Best Card for Hotel Stays

[Anonymous]

I will be switching over to personal card use for business expenses with my employer. I travel around 30 weeks a year and typically stay in Marriott properties (just switched from Hilton). I have my flights and meals covered with my AMEX gold, however hotel spend is not rewarded well with that card.

I’ve looked at the 2 AMEX Marriott cards (personal & business), but am not sure that’s the best route either. I don’t think I can make the AF on the personal work outside of the SUB. I also don’t know that I want to put all my eggs in one basket with Marriott either. Any suggestions on a good card to pair with my Gold for these hotel stays?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

If you want to stay in the Marriott basket, the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless (stupid name) gives you most of the benefits of the AMEX version. Glaring exceptions are no $300 Marriott credit, no automatic Gold status, and a reduced reward certificate value, however, there is only a $95 AF.  I will point out that with the $300 Marriott credit, the effective AF on the AMEX version is only $50 more.

https://creditcards.chase.com/travel-credit-cards/marriott-boundless?iCELL=6H3Z

If you're looking to avoid the Marriott branded cards, you have a few more options.  The following options come to mind:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve
• NFCU Flagship Rewards
• PenFed Pathfinder
• Citi Premier
• WF Propel
• Chase Sapphire Preferred (only 2X but UR points can be valuable)

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the input Zoom. I didn’t take into account the $300 Marriott Credit. That one may make the most sense. I am over 5/24, so Chase is out. Would be great if AMEX had a better MR earning card for hotels.

[wasCB14]

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@Anonymous wrote:
Thanks for the input Zoom. I didn’t take into account the $300 Marriott Credit. That one may make the most sense. I am over 5/24, so Chase is out. Would be great if AMEX had a better MR earning card for hotels.

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FWIW, Platinum gives 5x for prepaid hotels booked via the Amex Travel website.

[Aim_High]

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@Anonymous wrote:  I will be switching over to personal card use for business expenses with my employer. I travel around 30 weeks a year and typically stay in Marriott properties (just switched from Hilton). I’ve looked at the 2 AMEX Marriott cards ... but ... don’t think I can make the AF on the personal work outside of the SUB.

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I know you said you're over 5/24 for Chase but once you qualify, I'd really consider that Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Visa from Chase.  I got it recently more for the SUB and not sure I will keep it longterm but I wouldn't hesitate if I was a frequent Marriott guest.  For one thing, you get a free night annually so it pays the $95 AF right off the bat!  Plus you get automatic upgrade to Silver Elite status and 6x points on Marriott stays and purchases.  The Points Guy values Marriott points at 8/10 cent per point, so that is effective reward rate of 4.8%! 

If you're looking for flexibility (which I was too), I'd suggest the previously-mentioned Chase Sapphire Reserve as soon as you qualify to apply.  A great card.

[M_Smart007]

Edited: due to to my error of tired speed reading. goofed again!

[Anonymous]

@M_Smart007, OP said he was switching away from Hilton. Otherwise, Surpass or Aspire would definitely be a no-brainer.

[Anonymous]

Doesn't venture one gives you 10x miles on hotels.com? Seems like the best option for hotels only.

[Anonymous]

Altitude Reserve also gives you 3 points per dollar spent on hotels if. Points are worth a flat 1.5 cent too.

Not sure why this card doesn’t get much love here.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think the AR is suffering from a lack of love for what it is. It seems it’s a difficult card to acquire and being beyond the reach of most of the forum probably keeps it off center stage in these discussions.