When you think of Marriott and its 30-brand loyalty program Marriott Bonvoy, it’s not an immediate association with sports. In-the-know members, however, have plenty of opportunity to be up and close with their favorite teams, including the chance for VIP seats, meet-and-greets with top players and even “de facto” staff members for top sports teams.
Between now and April 6, Marriott Bonvoy members can enter a contest to win the suite of their dreams, literally. The “Suite of Dreams” prize is just one of many travel contests available to armchair travelers this spring.
At Old Trafford, home to world-famous soccer team Manchester United in England, one lucky winner can score the sports trip of their dreams. The winner and a companion will spend the night in a fully decked out suite in the stadium the night before the game with a full view of the pitch. Designed to look like a Marriott guest room, it has all of the expected amenities and furnishings. They would also have access to the suite during the game for a panoramic view of the game complete with snacks and refreshments.
Two additional nights in Manchester are part of the prize along with a guided stadium tour from a Manchester United team member and VIP access before the big night of the home Premier League match against Aston Villa. Marriott will cover travel from the winner’s home country, a museum tour and the chance to spend time with some of the club’ biggest legends.
If you want to throw your name into the hat for this sports fan prize, entries are due by April 6. Other perks include spa treatments for two and the chance to be a sports announcer for the day at the big game.
This is not the first time Marriott Bonvoy has been courting sports fans. The brand has also offered stadium overnights before the Super Bowl in different cities as well as other partnerships within the Marriott Bonvoy Moments platform, where travelers can bid or use points to access behind-the-scenes or swanky fan experiences that might be out of their price point (or even impossible) if you tried to pay for it.
Loyalty programs have been hard at work trying to find ways to drive experiential offerings and benefits to members. If someone is able to experience something they cannot buy, they may be more likely to remain loyal to a brand that can get them there. Other points redemption opportunities within Marriott Bonvoy Moments include tickets to the U.S. Grand Prix or behind the scenes tours at the home stadium of the Green Bay Packers.
To support the contest, Marriott created a cheeky video with Manchester United players Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Diego Dalot and Victor Lindelof plus some of the other club’s legends like Bryan Robson and Wes Brown as they try their hand working in various Marriott hotel roles.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/ramseyqubein/2023/03/26/marriott-wants-to-help-you-become-the-next-sports-announcer-for-manchester-united/