Chase is the bank behind the Marriott Rewards Premier credit card which is offering a whopping 80,000 points to anyone signing-up for the card and spending $3,000 in the first three months. Also, in that period you can earn an additional 7,500 points when you add the first authorized user (and make a purchase).
Note: This card has its business version – click here to learn more about it.
- Great for frequent Marriott visitors, and it also works for Ritz-Carlton customers since their points are interchangeable.
- A free night stay in a category 1-5 hotel each year
- Ability to earn you next Elite membership level (as long as you use the card).
- 5% Balance Transfer Fee ($5 minimum)
- No foreign transaction fees.
- $85 annual fee.
How it works
Points galore: Get 80,000 points when you sing-up and after spending $5,000 in the first three months. Plus, there’s an additional 7,500 points to be earned when you add the first authorized user (and make a purchase). Also, you get to:
- Earn 5 points per every dollar spent at over 4,000 participating Marriott locations worldwide.
- Earn 2 points per every dollar spent on airline tickets purchased directly from the airline and at car rental agencies, restaurants, office supply stores; the same applies for internet, cable and phone service purchases.
- Earn 1 point per every dollar spent on all other purchases.
Your points don’t expire as long as you make purchases on your credit card every 24 months.
Up your “game” with all those points: You can change those points for a few nights at some luxurious property, say, in the middle of en European capital during the peak season.
Free night per year: Every year you get a free night every at a Category 1-5 property.
Marriott Rewards Status: 15 credits toward your next Elite membership level after account approval and every year after account anniversary. Also, you earn 1 Elite credit for every $3,000 spent on purchases.
No foreign transaction fees: This card is, obviously, made for travelers.
$85 annual fee: Which isn’t much when you consider that free stay at a Marriott hotel you’ll get in return.
Costs
- APR of 16.24% to 23.24% based on your creditworthiness
- $85 annual fee
- 5% Balance Transfer Fee ($5 minimum)
- No foreign transaction fees.
Pros
- 80k worth of bonus points will allow you to sleep at some of the fanciest hotels in the world.
- Ability to advance your Elite status with Marriott.
- Free night per year – speaks for itself.
- With no foreign transaction fees, this is the card you’ll want to carry around when travelling abroad, even if you don’t end up sleeping in a Marriott.
Cons
- No one likes annual credit card fees – despite the fact that those $85 will easily pay for itself.
- A rather high APR means you’ll want to be careful with your spending (and paying your bills on time).
Is This The Card For You?
If you frequent Marriott hotels, this is the card for you – it’s simple as that. It will let you stock up on points, which you can later convert to free stays at some premium locations. Also, you’ll get that free night at a Marriott which can always come in handy.