UPDATE: The 40,000 point + $100 statement credit offer is no longer available. You can see the best credit card offers on this static page.
There are currently two different publicly available Marriott Credit Card offers – but which one is better to get?
Typically the offer is a set 50,000 points after spend $1,000 on the card within the first three months. However, for a limited time until October 16, 2013 there is another offer available giving you 40,000 points plus a $100 statement credit after your first purchase (Update: this offer is no longer available). While the minimum spend requirements are different, I won’t really take that into account on which one is better because to spend $1,000 within a 3 month time period is pretty easy.
The key difference is with the limited time offer while you get 10,000 less points you get a $100 statement credit. So is 10,000 points worth less or more than $100? While it all depends on how you redeem, I’d say a typical Marriott point is worth 1.5 cents/point on the high end. That would mean 10,000 points is worth $150, but again that is probably on the higher than average end. All in all, I’d say the 10,000 points and $100 statement credit are equal. However, I’d rather cash in my pocket now vs. points to use at a future time with the possibility of Marriott points devaluing, again. With that said, it really depends on what you are looking to do with your points – if you currently have a 0 balance and looking at the bonus points to redeem now, you’ll get more out of your 50,000 points as those can be redeemed for 2 free nights at a category 5 hotel, whereas 40,000 points can be redeemed for two free nights but only at a category 4 hotel. For those knowledgeable with the Marriott loyalty program, there is a big difference between a category 4 and 5 hotel.
While these are the two publicly available offers, MANY folks have received targeted offers in the mail and email for 70,000 points, so be on the look out for that.
Both offers include the same benefits aside from the initial bonus point offer:
- Earn 1 Free Night Stay at a Category 1-4 location after account approval
- Receive 1 additional free night stay at a Category 1-5 location every year after your account anniversary date!
- Introductory Annual Fee of $0 the first year, then $85
- For every $1 spent, earn 5 points at 3,600 Marriott locations, 2 points on airline ticket purchases directly with airlines, at car rental agencies & restaurants and 1 point elsewhere
- Achieve Elite Status Faster with Annual Credit & Everyday Purchases – 15 Elite Credits after account approval and every year after your account anniversary
- Unlimited Point Accumulation
- No Foreign Transaction Fees and global Chip and Signature technology
Also, the initial category 1-4 free night and annual category 1-5 free night expire 6 months after it is earned.
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