My 15 nights took about a week to post after approval - before I even received the card from Chase.

The free night cert posted about 3 days after approval.

You mean you see 70K deposited in your Marriott account but not the 15 nights credit? So you already have had the card for one statement cycle?

If it is the case, you may want to call Marriott as this is handled by Marriott, not by Chase. Chase is only responsible the Points.

The 15 nights deposit took about a week, and was before the card even arrived.

Thanks everyone!
I got the points, the free night vert, and "silver status" - but only 1 night showing for my account for the year, no CC nights, called and they said lets wait 90 days from account opening, put a note on the account, etc. No worries.

Also, its "1 Elite Night Credit for every $3,000 spent" on the card - NOT 3000 points (double points for Dining, etc..) right?

That is kind of weird as it is not others experience.

Did you have a full first statement cycle, or a shortened one? I assume you met the spend on the first cycle.

Yes, $3000 spend, not points, but actual $ spent.

If you are working to achieve Gold (50 nights needed), then the 15 nights are important. Otherwise it is pretty much meaningless.

I'm sorry, but why do you guys find the free cat 1-5 night stay that good? I'm looking at the hotels in desirable locations and most of them are above category 5.

Gold is a possibility. Either way would like to have for LT status in 20 years :p

I believe you are joking about the LT status. Unless I am mistaken, the free 15 nights from CC do not count for the LT status.

Once I get the 70k, how long do I get to use them before they expire?

They do not expire even though the program rules do not say so. Marriott does not enforce the inactivity clause.

wow that's awesome...so after I get my pts I can cancel the chase card and basically keep the pts for good...

I would recommend keeping the card open for atleast 6 months before canceling. Chase has been known to rescind the bonus if you cancel too soon.

Or just keep it 11 months. Doesn't hurt. Use it from time to time. Be nice. They were nice. Haha

Keep it for a few months? Better on your credit history, plus if you stay at a marriott, better points/dollar.

$85 for an annual free night seems like a pretty fair deal.

But it isn't really that good. With their devaluations the last couple years, I found the only places left in the categories where I could use the free night were suburban/interstate hotels where I could pretty much equal $85 without
trying too hard via priceline or hotels.com or something like that. And they always seemed to screw up and/or delay posting my limited free night.

I cancelled last year, and don't miss it. The signup bonus is good. I may try for that again after a few months.

I think the IHG annual free night is much better, or even the Club Carlson 40000 points.