Should I take this CC offer [UAE]?
 

Emirates NBD Bank is offering an SPG branded CC, but with stiff fees. I think I can make it work but I'm looking for some advice.....

I'm already Marriott PP Elite as I basically live in a Marriott hotel in the UAE - I have 146 nights since I signed up to Marriott Rewards on Feb 8th 2018, with Marriott spend of $11k since that time.

The card is offering 100,000 MR points on sign up (plus Gold which obviously, I don't need), plus another 100,000 upon spend of $10k in the first 3 months - which, given that I put basically everything on it, I would do without breaking too much of a sweat........

The joining fee though is $410 with another $410 as an annual card fee.

What has really piqued my interest though is that all Marriott spend on the card gives me a further 6 points for every $1 of spend. Given that I spend about $1500 per month on Marriott hotels, that's 7,000 more points per month than I'm currently getting (though actually, thinking about it, that's not really much to shout about). I'd get 3 points for any other type of spend, which, given I put about $5k on my CC monthly would give another 10,000 points.

Should I do it ?

Anyone ?

Welcome to FlyerTalk.

I think if you run the numbers, it will help you make up your mind.

Cost for first year: $410 + $410 = $820

Points during first year:

100,000 - sign up bonus
100,000 - after $10K spend (easy for you)
6 points extra per dollar spent at Marriott properties. You estimate this at 7,000 points/month or 84,000 points for the year

That gives you 284,000 points for the first year. I'd value those points at $.007/point (gut feel on my part so others can argue up or down. No matter, it's in the range.) That gives you a value of $1988 for the first year. So spend $820 cash out of pocket; get points worth roughly $1988 when you redeem them. I'm not including your other spend because you can likely get comparable value on another card and I wouldn't want all my points to be with Marriott. You know you, so can add this to your analysis if you choose.

I wouldn't do it after the first year because you can't get $410 per year of ongoing value.

Thanks so much for both the welcome and the advice.

So, I should definitely go for it, but to maximise value, make sure I reach the $10k spend for the second 100k MR to kick in, after that, only put Marriott spend on it, and cancel it before the second years annual fee kicks in ?

Thanks for this ……. I've just applied online. Just in time for the expensive Christmas period which is sure to see me over $10k of spend within the first 3 months.

The first year you'll only pay the joining fee.
Annual fee is applicable from second year onwards.

You will not pay both fees from the first year.