The NEW Marriott Credit Card Strategy (2025)

Summary

This video discusses two strategies for maximizing Marriott Free Night awards through credit cards, comparing the classic method with a new approach prompted by recent changes by American Express. The classic strategy spans four years and requires careful coordination between Chase and Amex cards. The new strategy reduces this time to two years, offering faster access to high-tier cards and more frequent rewards. Both strategies have their pros and cons, and the choice depends on individual goals, with the new strategy being ideal for those willing to manage multiple offers simultaneously.

Takeaways

• 😀 The classic Marriott strategy involves earning Marriott Free Night Awards through four different Marriott credit cards, which are spread across two issuers: American Express and Chase.
• 😀 Marriott credit cards offer various free night awards, such as 35K and 85K, with annual fees that can be offset by statement credits.
• 😀 The classic Marriott strategy takes 4 years to fully execute, and while this is a long timeframe, it allows you to test Marriott's program before committing fully.
• 😀 The biggest challenge in the classic strategy is dealing with the 24-month wait time between applying for Chase and Amex Marriott cards, which can be lengthy.
• 😀 One benefit of the classic strategy is the ability to downgrade the Amex Bonvoy Brilliant card to the Bonvoy card with a $95 annual fee if desired.
• 😀 The classic strategy has drawbacks, such as the lengthy 4-year timeline and the requirement to follow strict rules regarding welcome offers between Chase and Amex cards.
• 😀 The new Marriott strategy addresses these drawbacks by speeding up the process to acquire all four Marriott credit cards in two years instead of four.
• 😀 With the new strategy, you apply for the Amex Bonvoy Brilliant card first, followed by the Bonvoy Business card, and then the Chase Bonvoy Boundless card, ensuring eligibility for all welcome offers within a compressed time frame.
• 😀 The new strategy offers the benefit of getting higher-tier Marriott cards, like the Bonvoy Brilliant and Ritz-Carlton cards, sooner, and it also starts the 10-year clock for Lifetime Platinum status earlier.
• 😀 The new Marriott strategy is more complex and requires careful planning, as you'll need to manage multiple welcome offers with high minimum spend requirements at the same time, along with navigating rules like Chase 524 and Amex 290.

Q & A

What is the classic Marriott strategy mentioned in the video?

The classic Marriott strategy involves using four different Marriott credit cards from two issuers (Chase and American Express) to earn free night awards every year. The goal is to obtain these cards in a strategic sequence to maximize rewards, especially the free night awards, over several years.

How many Marriott credit cards are used in the classic strategy and which ones are they?

The classic strategy uses four Marriott credit cards: Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card, American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card, American Express Bonvoy Business Card, and Chase Ritz-Carlton Card.

What are the annual fees for the Marriott credit cards in the classic strategy?

The Marriott credit cards in the classic strategy have annual fees ranging from $95 to $450. The Boundless and Business cards have a $95 annual fee, while the Brilliant and Ritz-Carlton cards have higher fees of $450 and $395, respectively.

What is the main drawback of the classic Marriott strategy?

The main drawback of the classic strategy is the long timeframe required to complete it—about four years. This delay occurs because the strategy involves applying for cards from two different issuers, which imposes waiting periods due to their specific welcome offer rules.

What is the new Marriott strategy introduced in the video?

The new Marriott strategy involves applying for the American Express Bonvoy Brilliant Card and the American Express Bonvoy Business Card within the first six months. Afterward, the user applies for the Chase Bonvoy Boundless card. This method shortens the process to two years and allows faster access to higher-tier Marriott cards.

How does the new Marriott strategy address the drawbacks of the classic strategy?

The new strategy shortens the time to complete the process to two years, compared to four years in the classic strategy. It also allows users to earn the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card earlier, giving them quicker access to perks like Lifetime Platinum status.

What are the key differences between the classic and new Marriott strategies?

The classic strategy takes four years to complete, while the new strategy shortens it to two years. The new strategy also involves a more complex and fast-paced sequence of applying for credit cards, and users need to manage multiple welcome offers at once.

What are the main challenges when implementing the new Marriott strategy?

The main challenges are managing the multiple welcome offers simultaneously, dealing with high spending requirements for the cards, and adhering to strict timing rules for when to apply for each card. The strategy also requires careful planning around the Chase 524 and Amex 290 rules.

How do the welcome offers work for the Chase and American Express Marriott credit cards?

The Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card offers a welcome bonus after meeting a $3,000 spending requirement in the first three months. The American Express Bonvoy Brilliant and Business cards have higher spending requirements ($6,000 in six months) for their welcome offers, with the Brilliant card offering 95,000 Bonvoy points and the Business card offering three free night awards.

Who is the new Marriott strategy best suited for?

The new Marriott strategy is best suited for those who are comfortable managing multiple credit card applications and welcome offers at the same time. It is ideal for individuals who want to earn higher-tier Marriott cards faster and are willing to navigate complex rules and timing.