Amex and Chase issued press releases today to unveil near term plans for converting their SPG and Marriott Rewards cards to the new all-in-one Marriott Bonvoy program. Here’s a summary of the changes, organized by the currently existing credit card names (scroll to the bottom for my impressions):
Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express
- New Name: Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card (as of Feb 13 2019)
- Last Day to Apply: February 12, 2019 (Amex will no longer accept new applications for this card beginning February 13th)
- New Retention Bonus Starting Feb 24 2019: For those who opened their accounts before Jan 23 2019 –> Earn up to 100K bonus points. Earn 25K bonus points for each $25K of spend through the end of 2019. “Eligible Card Members will receive more information about this offer, including the relevant terms and how to register their Card soon.”
- New card design:
- Current card info:
Card Offer and Details This card is no longer available for new applications$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy.Earning rate: 6X Marriott ✦ 2X on all other eligible purchasesCard Type: Amex Credit CardBig spend bonus: Marriott Gold Elite with $30K annual spend (note this threshold will increase to $35K on January 1, 2019)Noteworthy perks: 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card account anniversary up to 35K points (subject to resort fees) ✦ Receive free premium internet at Marriott properties.See also: Marriott Bonvoy Complete Guide
Starwood Preferred Guest Business Credit Card from American Express
- New Name: Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card (as of Feb 13 2019)
- New Welcome Bonus: For those who apply Feb 13 through April 24 2019, earn 100K points after $5K spend in 3 months.
- New Perks: Earn an additional 35K free night award with $60,000 or more spend per year
- New Annual Fee: $125 starting March 28 2019 (was $95)
- Card Members who apply before 3/28/19 will receive the first year free, then pay an annual fee of $95 at the following Card anniversary date, and then pay the new annual fee of $125 at their next Card anniversary date and on all Card anniversary dates thereafter.
- For current Card Members, the fee increase will take effect on the Card Member’s next Card anniversary date on or after 3/28/2019
- New card design:
- Current card info:
Card Offer and Details 3 x 50K Free NIght Certificates ⓘ AffiliateReceive three 50k free night certificates after $6K spend in the first 6 months. Redemption level up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy(R) points for each bonus Free Night Award, at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy(R). Certain hotels have resort fees. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees)$125 Annual FeeRecent better offer: 100K points after $4K spend in the first 3 months [Expired 11/2/22]Earning rate: 6x at Marriott Bonvoy properties ✦ 4x at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased from U.S. suppliers and on U.S. purchases for shipping ✦ 2x on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply. (Rates & Fees)Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign transaction fees.Big spend bonus: Earn an additional 35k free night certificate (can be topped-up with up to 15k additional points, subject to resort fees) after you spend $60K on purchases in a calendar yearNoteworthy perks: Complimentary Marriott Gold elite status ✦ 7% discount off the standard rate for a standard room at participating hotels when you book direct (Terms and Conditions apply) ✦ 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year ✦ 35k Free Night Award every year after card renewal (subject to resort fees) ✦ Complimentary premium Internet access at Marriott properties ✦ Terms Apply (Rates & Fees)See also: Marriott Bonvoy Complete Guide
Starwood Preferred Guest Luxury Card from American Express
- New Name: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card (as of Feb 13 2019)
- New Welcome Bonus: For those who apply Feb 13 through April 24 2019, earn 100K points after $5K spend in 3 months.
- New Perks: Starting March 28 2019, $100 in property credit per stay when cardholders use their Card and a special rate code to book stays of two or more nights at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® properties
- New card design:
- Current card info:
Card Offer and Details 95K Points ⓘ Affiliate95k points after $6K spend within the first 6 months. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees)$650 Annual FeeRecent better offer: 150K points after $6K in the first 6 months and 50K points after 6 eligible paid nights at Bonvoy hotels [Expired 8/9/23]FM Mini Review: Decent ultra-premium option for Marriott fans, especially those aiming for lifetime status tiersEarning rate: 3X airfare -on flights booked directly with airlines; 3X restaurants worldwide, 6X Marriott; 2X on all other eligible purchasesCard Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign transaction fees.Big spend bonus: Annual Choice Award with $60K calendar year spendNoteworthy perks: ✦ 85K Free Night Award each year upon renewal ✦ $300 dining credit per membership year ($25/mo) ✦ Platinum Elite status ✦ 25 elite nights credit ✦ Priority Pass membership (Lounges only) with 2 guests ✦ Global Entry fee credit ✦ Free premium internet at Marriott properties Note: Enrollment required for some benefits.See also: Marriott Bonvoy Complete Guide
Chase Marriott Rewards Premier Plus
- New Name: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card (as of Feb 28 2019)
- New Welcome Bonus: Starting Feb 28 for a limited time, earn 100K points after $5K spend in 3 months.
