Originally Posted by
jakers3200
After receiving a poor upgrade offer and discovering that I would have to wait a full year from my application date to get the 35K free night (when the free night was set to post in a matter of days), I canceled the card in late April. I had received my previous Marriott Rewards card bonus in late July 2016, so I am now clear of the two year mark. And the window to get a new Marriott Chase card is closing, as I already hold the SPG Amex.
So here's my quandary. I don't really need a 2nd Marriott card. However, the 75K bonus would be nice and could be my last chance for a while. And those bonus points are essential to my recent annual 5 night stay at the Mauna Kea habit. If the card's just going to sit in my wallet after earning the bonus, is it worth getting? The annual free night may be worth the annual fee, depending upon how I use it.
Clock is ticking, as in 2 weeks this option will not be here. Any advice?
Well, depending on your 5/24 status, people here will generally tell you to go for it. Marriott is basically making us choose between AMEX and Chase. However, the AMEX cards offer a once in a lifetime bonus (which I think is every 7 years or so). At least the Chase cards will let you apply again 24 months after receiving the last bonus. Visa cards are typically accepted in more places than AMEX as well.
My advice would be to look at your number of apps over the last 24 months and decide how this fits into your overall strategy with Chase. For example, if you are 4/24, them maybe there could be other cards that would be a better fit for you than the Marriott Visa right now. I don't worry about a card sitting unused in a drawer, especially when the card has an annual fee.