miztressuz
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2011
- Messages
- 6,832
Don't worry, the Marriott card universe is one of the most confusing systems in the churning world right now. You're not alone.I feel awfully dumb for not being able to figure this out... but I need help. I have a Bonvoy Boundless, got 4-26-18. I’m trying to figure out what to do for other cards, and I’m stumped on what qualifies for lifetime limit vs 24 mo limit vs 30/90 days limit. I love this card-we are committed to working towards Marriott lifetime status, love the priority lounge access, and we use the $300 statement credit and max that 50k certificate. We want more points... and max amount of free “extras”. Is it better for my husband to get a Boundless (but we need one more lounge access for 13 year old child. What’s another good card to look at?) and I get a Brilliant at $95, lower night certificate, no lounge or credit, but 100k points? Can I also get bonuses on business cards and Bold? I’m so confused by the timing requirements for these cards. Help!!!
First off you probably want to take a step back and look at the different cards out there and understand which are Chase and which are AmEx. You seem to have a couple of the names turned around there in your post which probably isn't helping matters. (I.e the Boundless is a Chase Visa card, has a $95 AF, and doesn't have a $300 statement credit, 50k FNC, or lounge access. It sounds like you are describing the AmEx Brilliant there)
AmEx is the company with lifetime bonus language, Chase allows you to be eligible again after 24 months. And then Marriott themselves have a hand in the convoluted matrix that determines card eligiblity based on holding other cards in the universe.
Two links for you to start with, one has a chart that may help determine eligiblity for the card(s) you want -
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/eligibility-chart-marriott-bonvoy-cards/
Two, starts a conversation regarding said chart we had last November -
https://www.disboards.com/threads/i...t-page-for-addl-details.3729982/post-61276222
Don't go just off any charts out there. Use them as a stepping off point and then double check the terms of the card you want to confirm.
I'd start with a list of current and previous Marriott and SPG cards you've had, when you received their bonus and when they were closed. Working off that list you can determine what you are each eligible for and then map out a path that fits your goals. (What's highest priority? Lots of points for a redemption, ongoing FNC, other perks like status, etc etc. Be good to rank that in relation to an upcoming goal)
AmEx has two cards with the potential for the most sign up points but also higher AFs. Chase has two cards but the Bold card comes with a bunch of restrictions and a much lower sign up bonus potential due to the no AF. And since no AF there is no FNC with it and has a lower earning rate on spend. It's almost like Chase really only has one CC since you can't hold both at the same time.
If this helps rather than hurts, here is the list of all Marriott cards both active and discontinued.
https://credit-cards.marriott.com/