New and refreshed Amex SPG/Bonvoy cards - August 2018 & February 2019
 

Link: Marriott Rewards Credit Cards

It's very disappointing that the regular cat earn rate dropped from 3X to 2X in new MAR points. By comparison the Hilton Ascend with the same AF earns 3X on everything, and 6X in the popular grocery store cat.
I'm not even sure what to think about the "Luxury" version with the $450 AF.
There better be more features coming up and a fat signup bonus. Otherwise, it's DoA.

Marriott points are more valuable than Hilton points, but I find the Aspire card to be a much better value proposition than the new SPG Luxury card.

Agree, card going to the sock drawer. We'll have to see where the free 35k and 50k nights can be used at...maybe some value can be extracted there.

The $300 hotel credit will be based on membership year, so no double dipping.

We should get a better idea when new hotel categories are assigned.

I'm wondering if I'm going to be screwed out of the free night award since my card renews in late May. I took a retention offer on the assumption that my earn rate would stay at 3 MR even after any changes. I don't want to upset AMEX by canceling after taking that offer, but I'm not going to just leave the card in a drawer for almost a whole year after paying the fee without any benefit for it.

Almost same scenario here, i just tweeted at them.
My AF came due this month, now either to pay up and get nothing for 1 year since there's nothing from retention last week when i called them.

Agreed. Things change fast. As an IHG guy, the Aspire is very tempting.

The credit card offers seem to be dead for those of us who collect SPG for airline miles even with the 1:125 airline miles bonus,

SPG AMEX Luxury seems pretty weak. $450 AF with a $300 Starriott credit = $150 AF which earns 6X at Starriott properties same as the $95 AF card.

Using the card outside Starriott properties is a non-starter. CSR and Citi $450 offering earn more airline miles.

Even for Starriott hotel stays stays and the 1.25 airline transfer bonus, the card only earns 6 points per dollar which, with the 1.25 bonus, equates to 2.5 airline miles. CSR/Citi would be 3 miles.

Surprised at the big gulf breeen the new Ames Marriott and Hilton aspire in terms of benefits. They are counting on the status nights being the main attractor, but you get far more hard $ benefits from aspire. Not sure Marriott reward points will be worth as much vs Hilton after upcoming devaluation.

I think I read that Marriott said there were enhancements to the earnings with their CCs, but I don't see it that way. Am I missing something here? It's a 33% devaluation. I mind as well stick with Chase cuz from my perspective this card is dead on arrival for me. Like what someone said earlier, there better be a fat welcome bonus or else I won't even consider the new cards.

A big disappointing devaluation of my SPG Amex. Probably will move on - just not sure where to focus my spending. Somewhere that will give me value for money spent.

The new SPG premium card isn't anything to write home about. However, after a 300 credit (assuming it's good for room rates), you're left with 150. If you can maximize that free night to get outsized value, then I'll get this card. The key is to see how the 300 can be applied, and what hotels are 50K or less in the new program.

I agree this isnt any sort of blockbuster card and I will be using other cards for actual hotel purchases (after the $300 credit for this one). However -- ASSUMING (and right now I think it's only an assumption?)...the 300 credit can be used for room rates -- that leaves with a 150 annual fee. Given my travel schedule - it would probably be worth it for me to pay $150 for the watered-down gold status -- I stay at Starwood/Marriott enough but Im not someone who will consistently stay 25+ nights a year.