• October 16, 2007

Marriott International Inc. is partnering with Visa for a sweepstakes and has added a new feature to its Marriott Rewards loyalty program.

Courtyard by Marriott and Visa are teaming up with Jerome "The Bus" Bettis to kick off the "Visa Road to the Super Bowl XLII Challenge at Courtyard." Guests who stay at Courtyard and pay with Visa are automatically entered in the sweepstakes. Prizes include a trip to the Super Bowl and a Samsung 40-inch, flat-screen TV. Scratch-off cards at check-out reveal instant prizes, including NFL merchandise and $50 Visa and Marriott gift cards. Customers calling Courtyard reservations will hear a special message by Bettis, the former running back, urging them to use their Visa card when staying at a Courtyard property.

Meanwhile, Marriott has added the Marriott Rewards Refer-A-Friend Program. Members can earn up to 25,000 bonus points when they refer friends, family and colleagues who end up staying at a participating hotel. Members can refer up to five new members each calendar year. They will earn 1,000 bonus points for each stay referrals make, beginning with their first paid stay, up to 5 stays per referral. The referred parties also earn 1,000 bonus points beginning with their first paid stay. Stays at any participating Marriott hotel qualify, and must be made within 365 days of enrollment. New members must enroll by March 31.

--Tanya Irwin