Apply: Marriott Rewards Premier Visa – 70,000 Points
The Marriott Premier Rewards Visa, while not offering as lucrative a signup bonus as the Hyatt Visa, is still a very worthwhile card to get for its 70,000 point signup bonus, even if you rarely stay in Marriott hotels. That's because 70,000 Marriott points can be used for a free night at Ritz-Carlton Tier 1-3 hotels and resorts, as well as a free night in all Marriott hotels (or even two free nights for lower category Marriotts). And while I can't get that excited about the free night at a Category 1-4 hotel, it could come in handy for a layover or a night in an expensive city such as Moscow.
Pros
- 70,000 bonus points
- Free Night Stay in Category 1-4 Marriott after account approval
- If you stay at Marriotts, the card is valuable since you get 5 points per $1 spent at Marriott (but not Ritz-Carlton) hotels and resorts.
- 2 points per $1 spent on airline spend (spent directly with the airline), restaurants and car rentals (This is not quite as good as the Sapphire Preferred, which earns 2X on ALL travel and dining spend, gets a 7% annual dividend, and has more flexible Ultimate Rewards points that can transfer to United, Hyatt, Marriott, and other partners)
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Anniversary bonus of one free night stay at a Category 1-5 hotel every year
- 15 Nights Credit toward next Elite membership level every year on account anniversary. If you don't have any Marriott status, this will give you Marriott Silver. Main benefits are 20% bonus on base points earned during stays, priority late checkout based on availability and free Internet at select hotels in Asia Pacific
- Annual fee waived the first year ($85 value)
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Must spend $1000 in first 3 months to receive the signup bonus (previous offer was after first purchase)
- 50,000 points will only be enough for one night at Category 6-8 Marriott hotels and resorts, as well as for Tier 1-3 Ritz-Carlton hotels and resorts. And 50,000 points is not enough for even 1 night at Tier 4-5 Ritz-Carltons
- Marriott Silver doesn't offer free Internet at all Marriotts
- Loyalty program is less lucrative (points worth less) than Hyatt. Top Marriott properties require 30.000-40,000 points, while Park Hyatt (Hyatt's top hotels and resorts) require just 22,000 points
- Free night in Category 1-4 hotel (or Category 1-5 hotel for anniversary bonus) must be redeemed within 6 months from date of issue.
- Fantastic location with views of the Kremlin and Red Square from the O2 Lounge and select rooms and suites
- Retail rates here are typically $700-$1000 or more per night for standard rooms, so free night represents great value
- Spacious, elegantly decorated rooms
- Beautiful pool and excellent spa treatments
- Superb service and staff speak excellent English
- Be prepared for sky high prices for all hotel food, drinks and services
- Service in O2 can be slow and lacking compared to the rest of the hotel
- The best experience at this hotel is on Club Level, not in the standard rooms
- Large, beautifully appointed rooms and bathrooms
- Great location, close to many shops and restaurants
- Gorgeous swimming pool and fitness center on the 46th floor, with great views
- Superb food
- In-room Nespresso machine
- Decor a bit dated
- Food, drinks and services are expensive, even by Tokyo standards
- Lobby Lounge has a cover charge in the evening
- Beautiful panoramic views of the ocean and city from rooms on high floors
- Modern decor
- Lovely pool area (when not too crowded)
- Attentive and friendly service
- Excellent restaurants
- Location is not convenient to the main sites–you'll need to take a taxi or the subway
- Pool area is too small and crowded during peak times, especially August
- Some rooms could use a refresh
- Nespresso pods in room are charged, not complimentary
- Scenic views from its dramatic location perched on the bluffs
- Welcomed with a complimentary glass of wine
- Spacious rooms, many with coastal views
- Great golf course
- Bagpiper at sunset
- Half Moon Bay is often cloudy or misty (September and October tend to be clearer)
- Service can be distracted when a wedding is held
- High valet parking fee + resort fee
- Sleek, modern decor
- Intimate boutique feel, with only 44 rooms and suites
- Incredible views, since the hotel is the top few floors of the JW Marriott
- In-room iPad
- Complimentary continental breakfast is nothing special
- Pool is shared with the JW Marriott
- Valet car service can be slow in retrieving your car
- Gorgeous property
- Great service, led by a hands-on GM
- Excellent spa treatments
- Bulgari bath amenities
- Expensive to get there, but still best to fly into Beef Island Airport on Tortola
- Not a lot to do on Tortola itself–best for a relaxing vacation
- Food good, but very expensive
- Located on Hong Kong Island, just 1 MTR stop away from Central (so can use Airport Express if traveling with little luggage)
- Connected to Pacific Place, with many shops and restaurants
- Excellent service
- Free WiFI
- Swimming pool
- Rooms are a bit small compared to other Hong Kong hotels of this class
- Decor a bit dated
- Excellent service, especially pool-side
- Magnificent ocean views from some rooms and suites
- Quite peaceful, yet conveniently located near plenty of restaurants and shopping
- Good kids club (additional fee)
- An older property, with some rooms due for refurbishment
- No water sports at the beach directly in front of the hotel
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