Co-branded hotel CC's in the future

[rock86]

Hi all,

Really just a discussion point as we only have 1 (HHonors) co-branded hotel credit card available in Australia.

Now I understand you can transfer AMEX points to hotel loyalty programs, but do people think we will start seeing more hotel co-branded cards in Australia similar to the US, or AMEX will be it?

I'd love to see a the new SPG/Marriott/Ritz have a co-branded card in the future, as there are more and more properties popping up in Australia under these brands.

 

[Mattg]

Personally I like the flexibility of using Amex points, as you can transfer them to hotel programs or airlines as required.

Having said that, a Marriott/SPG/Ritz card could be attractive if the earn rate was better than what is currently available via Amex transfers. A card that earns 1 SPG point per $1 (3 Marriott points per $1 under the new program from August) could prove popular.

 

[Isochronous]

I'd love co-branded cards for SPG/Marriott, Hyatt, and Shangri La.

 

[albyd]

I think one of the challenges in making these cards worth carrying is the anaemic interchange for MC & Visa. The Macquarie card is pretty good but for the anaemic earn rate.

I too like the flexibility of Amex MR. Would need to be something really special to get me to switch from a flexible points currency like MR.

 

[oz_mark]

I've only heard of one other chain that may have looked at it, and nothing seems to have come of that. Perhaps the market in Australia for such a card is too small to make it viable.

 

[rock86]

Personally I like the flexibility of using Amex points, as you can transfer them to hotel programs or airlines as required.

Having said that, a Marriott/SPG/Ritz card could be attractive if the earn rate was better than what is currently available via Amex transfers. A card that earns 1 SPG point per $1 (3 Marriott points per $1 under the new program from August) could prove popular.

AMEX is great, I agree.

But a card like the one Chase is about to issue for the new combined Marriott program in the US where you get 2 Marriott ppd and the ability to obtain gold after a certain spend, that would be an enticing card to hold in addition to an AMEX card IMO.

 

[samh004]

I'll probably go against the grain here in saying I wouldn't mind an IHG co-branded card. In other locales such a card provides Platinum as a benefit, and while I already have Platinum anyway, I think that's good value.

I would be interested in a Marriott card post-combined program, but it's less about the points earning potential and more about the complimentary status for me.