VS 

My friend Doug and I were talking about points, our strategies, and our preference.  While I prefer Delta & Hilton for my travel, Doug prefers American and Marriott.  Somehow, we’re able to see past our differences and remain friends.

He asked me about the Chase Sapphire Reserve, and what I thought of it.  It’s one of the top Premier cards, in my opinion, and if I weren’t a Delta/Hilton guy, I’d have one.  Then he asked me to take a look at his card, the Marriot Rewards Premier and compare the two.

The Marriott Rewards Premier:

• 75,000 Bonus after spending $3k in 3 months
• $85 annual fee
• 1 free night per year
• 5 PPD spent at Marriott
• 2 PPD spent on Air, Car Rental, or Restaurants
• 1 PPD on everything else
• 15 Marriott credits (this goes towards status and at 10 you get Marriott Silver)

Now the Chase Sapphire Reserve:

• 50,000 Bonus points
• $450 annual fee
• $300 travel credit per year
• 50% bonus on points when redeeming toward travel
• 3 PPD on travel and restaurant related purchases
• 1 PPD on everything else

On the surface, the annual fee appears to be cancelled out on the Marriott Rewards card with the free room each year (and then some).  While the Sapphire Reserve still leaves $150 after the travel credit.

Digging a little deeper into how Doug works…

On the road 40 weeks a year with an average 3 night stay at a $250 per night hotel.

• Marriott Rewards – 40 x 3 x 250 x 5 = 150,000 points
• Chase Sapphire Reserve – 40 x 3 x 250 x 3 x 1.5 = 135,000 points

It becomes apparent that at the way Doug works, he’s already maximizing out his rewards.  The Chase Sapphire Reserve is more flexible in how those rewards can be redeemed, but Doug, like me, already has an idea on how to spend his points. Taking his wife out of town to “eat crab in Maine in the fall”.

Now THAT sounds like a great idea!

What cards would you like to see compared?

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