New Marriott Credit Cards - What You Need To Do Now

The latest move in the Marriott/SPG merger is the rebrand of the two loyalty programs and new credit cards. We now know a few of our favorite SPG credit cards will cease to exist come February 13th. 

The Starwood American Express Personal will become Marriott Bonvoy. 

The Starwood American Express Business will become Marriott Bonvoy Business.

  If you hold one of these cards, Marriott will be sending you a replacement as well as a retention offer. Bonvoy will offer a retention bonus of 25,000 bonus points for every $25,000 spend up to $100,000. The card will close to new applications on Feb. 12th. 

Bonvoy Business will offer new customers a welcome bonus of 100,000 points for $5,000 spend in 3 months plus an additional 35,000 free night award for $60,000 spend. But we don't know if they will offer a retention bonus. The annual fee is also increasing by $30, however, if you apply before March 28th, you will have the fee waived the first year, $95 for the second year and then the increase for the third year. 

If you don't have a Starwood Personal American Express card yet, you may want to apply before February 12th. The current offer is 75,000 points with a $3,000 spend in the first 3 months. No annual fee the first year. But the American Express website is not showing this offer right now so be warned. 

Starwood points used to be one of the most valuable in the industry. But even with the merger and devaluation, it may be worth it to pick up the Starwood Personal credit card. The 75,000 points can be transferred to dozens of airlines at 1:1 plus a 5,000 point bonus. So it would be equal to 30,000 airline miles which could be enough for a FREE round trip ticket. 

As we mourn the loss of our beloved Starwood credit cards, the question is whether these new cards will warrant keeping them around. Once we know all the earning details, we will have to decide whether to keep or cancel. I'll keep you posted.