Marriott Wins Eight First Place Freddie Awards, the Loyalty Industry's Top Honors

WASHINGTON, May 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Marriott Rewards, Marriott International Inc.'s (NYSE: MAR) guest loyalty program, earned first place in eight categories in the 2007 Freddie Awards. The program received the most votes and was the only hotel company to finish among the top three in every eligible category.

"Winning eight Freddie Awards is gratifying because it provides valuable feedback from our most frequent guests. We are grateful for our members' continued choice of our hotels and the Marriott Rewards Program and we will continue to use their input to help shape future program enhancements," said Ed French, senior vice president, Marriott Rewards.

The Freddie Awards are announced each year by Randy Petersen, publisher of Inside Flyer magazine, and recognize excellence in frequent traveler programs globally. Results are determined by reader surveys.

  Marriott International took first place in the following categories:

  -- Best Customer Service; Frequent Guest Program; Americas
  -- Best Elite Level; Frequent Guest Program; Americas
  -- Best Award; Frequent Guest Program; Japan, Pacific, Asia, Australia
  -- Best Award; Frequent Guest Program; Europe, Middle East, Africa
  -- Best Bonus Promotion; Frequent Guest Program; Europe, Middle East,
     Africa
  -- Best Member Communications; Frequent Guest Program; Japan, Pacific,
     Asia, Australia
  -- Best Web Site; Frequent Guest Program; Japan, Pacific, Asia, Australia
  -- Best Web Site; Frequent Guest Program; Europe, Middle East, Africa

Marriott Rewards is free to join and allows members to earn points or airline miles for every dollar they spend at eight Marriott International lodging brands worldwide. Points can be redeemed for free hotel stays, merchandise, rental cars, cruises, adventure travel tours and more.

From the first moment when the guest makes their reservation until check- out, Marriott Rewards' recent program enhancements are designed to make life on the road easier for members. Marriott Rewards members may set up online profiles with their personal stay preferences, and they will be delivered during each stay at nine hotel brands around the world. Members who wish to receive their hotel bills via email can select "e-Folio" in their online profile and their bills will automatically be sent to them after every stay. Also, Marriott Rewards' DreamRewards(R) tracker allows members to select their dream destinations and track their progress online. Member account information and profiles are available in eight languages.

With three options to redeem points for hotel stays, Marriott Rewards members have more choice than with any other guest loyalty program. Point- Savers allow members to redeem 33 percent fewer points for their favorite destinations; members who use Standard Awards use fewer points per night the more nights they book; and Stay Anytime Awards allow members to stay wherever they want, whenever they want.

With 2,600 participating hotels in 65 countries, Marriott Rewards provides travelers the opportunity to get to the places they dream of 30 percent faster than with other leading programs.*

For information about Marriott Rewards or to enroll, call (800) 249-0800, visit the front desk of participating hotels, or log onto marriottrewards.com.

*Comparison based on seven nights at Starwood, Hilton, InterContinental Hotel Group and Hyatt full-service hotels of similar quality and points earned on dollars spent. Assumes standard award offerings for base-level members. All comparisons made as of 1/07.

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. (NYSE: MAR) is a leading lodging company with more than 2,800 lodging properties in the United States and 67 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Bulgari brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club, Horizons by Marriott Vacation Club, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Grand Residences by Marriott brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and had approximately 151,000 employees at 2006 year-end. It is ranked as the lodging industry's most admired company and one of the best places to work for by FORTUNE(R). The company is also a 2006 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ENERGY STAR(R) Partner. In fiscal year 2006, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of $12.2 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at http://www.marriott.com/ .