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Chase introduces more temporary bonuses to its credit card portfolio for November and December 2020

10/31/2020

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Chase has introduced temporary benefits on more of its credit cards.  In a recent post, we covered Chase Sapphire series, Ink series, and Freedom series.  Now select cardmembers will receive the following category bonuses between 11/1/2020 and 12/31/2020; you need to activate the offer through a link in the promotional email or at chase.com/mybonus directly.
  • 5x miles/points on Amazon.com and groceries, up to $1,500 in combined spending per month, for United Airlines cards, Southwest RapidRewards cards, Brith Airways Visa, Iberia Visa, Aer Lingus Visa, Marriott Bonvoy cards, and Ritz-Carlton cards.
  • 5x points on Amazon.com and 3x on groceries, up to $1,500 in combined spending per month, for Hyatt cards and IHG Rewards cards.
  • 10x points on Marriott portfolio hotels, up to $3,500 spent per month, for Marriott Bonvoy cards and Ritz-Carlton cards.

In addition, not from Chase or Amex, the following hotel program policies are recently announced:
  • Marriott: annual free night certificates expiring before 12/11/2020 will be valid until 1/31/2021, and those expiring between 12/11/2020 and 7/31/2021 will be valid until 8/1/2021.  These cards earn annual free night certificates: Amex Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant, Amex Marriott Bonvoy Business, Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless, and those Marriott/Ritz-Cartlton/SPG cobranded cards issued by Chase or Amex that are no longer accepting new applications.
  • Hyatt: annual free night certificates with an expiration date between 3/1/2020 and 12/31/2021 will be valid until 12/31/2021.  Chase World of Hyatt Visa and Hyatt Visa earn annual free night certificates.

Finally, to track all the COVID-19 related temporary credit card benefits, please visit our featured review which has been under continuous update with the most recent updates highlighted in cardinal.
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Best bonus ever for Barclays JetBlue WEMCs: up to 100K points each for JetBlue Plus personal and JetBlue Business

10/30/2020

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Barclays has increased the signup bonuses for its two JetBlue World Elite MasterCards (WEMC) to 100,000 points each:
  • Barclays JetBlue Plus WEMC ($99 annual fee): up to 100,000 points (50,000 points after spending $1,000 within the first 3 months of new account opening and another 50,000 points after spending a total of $6,000 within the first 12 months.
  • Barclays JetBlue BUSINESS WEMC ($99 annual fee): up to 100,000 points (50,000 points after spending $1,000 within the first 3 months of new account opening and another 50,000 points after spending a total of $6,000 within the first 12 months.
  • For either card, JetBlue points are worth about 1.44 cents a piece (increased from regularly 1.3 cents), so the signup bonus after considering the first annual fee is $1,340.  These are truly amazing deals as historically the best we have seen was 60,000 points for each card.  
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Summary of temporary credit card benefits during this pandemic (updated 10/24/2020 - Chase Sapphire Reserve, Sapphire Preferred, etc.)

10/24/2020

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There are some recent updates for our featured review, mostly for Chase Sapphire Reserve, Sapphire Preferred, Ink Preferred, Freedom Unlimited, Freedom Flex.  We copy the content of the review below and highlight the updates in cardinal.

Updated October 22, 2020.


