Bonvoy: now live, adding points to free night certs

[WBP]

This new feature is now live and the reservation process is easy.

I have 2 35K cert. I looked at 3 night stay in a room that cost 50K per night.
The system attached my 2 certs, added 15K for each upgrade and the 50K for the 3rd night.

3 nights at a cost of 2 certs and 80K bonvoy points.

You've been Bon-voyed (by greedy Marriott).

Don't think for a second that Marriott is doing you a favor. In my opinion, Marriott has destroyed SPG, the preeminent hotel, brand loyalty program, and destroyed the far less than preeminent, Marriott Rewards.

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

I agree. It's Marriott's way of dealing with inflation........



.

 

[VacationForever]

I ranted to my husband about not being able to use our 6 certificates for our upcoming stay(s) because they have now jacked up the point redemption per night to 60K per night. In the end, we decided to book at another Marriott hotel that accepts our certificates without even needing to add points.

 

[frank808]

I am looking for a new card. I was thinking of getting a new personal United card for miles. I have been using my American Airlines card mostly right now but there are fewer places to fly from CA using American. Now I am thinking of using my Bonvoy card more. I now can’t decide which new card to get!

Since you seem to be knowledge about getting the most benefits, which cards would you recommend? What would be the reasons or benefits for having the cards you recommend?

I have family in Florida so I am able to use my AA card to go there. I think United would be better but I need to decide on one card to consolidate spending.

I have the United Club card for lounge access. Flying minimum 5 times a year is worth the $450 AF(next renewal it is $525). Earn 4x miles on United purchases. But only 1x miles for everyday spend (old United club was 1.5x miles for everyday spend). Also with card, primary rental car coverage is included (you can get the United Explorer card at $95 AF and get the same rental car coverage). Had to use this coverage twice. Car got broken into in San Fran and another time rental company claimed I had hail damage.

Ritz Carlton Chase for maintenance fee spend and the priority pass membership for our family. Use this for MF and get reimbursed $300 of the $450 AF. So in essence this card is $130 annually for a 50K FNA certificate. Global entry reimbursed every 4 years is worth $20.

Hilton Aspire (actually we have 4 of these). For the $450 AF we get $250 for paying our HGVC MF and $250 for our United ancillary purchases. So in essence we get paid $50 per card for having this. Plus get a Hilton FNA weekend certificate good at any property for standard room (use this at Grand Wailea spring break saves me at least $700 a night for a nice long weekend trip on Friday, Saturday and Sunday). For last year and this yearn FNA could be used for any day of the week. There is also free priority pass but the Amex is inferior to Chase version. Forgot you also get top tier Hilton Diamond with Aspire card.

There are other cards but these are the main travel and timeshare ones. If you want more information PM me and I'll answer your questions.

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

 

[frank808]

I ranted to my husband about not being able to use our 6 certificates for our upcoming stay(s) because they have now jacked up the point redemption per night to 60K per night. In the end, we decided to book at another Marriott hotel that accepts our certificates without even needing to add points.

Took me a few hours yesterday to plan our stays using certificates up. Now we are able to use our certificates and stay 16 nights for free. These areas have no TS close by or just 4 night stays or less.

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

 

[TravelTime]

If not for my friend visiting next month and my sis and bro-in-law visiting in September, I would have had a hard time in using the free nights. We have the Chase Sapphire Reserve card for the longest time but then they wanted to increase the fees from $450 to $525 (I think), I cancelled it. Now I use a BOA cash back card - 3.5 cents for travel and dining and 2.6 cents for other spending. But this cash back card is going to be reduced because we pulled our money out of BOA. I am back to finding a replacement card and I don't know yet...

I just looked at Chase Sapphire Reserve and not sure I would use the benefits and it is very expensive.

 

[VacationForever]

I just looked at Chase Sapphire Reserve and not sure I would use the benefits and it is very expensive.

You get back $300 for travel charges. The biggest advantage is the Ultimate rewards, 1 cent becomes 1.5 cents when used for travel like air tickets and hotels. Airport lounge is free but we normally get lounge access anyway because we only fly first or business class.

The included travel insurance had been very useful for us. We got reimbursed about $14K for a cruise which we cancelled 5 days before we were going to get on.

 

[Born2Travel]

That must be why I had 3 certificates for 35K each expiring June 30 which I did not realize I could use or I would have planned something using them. I am giving them to another Tugger to use.

Wait, how can you give free night certificates to someone else? I thought that they are non-transferable.

