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I'm trying to figure out if this card will be worth it for me. I have an amex platinum so far, which has been great. I recently started a new job where I travel once a week, and I stay at a marriott hotel, and it got me wondering if getting a dedicated card would be worthwhile. I do also eat out often so the $25 per month would likely be used easily, and I do travel for conferences a few times a year so I could use the free night pretty easily as well.
Anything else I should consider? Does it sound like this is worthwhile for me?
9/23/23 update:
Thanks everyone for the comments! I did went ahead and applied for the card. Was suprised it was denied immediately but when I looked at the reason, it said it was due to a security lock or freeze that I had on my Experian CR (forgot all about that). Duh!
Once I had temporarily unlocked my Experian CR, I called AMEX and they were able to check my CR and the account was approved immediately.
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I just checked into the Newport News Marriott and to my surprise, I actually got upgraded to a suite :), which doesn't happen very often for me. But thank you, Marriott.
Currently, I'm at Platinum Elite with just 32 nights this year (lifetime Silver Elite) and have 3 more upcoming stays (about 7 nights total) by the year end. I saw that AMEX currently has Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card with 170,000 bonus points (after $6K spend) and was debating whether if it's worth to go for it. While I doubt I'll have $6K spend between now and year end to reap the 170K bonus points, to me, the benefits of this card that would appeal to me would be:
- Platinum Elite status (breakfast/lounge, 4 pm checkout, enhanced internet); the 4 pm checkout is the most beneficial perk to me in all my years of being in the program, especially when traveling with family/kids.
- The 25 elite night credits
- Priority Pass (currently have United Explorer card which comes with two UC passes)
The $650 fee is steep and I don't now if I'll have 50 nights of Marriott stays year after year, as it varies (for work and personal travel) but if the $650 buys me 25 nights to start, I think that helps me get to 50 nights quicker.
Looking at my history, I have:
Lifetime Nights
Total Nights:327
Lifetime Statistics
Years as Silver Elite:6
Years as Gold Elite:6
Years as Platinum Elite:5
So, if I were to apply to for this card this week and get approved, I assume the 25 nights will automatically add to my existing 32 nights, which will get me to 57 and that's before the 3 more upcoming stays. This will push me into maintaining my Platinum Elite and come 2024, I assume the 25 free nights will be deposited around the anniversary of when I applied/receive (assuming October)?
RE: $300/year dining statement credit, does that basically mean you get a $25 credit if you have $25 or more in dining charged to the card? If so, that is easily achievable.
RE: Priority Pass Select lounge access; I travel (mostly on United) maybe 2-3 flights per year so I think the Priority Pass would be nice to have, especially if I already use up the two free United Club passes that I get from my United Explorer card.
Thanks!