Originally Posted by Tax Dude

I just got the Chase Marriott Visa (Canadian version.) It really makes no sense to pay 2.5% to Amex or CIBC to get Aeroplan points in foreign countries. I looked at various options and settled on the Marriott-branded card because it works in all countries, not just the US. Although the Marriott points aren't as valuable as Amex or Aeroplan points to me, I figure the 2.5% savings covers off those points I'm not getting and the Marriott ones are just a bonus. It does earn 2 points per $1 on car rental and restaurants, and 5 points at Marriotts, but only 1 point/$ at other hotels - I suppose that makes sense given it's a Marriott-branded card. It also gives Silver status by crediting you with 15 nights so you need _only_ 35 more nights to get Gold status.

They have a tiered system, so low numbers of points transfer at a lower ratios than higher. 10k Marriott points transfer to Aeroplan or Avios at a 5:1 ratio (yuck.) Once you have 70k it's 2.8:1. And, you can always use them for hotel stays.