Marriott Refer-A-Friend Bonus

The Refer-a-friend promotion has been around for some time but isn't getting enough limelight still. Here are the basics:

Refer up to 5 new members each calendar year.
Earn 2,000 Marriott Rewards bonus points for each stay your referrals make beginning with their first paid stay, up to 5 stays per referral. That's 50,000 bonus points for you.
Your friends will also earn 2,000 Marriott Rewards bonus points beginning with their first paid stay, up to 5 stays. That's 10,000 bonus points for them, in addition to the base points they'll earn.
Stays at any participating hotels qualify, and must be made within 365 days of enrollment.

The way to take advantage of this is to sign up your friend with a new account and also enroll him for the Megamiles promotions. Megamiles essentially gives you 2,500 airline miles per stay.

Then find some cheap Marriott hotels - the Dallas area seems perfect with many hotels just a quick drive from each other - all priced around $80.

Say you can manage 10 nights going back and forth hotels every night.

Your friend will spend $800 with Marriott. He will receive 25,000 airline miles and about 20,000 Marriott Rewards points.

You will get another 10,000 Marriott Rewards points.

Not a bad haul! You can also combine the friend referral with the Megabonus promotion that usually gives you up to 2 free nights for 4 stays.