COVID-19 has obviously changed consumer behavior in a way that most of us probably would had never anticipated before, and it only makes sense that credit card issuers have been making adjustments accordingly.  This review summarizes all the temporary benefits provided by credit card issuers during this pandemic.
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American Express
  • For those who open an Amex card (personal or small business) between 12/1/2019 and 5/31/2020, the period to meet spending requirement to receive signup bonus is extended for three months.
  • Platinum Card (personal): (1) Receive up to $320 in statement credits for U.S. wireless phone services & select U.S. streaming services (up to $20 per category per month, between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020).  (2) Cardmembers that renew between April and December 2020 will receive $200 in statement credits for Amex Travel (Amex's travel booking portal) between 8/1/2020 and 12/31/2021.  (3) Through 2/5/2021, via Amex Offers, select cardmembers receive "spend $xxx+, get xxx Membership Rewards (MR) points" offers; the bonus points are in addition to the points you already receive from the card; offers are targeted and may vary; for example, one of the best offers is "spend $3,000+, get 3,000 MR points, up to 3 times".  (4) Select cardmembers receive a $100 statement credits for Dell purchases in U.S. between 9/3/2020 and 1/31/2020.  Unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account.
  • Business Platinum Card: (1) Receive up to $320 in statement credits for U.S. wireless phone services & U.S. shipping (up to $20 per category per month, between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020).  (2) Receive up to additional $200 in statement credits for Dell purchases in U.S. (up to $100 between 5/1/2020 and 6/30/2020; up to $100 between 7/1/2020 and 12/31/2020) - this is on top of the annual $200 Dell credits that are already part of this card's benefits.  (3) Select cardmembers also receive a $200 statement credit when they renew between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020.
  • Gold Card (personal): Through 2/5/2021, via Amex Offers, select cardmembers receive "spend $xxx+, get xxx MR points" offers; the bonus points are in addition to the points you already receive from the card; offers are targeted and may vary; for example, one of the best offers is "spend $5,500+, get 5,500 MR points, up to 3 times".
  • Green Card (personal): (1) Receive up to $80 in statement credits for U.S. wireless phone services (up to $10 per month, between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020).  (2) Through 2/5/2021, via Amex Offers, select cardmembers receive "spend $xxx+, get xxx MR points" offers; the bonus points are in addition to the points you already receive from the card; offers are targeted and may vary.
  • EveryDay Preferred Card: Through 2/5/2021, via Amex Offers, select cardmembers receive "spend $xxx+, get xxx MR points" offers; the bonus points are in addition to the points you already receive from the card; offers are targeted and may vary; for example, one of the best offers is "spend $1,500+, get 3,000 MR points, up to 3 times".
  • EveryDay Card: Through 2/5/2021, via Amex Offers, select cardmembers receive "spend $xxx+, get xxx MR points" offers; the bonus points are in addition to the points you already receive from the card; offers are targeted and may vary; for example, one of the best offers is "spend $3,500+, get 3,500 MR points, up to 3 times".
  • Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card: (1) The annual $300 Marriott statement credits can be used towards U.S. restaurants, between 6/1/2020 and 8/31/2020.  (2) Annual free night certificates expiring in 2020 will be valid until 1/31/2021.  (3) Earn 6x points at U.S. supermarkets, up to $7,500 in purchase, between 5/1/2020 and 7/31/2020.  (4) Earn 10x points at Marriott portfolio hotels & gas & dining, up to $7,500 in purchase in each category, between 8/1/2020 and 10/31/2020.  Unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account.
  • Marriott Bonvoy Business Card: (1) Select cardmembers receive a $50 statement credit when they renew between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020.  (2) Annual free night certificates expiring in 2020 will be valid until 1/31/2021.  (3) Earn 10x points at Marriott portfolio hotels & gas & dining, up to $7,500 in purchase in each category, between 8/1/2020 and 10/31/2020.  Unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account.
