So here is my situation. I applied for a Marriott Chase Visa(CDN) a few months ago. On the application form I received from the mail, it stated I would receive 15000 bonus points, 1 point for every dollar spent for everyday items and (here's the part I'm confused about) "Plus you'll earn up to 15 points per dollar spent at Marriott locations" This seems pretty straight foward to me. Any stays at a Marriott property would earn me 15 points for every dollar spent. I'm very aware their online application states you would earn 3 points for every dollar spent at their location, which is what I got from my most recent stay. Is there something I'm not understanding? I called both Visa and MR and both said it's only 3 points per dollar yet it clearly states "Up to 15 points for every dollar spent at Marriott locations" The only reason I applied for this card is cause I will be spending approximately 20 nights in the next couple of months and at 15 points per dollar it was worth more than the $75 annual fee. Seeing that I'm new to this card, is there something that I'm just not understanding. Thanks in advance for replies

My best guess would be they were referring to the total amount of points you could receive: 10 pts/$ base + 2 pts/$ Silver elite bonus + 3 pts/$ from the CC purchase = 15 pts/$ total.

I Misread it.

That would be for the Marriott Premier Visa (5 pts per dollar), but the OP is from Canada. The Canadian version of the Marriott Visa is less lucrative.

Yes: don't believe the hype. Terms like up to and prices from are an advertisers stock & trade and simply saying you'll receive up to 15 bonus points doesn't always mean you will and there's almost always some asterisk or other symbol leading you to very fine print about that claim. Not to worry however as everyone is mislead by advertising at some time or another and I would chalk it up as a lesson for next time.

BTW, what did your research on this FT forum reveal before you got the card?

Allan: the Canadian version of the credit card is a piece of crap...it will give you Silver Elite status which means exactly nothing...and that is it. I know...I had it for a year and got rid of it...you will read all kinds of nice things here which apply to the American version of the card but don't apply to you. When I called to cancel they offered my 5,000 points to keep and I said no thanks. Look around for better options at other hotel chains.

I'm aware that this is not the best card out there and there is a big differance between the American version vs the Canadian. My sole purpose for this card was to put my hotel stays on it and nothing else. Thinking it was 15 points per dollar and with the megabonus promo I thought it would be worth it for the first year. I also have the SPG MC but it seems like that's coming to an end Feb.2010. What card would you suggest? I don't mind paying an annual fee as long as it's justified.

You're still getting 13 points per dollar. Is that such a big difference?