However, with no foreign transaction fees, automatic elite status and an annual free hotel night,
the ongoing value of the card more than offsets the $ 85 annual fee.
While the 75,000 points sign - up bonus certainly justifies paying the $ 85 annual fee for the second year,
the ongoing value of the card depends on how much you use it and whether you stay at the Marriott family of hotels.
The popularity stems from
the ongoing value of this card: high rewards rates, no blackout dates, restrictions or expiration date on rewards.
Not exact matches
Also, the 1.25 cent / $
value on an
ongoing basis (after the initial bonus) is LESS than the Capital One Venture
card, where you earn 2 pts / $ spent on EVERYTHING; 2 pts is worth 2 cents
of travel credit.
The only way you will get
ongoing value out
of this
card is if you are a regular cruiser.
The only way you will get
ongoing value out
of this
card is if you are a regular cruiser.
Also, the 1.25 cent / $
value on an
ongoing basis (after the initial bonus) is LESS than the Capital One Venture
card, where you earn 2 pts / $ spent on EVERYTHING; 2 pts is worth 2 cents
of travel credit.
For
ongoing spend, William and his wife might want to use one
of the AMEX
cards, the Ink Plus or the Sapphire Preferred, depending on which categories their spend is in, since category bonuses tend to provide better overall
value than the annual threshold bonus credit
cards, in my view.
After the first year, it is even more important that you use the
ongoing benefits because you won't have a major point bonus to increase the
value of the credit
card.
In terms
of ongoing value, most people would find the Platinum
cards more worthwhile since they offer the opportunity to spend towards elite status (See: Delta's $ 250K MQD waiver rule.