Marriott Rewards(R) Visa Signature Card

Expert's Rating:

Over a century, the Marriott family grew their business from a single root beer stand into a partnership of over 3,400 hotels and resorts. The Marriott Rewards Visa Signature credit card from Chase lets you earn 3 bonus rewards points for every dollar you spend at an eligible property, plus 1 point per dollar on your everyday purchases. Generous bonus points at signup can earn you as many as 6 free hotel nights, along with no annual fee during your first year. However, other travel rewards cards that provide more flexibility may offer better overall deals.

Choosing the right travel rewards credit card
Like other travel rewards credit cards, the Marriott Rewards Visa Signature offers a middle-of-the-road annual percentage rate and an industry standard set of service fees. Bouncing between the country's biggest hotel loyalty programs won't even mean a huge difference in your wallet, since Chase Credit Cards manages affinity portfolios for Hyatt and InterContinental Hotels, as well as for Marriott and Ritz-Carlton.

Getting the most from the Marriott Rewards credit card means focusing as much of your travel spending as possible on eligible properties, while funneling your everyday purchases through your rewards card. If you're a huge fan of a particular Marriott resort or destination, this shouldn't be a hard way to score yourself a free hotel stay. However, with Chase Sapphire and American Express Membership Rewards offering rewards that include free nights at any hotel, you might question your dedication to a single brand.

Comparing Marriott Rewards to the best hotel rewards cards
Real road warriors often compare new credit card offers against a frequent award winner, the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express. Like Marriott, Starwood operates a fleet of brands that address travelers' preferences and budgets, such as Sheraton, Westin, and W Hotels.

However, the SPG program uses rewards points as a form of currency that fluctuates along with market demand. Instead of tying rewards to a fixed category and rate, Starwood's website alerts members to last-minute deals requiring far fewer points than most other loyalty programs. Marriott has a bigger footprint, but Starwood members gloat on travel bulletin boards about redeeming their rewards more easily and more often.

Should you switch to the Marriott Rewards Visa Signature Card?
With brands like Courtyard, Renaissance, Edition and Ritz-Carlton under the same umbrella as the familiar Marriott logo, it's easy to consider vowing loyalty to just this one hotel chain. If you're saving up for a visit to a specific Marriott resort, or if you love to use nearby Marriott facilities for professional business, you'll get the most from this card. Otherwise, you may want to aim instead for more flexible travel rewards card, like Chase's own Sapphire series.

Credit Card Rate Information:

Purchase

Balance Transfer

Cash Advance

Index:

Prime

Margin:

10.99

15.99

APR:

14.24%

14.24% Variable

19.24% Variable

APR Floor:

N/A

Intro Rate:

N/A

Intro Period:

N/A

Finance Calculation Method:

Daily Balance

Purchase Grace Period:

21 days

Default/Penalty APR:

29.99% Variable

Default/Penalty Margin:

26.74

Default/Penalty APR Floor:

N/A

Maximum Default APR:

Penalty/Default Trigger:

Penalty APR will be applicable to your Account if you: fail to make any Minimum Payment by the date and time due (late payment); make a payment to Chase that is returned unpaid; or do any of the above or exceed your credit limit on another account or loan you have with Chase or any of their related banks

Credit Card Fee Information:

Annual Fee:

$45

Foreign Transaction Fee:

3%

Late Fee:

Up to $15 if the balance is less than $100; up to $25 if the balance is $100 to less than $250; up to $35 if the balance is $250 or more.

Over-the-limit Fee:

N/A

Balance Transfer Fee:

Cash Advance Fee:

Notes:

Rebate Description:

Special Notes:

Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after your first use redeemable for up to 4 free nights. Cardmembers achieve Silver elite status with 10 nights credit toward Elite status.

Card Issued By:

Chase

General Correspondence Address:

162 5th Avenue, 7th Floor, Columbus, OH, 43240

Card Type:

Visa

Card Class:

Signature

Card Category:

Airlines, Credit Card Deals, Hotel, Reward

States Available In:

ALL