come true at a bargain rate with Hyatt Gold Passport points.

Park Hyatt Maldives – Paradise with an ocean view.

My sincere thanks to Hyatt Gold Passport for their generous contribution of 110,000 points to sponsor Loyalty Traveler blog for the 2012 fundraiser and help Passports with Purpose raise $110,000 for water wells in Haiti.

And the magic number is $110,000

Posted on | December 19, 2012 | No Comments

The confetti has settled on our fundraising efforts and we are happy to report that thousands of donors bid on one or more of the 110 fabulous prizes from November 28 to December 11, 2012. Through donations in $10 increments and the participation of more than 200 travel bloggers around the world, we surpassed our fundraising goal for the fourth year in a row, reaching $110,000 to help Water.org build wells in Haiti.

We hope the phrase “$10 increments” catches your eye, because as always we’re awed by the power of community to do great things. It’s the collective network of the travel-blogosphere that makes this fundraiser more than succeed year after year. Without the hard work and readership of all of these wonderful blogs, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.

We drew the winners for the 2012 prizes and have notified them via email on December 18, so make sure you check your inbox. But even if you didn’t win a prize, we hope you feel rewarded by knowing you played a role in helping bring clean water to people who need it so much in Haiti. Each well will serve an average of 370 people in Boucan Carre and Mirebalais; our goal to build five wells is part of Water.org’s 18-month program to build 20 wells, benefitting 20 communities. And just to make sure you understand why we consider everyone who participated to be a winner, we’ll leave you with this thought from Nicole Wickenhauser, senior development manager at Water.org.

“Congratulations and thank you so very much, on behalf of the entire Water.org team, for this amazing accomplishment! I know we’ve said it before, but we’re honored and humbled to be a part of this. You are doing an unspeakable kindness for the five communities in Haiti that will gain clean water for life – a whole new array of opportunities – as a result of this effort.”

PassportswithPurpose.org