May 31, 2019, 4:42 pm
Last edit by: SPN Lifer
This discussion thread is focused on the "classic" (or "old") Marriott Rewards Premier Visa Card issued by Chase (a black metal card) that is currently closed to new applicants. The classic card provides one elite night credit for every $3,000 of spend, an annual free night certificate (which may be used at Category 1-4 hotels), and 15 elite night credits annually.
The discussion thread on the "current" Marriott Premier Plus Visa Card (a/k/a Chase Marriott Bonvoy Visa Card) may be found here: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...on-thread.html.
There is also a discussion thread in the Chase credit card forum on the Marriott cards: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/chas...ts-2016-a.html. Note that this Chase forum discussion thread has posts on both the classic and current cards (which have slightly different benefits.)
The discussion thread on the "current" Marriott Premier Plus Visa Card (a/k/a Chase Marriott Bonvoy Visa Card) may be found here: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...on-thread.html.
There is also a discussion thread in the Chase credit card forum on the Marriott cards: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/chas...ts-2016-a.html. Note that this Chase forum discussion thread has posts on both the classic and current cards (which have slightly different benefits.)
Marriott Rewards Premier Visa Credit Card
Jun 19, 2018, 9:36 am
#2
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,216
I'm so confused about the upcoming changes in August.
My question is, if I get a Chase 1-5 certificate now (June), and do not use it, what (if anything) will happen in August and beyond? Will it turn into a different value certificate, or will it always be a 1-5? I've seen discussions about points levels, rather than category levels.
If it changes into a new points level (how many?) will I be able to use part of it (say, on what was a Cat 3) and have points left over for something else?
My question is, if I get a Chase 1-5 certificate now (June), and do not use it, what (if anything) will happen in August and beyond? Will it turn into a different value certificate, or will it always be a 1-5? I've seen discussions about points levels, rather than category levels.
If it changes into a new points level (how many?) will I be able to use part of it (say, on what was a Cat 3) and have points left over for something else?
Jun 19, 2018, 11:55 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,932
I'm so confused about the upcoming changes in August.
My question is, if I get a Chase 1-5 certificate now (June), and do not use it, what (if anything) will happen in August and beyond? Will it turn into a different value certificate, or will it always be a 1-5? I've seen discussions about points levels, rather than category levels.
If it changes into a new points level (how many?) will I be able to use part of it (say, on what was a Cat 3) and have points left over for something else?
My question is, if I get a Chase 1-5 certificate now (June), and do not use it, what (if anything) will happen in August and beyond? Will it turn into a different value certificate, or will it always be a 1-5? I've seen discussions about points levels, rather than category levels.
If it changes into a new points level (how many?) will I be able to use part of it (say, on what was a Cat 3) and have points left over for something else?
But unless they change the rules, no, you won't be able to get points back if you use it for less than the max points.
Jun 30, 2018, 7:15 pm
#4
formerly known as s2kdriver80
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Long Island, New York, USA (JFK <--> OTP)
Programs: Delta SkyMiles, SPG, Marriott Rewards, Amex MR, Chase UR
Posts: 317
Chase Marriott credit cards strategy to maximize free nights ?
Currently, I have both legacy Chase Marriott Premier credit cards (personal and business) which I opened last year (August 2017). I have an upgrade offer (Marriott Premier to Marriott Premier Plus) good for 10k Marriott points.
The main reason to have multiple cards (at least for me), is so that I can stack the free nights.
What is the best strategy in going about applying for/upgrading these cards?
1. Wait until September 2018 (any earlier and I probably wouldn't receive the free night benefit from my current personal Premier card), confirm the free night award is received, then upgrade the legacy personal Premier card to the Premier Plus card to receive the 10k Marriott points. The advantage of going this route is that I'll have 10k Marriott points. The disadvantage is that I'll only have 2 Marriott cards (I can't re-apply anew for the legacy personal Premier card as it is no longer available for new applications), and thus, only 2 free nights a year.