 

[GetawaysRus]

I just looked at Chase Sapphire Reserve and not sure I would use the benefits and it is very expensive.

Yes, the annual fee is high. But if you have several other Chase cards that earn Ultimate Rewards points, are able to take advantage of the bonus categories of each card, and transfer all points earned to the CSR, then it does become more beneficial.

 

[mdurette]

I couple quick notes for Chase Reserve (which I also hold and love)
1. Today, the better option for a new card is the Preferred. Just about the same benefits, but with a $95 annual fee and an 80K sign up bonus.
2. The reserve is NOT the best card for all your daily spending as it only earns 1pt per $1 on a lot. The best way to maximize Ultimate Rewards points is using their freedom products and then transfer the points to the reserve. I too made the mistake for years of only charging on my reserve. Now that I have corrected that with 2 Freedom cards the points earning are much more. Freedom unlimted gives you 1.5x (3x on restaurant and pharmacy) and they have SUB now of 5x gas for 6 months. (my offer was 5x groceries for a year). The flex has 5x quarterly categories. So, at best I am earning 5x on most purchase and the worse is 1.5x.

 

[ljmiii]

2. The reserve is NOT the best card for all your daily spending as it only earns 1pt per $1 on a lot...

While I agree with what you wrote, @TravelTime expressed a desire to have just have/use one credit card. I have many CCs and use each for different things...someone looking to simplify might be best off with one of the no fee, 2% cash back cards out there (which I use as a default unless I'm pursuing United 1K status that year).

 

[TravelTime]

Wait, how can you give free night certificates to someone else? I thought that they are non-transferable.

I do not know. Marriott said no. Then I called the hotel and they made a note on the reservation of the guest’s name. Hopefully, she can check in without any problems. Now that I know I can use the certificates combined for higher end hotels, I suspect I will find a way to use them.

 

[TravelTime]

The last card I applied for recently is the Amazon credit card. I have no idea if this was a good decision on my part. It earns 5% cash back toward future Amazon purchases. I buy a lot of Amazon so a 5% rebate seemed a lot better than cards that give 2% cash back. Does anyone else use the Amazon card?

 

[1Kflyerguy]

The last card I applied for recently is the Amazon credit card. I have no idea if this was a good decision on my part. It earns 5% cash back toward future Amazon purchases. I buy a lot of Amazon so a 5% rebate seemed a lot better than cards that give 2% cash back. Does anyone else use the Amazon card?

I don't have the Amazon card, but have been considering getting it. I have read good things about it, specifically for the cash back on Amazon and Whole Food purchases. The 5% back is a solid rebate.

Currently my main spending card is the Chase Freedom Unlimited, and I combine the points with my CSR card like mdurrett mentioned above. I have a bunch of other cards tied to hotels and United, Kind of trying to decide how complicated I want to make or keep things...

 

[ljmiii]

The last card I applied for recently is the Amazon credit card...Does anyone else use the Amazon card?

Yup. And Target's card. 5% back is unbeatable even if you only use it at that store.

 

[elaine]

I feel I get my $95 value from the 35k cert. now being able to add out to 15k to it will make it even more useful. I use mainly for Marriott spending and when there are bonus deals. Otherwise we dump spending on mileage cards. With free redeposit of miles for Canx tickets, it makes booking prospective trips much more appealing.

 

[TravelTime]

So if I were choosing between consolidating my spending on the Bonvoy card vs a mileage card, what would be better?

I was leaning toward moving back to Bonvoy but now I am thinking of sticking with mileage cards since I do not stay in hotels too often. But I always fly every year for sure.

The other cards that let you use points across all travel types sound interesting. However, I used to have an AMEX card like this and I ended up just using the cash back feature because it was simpler. I ended up canceling the card because annual fee was too high.

 

[mdurette]

So if I were choosing between consolidating my spending on the Bonvoy card vs a mileage card, what would be better?

I was leaning toward moving back to Bonvoy but now I am thinking of sticking with mileage cards since I do not stay in hotels too often. But I always fly every year for sure.

The other cards that let you use points across all travel types sound interesting. However, I used to have an AMEX card like this and I ended up just using the cash back feature because it was simpler. I ended up canceling the card because annual fee was too high.

I like the Chase saphirre product line because it offers flexibility because you can transfer points at a 1 to 1 ratio to many different airline and hotel partners. I accumulate there and then transfer to Soutwest, Hyatt, Marriott, etc as needed.

 

[Dean]

I just looked at Chase Sapphire Reserve and not sure I would use the benefits and it is very expensive.

