Once upon a time, I used to really love the Starwood Preferred Guest Business card.
It used to earn valuable SPG points, came with a free night, meaningful SPG status, and Amex Offers – but the best benefit was the access to Sheraton Club lounges. All for a $95 annual fee. It was my favorite card to put my “non-bonus” spending on.
Times have changed, and this card has become the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card.
About The Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card
The earning structure of the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card has been devalued by 33% from the previous card by virtue of the fact that Marriott Bonvoy points are worth 1/3 of SPG points.
However, this card is still notable as the only Marriott Bonvoy credit card has the ability to earn 4x on U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, U.S. wireless telephone services, and U.S. purchases for shipping.
Although the prior status and Sheraton Club lounge benefits have been gutted, the free-night award has actually been “increased” to a redemption value of up to 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
But, the annual fee has also increased from $95 to $125 a year.
Call Results: My Retention Offer For The Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card
I called the number on the back of the card, notified the customer service agent that I had just been charged my annual fee, and asked if there were any retention offers available to me to help me decide if I was going to keep or cancel this card.
The customer service representative informed me that I did not have any retention offers available to me. Nothing. Zip. Zero.
I then inquired about waiving or adjusting the new $125 annual fee. Again, no offer was available.
The Bottom Line: Call Results: My Retention Offer For The Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card
So what did I do?
This is actually a hard decision for me. I still haven’t made up my mind at time of this post.
I have to admit, I have been “Bonvoyed” in the past and I have become quite disillusioned with the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program. As such, earning Marriott Bonvoy points is not at the top of my list.
With that said, I can still likely wring $300 to $400 of value out of the free night award up to 35,000 points benefit. That’s a fair proposition for the $125 annual fee. Because of that, I’m leaning toward keeping it.
Cheers!
