Questions and Answers

Hi,

As Marriott and SPG go about combining their programs and what not, which cards would you recommend getting [I]right now[/I]? Especially considering that different issuers will issue different types of cards. Any recommendations what I should do [I]right now[/I] before they introduce the new cards?

Thanks for the help! Just trying to maximize my points earning.

Hi Hunter, Ben recommends getting the personal SPG Amex as it will be going away. Here were his thoughts from a couple of months ago:
[URL]http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2017/12/11/the-current-starwood-amex-is-here-to-stay-sort-of/[/URL]

Hey Hunter, that’s a great question! Keep in mind the combined program will eventually have the following card options:
[LIST]
[*]Amex will offer super premium and small business cards
[*]Chase will offer mass consumer and premium consumer cards
[/LIST]
If you can, I’d suggest getting the cards that we know will be going away. We don’t know yet whether or not people will be product changed within the current issuer, or if the portfolios will be transferred back and forth, but if you get the cards now, you’ll have options as things unfold.

So I’d start with:
[LIST]
[*]The SPG Personal Amex
[*]The Marriott Business card
[/LIST]
Getting any of the others is great too, as we might see new products developed entirely (like we have with Hilton). I’ll see if we can put together more on this.