Good morning everyone. As part of my “Keep, Cancel or Convert?” series, I like to evaluate and reevaluate credit cards to make sure they still deserve a spot in my wallet (or credit card drawer). In today’s post, I will share my thoughts regarding my Chase Marriott Bonvoy Premier Plus Business Credit Card (no longer available for new members), that was previously called the Chase Marriott Rewards Premier Plus Business Credit Card. I was just charged the $99 annual fee and need to decide if this credit card is worth keeping for another year.
The only reason I have this credit card is because of the free night certificate that can be used at Marriott properties up to 35,000 points. I am not even going to think about spending $60,000 on this credit card in order to get another free night certificate. The bonus categories do not excite me either.
Even though the $99 annual fee posted to my credit card on May 1, the free night certificate posted to my Marriott Bonvoy account on April 15 (16 days before the annual fee posted). I also earned 15 elite night credits toward the next Marriott Bonvoy elite level.
As you can see, I haven’t stayed at any Marriott Bonvoy properties this year, but I do have 2 stays coming up in the next 2 months.
Even though there are not many reasons to keep this credit card, I have been able to get decent use out of the free night certificates. As you can see, I also have a personal Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card, that was previously called the Chase Marriott Rewards Premier Plus Credit Card. That credit card also provide a free night certificate that can be used at Marriott properties up to 35,000 points. By having 2 free night certificates every year, I can stay 2 nights “for free” with these certificates. As long as I can get more than $99 in value from each free night certificate, I plan to keep both Marriott Bonvoy credit cards.
If you have any questions about the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Premier Plus Business Credit Card, please leave a comment below. Have a great day everyone!
Hey Grant – I agree 100%. Keep for the free night certificate despite no other use for the card. We’re getting incredible value ($500-ish each) out of 2 of our certs in a few weeks in Switzerland – the ones I wrote about a few days ago about using the certs + cash upgrade to book suites. ~Craig
Oh no, you might be bankrupting Marriott with your expensive redemption :)
Great use of the free night certificate!
Hello Grant, I have a question about the Bonvoy Boundless credit card. I received this card on 8/18/2019. Does that mean I won’t get the free night and 15 elite night until after 8/18/2020?
The elite nights should post when you first get your CC and the free night certificate should post after you annual fee posts (12 months from originally getting the CC).
But the TOS said it will distribute on Match 1st if the account is open before prior year by Dec 31. Doesn’t that mean I missed this years 15 elite night bonus? Called both chase and marriot. All came out with different story. And for the free night, I am gonna get it a year from now basically?
Thx!
I’m not really sure about when the elite nights post to your Marriott accounts, but I do know the anniversary free night certificate will post when your annual fee posts.
Keep! The free night will offset the AF and some plus your credit won’t negatively affected for losing LoC and the age of your credit.
Yes, I agree. I have several Chase hotel CCs that I keep just for the free night certificates:
IHG Select
IHG Premier
Hyatt (old)
Marriott
Marriott Biz
You are my hero!
Thank you, it took a long time to get all of the hotel cards.
Would you make the same decision if you only had the Premier Plus card (e.g., only 1 free night a year)? I have the same dilemma. The free night already posted so trying to decide if one free night a year is worth it. Thanks.
Yes, I would keep the card even if just for 1 free night each year. There are times when I’m staying near an airport for 1 night where these free night certificates come in handy, or could be paired with a points or paid night.
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