The CSR is my main card and basically the only one I actually use. My wife has the Bonvoy card and I have an add on card with it. Given the changes and benefits of the CSR, I used CSR this past year to even pay my Marriott Maintenance fees instead of the Marriott card. The points received are generous, the $300 travel credit is easy, credit for Global Entry every 4 years and it gives 150% return on points for travel. They also have specials at times where you can get 150% back on cash to pay back on the card and for Apple purchases done through the site among others. It has probably the best travel insurance of any card and is also likely the best for car rental in that the insurance is primary instead of secondary. We've also enjoyed the Priority pass benefit.

I do not know. Marriott said no. Then I called the hotel and they made a note on the reservation of the guest’s name. Hopefully, she can check in without any problems. Now that I know I can use the certificates combined for higher end hotels, I suspect I will find a way to use them.

Technically they are not transferable but I too have had the ability to make arrangement for others to check in. Since I'm gifting them when I do, I can't feel bad about doing so. But I do realize they could say no and I'd accept that as well.

 

[cubigbird]

You've been Bon-voyed (by greedy Marriott).

Don't think for a second that Marriott is doing you a favor. In my opinion, Marriott has destroyed SPG, the preeminent hotel, brand loyalty program, and destroyed the far less than preeminent, Marriott Rewards.

^^^THIS. We are only at this point because of Marriott devaluations and no changes to the FNAs to keep up. Given most 35K FNAs are now largely useless, if this “benefit” didn’t exist most people would probably cancel their credit cards.

 

[TravelTime]

The CSR is my main card and basically the only one I actually use. My wife has the Bonvoy card and I have an add on card with it. Given the changes and benefits of the CSR, I used CSR this past year to even pay my Marriott Maintenance fees instead of the Marriott card. The points received are generous, the $300 travel credit is easy, credit for Global Entry every 4 years and it gives 150% return on points for travel. They also have specials at times where you can get 150% back on cash to pay back on the card and for Apple purchases done through the site among others. It has probably the best travel insurance of any card and is also likely the best for car rental in that the insurance is primary instead of secondary. We've also enjoyed the Priority pass benefit.
Technically they are not transferable but I too have had the ability to make arrangement for others to check in. Since I'm gifting them when I do, I can't feel bad about doing so. But I do realize they could say no and I'd accept that as well.

As usual, with your great knowledge, I am getting lured into the CSR card. A couple questions about it:
1) Does it give you a $300 credit on any kind of travel charges including MFs. Do you need to do anything to get the credit or does the system know it’s a travel charge?
2) Same question about the Global entry fee. Does the system automatically know it is Global entry and credit it?
3) Do you get a free night anywhere?
4) What is the priority pass benefit?
5) So after all these features, what does the annual fee on the CSR end up being?
6) What do you think of Reserved vs Preferred cards?

Thank you!

 

[Dean]

I have gotten the $300 credit

As usual, with your great knowledge, I am getting lured into the CSR card. A couple questions about it:
1) Does it give you a $300 credit on any kind of travel charges including MFs. Do you need to do anything to get the credit or does the system know it’s a travel charge?
2) Same question about the Global entry fee. Does the system automatically know it is Global entry and credit it?
3) Do you get a free night anywhere?
4) What is the priority pass benefit?
5) So after all these features, what does the annual fee on the CSR end up being?
6) What do you think of Reserved vs Preferred cards?

Thank you!

MVC dues, as well as Wyndham and Bluegreen all code as travel so they would qualify for the credit. With the traveling you do, you should reach the $300 limit in just a month or 2. For GE I can't say for certain but given the way they handle other issues, I would assume it would credit automatically. No free nights on the CSR per se but you can use the points for any travel at 1.5X if done directly. Sometimes they are actually cheaper than I could reserve it in other ways through Chase, sometimes it's the same. Priority pass is an airport lounge benefit. It's better for larger international airports but we've used it quite a bit, esp for Aruba and Miami. In Miam it gives you a spend limit at Corona Beach house, thinking it's $30 though it varies with the restaurant. We've eaten there 4 or 5 times using this benefit and the food was great (not even accounting for airport food) all of the times and the people were very nice and helpful. It even covers tip though I did. leave a little extra. The MVC AE card also includes PP but they removed the restaurant credit from the benefit a few years ago which to me was the best part. You can go to their website for PP and look through the lounges without being a member. It's not uncommon that they'll add lounge's but sometimes also delete them so always check at minute to be sure. For this situation I don't think the lower card offers much to me. All things considered, the card ends up being on the green side of the ledger for me and I would assume, for you if you use it regularly.

