Using a hotel rewards credit card can do more than just provide a way to pay for your travel expenditures. If used properly, it can also save you hundreds to thousands of dollars over the course of a lifetime by offering free stays at hotels and by providing discounts on future travel purchases.
The Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card promises to do both.
The very first thing you’ll notice about the Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card is that you can earn up to seven free nights to start with the following two steps. First step, after you make purchases totaling $1,000 in your first 3 months from account opening you will earn you 50,000 bonus points. Those points can be redeemed toward a multiple-night stay at participating Marriott locations. Second step, Chase offers another night stay at any hotel in categories 1 through 4 hotel, upon account approval. Together that is enough for seven free nights at a category 1 location. Plus each year you renew your card membership, you’ll receive an anniversary bonus of one free night’s stay at a category 1 through 5 hotel.
A great rewards program accompanies the Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card. Here are some highlights:
- Five points earned for every dollar spent at participating Marriott® locations.
- Two points earned for every $1 spent on airline tickets purchased directly with the airline, and at car rental agencies & restaurants.
- One point earned for every $1 spent other purchases.
- No foreign transaction fees.
This card also allows you to reach elite status (in Silver, Gold and Platinum) where you’ll earn points faster and receive unique perks and rewards. Every $3,000 you spend will give you one elite night credit, which accelerates your progress towards the next elite status level.
Cardholders receive an above-average variable APR on purchases and balance transfers currently at 15.24%. This card carries an annual fee of $85, which is waived during the first year. The fee may be high, but the rewards you receive through free night stays are worth the cost. If you plan to stay at Marriott hotels often enough to accrue the rewards, this card is a good choice.
Other than the rewards program, the Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card offers other factors that make this a valuable offer.
If you find yourself in need of a rewards credit card that offers a free night stay on a yearly basis, consider the Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card.
Updated May 10, 2013 and originally published October 12, 2011. If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to the RSS feed or receive daily emails. Follow @flexo on Twitter and visit our Facebook page for more updates.
Rank: Platinum
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
I try to save money by staying at Motel 6, LoL.
Seriously, seems to me that most Marriott Hotels are out of a frugal
price range.
Marriott owns a number of brands, some more frugal than others. I believe Fairfield Inn is a reasonably-priced Marriott property that would be valid for accumulating points.
It’s been about a year since I crunched the numbers, but back when I did this card was only worth using if you were going to use the points on Marriott stays (anything else made a cashback card a better deal). Moreover, you should only charge Marriott stays on this card — anything else is better charged to a cashback card. Those two facts taken with the annual fee make this card a solid “no” in my book.
Of course the best deal it at a Marriot, the cost to Marriot to give you a room is ZERO. It costs them $ to allow you to use the points for anything else.
You absolutely do NOT have to pay a fee. When the one year is up – cancel the card and repeat again. I have done this at least 4 times and have always gotten the 30,000 bonus points when I signed up again.
Thank you so much for the tip. I was thinking about doing just that. If I renew for $85 I get a free Cat 1-5 night, but I’m seeing some great offers for 50,000 points plus 2 free nights Cat 1-4. My question for you is how long did you wait to apply again? I’m guessing 3-6 months since most forms ask if you’ve had that particular card in that time frame. What was your experience? Thanx, A
If you stay in a hotel atleast once a year, then the card pays for itself and beats any cash back return….for the $65 annual fee – you can potentially book a one night stay which can or without the free nigh would cost upwards of $150.00.
I remember there was a time when I chose my credit card based on how cool it looked. If I was still doing that, this card would have made the list. Based on my current criteria and spending habits, this one definitely isn’t making the list. Not that I need more credit cards anyways since my available credit already far exceeds my annual income. But I guess that’s what you should do, right: If you can’t make enough money, charge it and pay it “later”.
Flexo, I’ve got the regular old Marriott Rewards card. Any idea if you can get the 30k bonus for upgrading?
And any thoughts on whether the extra $35 per year is worth it?
I was actually considering moving to something else entirely as well since I rarely travel and stay at Marriott’s anymore (they used to be like a second home….but not anymore).
As I posted in a response above – no need to pay any fees on this or any other chase card! Get the bonus points and when the annual fee is due – cancel the card.
I have done this 4 times with a United Chase card, 4 times with the Marriot Chase card and 2 times with the Priority Club (Holiday Inn) Card. I have always received all of the bonus point offered by Chase.
Yes, I know this has an effect on your credit score, however, my score is still around 790 and thus, I’m not worried about the effect on my credit score.
This is not a review. It only reiterates the same information you get from Marriott’s own promotion. Any decent review should also talk about interest rates, fees and penalties. Without that information, you can’t make an intelligent decision. Many new credit card offerings today increase your interest rate to 29.9% if you are late with a payment. This interest rate is permanent on all past and future purchases. So unless you like paying 30% interest, don’t apply for a card without knowing the cerdit card conpany’s terms.
I am confused – is there a foreign transaction fee or not on either of Marriott cards?
@ Margaret When I went on marriots website it said no foreign transaction fees… which is great for a visa card.. I think that and the free night are worth the 65 bucks