Banks, airlines, and hotels all like to send us offers and notices of promos and they do so in our e-mail. It can often be hard to tell what is a good deal and what is not just from the subject (and sometimes even from the offer).
For example, I received an e-mail the other day reminding me about the current referral offer available from Chase for the Chase Sapphire Preferred. I had actually learned about that initially from an e-mail so I was thankful I received that offer in my e-mail.
The E-Mail Offer
But, yesterday I, like many other Marriott members, received an offer for the Marriott Premier Rewards card from Chase. While it is nice to get a big credit card bonus via e-mail, it is not the best offer available – especially for Marriott Reward members.
Thanks for the offer, Marriott, but is it the best?
The offer is for 50,000 Marriott points after spending $1,000 in 90 days. Along with the point bonus comes the usual 1 free night upon account approval (at Category 1 – 4 hotels) and the annual free night at Category 1 – 5 hotels.
The Better Offer
That is a pretty decent sounding offer, except we know from the post I wrote the other day that there are several Marriott offers out there. The best offer is for 70,000 points after $2,000 spend in 90 days. Even though it requires double the spending, the spending is still low enough to justify going for it in order to earn an extra 40% points for the sign-up bonus.
Summary
So, what does this mean? Always give consideration and research to offers that come from banks, hotels, airlines, etc. in your e-mail. While there are many good deals that come that way, at the same time, some of the offers may not be the best offers available.
I do my best to keep you informed of the best offers that I find and hear about so make sure you check here and other sites to be sure that you have received the best offer. Sometimes, banks will send some phenomenal offers on e-mail so just take all offers with some thought and consideration before applying.
Of course, if you want some good laughs, sign-up to receive the credit card offers from Japan Airlines! I just received another offer the other day that offered me their “premium” credit card offer which had for its limited sign-up bonus – no annual fee for the first year! 🙂
I actually got an 80k offer from Marriott via email yesterday. Spend is 3k in 3 months. Assuming this is targeted?
Yes, that is a targeted one – and a great one! That is currently the best offer on the Marriott card and I would go for it! If the link is general enough, do you mind sharing it to see?
I got the same offer.. here’s a link to the program details:
https://creditcards.chase.com/a1/marriottpremier/80k3kAF-solit-offer-details-Mar15
One note, the annual fee of $85 isn’t waved the first year, I believe I’ve seen that offered before.
Yes, that’s the same one I have. I’m a Marriott Gold member. Wonder if that’s why?
Hmm, I am as well and had not been targeted with that. Did you have the card at some point before?
nope no card. But I’ve been active recently in terms of stays.
Hmm. No, I haven’t had the card before. And no recent or upcoming stays.