Originally Posted by
SkiAdcock
There's actually a long thread in the Marriott forum re: the Chase Marriott card. You might want to check that for various details re: the card.
I know it gets you 15 nights towards elite status, a Cat 1-5 (and yes they can be used, regardless of those who say they're worthless) & 5pts/$ spend. Other than that, bennies, bonuses, etc, can probably be garnered in the thread in the Marriott forum.
Cheers.
The "5pts/$ spend" spend is for spending at Marriott properties. Otherwise it's only one Marriott Rewards point per one dollar of spend. The SPG AmEx card also provides one point per one dollar of spend. But Marriott Rewards points are a different currency than SPG points. As I value them, it takes three Marriott Rewards points to equal the value of one SPG point. So, for general spending, SPG AmEx is superior.
The free Marriott Category 1-5 e-certificate each year means that the $85 annual fee provides a room night easily worth twice as much or more. As Sharon noted, some people consider such e-certificates worthless. Presumably, such people only stay in major, high-cost cities and/or at high-end properties. For the rest of us, it's easy to find good full-service and select-service hotels (in cities and suburbs) that are Category 5 (or lower).
I have the Marriott Visa and the SPG AmEx. To me, they're both worth having and renewing.
It remains to be seen what happens in 2018 when the two loyalty programs are combined.