AwardWallet receives compensation from advertising partners for links on the blog. Terms Apply to the offers listed on this page. The opinions expressed here are our own and have not been reviewed, provided, or approved by any bank advertiser. Here's our complete list of Advertisers.
Offers for the Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card, The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card, Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express, Marriott Bonvoy® Premier Plus Business Visa Signature and Marriott Bonvoy® Premier Credit Card are not available through this site. All information has been independently collected by AwardWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. Some offers may have expired. Please see our card marketplace for available offers.
All information about Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card and Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express has been collected independently by AwardWallet
Following the Marriott/SPG merger, the new Marriott co-brand cards now offer refreshed earning rates and benefits. See our dedicated post for details.
Marriott has announced that in 2018 they will be introducing new co-branded credit cards with Chase and American Express. This latest news comes just after Marriott released some details of tweaks their making to better align Starwood Preferred Guest and Marriott Rewards; nothing too significant, but nonetheless, some tweaks. 
Who Will Issue Which Cards?
Per the statement, the company plans on keeping the Chase-issued cards and the Amex-issued cards in different market segments.
“Marriott expects to introduce new, co-brand products starting in 2018 with enhanced member benefits – super-premium consumer and small business co-branded products from American Express and mass consumer and premium consumer co-branded products from JPMorgan Chase.”
So American Express will keep issuing super-premium high-end cards and business cards, while Chase will handle premium and mass consumer cards.
Which Cards Are Affected?
Marriott, SPG and the Ritz Carlton have 5 cards between them, with SPG cards issued by Amex, and the Marriot and Ritz cards issued by Chase.
- Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card
- Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card
- Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Business Credit Card
- The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card
- Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express
While Marriott has not announced specifics, some change is on the horizon. The Marriott Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card seemingly will migrate from Chase to the Amex stable of cards as it is a business card. Furthermore, Amex will probably issue a similar card to The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card which is super-premium and comes with a hefty $450 annual fee; whether Chase keeps this card or not remains to be seen.
Apart from apparent potential changes, there is some scope for a few more cards to cover the various market segments.
Does This Mean The Programs Will Be Merging In 2018?
It is safe to say no. Per the Marriott website:
“In late 2018, Marriott expects to launch a single technology platform for Marriott Rewards, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards, and SPG. This should enable the company to synch the technology-dependent components of each program, further reducing costs. The new technology platform will also take Marriott one step closer to the goal of having a single loyalty program for the company’s 100+ million members in the current Rewards and SPG loyalty programs.”
The company expects to produce a single technology platform to manage the infrastructure of their program by late 2018. So in all likelihood, after the platform is up and running and successful, Marriott will start the process of merging both programs. It is a safe bet to assume that no program merger will occur before 2019.
Our Take
Marriott seems to be handling its merger with SPG well; integrating the IT infrastructure before making changes is a wise move to avoid possible issues. The fact that they're taking things slow is so far turning out to be a win for everyone. Also, the new cards should present plenty of opportunities to maximize not only the current Marriott- SPG relationship but also potential new bonuses.
Only time will tell how the overall picture will pan out, but there is cause for optimism. Especially if Marriott manages to cherry pick the best elements of the different programs, like the Marriott Hotel + Air packages, or the great value of Starpoints, and combine them into one program. This new program would arguably be a game changer and force other hotel programs to take a hard look at themselves, to see how they can up their game.
Source: Marriott & One Mile At A Time & View From The Wing
The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
@Thomas —> I never said they would “force” you to now pay $450 AF. What I said was the SPG Amex personal card as we know it is going to disappear. If I want to KEEP a personal SPG Amex card, (it certainly appears) my only option will be to fork out $450. (Some may call that “forcing,” but I certainly acknowledge that there is a choice, but the choice seems to be “fork out the $450, or lose the SPG Amex card.”)
My SPG card is one of three cards in my wallet in “heavy rotation,” meaning it’s one of the three cards I used the most. I presently get more points on spend than I do using my Marriott Rewards card from Chase, and my redemption values when I spend points are higher. I’d prefer to keep my present Amex and give up my Chase Marriott, if I had the choice . . . but I don’t. C;est la vie.
Great article. Thanks
Should we be signing up for some of the cards before they possibly get canceled?
Good news!
Awesome to see Amex partnering with Marriot
Has there ever been a merger similar to this? What are some of the things that happened in that merger with regard to branded cards?