So the easy part is to consider the up front cost of $550 then to value the perks at $300 plus $20 (Global Entry) plus Priority pass which is variable depending on how you'd use it. For me that makes it free and all the other stuff is just gravy. The things most important to me beyond that valuation are the fact it's primary for a rental car and the Travel insurance components. Amex charges extra in many situation but can be a good option also. I bought an Apple Watch (highest priced one available) for Xmas, the one I was going to buy anyway, and got 1.5¢ per point on a special. I just use points to reimburse some charges at also 1.¢ PP this AM to the tune of around $1100. Additional cards o cost extra ($75 per) but get the Global Entry/TSA Pre check credit and get a separate PP membership as well as all the perks of the primary cardholder though you can't double up on the $300 travel credit. We do not have a second card at the present time since Kim doesn't travel without me very often.

 

[Dean]

I may have misspoke slightly above. There is not an additional reimbursement for Global Entry/TSA Recheck for the additional user(s).

 

[BigDawgTUG]

Technically they are not transferable but I too have had the ability to make arrangement for others to check in. Since I'm gifting them when I do, I can't feel bad about doing so. But I do realize they could say no and I'd accept that as well.

I have had the same experience. If you call Marriott.com, they will NOT transfer the FNA or permit you to book it in the guest's name. Like you, the work-around for me has been to book the FNA using the holder's account, and then some time afterwards have the holder of the FNA call the front desk of the hotel at which the reservation was made and let them know that he or she may not be able to travel that date and add a guest's name to the reservation to make sure the guest can check in with or without the holder of the FNA. This has worked for me 100% of the time.

 

[TravelTime]

I have gotten the $300 credit

MVC dues, as well as Wyndham and Bluegreen all code as travel so they would qualify for the credit. With the traveling you do, you should reach the $300 limit in just a month or 2. For GE I can't say for certain but given the way they handle other issues, I would assume it would credit automatically. No free nights on the CSR per se but you can use the points for any travel at 1.5X if done directly. Sometimes they are actually cheaper than I could reserve it in other ways through Chase, sometimes it's the same. Priority pass is an airport lounge benefit. It's better for larger international airports but we've used it quite a bit, esp for Aruba and Miami. In Miam it gives you a spend limit at Corona Beach house, thinking it's $30 though it varies with the restaurant. We've eaten there 4 or 5 times using this benefit and the food was great (not even accounting for airport food) all of the times and the people were very nice and helpful. It even covers tip though I did. leave a little extra. The MVC AE card also includes PP but they removed the restaurant credit from the benefit a few years ago which to me was the best part. You can go to their website for PP and look through the lounges without being a member. It's not uncommon that they'll add lounge's but sometimes also delete them so always check at minute to be sure. For this situation I don't think the lower card offers much to me. All things considered, the card ends up being on the green side of the ledger for me and I would assume, for you if you use it regularly.

So the easy part is to consider the up front cost of $550 then to value the perks at $300 plus $20 (Global Entry) plus Priority pass which is variable depending on how you'd use it. For me that makes it free and all the other stuff is just gravy. The things most important to me beyond that valuation are the fact it's primary for a rental car and the Travel insurance components. Amex charges extra in many situation but can be a good option also. I bought an Apple Watch (highest priced one available) for Xmas, the one I was going to buy anyway, and got 1.5¢ per point on a special. I just use points to reimburse some charges at also 1.¢ PP this AM to the tune of around $1100. Additional cards o cost extra ($75 per) but get the Global Entry/TSA Pre check credit and get a separate PP membership as well as all the perks of the primary cardholder though you can't double up on the $300 travel credit. We do not have a second card at the present time since Kim doesn't travel without me very often.

I see how you value the card based on annual benefits of $300 travel credit, $20 TSA/GE credit and $299 to $429 PP benefit based on your usage. Then everything else is gravy, like you said. The $320 travel credit and $20 TSA/GE credit are benefits to me but not sure PP benefit will have a lot of benefit for me since we live near Sacramento and they are not included and many of our layovers are not long enough. But I guess if we use PP once a year, I could value it at the lowest amount of $99 membership fee + $32x4 people in my family so that comes out to $227 for one use per year, assuming they charge for children as guests. Otherwise, one use per year comes out to $163.

To me, the biggest benefits would be the $300 annual credit and the 1.5 miles on travel. Is it easy to transfer points anywhere? Do you still get free checked bags and priority boarding on the airline if you charge to this card?