Is this the right time to get a Marriott Rewards Premier Visa Signature Card?

[thinze3]

I believe the difference is that the Premier pays 5 points vs. 3 for every dollar spent at a Marriott property.

Read here.

..... Can you or someone else here at TUG tell me what the difference is between my present card and the Premier Visa that has been discussed on this thread? Would you recommend that I switch my current card to the new Premier card and if so why?

Thanks for your help.

 

[CMF]

15K vs 20K points?

Terry, why does your link say 15K points and the link I found say 20K points for first usage?

Charles

 

[thinze3]

Terry, why does your link say 15K points and the link I found say 20K points for first usage?

Charles

Probably just a different promotion. When I click my link above, at first the page says 20,000 and then quickly changes to 15,000. Interesting.


But seriously, you ought to get a Marriott card. If nothing else, just for Marriott stays, fees, etc.. It's great.

I also like Amex rewards. I converted my Amex to a rewards card just before my oldest went away to school, because they allow credit card payment with no fees. Between her school and using my Amex for major purchases, I have accumulated nearly 200K Amex points in the last few years.

I will have more than the magical 540K MR points as soon as I trade in my 2009 MLE week and purchase 50K. (may try other options on MLE however). Between the two cards (Marriott & Amex) MDW and I should be able to take a first class, two week, trip to Europe.

 

[Dave M]

maggie mae -

There are a number of differences. Not only does your card earn fewer points on many transactions (including airline tickets, dining and car rentals), but you don't get the annual free night certificate and other benefits that Charles listed in the first post in this thread. The free night alone makes the Premier card superior to the one you have.

 

[CMF]

I just called for the card.

The anniversary date is set when I call to activate the card. So I'll just pocket the card until the next vacation.

This card makes no sense for anyone that carries a balance. The interest rates are absurd - I guess someone has to pay for all those hotel stays and "free" golf.

Charles

 

[Dave M]

Charles -

The 20K versus 15K reminds me to suggest that since you have applied for the card, be sure to keep a copy (dated by your printer) of the terms of the offer, including the fine print. There are so many offer variations that the only way to protect yourself if the benefits aren't realized is to retain that paperwork.

 

[winger]

Cathy -

...
I carry one card and one card only, a Marriott Rewards Visa card. Can you or someone else here at TUG tell me what the difference is between my present card and the Premier Visa that has been discussed on this thread? Would you recommend that I switch my current card to the new Premier card and if so why?

Thanks for your help.

The premiere gives 5MRPs-for-$1 at Marriotts, including purchasing a Marriott from the developer and paying annual MF's. The normal card gives 3-for-1. The Premiere does cost $65/yr but most of us think that is worth the annual golf and one free night stay (cat 1-4 first yr, cat 1-5 thereafter)

 

[CMF]

Ooops!

Charles -

The 20K versus 15K reminds me to suggest that since you have applied for the card, be sure to keep a copy (dated by your printer) of the terms of the offer, including the fine print. There are so many offer variations that the only way to protect yourself if the benefits aren't realized is to retain that paperwork.

I had some questions so I did it by phone.

Charles

 

[winger]

The anniversary date is set when I call to activate the card. So I'll just pocket the card until the next vacation.

This card makes no sense for anyone that carries a balance. The interest rates are absurd - I guess someone has to pay for all those hotel stays and "free" golf.

Charles

I have gotten an offer every 1-to-2 months from this card giving 3.9% fixed for life of loan - this is another one of the benefits of the card (well, maybe not for much longer with Prime Rate dropping so fast lately)

 

[kamumma1]

Has anyone seen a MR Premiere VISA Signature Business Card? I have only found the regular Signature card for businesses.

Also, just a heads up... I didn't realized there was a Premiere card. I have two regular Signature Cards. I just applied for the Premiere and was going to cancel my regular one, but it looks like they can yank away my initial incentive points (20,000) if I don't keep my card for 6 months...

"This one-time bonus offer is valid only for first time Marriott Rewards Visa Cardmembers. Existing Marriott Rewards Visa Cardmembers are not eligible for this bonus offer. If your account is not open for at least 6 months, Marriott and Chase reserve the right to deduct the bonus points from your Marriott Rewards Program account."

Will probably keep the regular card account open for 6 months just in case.

 

[seatrout]

I will have more than the magical 540K MR points

Thinze

What magical thing happen when you hit the 540K mark??
I have not been loading my Marriott card lately but is close to that mark.
I have been trying to load the SW airline card to hit the 100 credit mark (you get free companion pass)

 

[Dave M]

I have two regular Signature Cards. I just applied for the Premiere and was going to cancel my regular one, but it looks like they can yank away my initial incentive points (20,000) if I don't keep my card for 6 months...

"This one-time bonus offer is valid only for first time Marriott Rewards Visa Cardmembers. Existing Marriott Rewards Visa Cardmembers are not eligible for this bonus offer. If your account is not open for at least 6 months, Marriott and Chase reserve the right to deduct the bonus points from your Marriott Rewards Program account."

Will probably keep the regular card account open for 6 months just in case.

I think you read it wrong. What it means is that, as an existing Marriott Rewards Visa cardholder, you are ineligible for the bonus points. Period.

Further, if you had been eligible for the bonus points, Marriott would take the points away if you didn't keep the new Premier account open for at least six months.

Some of the other Premier card benefits are also not available to those who already have some type of Marriott Rewards Visa card: the 15 elite nights per year, the golf certificate and the initial free night

However, some people, particularly in the early months after the card was first introduced, got the bonus points and other benefits anyway, even after the rules were tightened. So hope for the best.

 

[thinze3]

Thinze

What magical thing happen when you hit the 540K mark??
I have not been loading my Marriott card lately but is close to that mark.
I have been trying to load the SW airline card to hit the 100 credit mark (you get free companion pass)

TWO Marriott 091 Air + Hotel packages:
Including - Two seven day Category 7 Marriott hotel certificates and
240,000 FF miles for most domestic airlines - enough for TWO business class RT tickets to Europe.

It will be awhile before I can do that.
WE are a family of 5 with one 2yr old- I think my 2yo would create a disturbance in 1st class

I am thinking about going in 2010 as we will most likely go to Hawaii again in 2009. I will still have one at home and would have to pawn her off with someone - maybe her older sister who should be fresh out of college.

 

[seatrout]

It will be awhile before I can do that.

WE are a family of 5 with one 2yr old- I think my 2yo would create a disturbance in 1st class

 

[julienjay]

Visa Signature Card question

Does anyone have a Visa Signature card? My husband is in NYC and we're buying tickets for him to take the kids to Little Mermaid. Apparently if you have the first six digits of your (or anyone's) card, you have access to better seats. You enter it as a promo code -- nothing is charged on the actual card, of course. But my Visa is not a "signature card."

Thank you!

 

[Michigan Czar]

Does anyone have a Visa Signature card? My husband is in NYC and we're buying tickets for him to take the kids to Little Mermaid. Apparently if you have the first six digits of your (or anyone's) card, you have access to better seats. You enter it as a promo code -- nothing is charged on the actual card, of course. But my Visa is not a "signature card."

Thank you!

You have a PM.

 

[pedro47]

Looks like I should have been using my Marriott's Reward VISA Card and not my American Express. Great information!!!