  • Hilton Aspire Card: (1) The annual $250 Hilton resort credits can now be used towards U.S. restaurants, between 6/1/2020 and 8/31/2020.  (2) Earn 12x points at U.S. supermarkets between 5/1/2020 and 7/31/2020.  (3) Hilton points earned through this card between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020 will be considered base points for qualifying Hilton elite status as well as Lifetime Diamond status.  (4) Unexpired free weekend night certificates as of 5/1/2020 and newer certificates issued through 12/31/2020 will be valid for any night of the week; unexpired free weekend night certificates as of 3/11/2020 and newer certificates issued through 4/30/2020 will be valid until 8/31/2021, and those issued between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020 will be valid for 24 months (instead of 12 months).  (5) Perfect Match via Amex Offers: for $1,000 spent with the card, Hilton will match 1,000 base points (for elite status qualification), up to 30x times, between 8/26/2020 and 12/18/2020.  Register via Amex Offers in your account.  Note that Hilton Aspire already offers complimentary Hilton Diamond status, so this offer will only make sense if you are working towards lifetime status.  In addition, select cardmembers also receive an additional offer with Perfect Match: earn one free night (no category cap & any day of the week) after $5,000 spent with the card.
  • Hilton Surpass Card: (1) Earn 12x points at U.S. supermarkets between 5/1/2020 and 7/31/2020.  (2) Hilton points earned through this card between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020 will be considered base points for qualifying Hilton elite status as well as Lifetime Diamond status.  (3) Unexpired free weekend night certificates as of 5/1/2020 and newer certificates issued through 12/31/2020 will be valid for any night of the week; unexpired free weekend night certificates as of 3/11/2020 and newer certificates issued through 4/30/2020 will be valid until 8/31/2021, and those issued between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020 will be valid for 24 months (instead of 12 months).  (4) Perfect Match via Amex Offers: for $1,000 spent with the card, Hilton will match 1,000 base points (for elite status qualification), up to 30x times, between 8/26/2020 and 12/18/2020.  Register via Amex Offers in your account.  In addition, select cardmembers also receive an additional offer with Perfect Match: earn one free night (no category cap & any day of the week) after $5,000 spent with the card.
  • Hilton Card (personal): Hilton points earned through this card between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020 will be considered base points for qualifying Hilton elite status as well as Lifetime Diamond status.
  • Hilton Business Card: Select cardmembers receive a $50 statement credit when they renew between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020.
  • Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card, Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card: (1) Between 5/31/2020 and 12/31/2020,  select business cardmembers receive a $125 statement credit upon renewal, while select personal cardmembers receive a $100 statement credit upon renewal.  (2) The personal cardmembers earn 4x miles at U.S. supermarkets, between 5/1/2020 and 7/31/2020.  (3) Both versions earn 5x miles on Delta purchases, between 8/17/2020 and 12/31/2020.  Unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account.  (4) Both versions earn 500 miles + 500 Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQM) per each $1,000 spent on the card, up to 25K miles and 25K MQMs, between 8/17/2020 and 12/31/2020.  Unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account.
  • Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card, Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business Card: (1) Between 5/31/2020 and 12/31/2020, select business cardmembers receive a $75 statement credit upon renewal, while select personal cardmembers receive a $50 statement credit upon renewal.  (2) The personal cardmembers earn 4x miles at U.S. supermarkets, between 5/1/2020 and 7/31/2020.  (3) Both versions earn 5x miles on Delta purchases, between 8/17/2020 and 12/31/2020.  Unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account.  (4) Both versions earn 500 miles + 500 MQMs per each $1,000 spent on the card, up to 25K miles and 25K MQMs, between 8/17/2020 and 12/31/2020.  Unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account. 
  • Delta SkyMiles Gold Card, Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Card: (1) The personal cardmembers earn 4x miles at U.S. supermarkets, between 5/1/2020 and 7/31/2020.  (2) Both versions earn 4x miles at U.S. restaurants and 5x miles on Delta purchases, between 8/17/2020 and 12/31/2020.  Unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this benefit at americanexpress.com/deltagoldoffers. 
  •  Delta SkyMiles Blue Card : Earn 4x miles at U.S. supermarkets, between 5/1/2020 and 7/31/2020. 

