Originally Posted by crazyhorse

Actually no. When you originally signed up for the card you received a (typically) large sign-on bonus and you paid the annual fee. In my case, I signed up for the original Marriott card in 2007 and my sign-on bonus was 25K points.
On your first year anniversary, you are billed the renewal fee (currently $95) and in return Chase gives you a free night cert valued at up to 35K. In other words, if you have never changed your product then you would not have paid for the free night certificate.


It sounds like you are still in your first year of card membership if you have never received a free night award as yet. If this is not your first year of having the card and you did not in fact receive a free night cert at your last anniversary, then you should take a closer look at your account and work with Chase & Marriott to see what the issue is.

You will receive the free night corresponding to the product you hold at your next anniversary. (Bold = Nothing, Boundless = 35K, Ritz = 85K)