Sure, major US Airlines are the best example. Some cards are converted, sometimes cards stay, and other times customers are offered to convert to a different product or have their card closed. The process is wholly dependent on the organizations — so look at the options for what Marriott/SPG and Amex/Chase are doing. Comparing to other mergers will only add confusion to the process.
Good news for me as I still had hopes of getting the SPG card eventually.
Does this mean I will have to invest in a “super card” in the future… I’m not sure I’m ready for that amount of annual fee yet anyways. While I do travel and do enjoy the perks (although I’ve recently started learning how to maximise points etc) I hope I do not lose out a lot if I continue to have a regular points card such as SPG Amex and gold Amex only.
You’ll have the option to invest in a “super card”.
Overall, I believe the merger has been handled well by Marriott so I hope they will let us keep the $95 SPG Amex in some form or fashion.
Always good to know what’s cooking
A Win Win all around. Marriott recognizes the value in and loyalty of the SPG program. They brought over one of the key SPG guys to run the combined loyalty program.
Amex wins by being a co-card issuer and I would think the Platinum card will still give Gold to Marriott.
Chase stays in the mix.
We win by having more card choices and bonus/earning opportunities.
I recommend to get both SPG cards and both Marriott cards before they go away sometime in 2018.
I’ll be keeping my two SPG cards and Marriott Business card.
Looking forward to it.
Slow and steady has been working well for the conversion thus far. Hopefully, most will come out better off or at least as well off. Like seeing everyone’s projections as food for thought.
Good news, since I have never had the SPG card yet.
amex is stepping up the game with the new Hilton card and hopefully this Marriott card too!
I doubt the card issuers are going to do anything to upset their current customers, because then you can just go to the other provider. I have to guess they will be very careful so they don’t lose customers to the other credit card company.
I only see this as a win for consumers. There really shouldn’t be much downside to any of this. Competition is good and this is a huge portfolio of clients under SPG/Marriott. I cant see either card holder over stepping on this one.
Sounds like some big signup bonuses in 2018. But I think being patient is gonna be important. Look at American Airlines. They have 2 issuers. The bonuses keep getting bigger b/c the competition is fierce. Im excited for 2018, but am not going to jump on any card to quickly.
It is recommended anyone click on the above link to “the great value of Starpoints.” It leads to a great reminder of the value of Starpoints.
Interesting times. I agree with the previous posters who say that Marriott appears to be handling this merger quite well. I wonder how the Super Premium Marriott Amex will compare to the Super Premium Hilton Amex that was recently announced.
Always excited to see what’s coming down the pike.
It’s time to get Chase Marriott Biz. It’s probably the one will disappear for sure. Also, agree that they handle the merge better than others.
I sure hope we are given sufficient advance notice so as to be able to decide to cancel or not, which brand card, etc.
Double sign up bonuses.
Marriott has handled this merger much better than most companies
Agreed.
perhaps many new opportunities for sign up bonuses
Options, options, options. Who knows how it all plays out, but the more options the better, and the more competition long-term.
It would be nice to know the new terms and bonuses to decide whether to apply now or later for the Marriott card. I had an Amex SPG card previously and that was a bonus once in a lifetime policy, I wonder if that will be waived with the new cards?
It is a safe assumption that if a new product is released you can apply for it and receive the associated bonus.
Are we thinking that one would still be eligible for a sign-up bonus in future even if one lets their existing card convert to the new product?
The scenario is this: one has not earned a sign-up bonus on a SPG-AmEx card that has been converted to Marriott-AmEx. So, the resulting question is: might it be possible to cancel the converted card, and then apply and receive a bonus at some future point?
At this point, don’t know exactly how it would convert. Personally, I wouldn’t risk such a move.
waiting for the new Marriott cards!
Great news!
What NO blogger has yet addressed specifically is the change to the Amex portfolio:
1) They are “replacing” the current $95 AF SPG Amex card with a (presumably) $450 AF “SuperPremium” card. What if I don’t *want* a 474% increase (or more) to my AF??? Do I then LOSE my Amex card? Just how many cards with a $450 (or $550) AF do you need?!?!?
2) Currently, regardless of whether I stay at a Starwood or Marriott, I earn more points using my [current] SPG Amex than I do using my Marriott Rewards. Will I earn more with the Super Premium Amex? Or will it continue at the same earnings rate?