2. Instead of accepting the 10k Marriott points offer, I apply for the new Premier Plus card and get no signup bonus (since it hasn't even been a year since I opened up the legacy personal and business Premier cards). The advantage of going this route is that I'll have 3 cards, and thus 3 free nights a year. The disadvantage is that I'll be forgoing the 10k Marriott points.
3. Another option?
Which option would you take and why? Or is there a viable option #3 ? For #2 , will the legacy personal Premier card stick around indefinitely for those that already have it? Will there be a "forced" upgrade anytime soon or would that be years down the line? If the old card will go away very soon, then perhaps #1 is the way to go?
Thanks!
The main reason to have multiple cards (at least for me), is so that I can stack the free nights.
What is the best strategy in going about applying for/upgrading these cards?
1. Wait until September 2018 (any earlier and I probably wouldn't receive the free night benefit from my current personal Premier card), confirm the free night award is received, then upgrade the legacy personal Premier card to the Premier Plus card to receive the 10k Marriott points. The advantage of going this route is that I'll have 10k Marriott points. The disadvantage is that I'll only have 2 Marriott cards (I can't re-apply anew for the legacy personal Premier card as it is no longer available for new applications), and thus, only 2 free nights a year.
2. Instead of accepting the 10k Marriott points offer, I apply for the new Premier Plus card and get no signup bonus (since it hasn't even been a year since I opened up the legacy personal and business Premier cards). The advantage of going this route is that I'll have 3 cards, and thus 3 free nights a year. The disadvantage is that I'll be forgoing the 10k Marriott points.
3. Another option?
Which option would you take and why? Or is there a viable option #3 ? For #2 , will the legacy personal Premier card stick around indefinitely for those that already have it? Will there be a "forced" upgrade anytime soon or would that be years down the line? If the old card will go away very soon, then perhaps #1 is the way to go?
Thanks!
Jun 30, 2018, 8:10 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,932
Currently, I have both legacy Chase Marriott Premier credit cards (personal and business) which I opened last year (August 2017). I have an upgrade offer (Marriott Premier to Marriott Premier Plus) good for 10k Marriott points.
The main reason to have multiple cards (at least for me), is so that I can stack the free nights.
What is the best strategy in going about applying for/upgrading these cards?
1. Wait until September 2018 (any earlier and I probably wouldn't receive the free night benefit from my current personal Premier card), confirm the free night award is received, then upgrade the legacy personal Premier card to the Premier Plus card to receive the 10k Marriott points. The advantage of going this route is that I'll have 10k Marriott points. The disadvantage is that I'll only have 2 Marriott cards (I can't re-apply anew for the legacy personal Premier card as it is no longer available for new applications), and thus, only 2 free nights a year.
2. Instead of accepting the 10k Marriott points offer, I apply for the new Premier Plus card and get no signup bonus (since it hasn't even been a year since I opened up the legacy personal and business Premier cards). The advantage of going this route is that I'll have 3 cards, and thus 3 free nights a year. The disadvantage is that I'll be forgoing the 10k Marriott points.
3. Another option?
Which option would you take and why? Or is there a viable option #3 ? For #2 , will the legacy personal Premier card stick around indefinitely for those that already have it? Will there be a "forced" upgrade anytime soon or would that be years down the line? If the old card will go away very soon, then perhaps #1 is the way to go?
Thanks!
The main reason to have multiple cards (at least for me), is so that I can stack the free nights.
What is the best strategy in going about applying for/upgrading these cards?
1. Wait until September 2018 (any earlier and I probably wouldn't receive the free night benefit from my current personal Premier card), confirm the free night award is received, then upgrade the legacy personal Premier card to the Premier Plus card to receive the 10k Marriott points. The advantage of going this route is that I'll have 10k Marriott points. The disadvantage is that I'll only have 2 Marriott cards (I can't re-apply anew for the legacy personal Premier card as it is no longer available for new applications), and thus, only 2 free nights a year.
