Posted on April - 19 - 2011
Review: Chase Marriott Rewards Credit Card
Just about every major hotel brand offers an affiliated credit card and Marriott is no exception. The Marriott group of hotels stretches from low end Fairfield and TownePlace brands to high end hotels like JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton. The company currently offers two Marriott Rewards credit cards through Chase.
Marriott Rewards Credit Card Benefits
Starting with a sign up bonus of 22,500 points and a free night stay certificate, the entry level Marriott rewards credit card is all about earning free nights. The free bonus points can be used for stays that start at 7,500 points for their lowest, Category 1 properties, to 40,000 points for their highest, Category 8 properties. The free night certificate also awarded as a sign up bonus is good for hotels in categories 1 through 4. Since they offer 8 hotel categories, this is essentially the lower valued half of their chain consisting mostly of Fairfields, TownePlace, and some of the least expensive Courtyards. Like the Starwood program, your fifth night is free, potentially increasing your reward value by 25%. Marriott also has no blackout dates.
As is the standard, you get a point per dollar spent with the Marriott rewards credit card and you get three points for all spending at a Marriott, which includes spending on incidentals such as parking, room service, and Internet. Other benefits include a 10 night stay credit towards their Elite status, which will instantly vault you to their Silver status. You will also receive another night stay credit for every $3,000 spent, allowing you to move up their ranks very quickly. Below you can learn more about both Marriott credit card offers.
Marriott Rewards Credit Card Costs
The standard Marriott credit card has a modest $30 annual fee which Chase waives during the first year. Chase’s Marriott Rewards Premier credit card charges a higher, $65 annual fee, but offers a wider range of benefits, including 30,000 bonus points, an annual free night stay, and higher earning potential on purchases.
Who Is The Marriott Credit Card For?
The Marriott chain has an impressively large selection of hotels to choose from. Unlike some other chains, you should rarely have trouble finding an affiliated hotel at your destination. Since a domestic road warrior could easily spend half of his or her travel budget at hotels, a committed Marriott hotel user can really maximize rewards, although more casual travelers may be better off with a non-branded rewards card, such as the Chase Sapphire or Capital One Venture Card.
With its generous sign up benefits and reasonable annual fee, the Marriott Rewards credit card could also make a good secondary card for heavy travelers to use for room fees and other expenses charged at Marriott properties, while utilizing an airline card or a cash back card for other expenses. In this way, savvy travelers would be using the right tool for the right job.
To compare additional credit cards, please see the 0% APR credit card section of Smart Balance Transfers.
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