Bank of America
  • Premier Rewards: Receive $50 statement credits for grocery & dining through 12/31/2020.
  • Travel Rewards: You may redeem points for statement credits towards grocery & dining at 1 cent per point value through 12/31/2020 (in addition to the regular travel redemption option at this value).

Capital One
  • Venture, VentureOne: (1) Receive 5x miles on Uber Eats between 7/14/2020 and 1/31/2021.  (2) Miles may be redeemed for food delivery, take out, streaming services between 4/1/2020 and 9/30/2020.
  • Savor, SavorOne: Receive 5% cash rewards on Uber Eats between 7/14/2020 and 1/31/2021.

Chase
  • For those who open a new credit card (personal or small business) between 1/1/2020 and 3/31/2020, the period to meet spending requirements to receive signup bonus is extended for three months.
  • Sapphire Reserve Card: (1) The annual fee will be reduced from $550 to $450 when you renew between 4/1/2020 and 12/31/2020.  (2) The annual $300 travel credit will apply automatically to groceries and gas stations between 6/1/2020 and 6/30/2021 (extended from 12/31/2020, in addition to the regular travel category). [NEW]  (3) Between 5/31/2020 and 4/30/2021 (extended from 9/30/2020), Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed in statement credits for groceries & dining & home improvement & eligible charity donations at a fixed value of 1.5 cents per point (in addition to the regular travel category redemption through Chase booking portal). [NEW]  (4) Between 5/1/2020 and 6/30/2020, earn 5x points on groceries, up to $1,500 in purchases per month.  (5) Between 7/1/2020 and 9/30/2020, (a) earn 10x points on select streaming services*, up to $1,500 in purchases, (b) earn 5x points on gas stations, up to $1,500 in purchases, and (c) earn 5x points on Instacart, up to $3,000 in purchases; *eligible streaming services include Apple Music, Disney+, ESPN+, Fubo TV, Hulu, Netflix, Pandora, Sling, SiriusXM, Spotify, Youtube TV, and Vudu.  (6) Between 11/1/2020 and 4/30/2021, earn 3x points on groceries, up to $1,000 in purchases per month. [NEW]  (7) Receive up to $50 in statement credits towards Instacart Express membership; Instacart Express membership usually costs either $9.99 per month or $99 per year, and provides the following benefits: (a) zero delivery fees on orders over $35 (typically $3.99-$7.99 per order), (b) reduced service fees (typically 5%), and (c) zero busy pricing fees during peak delivery hours.  (8) Don't forget the two useful DoorDash benefits that has already existed before the pandemic: (a) one year DoorDash DashPass subscription service for free - activate before 12/31/2021; this subscription service offers zero delivery fee and reduced service fees on food orders over $12 via DoorDash; (b) Receive $60 statement credits for DoorDash purchases through 12/31/2020 and another $60 through 12/31/2021.
  • Chase Sapphire Preferred: (1) Between 5/31/2020 and 4/30/2021 (extended from 9/30/2020), Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed in statement credits for groceries & dining & home improvement & eligible charity donations at a fixed value of 1.25 cents per point (in addition to the regular travel category redemption through Chase booking portal). [NEW]  (2) Earn 3x points on groceries, up to $1,500 in purchase per month, between 5/1/2020 and 6/30/2020.  (3) Between 7/1/2020 and 9/30/2020, (a) earn 5x points on select streaming services, up to $1,500 in purchases, (b) earn 3x points on gas stations, up to $1,500 in purchases, and (c) earn 3x points on Instacart, up to $3,000 in purchases.  (4) Between 11/1/2020 and 4/30/2021, earn 2x points on groceries, up to $1,000 in purchases per month. [NEW]  (5) Receive up to $50 in statement credits towards Instacart Express membership.  (6) ​Sapphire Preferred cardmembers also continue to receive this DoorDash benefit: one year DoorDash DashPass subscription service for free - activate before 12/31/2021.
  • Chase Ink Preferred, Ink Plus: Between 10/1/2020 and 12/31/2020, Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed in statement credits for eligible online advertising & shipping & eligible charity donations at a fixed value of 1.25 cents per point (in addition to the regular travel category redemption through Chase booking portal). [NEW]
  • Chase Freedom Flex, Freedom Unlimited, Freedom: Effective 10/1/2020, with no end date, Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed in statement credits for eligible charity donations at a fixed value of 1.25 cents per point. [NEW]
  • United Club Infinite Card, United Club Card, United Presidential Plus Card: (1) Earn 5x miles on groceries, up to $1,500 in purchase per month, between 5/1/2020 and 6/30/2020.  (2) Select cardmembers receive 5x miles on groceries and gas, up to $1,500 in combined purchases per month, between 8/1/2020 and 9/30/2020.  Unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this one on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.
  • United Explorer Card, United MileagePlus Select Card: (1) Earn 3x miles on groceries, up to $1,500 in purchase per month, between 5/1/2020 and 6/30/2020.  (2) Select cardmembers receive 5x miles on groceries and gas, up to $1,500 in combined purchases per month, between 8/1/2020 and 9/30/2020.  Unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this one on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.
  • Southwest RapidRewards (RR) Plus Visa, Southwest RR Premier Visa, Southwest RR Priority Visa: (1) Earn 3x points on groceries, up to $1,500 in purchase per month, between 5/1/2020 and 6/30/2020.  (2) Select cardmembers receive 5x points on groceries and gas, up to $1,500 in combined purchases per month, between 8/1/2020 and 9/30/2020.  Unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this one on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.
  • British Airways Visa, Iberia Visa, Aer Lingus Visa: (1) Earn 3x points on groceries, up to $1,500 in purchase per month, between 5/1/2020 and 6/30/2020.  (2) Select cardmembers earn 7x points on groceries & gas & dining, up to $1,500 in combined purchases per month, between 8/1/2020 and 9/30/2020:  Unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this one on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.
  • Marriott Bonvoy Boundless, Bonvoy Bold, Marriott Rewards Premier: (1) Annual free night certificates (for Marriott Bonvoy Boundless & Marriott Rewards Premier) expiring in 2020 will be valid until 1/31/2021.  (2) Earn 6x points on groceries, up to $6,000 in purchase, between 5/1/2020 and 7/31/2020. (3) Earn 10x points on dining & gas, up to $3,500 in purchase, between 7/15/2020 and 9/30/2020 - unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this one on Chase website at chase.com/mybonus.
  • World of Hyatt Visa, Hyatt Visa: (1) Annual free night certificates with an expiration date between 3/1/2020 and 12/31/2021 will be valid until 12/31/2021. [NEW]  (2) Earn 3x points on groceries, up to $1,500 in purchase per month, between 5/1/2020 and 6/30/2020.
  • IHG Rewards Club Premier WEMC, IHG Rewards Club Select MC: (1) Annual free night certificates with an expiration date between 3/1/2020 and 12/31/2020 will be valid until 12/31/2020; newer certificates issued through 12/31/2020 will be valid for 18 months (instead of 12 months).  (2) Earn 3x points on groceries, up to $1,500 in purchase per month, between 5/1/2020 and 6/30/2020.  (3) Select cardmembers earn 5x points or miles on groceries and gas, up to $1,500 in combined purchases per month, between 8/1/2020 and 9/30/2020.
  • Disney Premier Visa: (1) Earn 3% on groceries, up to $1,500 in purchase per month, between 5/1/2020 and 6/30/2020.  (2) Select cardmembers receive 5% on groceries and gas, up to $1,500 in combined purchases per month, between 8/1/2020 and 9/30/2020.  Unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this one on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.

