Marriott Bonvoy credit card changes announced

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:
  

  Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card     ➥More   ⓘ $-47 1st Yr Value Estimate This card is no longer available for new applications No Annual Fee First Year, Then $95     This card is no longer available for new applicants as of 2/12/19 Info about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy.     Card Type: Amex Credit Card Base 2X (1.44%) Brand 6X (4.32%) Earning rate: 6X Marriott ⚬ 2X on all other eligible purchases Big 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:
  

  Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card     ➥More   ⓘ $548 1st Yr Value Estimate 100K Points + Platinum Status + up to $150 statement credit 100K points after $5K spend in the first 3 months + Complimentary Platinum Status for 2021 membership year (2/1/21 to 1-31-22) + up to $150 in statement credits for eligible purchases on U.S. Advertising in select media in first 6 months. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees) (Offer Expires 1/13/2021) $125 Annual Fee     Card Type: Amex Credit Card Base 2X (1.44%) Dine 4X (2.88%) Gas 4X (2.88%) Phone 4X (2.88%) Biz 4X (2.88%) Brand 6X (4.32%) Earning rate: 6x at Marriott Bonvoy properties ⚬ 4x U.S. restaurants, 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) Big spend bonus: Marriott Gold elite status with $35K annual spend ⚬ Earn an additional free night (good for one night at a redemption level at or under 35K points, subject to resort fees) after you spend $60K on purchases in a calendar year Noteworthy perks: 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card account anniversary for a one-niight redemption level at or under 35K points (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:
  

  Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card     ➥More   ⓘ $462 1st Yr Value Estimate 125K points + Platinum Status 125K points + Platinum Status: 100K points after $5K spend in the first 3 months + Platinum status for 2021 membership year (2/1/21 to 1-31-22) + 25K points after first anniversary. Terms apply. (Offer Expires 1/13/2021) $450 Annual Fee     FM Mini Review: Decent ultra-premium option for Marriott fans, but Hilton fans may prefer the ultra-premium Hilton Aspire card. Card Type: Amex Credit Card Base 2X (1.44%) Travel 3X (2.16%) Dine 3X (2.16%) Brand 6X (4.32%) Earning rate: 3X airfare charged by airline; 3X US restaurants, 6X Marriott; 2X on all other eligible purchases Big spend bonus: Platinum Elite status with $75K calendar year spend Noteworthy perks: ⚬ 50K Free Night Award each year upon renewal ⚬ $300 Marriott Rewards statement credit per membership year ⚬ Gold Elite status ⚬ 15 elite nights credit ⚬ Priority Pass Select with 2 free guests ⚬ Global Entry fee credit ⚬ Free premium internet at Marriott properties 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:
  

  Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card     ➥More   ⓘ $367 1st Yr Value Estimate 75K points 75K after $3K in the first 3 months $95 Annual Fee     This card is subject to Chase's 5/24 rule (click here for details). See Also: Are you eligible for a new Marriott card? Recent better offer: Earn 5 50K free night certificates after $5K spend in 3 months [Expired 10/28/20]     Card Type: Visa Signature Base 2X (1.44%) Brand 6X (4.32%) Earning rate: ⚬ 6X Marriott Bonvoy ⚬ 2X everywhere else Big spend bonus: Earn Gold status when you spend $35K each year Noteworthy 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 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:
  

  Marriott Bonvoy Premier Plus Business     ➥More   ⓘ $-99 1st Yr Value Estimate This card is no longer available for new applications $99 Annual Fee     This card is no longer available for new applications. Click here to learn about the new Marriott Bonvoy credit card lineup. Info about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. Recent better offer: 100K after $5K spend. (Last reported 7/2016)     Card Type: Visa Signature Business Base 2X (1.44%) Gas 4X (2.88%) Phone 4X (2.88%) Biz 4X (2.88%) Brand 6X (4.32%) Earning rate: 6X Marriott ⚬ 4X dining, internet, cable and phone service ⚬ 4X gas stations and shipping ⚬ 2X everywhere else. Big spend bonus: Gold status with $35K account year spend Noteworthy perks: As of 8/26/18: 35K free night award each year upon renewal ⚬ Silver status ⚬ 15 elite night credits each calendar year ⚬ Free in-room premium internet 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:
  

  Chase Ritz Carlton Rewards Visa Infinite     ➥More   ⓘ $0 1st Yr Value Estimate This card is no longer available for new applications No Annual Fee First Year, Then $450     Click here to view details about a similar card: Marriott Rewards Premier Plus Info about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. Recent better offer: 3 Free Tier 1-4 nights after $5K spend in first three months + 10K points for adding an authorized user.     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. Card Type: Visa Infinite Base 2X (1.44%) Travel 3X (2.16%) Dine 3X (2.16%) Brand 6X (4.32%) Earning rate: ⚬ 6X Ritz & Marriott.⚬ 3X airline tickets purchased directly with the airline, at car rental agencies and at restaurants ⚬ 2X everywhere else Big spend bonus: $75K spend per account year for Platinum elite status Noteworthy perks: ⚬ Annual 50K 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 See also: Marriott Bonvoy Complete Guide

Chase Marriott Rewards Premier

• New Name:  Not yet announced
• New card design:

• Current card info:
  

  Chase Marriott Bonvoy Premier     ➥More   ⓘ $0 1st Yr Value Estimate This card is no longer available for new applications No Annual Fee First Year, Then $85     Click here to view details about a similar card: Marriott Rewards Premier Plus Info about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy.     Card Type: Visa Signature Base 1X (0.72%) Travel 2X (1.44%) Dine 2X (1.44%) Brand 5X (3.6%) Earning rate: ⚬ 2X airline, car rental, & restaurants ⚬ 5X Marriott. Big spend bonus: 1 credit towards elite status for every $3,000 in purchases Noteworthy perks: ⚬ 15 night credit towards elite status every year upon account anniversary ⚬ Free category 1-5 certificate each year upon renewal

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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