2. Instead of accepting the 10k Marriott points offer, I apply for the new Premier Plus card and get no signup bonus (since it hasn't even been a year since I opened up the legacy personal and business Premier cards). The advantage of going this route is that I'll have 3 cards, and thus 3 free nights a year. The disadvantage is that I'll be forgoing the 10k Marriott points.
3. Another option?
Which option would you take and why? Or is there a viable option #3 ? For #2 , will the legacy personal Premier card stick around indefinitely for those that already have it? Will there be a "forced" upgrade anytime soon or would that be years down the line? If the old card will go away very soon, then perhaps #1 is the way to go?
Thanks!
But you may have other options if you're willing to forego points: Some (nor sure if all) Amex so-called-for-now Starwood cards will also generate annual free night certificates. In particular, the high-end Starwood card will have an annual cert worth 50k points, whereas the non-high-end new cards will have annual certs worth only 35k points. I don't know whether the difference between 35k and 50k is important enough for you to spend $$$ for an expensive high-end card.
Yes, Amex is a different bank, but you look up the "new SPG cards" thread in the Amex forum, you'll there's a strong rumor there that no one who got a bonus on a Chase Marriott card in the past 2 years will be given a signup bonus on the new high-end Starwood card. So the fact that you applied for both of these Marriott cards in the past year (just as I did, btw) may rules out more bonuses than just on repeats of these specific cards.
Meanwhile, have you looked into the Rtiz card (which is the current high-end card)? You can qualify for that right now if you're under 5/24, and it gives some free nights right off the bat (its signup bonus is free nights, not points). But if so, get it soon, because public application for it may disappear at any time (since it's Amex, not Chase, that has the marketing right for a high-end card in the new program).
Jun 30, 2018, 8:39 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,216
I don't consider the Chase nights to be "free" - after all, you're paying an annual fee of $85 (or $95 with the new one) to get it...so I'm happy if I can use a 1-5 certificate with a value greater than that, so the AF becomes a wash, but they certainly aren't free.
I have 2 now, and I'm happy with that. For a measly 10,000 pts I'm not willing to skip a year on the certificate. Now, if I was going to be given 100,000 or even 50,000, that would more than cover one or two free nights, but for a measly 10,000 pts I can't be bothered.
I have 2 now, and I'm happy with that. For a measly 10,000 pts I'm not willing to skip a year on the certificate. Now, if I was going to be given 100,000 or even 50,000, that would more than cover one or two free nights, but for a measly 10,000 pts I can't be bothered.
Jun 30, 2018, 9:52 pm
#7
formerly known as s2kdriver80
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Long Island, New York, USA (JFK <--> OTP)
Programs: Delta SkyMiles, SPG, Marriott Rewards, Amex MR, Chase UR
Posts: 317
Thanks guys.
Yes, I have both SPG cards as well. Not sure what I'll do on the Amex end (apply for the new card without a bonus or upgrade the existing personal).
Yes, I'm aware that these nights aren't "free". I would just make sure to redeem for a night that is worth more than the annual fee, and I come out on top.
Does anyone know if the Chase legacy Premier card will go away anytime soon for people who already have it or if there will be a forced automatic upgrade before the year is up? Or will it stay around for a few years until it's gradually phased out?
Yes, I have both SPG cards as well. Not sure what I'll do on the Amex end (apply for the new card without a bonus or upgrade the existing personal).
Yes, I'm aware that these nights aren't "free". I would just make sure to redeem for a night that is worth more than the annual fee, and I come out on top.
Does anyone know if the Chase legacy Premier card will go away anytime soon for people who already have it or if there will be a forced automatic upgrade before the year is up? Or will it stay around for a few years until it's gradually phased out?
Jul 1, 2018, 8:58 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,932
There are hints that the legacy business Premier card may be forced to a Premier Plus business card within a month or two (as the only document that exists about late August benefits mentions a Premier Plus business card, which not only doesn't exist right now but has never been announced as of yet), but even that's unclear (just suggested as a possibility by one strangely-titled document).