 Citi 
  • For those who open a credit card (personal or small business) between 12/1/2019 and 5/31/2020, the period to meet spending requirement to receive signup bonus will be extended for three months.
  • Citi Prestige: (1) The annual $250 travel credits can be used towards groceries & dining, between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020.  (2) Earn 5x points on online purchases, up to $1,500 spent in this category (in addition to the regular 5x on airlines | travel agencies | dining, 3x on hotels | cruise lines), between 6/2/2020 and 8/31/2020.
  • Citi Premier cardholders who applied on or after April 10, 2020: (1) Effective June 2, 2020, earn 3x points on groceries & dining.  (2) Continue to earn 3x on travel & gas and 2x on entertainment through August 22, 2020.  (3) Effective August 23, 2020, earn 3x on airlines & hotels & gas & groceries & dining and 1x everywhere else.  (4) Effective August 23, 2020, earn $100 annual hotel credits when you purchase a hotel stay $500 or more through ThankYou.com.  (5) Effective April 10, 2021, the fixed value travel redemption will be reduced from 1.25 cents to 1 cent per point.
  • Citi Premier cardholders who applied before April 10, 2020: (1) Effective June 2, 2020, earn 3x points on groceries and dining.  (2) Continue to earn 3x on travel & gas and 2x on entertainment through April 9, 2021.  (3) Effective April 10, 2021, earn 3x on airlines & hotels & gas & groceries & dining and 1x everywhere else.  (4) Effective August 23, 2020, earn $100 annual hotel credits when you purchase a hotel stay $500 or more through ThankYou.com.  (5) Effective April 10, 2021, the fixed value travel redemption will be reduced from 1.25 cents to 1 cent per point.
  • Citi AA Executive: Cardholders that renew after 3/31/2020 receive a $225 statement credit, which equals to half of the annual fee.
  • Citi AA Platinum Select: The annual $125 flight discount certificates (after $20K annual spending) that are expiring between 3/31/2020 and 5/31/2020 will be extended for 6 months.
  • CitiBusiness AA Platinum Select: The annual $99 companion certificates (after $30K annual spending) that are expiring on 12/31/2020 will be extended for 6 months.

