I’ve been very impressed with Marriott’s acquisition of SPG so far, they allow you to transfer points at a fair rate and in both directions and also give instant reciprocal status. They’ve now added another benefit and that’s reciprocal earning on the three credit cards the offer. It works as follows:
- Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card from Chase Card Members can earn five Marriott Rewards points for each dollar spent using the Card on qualifying purchases made at participating SPG properties globally.
- The Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card from JPMorgan Card Members can earn five Ritz-Carlton Rewards points for each dollar spent using the Card on qualifying purchases made at participating SPG properties globally.
- Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card by American Express Card Members can earn two Starpoints per dollar using the Card directly at hotels participating in Marriott Rewards globally.
[Read:Â Best Uses Of Marriott & SPG Points]
If you have all three cards then using the SPG card would make the most sense regardless of where you stay (you’d earn 6x Marriott points on SPG stays and 6x Marriott points on Marriott stays compared to 5x and 5x with Marriott or Ritz-Carlton). I’m surprised that Marriott was able to get this change made, but it’s possible they are simply paying the points difference themselves rather than amending existing contracts. It’s also possible that this is a sign that American Express will be able to continue to issue an SPG card, but it’s too early to make any sort of inference.
BEWARE – I switched to using the Amex SPG card at the Taipei Marriott. Amex is not giving me 2 X SPG points for this hotel. They are claiming the merchant name is Yi Hua, not Marriott. It actually says Yi Hua – Taipei Marriott. I get 5 X points on my Chase card at the same hotel. I actually had a phone agent say it is because the transaction is not in U.S. dollars. Honestly no reply for that level of stupidity. I am posting this wherever I can to warn people. Don’t use the SPG card at Marriott properties outside of the USA or at any franchise Marriotts that might post as something other than Marriott on the credit card statement.
How about the AMX spg business credit card?
What does qualifying charges mean?? Grand total – taxes?? Currently u get 5 pts /$ on the grand total.
Does the old lower AF Marriott Rewards Visa Signature Credit Card by Chase earn 2 points per $ at SPG as well? This card is no longer offered for new signups and has a ~$35 AF IIRC.