Marriott Rewards - estimated values ?

[larryallen]

I feel that I get a whole lot more value with my MR. First, I pay all of my expenses, bills, and entertainment that I would have to do anyway on my Marriott visa. My wife does the same. She in addition flies a great deal with United.

We have gone to Europe, Japan, and the Carribbean to name a few places on those MR points. Not one dime cames out of our pocket for accommodations or airfare.

I only get 85,000 points for my Ko Olina 2 bedroom which I think is way too little, but it is what it is. However, if I were to trade for MR points and use all my other points to go to Europe, Australia or South America I would still be getting a great value.

The key is to gain points buy buying your normal stuff. It does not take long to accumulate those points either. This becomes almost no cost to you and the value goes high. Granted it may take some discipline that some may not have, but it is very, very effective. I believe Marriott does not like people like me because I am truly rewarded by them.

You only get a point per dollar spent, right? You can get more value than that on MANY credit cards. Capital one gives you 2 points per dollar and can be spent after the fact on actual travel dollars spent so you are getting 2% cash back effectively. Plus there are better options up to 5% on certain cash back cards. However, the Marriott card is great as you get 15 elite night credits which goes along way toward achieving plat status (75 nights needed). Plus you get an elite night for each $3,000 spent. I thus like the Marriott card but I hardly think it's the best credit card deal unless you are very Marriott focused.