HSBC
  • Premier Word Elite MasterCard: (1) Earn 3x points at groceries stores & wholesale clubs & convenience stores between 5/1/2020 and 7/31/2020. (2) You may now use the annual $100 Uber credits towards Uber Eats between 5/1/2020 and 7/31/2020 (regularly this credit can only be used towards Uber ride share service).

U.S. Bank
  • US Bank Altitude Reserve: (1) The annual $325 travel credits can be used towards dining, between 6/1/2020 and 12/31/2020.  (2) Earn 3x points on dining (in addition to the regular 3x on travel & mobile wallets), between 6/1/2020 and 12/31/2020.

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Amex Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card & Business Card offering free Marriott Platinum status & 100,000 points & more

10/15/2020

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In response to Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Visa's crazily lucrative five free 50K-nights offer, Amex has also brought us very impressive offers for both the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Business Card:
  • For the 2021 calendar year, enjoy free Marriott Platinum Elite status, the second top tier elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy program, normally achieved by staying at least 50 nights per year and offering lounge access/free breakfasts, upgrades to a suite, and other perks. 
  • Earn 100,000 points when you spend at least $5,000 within 3 months of new account opening for either card.
  • Earn additional 25,000 points upon your first anniversary when you renew your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card.  The annual fee is $450 but after considering the annual $300 Marriott credit becomes $150 effectively.  The card offers a free 50K-night upon each anniversary, which can easily negate the effective annual fee.
  • Earn up to $150 in statement credits for select U.S. advertising purchases within the first 6 months with your Marriott Bonvoy Business Card, which carries a $125 annual fee and offers a free 35K-night upon each anniversary.
Considering how lucrative Marriott Platinum status could be, we judge these as the best signup bonuses ever for both cards.  The only concern is obviously your travel plan during this pandemic.
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Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless best bonus ever: five free nights, each capped at 50,000-point level