Jul 1, 2018, 10:12 pm
#9
formerly known as s2kdriver80
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Long Island, New York, USA (JFK <--> OTP)
Programs: Delta SkyMiles, SPG, Marriott Rewards, Amex MR, Chase UR
Posts: 317
No one knows at this point, assuming you're talking about the legacy personal Premier card.
There are hints that the legacy business Premier card may be forced to a Premier Plus business card within a month or two (as the only document that exists about late August benefits mentions a Premier Plus business card, which not only doesn't exist right now but has never been announced as of yet), but even that's unclear (just suggested as a possibility by one strangely-titled document).
There are hints that the legacy business Premier card may be forced to a Premier Plus business card within a month or two (as the only document that exists about late August benefits mentions a Premier Plus business card, which not only doesn't exist right now but has never been announced as of yet), but even that's unclear (just suggested as a possibility by one strangely-titled document).
Jul 5, 2018, 12:13 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: BNA/SAN
Programs: DL PM 1.5 MM , Hilton Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 754
Your Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card benefits are changing.
I didn't upgrade to the new Marriott card. Today got an email from them with updated benefits:
-Beginning August 1, 2018, Free night award on account anniversary swapping from 1-5 cert to redemption level up to 25,000 points.
-Starting 2019, 15 Elite Night Credits per year (posted by March) instead of on account anniversary
-Starting January 1, 2019, only one 15 Elite Night Credit per Marriott Loyalty Program account
Ending with a note "we hope you enjoy all the updated benefits of your Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card"
Still don't see any benefit to upgrading to the new cards even with these "enjoyable" updated benefits. Will probably also keep my business card even with the loss of 15 nights credit.
Please merge this if I missed a previous post.
-Beginning August 1, 2018, Free night award on account anniversary swapping from 1-5 cert to redemption level up to 25,000 points.
-Starting 2019, 15 Elite Night Credits per year (posted by March) instead of on account anniversary
-Starting January 1, 2019, only one 15 Elite Night Credit per Marriott Loyalty Program account
Ending with a note "we hope you enjoy all the updated benefits of your Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card"
Still don't see any benefit to upgrading to the new cards even with these "enjoyable" updated benefits. Will probably also keep my business card even with the loss of 15 nights credit.
Please merge this if I missed a previous post.
Jul 5, 2018, 12:25 pm
#12
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SLC/HEL/Anywhere with a Beach
Programs: Marriott Ambassador; AA EXP 3MM; AS MVP, Hilton Gold, CH-47/UH-60/C-23/C-130 VET
Posts: 5,234
And ... no reference to how the 1 night per 3k applies post August. That's the only reason anyone would keep this card.
Jul 5, 2018, 1:30 pm
#14
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SLC/HEL/Anywhere with a Beach
Programs: Marriott Ambassador; AA EXP 3MM; AS MVP, Hilton Gold, CH-47/UH-60/C-23/C-130 VET
Posts: 5,234
I wondered if that is what it meant .... I love communication. It can't be that I'm a Plat Premier with over 2000 nights and having the card for several years. Oh wait, I am.
Jul 5, 2018, 1:31 pm
#15
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: CLT
Programs: Marriott Plat, AA Gold
Posts: 1,076
In the body of the email, it says:
Also, beginning January 1, 2019, if you have more than one Marriott Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest, or Ritz-Carlton Rewards credit card, you will only receive a total of one 15 Elite Night Credits benefit per calendar year, which will be credited to one of your Marriott Loyalty Program accounts.2"
2Each calendar year a maximum of 15 Elite Night credits will be credited to one of your Marriott Loyalty Program accounts operated by Marriott International (i.e., Marriott Rewards®, Starwood Preferred Guest® or The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®) (the "Marriott Loyalty Program") on or before March 1 in accordance with the Marriott Loyalty Program terms and conditions
But the email also says, "Please visit chase.com/marriott for the updated terms and conditions." But those still include mention of the 1 night credit for each $3K in spend, and the page itself does not appear to be updated (for example, still references Category 1-5). And even in my Chase Online banking the "Card Benefits" link takes me to the new Premier Plus card.
