Which of These 2 Marriott Card Offers is The Better Deal?

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Update:   One or more card offers in this post are no longer available.  Check our Hot Deals for the latest offers. 

Considering the Chase Marriott Premier Rewards card?  There’s a new offer available, and instead of earning Marriott points as a sign-up bonus, you can earn 2 free night stays and a $200 statement credit after meeting minimum spending requirements.

The 80,000 Marriott points sign-up bonus offer is still available too.  So which is the better deal?

Marriott Card 2 Free Nights
The 2 Free Night Stays That You Can Earn With the New Offer for the Chase Marriott Card are ONLY Valid for Category 1 to 5 Marriott Hotels. Like the Courtyard San Diego Central.

I’ll explain the details of the new offer, and help you decide which deal makes the most sense for you.

We don’t earn a commission for either of these cards, but we’ll always tell you about new deals you might like!

New Chase Marriott Card Offer

Link:   Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card (2 Free Nights + $200 Statement Credit)

With the new offer for the Chase Marriott Rewards card, you can earn 2 free nights at any Marriott Category 1 through 5 hotel, plus a $200 statement credit, after spending $3,000 within the first 3 months of opening your account.

Plus, you’ll earn an additional 7,500 bonus Marriott points when you add an authorized user who makes a purchase within the first 3 months of opening your account.

Other perks include:

  • 1 free night in a Marriott Category 1 to 5 location on your card anniversary
  • 5X Marriott points per $1 spent at Marriott locations
  • 2X Marriott points per $1 at restaurants, on car rentals, and airline tickets purchased directly from the airline
  • 1X Marriott point per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • NO foreign transaction fees

The $85 annual fee IS waived the first year.  That’s unlike the other version of this card, that has a 80,000 Marriott point sign-up bonus.  But the perks that come with both cards are the same, like earning bonus Marriott points for Marriott stays.

Would You Rather Earn Points or Free Night Certificates?

Link:   Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card (80,000 Marriott Point Sign-Up Bonus)

Even though the annual fee is waived the first year on the Chase Marriott Rewards card offering 2 free night stays and a $200 statement credit, I would prefer to pay the $85 annual fee and earn the 80,000 Marriott point sign-up bonus.  Because points are much more flexible than free night certificates.

Plus, the 2 free nights are only good for Category 1 to 5 Marriott hotels.  And with Marriott points, you can choose how and where to use your points!

For example, 80,000 Marriott points is enough for 2 free nights at the luxurious Category 8 JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa.

Marriott Card 2 Free Nights
Paying the $85 Annual Fee the First Year and Earning the 80,000 Marriott Point Sign-Up Bonus Is Worth It. Because That’s Enough Points for 2 Free Nights at Amazing Category 8 Marriott Hotels, Like the JW Marriott Venice!

I found rooms here in April 2017, for ~$447 or 40,000 Marriott points per night.  So using the sign-up bonus for 2 award nights (2 X 40,000 Marriott points = 80,000 Marriott points) would save you ~$894!

That’s well worth paying the $85 annual fee.  And you can’t get that much value from 2 free night certificates for a Category 1 to 5 Marriott hotel, because they cost a lot less per night.

Or, you could use your Marriott points for a Marriott Hotel + Air Package.  With their hotel + air deals, you can stay in style at Marriott hotels all over the world AND get enough miles for an award flight there.

Plus, with the recent Marriott – Starwood merger, you have even more options for using your Marriott points!

Bottom Line

With the new offer for the Chase Marriott Rewards card, you can earn 2 free night stays at any Marriott Category 1 to 5 hotel, plus a $200 statement credit, after spending $3,000 within 3 months of account opening.

But I’d rather pay the $85 annual fee and earn the 80,000 Marriott point sign-up bonus with the other version of the card.  Because Marriott points are more valuable than free night certificates.

Especially since the Marriott – Starwood merger.  And because you can use your Marriott points for Marriott Hotel + Air Packages.

We don’t earn a commission from the Marriott cards, but we’ll always tell you about the best deals!

Which version of the card do you think is a better deal?

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