10/1/2020

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Chase has brought us an amazing signup offer for Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Visa Signature:
  • When you spend $5,000 within the first 3 months of new account opening, you will earn five free nights at Marriott International portfolio hotels worldwide, each capped at 50,000 points redemption level. 
  • The free night certificates expire 12 months after issuance. 
  • The potential maximum value for this signup bonus is 250,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, compared to the previous signup bonus of 100,000 points.  This is easily the best offer ever for this card, and probably also better than any of the previous offers from Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, Starwood credit cards. 
  • The downside of free night certificate compared to outright points bonus includes: (1) the free nights will have the best value when redeemed at hotels that require exactly or at least close to 50,000 points per night, which represent a subset of Marriott portfolio hotels worldwide, while Marriott Bonvoy points can be redeemed at any Marriott portfolio hotels at different redemption levels; (2) free night certificates expire after 12 months of issuance and there is no way to extend them after expiration dates (except for COVID-19 related measures), while Marriott points expire after 24 months of account inactivity and any qualifying activity will keep all points active for another 24 months; (3) Marriott points can also be transferred to frequent flyer miles of 44 partners, and in our book this feature actually represents better value than hotel redemption (currently 0.75 cent per point vs. 0.6 cent for hotels).  Partners such as American, United, Alaska, Delta, Southwest, British, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Japan, Air Canada, ANA, Avianca, Singapore, Turkish, Korean, Flying Blue, Etihad, all have their own unique strength and value;  (4) you can redeem these free nights separately at different hotels or at the same hotels for different stays, but if you decide to redeem them for a five-night stay at the same hotel, keep in mind that Marriott allows you to pay for 4 nights using points and get the 5th night for free - in this way the five free nights will represent value of 200,000 points instead of 250,000 points as previously discussed.
  • Of course, it is up to you to decide which hotel(s) you want to redeem these free nights.  Here we would like to give some ideas to maximize the value of these free nights.  The following is Marriott Bonvoy's current hotel redemption chart, and obviously better value could be found at Category-6 hotels requiring 50,000 points for standard redemption rate, Category-7 hotels requiring 50,000 points for off-peak rate, and Category-5 hotels requiring 40,000 points for peak rate, as circled in red.
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  • Here are some examples of hotels considered as having great value for free night redemption:
  • Category-6 (standard redemption): Al Bustan Palace=a Ritz-Carlton Hotel, The Ritz-Carlton Langkawi, The Ritz-Carlton Cancun, The Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes, The Ritz-Carlton Budapest, The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh, The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain, The Ritz-Carlton Abama, The Ritz-Carlton Chicago, The Ritz-Carlton Moscow, The Ritz-Carlton Macau, The Ritz-Carlton Santiago, The Ritz-Carlton Atlanta, The Ritz-Carlton Mexico City, The Ritz-Carlton Bali, The St. Regis Houston, The St. Regis Langkawi, The St. Regis Singapore, The St. Regis Mexico City, Las Alcobas Mexico City=a Luxury Collection Hotel, Tembo del Inka Valle Sagrado=a Luxury Collection Resort, The Shanghai EDITION, W Hollywood, W Miami, JW Marriott Nara, JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn, JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge, Château de la Resle=a Member of Design Hotels, The Westin Miyako Kyoto, The Westin Palace Madrid, Marriott's St. Kitts Beach Club, Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View, St. Pancras Renaissance London, Le Metropolitan Paris=A Tribute Portfolio Hotel
  • Category-7 (with decent off-peak rate availability): The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay, The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island, The Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale, The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel,  The Ritz-Carlton Bacara - Santa Barbara, The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, The Ritz-Carlton Washington DC, The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds - Lake Oconee, The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah Al Wadi Desert, The Ritz-Carlton Osaka, The Ritz-Carlton Toronto, The Ritz-Carlton Herzliya, The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain, The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai Pudong, The Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui, The Ritz-Carlton Vienna, The St. Regis Atlanta, The St. Regis Osaka, The St. Regis Toronto, The St. Regis Washington DC, Hotel The Mitsui - Kyoto=a Luxury Collection Hotel, The Jaffa - Tel Aviv=a Luxury Collection Hotel, Caresse - Bodrum=a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, King George - Athens=a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hotel Grande Bretagne - Athens=a Luxury Collection Hotel, SLS Hotel - Beverly Hills=a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hotel Imperial - Vienna=a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hotel Marqués de Riscal - Elciego=a Luxury Collection Hotel, Excelsior Hotel Gallia - Milan=a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hotel President Wilson - Geneva=a Luxury Collection Hotel, The Bodrum EDITION, The West Hollywood EDITION, The New York EDITION, The Times Square EDITION New York, W New York - Union Square, W Amsterdam, W Bali Seminyak, JW Marriott Essex House New York, The Algonquin Times Square=Autograph Collection, 11 Howard New York=a Member of Design Hotels, Blakes Hotel London=a Member of Design Hotels, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort, Le Méridien Bora Bora, Paris Marriott Champs Elysees, Wealia Beach Resort - Marriott Maui, Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort, Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, Renaissance Paris Vendome
  • Category-5 (peak redemption): Sharq Village & Spa=a Ritz-Carlton Hotel, The Ritz-Carlton Doha, The St. Regis Shanghai Jing'An, The St. Regis Cairo, The St. Regis Doha, Trump Turnberry - Scotland=a Luxury Collection Resort, Hotel Paracas=a Luxury Collection Resort, The Alexander -  Yerevan=a Luxury Collection Hotel, The Sanya EDITION, W Muscat, W Santiago, W Brisbane, JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort, JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort, JW Marriott Monterrey Valle, ​Pier One Sydney Harbour=Autograph Collection, Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay
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