It’s been a while since I took a look at all of our credit cards to see if they’re worth keeping. I’ve focused my attention on high-annual-fee cards, like the American Express Platinum Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant AMEX. When you’re paying $500+ a year, you don’t want to keep a card you aren’t using to its potential.
However, I have many cards with $80 – $150 annual fees that I don’t think about. I’m sure that the card was worth signing up for since I received a bonus, but is it worth paying the annual fee?
I have a spreadsheet where I keep track of our cards, which includes the application date, the amount of the annual fee and when it’s due, card benefits, if and when I’ve received a retention offer and reasons for keeping the card. When I cancel a card, I also keep track of the cancellation date.
I went to update the list, which I had been neglecting for over a year, and noticed that the annual fee is coming due on our Marriott Bonvoy Premier Card.
This is one of our retired credit cards and we’ve had it since pre-Bonvoy times. For the $85 annual fee, you receive a 25,000-point free night certificate. This is a relic, as Marriott Bonvoy free night certificates from other cards are valued at 35,000, 50,000 or 85,000 points.
While we used to be able to find a roadside hotel for 25,000 points, it’s rare to find anything in the US in that point range anymore. In order to use the free night certificate, I’d have to add additional points (up to 15,000) to redeem for all but the least expensive hotels.
That leaves me with the question of what to do with the card.
Keep
There’s no way I’m going to keep the card. The 25K free night is nearly useless and it’s the only reason I’d be keeping the card. I’m not even hoping for a retention offer.
Cancel
I could cancel the card and be done with it. If I wanted another Marriott Bonvoy card I could wait for 30 days and then apply for the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless. It has a $95 annual fee and similar benefits, including a 35,000-point free night certificate.
Product Change
I could attempt to change to another Chase Marriott Bonvoy card. I’ve had the card for many years, so If I wanted to keep the credit line open I could downgrade to the no-annual-fee Bonvoy Bold card. I’d never use the card and it would sit in the drawer. Not the best option.
There’s another option available. Since we canceled our Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, I’m considering upgrading to the Ritz Carlton card. You can’t apply for the card. but Chase allows cardholders to product change from another Chase Marriott Bonvoy card. This would be the easiest way for me to pick up the Ritz card, so it’s tempting.
Final Thoughts
The changes to the Bonvoy Brilliant card forced me to reevaluate our Marriott co-brand card situation. I was holding on to several cards that no longer met the cut. The hardest thing was letting the first one go. This one is easier and it’s going to be a choice between going for the Ritz Carlton card or getting rid of the card. Decisions, decisions.
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