As you probably already know Marriott/SPG have signed a new deal with both Chase & American Express and both card issuers will continue to issue cards when SPG/Marriott’s loyalty programs finally merge in 2019. A lot of readers have been e-mailing me asking me what the best strategy is in terms of signing up for cards/cancelling cards. When the announcement was made they stated the following:
- Marriott expects to introduce new, co-brand products starting in 2018 with enhanced member benefits – super-premium consumer and small business co-branded products from American Express and mass consumer and premium consumer co-branded products from JPMorgan Chase. Additional details on the future products will be shared in 2018. In the meantime, both companies will retain their existing portfolio of accounts and continue to offer their current products.
As you can see the important points are that American Express will issue a super-premium consumer card and a small business card. Chase will issue a mass consumer and premium consumer co-branded card. I asked a source at Chase and they said an internal announcement was made that:
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We will continue to offer all of the products currently issued including:
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Marriott rewards premier card
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Marriott rewards premier business card
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The ritz carlton rewards card
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This contradicts a reddit comment stating the Ritz-Carlton card would be discontinued and converted to a CSR. View From The Wing states that Marriott told him that “both companies will continue to offer their current products and even after the new products are introduced, members may continue to use them.”
What I Think Will Happen/What You Should Do
American Express:
- They will continue to issue new Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card cards. This means there is no rush to sign up for this card, especially given American Express’ once per lifetime rule.
- They will stop accepting new applications for the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express (personal card). Existing cardholders will be able to continue their card. If you’ve never had this card before, it might make sense to sign up for it. That being said the current bonus is only 25,000 points and it has offered up to 35,000 points before.
- They will offer a new super-premium Marriott/SPG card. I expect this to be similar to the new Hilton Aspire card. Yay, another card we can get the bonus on.
Chase:
- They will continue to issue both the Ritz-Carlton Card & Marriott Rewards Premier card (plus the no annual fee version). I’m not 100% sold on the Ritz-Carlton sticking around, especially after they stopped matching to three nights. I’m somewhat worried they consider the Premier card to be a premium card and when they refer to the mass consumer card they are talking about the no annual fee version or some new lower annual fee product.
- They will stop issuing the Marriott Premier Business & no annual fee card. This card is not subject to the Chase 5/24 rule, fingers crossed we see a nice bonus on this card before it disappears.
I hope this helps answer some questions readers have. These are my thoughts, you should always make your own informed decisions on what you think will happen and plan accordingly. Let me know your own thoughts in the comments.
