The Best Hotel Rewards Card for Free Nights: Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card
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When you combine hotel loyalty programs with the benefits of a credit card such as the Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card from Chase, the result is often an opportunity to earn valuable awards and perks that enhance your hotel stays and save money. This card offers a number of valuable benefits which range from its rewards program to its bonus offer and annual free night. If you stay in Marriott hotels frequently, this is the card you want to carry in order to get the most for your money. (See also: Best Credit Cards for Hotel Deals and Rewards)
How This Card Works
Get five points for each dollar spent at participating Marriott and SPG hotels, two points per dollar spent at car rental agencies, airline tickets purchased directly with the airlines, and restaurants. You also earn one point for each dollar spent on all other purchases. There is no cap on the points you can earn in any category. Points do not expire as long as you have qualifying activity in the prior 24 months.
Bonus offer: Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening. You can also earn an additional 7,500 bonus points after adding your first authorized user and making a purchase in the first 3 months of account opening.
Marriott rewards points can be redeemed for hotel stays. Depending on availability, PointSavers hotel stays are available for 33% fewer points. You can also redeem points for hotel upgrades and stays in partner hotels such as Ritz-Carlton. These properties also provide PointSavers stays. Finally, if you redeem your points for at least four award nights, your fifth night is free. If you don't want to or can't spend your points on Marriott stays, you can convert your points to airline miles or buy travel packages and merchandise. (See also: Best Credit Cards to Transfer Points to Miles)
Other Benefits
Silver Elite status. You'll receive 15 Elite credits after your account opening and every year after your account anniversary, allowing you to enjoy complimentary Silver Elite status for as long as you're a cardmembe. With Silver Elite status, you can get perks like late checkout, 20% bonus points for hotel stays, and other exclusive offers. Additionally, you can earn one additional credit towards Elite status for every $3,000 you spend on purchases.
Anniversary free night. For every year that you renew your card membership, you'll also receive a free night stay at a Marriott hotel.
Pros
Bonus offer. This is one of the most valuable bonus offers offered by a hotel rewards credit card. (See also: 5 Best Credit Cards with Sign-Up Bonuses for Hotel Stays)
Annual free night stay. On your card anniversary, you receive an e-certificate you can use for a free night stay in a Category 1 to Category 5 hotel.
Elite status bonuses. If you stay at Marriott properties frequently, the perks that come with elite statuses can not only make your stay more comfortable, but can also save you money. Depending on the status, you can also earn extra bonus points on your purchases which can be redeemed for award nights. This card awards 15 credits each year on your card anniversary, which means you are at least guaranteed Silver status. You also earn one credit toward your next elite status for every $3,000 spent with your card. When these bonuses are added to the credits you earn for staying at Marriott hotels, you are able to reach your next status level much quicker. (See also: 5 Best Credit Cards with Free Hotel Status Upgrades)
No foreign transaction fees. One of the worst and most avoidable travel costs are foreign transaction fees for using credit cards abroad. This card would be useful for travel (and for staying at Marriott properties in other countries) since it has no foreign transaction fees. (See also: Best Credit Cards with No Foreign Transaction Fees)
Cons
Annual fee. If you don't use the free night certificate or meet the requirement for the bonus offer, the annual fee for just carrying the card after your first year can become expensive. If you prefer to earn points that can be redeemed for hotel stays, there are credit cards that transfer points to hotels. (See also: Best Travel Rewards Cards)
Who This Card Is Best For
The Chase Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card is best for those who frequently stay in Marriott hotels and can specifically take advantage of the benefits and perks provided. It is crucial with this card to consider the annual fee after the introductory offer expires, and whether you can earn the valuable bonus offer and use the annual certificates for free nights. It is also best for those whose spending includes restaurants, airlines, and car rentals in addition to Marriott purchases, in order to earn the most points for your money. There is also no foreign transaction fee, which makes the card ideal for those who travel abroad or use the card for foreign purchases.
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