3) If I *do* agree to pay the higher AF, will Chase consider that as a “new” card for purposes of the 5/24 rule? Or merely a “shift” in product (e.g.: replacing a CSP card with a Chase Freedom card)?
Etc., etc., etc.
I understand no one definitively knows the answers to these question yes, as Marriot hasn’t specifically addressed them yet. But no one seems to be even ASKING these questions . . .
Jason — I’ll hit your questions here:
1) This will not happen. What will happen with your current SPG Amex we don’t know, but it won’t convert to a card with a $450 annual fee.
2) We simply don’t know and don’t want to speculate without some shred of concrete evidence.
3) N/A because #1 won’t happen.
I do realize they are questions without answers . . . yet. But I do think you misunderstood my first point in re: issuing new Amex cards. I agree they won’t AUTOMATICALLY switch/convert current cardholders into the “super-premium” card. But what will be my options? It seems from what we know at the moment (certainly subject to change) is that *either* I apply for the new card and swallow a huge increase in my AF, *or* close my account. It also seems to me that either way — again, from what we know now — that I’m screwed: I lose a long-term card, thus affecting my credit score, and/or I apply for the new super-premium Amex thus getting nailed by the dreaded Chase 5/24 rule.
The likelihood that there won’t be a similar product offering at a similar price point I would say is virtually zero as I see it. The $85/$95 is managable for most people to consider high end and another $400 is just not something many would consider. Marriott/SPG and Chase/Amex have had cards at this price point for many years, they’re not foolish enough to alienate their base.
Over at One Mile At A Time, “Lucky” posted on 12/7: “The SPG Personal Amex is being discontinued, presumably at some point in 2018. We don’t know what will happen to existing cardmembers. There’s a chance Amex will work out a deal to sell their portfolio to Chase (since they’ll be taking over this type of card), or there’s a chance cardmembers will have the option to convert their card to another Amex product.”
Settle, settle. You’re misinterpreting what the post is saying. The narrative isn’t indicating that the only option available to current SPG cardholders is going to be a conversion to a card with a $450 AF. What the post actually suggests is that such an ultra-premium Marriott-AmEx card would be in addition to AmEx continuing to issue a Marriott-branded card with an AF commensurate with the existing SPG offering.
I draw your attention to this paragraph from the above article:
“So American Express will keep issuing SUPER-PREMIUM high-end cards and BUSINESS cards, while Chase will handle PREMIUM and MASS CONSUMER cards. Given the current cards issued, Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express, and the Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card; which come with a $95 and $85 annual fee respectively, we’re going to see a shakeup. While both could be categorized as premium cards, they are not super premium, so there is room in the portfolio for one or two super-premium cards.” (EMPHASIS is mine.)
Or this passage that was quoted on View from the Wing: “AmEx providing super-premium and small-business cards and JPMorgan offering mass-consumer and premium-consumer cards, the three companies said in a statement on Tuesday. In the meantime, both issuers will retain their existing portfolios and continue to offer their current products.”
Or, from The Points Guy: “As part of this announcement, Marriott said that it plans to introduce new co-brand products in 2018 with “enhanced member benefits.” More specifically, Marriott will offer a super-premium consumer and small business products with Amex, as well as premium consumer co-branded products from Chase. At this point, those are the only details available. More specific details on each of the new card offerings will be available in 2018. In the interim, both companies will retain their existing portfolio of accounts and continue to offer their current products.”
Now, the last sentence in the above paragraph says that IN THE INTERIM (again, the emphasis is mine) the current portfolio (by Chase and Amex, respectively) will be retained and they will continue to offer the current (old) cards cards. But it is “in the interim.” Sure, I may be reading/interpreting this wrong, but what that says to me is that once the final detains of the new cards/programs are 100% in place, one those cards described (Super-premium personal and business SPG Amex cards; premium consumer cards from Chase (and probably the super-premium Visa Infinite Ritz-Carlton card).
Of course NONE of us knows the final details, and won’t until sometime in 2018 — all of this, above and beyond what was contained in Marriott’s press release — is simply speculation.
Well, no matter what, no one is going to force you to start paying a $450 AF for the same card that used to cost you $95.
I think we’re all anxious to see what exactly the plan is. I’m debating whether to open a Marriott card in the near future in order to combine points with my SPG Amex for a Hotel + Air package, or whether I should wait to see what the new cards will offer.