- New Perks: Contactless (the Amex cards already have this feature)
- New card design:
- Current card info:
Card Offer and Details 5 x 50K Free Night Certificates ⓘ Non-AffiliateEarn five 50K free night certifcates after $5K spend in 3 months$95 Annual FeeThis card is subject to Chase's 5/24 rule (click here for details).Recent better offer: None. This matches the best ever.Earning rate: ✦ 6X Marriott Bonvoy ✦ 3X gas stations, grocery stores, and dining on up to $6K in combined purchases each year ✦ 2X everywhere elseCard Info: Visa Signature issued by Chase. This card has no foreign transaction fees.Big spend bonus: Earn Gold status when you spend $35K each year ✦ 1 Elite Night Credit towards elite status for every $5K spentNoteworthy perks: ✦ Annual free night certificate for 1 night at a hotel redemption level up to 35K ✦ Automatic Silver status ✦ 15 nights of elite credit each year ✦ 1 Elite Night Credit for every $5K spent ✦ $10 monthly GoPuff credit (through 12/31/23)See also: Marriott Bonvoy Complete Guide
Chase Marriott Rewards Premier Business Plus
- New Name: Marriott Bonvoy Premier Plus Business (as of Feb 28 2019)
- Last Day to Apply: February 12, 2019 (Chase will no longer accept new applications for this card beginning February 13th)
- New Perks: Earn an additional 35K free night award with $60,000 or more spend per year
- Same Annual Fee: $99 (pointing this out because the Amex business card will increase its fee to $125)
- New card design:
- Current card info:
Card Offer and Details NoneThis card is no longer available$99 Annual FeeInformation about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy.Earning rate: 6X Marriott ✦ 4X dining, internet, cable and phone service ✦ 4X gas stations and shipping ✦ 2X everywhere else.Card Type: Visa Signature BusinessNoteworthy perks: 35K free night award each year upon renewal ✦ Gold status ✦ 15 elite night credits each calendar year ✦ Free in-room premium internet ✦ 7% discount off the standard rate for a standard room at participating hotels when you book direct (Terms and Conditions apply)See also: Marriott Bonvoy Complete Guide
Chase Ritz Carlton Rewards Visa Infinite
- New Name: The Ritz-Carlton Card
- New Perks: Starting April 2019, $100 in property credit per stay when cardholders use their Card and a special rate code to book stays of two or more nights at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® properties.
- New card design:
- Current card info:
Card Offer and Details NoneThis card is no longer available$450 Annual FeeInformation about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy.FM Mini Review: While the card is pricey, the annual free night, plus $300 in ariline fee credits, plus other perks make this card a keeper.Earning rate: ✦ 6X Ritz & Marriott.✦ 3X airline tickets purchased directly with the airline, at car rental agencies and at restaurants ✦ 2X everywhere elseCard Type: Visa InfiniteBig spend bonus: $75K spend per calendar year for Platinum elite statusNoteworthy perks: ✦ Annual 85K hotel certificate upon renewal ✦ 3 club level upgrades. $100 hotel credit for each 2 night or longer stay ✦ Priority Pass Select with unlimited guests ✦ $300 annual credit for airline incidentals ✦ Automatic Gold Status ✦ $10 monthly GoPuff credit (through 12/31/23)See also: Marriott Bonvoy Complete Guide
Chase Marriott Rewards Premier
- New Name: Not yet announced
- New card design:
- Current card info:
Card Offer and Details NoneThis card is no longer available$85 Annual FeeInformation about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy.Earning rate: ✦ 2X airline, car rental, & restaurants ✦ 5X Marriott.Card Type: Visa SignatureBig spend bonus: 1 credit towards elite status for every $3,000 in purchasesNoteworthy perks: ✦ 15 night credit towards elite status every year upon account anniversary ✦ Free category 1-5 certificate each year upon renewal ✦ $10 monthly GoPuff credit (through 12/31/23)
New No-Fee Marriott consumer card from Chase coming this summer
- No additional details have been released yet
My first impressions
- Bonvoy is still a stupid name
- I’m not excited about the alliteration that will make it hard to remember which card is which. Which is a higher end card? Bonvoy Brilliant? Bonvoy Boundless? I would have guessed that boundless trumps brilliant, but I’d be wrong. In my opinion, Amex should have stuck with the Luxury Card name for their $450 card.
- I love the card art on the Bonvoy Amex (AKA old SPG consumer card)! I predict that this will be the card to have since you won’t be able to get it starting Feb 13 2019. For $95 per year, it’s worth keeping for the annual 35K free night… and the card art.
- It’s also interesting that Amex is encouraging spending on the old SPG card by offering 25K bonus points per $25K spend, up to 100K. If you spend exactly a multiple of $25K, the card effectively has it’s old earning power of 1 SPG point = 3 Marriott.
- Both the Amex and Chase business cards are gaining the ability to earn a second 35K free night with $60K spend. For those who spend a lot at gas stations to earn 4X rewards, this should come as good news.
- I’m bummed that the Ritz and Lux.. er, Brilliant cards didn’t add big spend bonuses like free nights or extra points. Only those cards offer Platinum status with $75K spend, so it would be nice for Marriott to offer more than just elite status for that high spend.
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