Well, you might be thinking I’m not thinking this one through, right?  The obvious answer is the Marriott Credit Card.  Right?  Well, actually no.  I’ll break it down for you (in a simple, bare bones way of course) and show you the best credit card to earn Marriott Points!  (Hint:  It’s NOT the Marriott card)

What Is The Best Credit Card To Earn Marriott Points

At first glance, the Marriott card would seem to be the obvious choice for best credit card to earn Marriott Points, but it’s actually not.  First, let’s go over some of the highlights of all the cards that earn Marriott Rewards points.

Marriott Rewards Premiere Credit Card:

• 80,000 point bonus after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months
• $85 annual fee
• 5x points per dollar spent at Marriott hotels and SPG hotels
• 2x points per dollar spent on airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, car rental agencies and restaurants
• 1x points on all other purchases
• Free night certificate for category 1-5 Marriott hotel each year after your account anniversary

Chase Sapphire Reserve:

• 50,000 point bonus after $4,000 spend in the first 3 months
• $450 annual fee  (this card comes with an annual $300 travel credit so in my mind, this is a $150 annual fee card)
• 3x points on travel and dining
• 1x points on all other purchases
• Points transfer to Marriott at a 1:1 ratio

Chase Sapphire Preferred:

• 50,000 point bonus after $4,000 spend in the first 3 months
• $95 annual fee, waived the first year
• 2x points on travel and dining
• 1x points on all other purchases
• Points transfer to Marriott at a 1:1 ratio

Chase Ink Business Preferred:

• 80,000 point bonus after $5,000 spend in the first 3 months
• $95 annual fee
• 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year
• Points transfer to Marriott at a 1:1 ratio

Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card From American Express

• 25,000 point bonus after $3,000 spend in the first 3 months (limited time offer of up to 35,000 points available through April 5, 2017!)
• 2x points at Starwood and Marriott properties
• 1x points on all other purchases
• $95 annual fee that is waived the first year
• Points transfer to Marriott at a 1:3 ratio, meaning you get 3 Marriott points for every 1 SPG point you transfer

Link: Marriott Rewards Points Overview | Starwood Preferred Guest Points Overview

What Is The Best Card To Use For…

1.  Non Bonus Category Purchases

Winner: Starwood Preferred Guest Card – this card earns 1 SPG point per dollar on non bonus category purchases which can be transferred into 3 Marriott points per dollar.  The Marriott Card only earns 1x points on non bonus category spend.  The Ink Business card earns 3x points on select categories like internet and phone which matches the SPG card, but to keep things simple, stick to the SPG card on this one.

2.  Travel and Dining Purchases

Tie: Starwood Preferred Guest Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve -The Sapphire Reserve earns 3x points on travel and dining which will transfer to 3 Marriott points per dollar.  The SPG card earns 1x points on travel and dining which will transfer into 3 Marriott points per dollar.  The Marriott Rewards card only earns 2x points on (limited) travel and dining.

3.  Marriott Hotels

Winner: Starwood Preferred Guest Card – Surprise!  Even at Marriott properties, the SPG card is the winner!!  The SPG card earns 2 SPG points per dollar at Marriott hotels which can be transferred into 6 Marriott points per dollar!

Link: Beginner’s Guide To Miles and Points – START HERE TO LEARN HOW TO TRAVEL FOR FREE

So, Is The Marriott Rewards Credit Card Totally Worthless?

No, it’s not worthless, but it’s not the best credit card to earn Marriott points.  If you want to build up a stash of Marriott points, it’s a great way to earn an 80,000 bonus points!  However for your ongoing spend, I would recommend the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express or the Chase Sapphire Reserve (my pick for the best overall travel credit card available).

Ok, Great – Now Give Me a SIMPLE Strategy To Earn TONS of Marriott Points!

1. Sign up for the Starwood Preferred Guest Card BEFORE April 5, 2017**!   After completing the minimum spend, you will have 35,000 bonus points plus at least 5,000 points from spend for a total of 40,000 Starpoints.  These can transfer into 120,000 Marriott Points!
2. Once you have your spend completed on the SPG card, sign up for the Marriott Rewards Premiere Credit Card to earn an additional 80,000 bonus points.  You can add an authorized user, and after their first purchase you will have an additional 7,500 points.  You will also have at least 3,000 more points from spend on the card.  That gives you at least 90,500 Marriott Points
3. After you have gotten both of these credit cards and completed the minimum spending on both you will have a whopping 210,500 Marriott Points!!

**If you want to be a doll, email me before you sign up for the card.  I’ll send you my referral link…you still get the same offer and I will earn a 5,000 point referral bonus.  I don’t receive compensation from the credit card companies so this helps support the blog.  Thanks!!

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