This time last week, this blog ran a story (Credit card offers that tempt) about how credit card companies are engaged in stiff competition, and are coming up with increasingly attractive offers to win new customers. With summer looming ever closer, now could be a good time to check out a couple of cards that could make your vacations more comfortable, more enjoyable and less expensive.

Credit card deals for the poolside

Arguably, two of the strongest credit card rewards programs for travelers have resulted from an alliance between Chase and Marriott, the global hotel people. These are the Marriott Rewards Credit Card and the Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card, both from Chase.

In many respects, including credit card rates and most fees, these are very similar products. Balance transfers, cash advances and foreign transactions all attract the same 3 percent fee across the two cards. For both, expect to pay between 14.24 percent and 19.24 percent variable annual percentage rate (APR) on any balances you carry forward that includes purchases, cash advance and balance transfers.

And, speaking of credit scores, it’s unlikely that an application for either card would be successful unless yours is toward the Excellent end of the spectrum.

Credit card rewards for the traveler

The real differences between these credit cards become apparent when you compare their bonus rewards and their annual fees:

The Marriott Rewards Credit Card from Chase

• Annual fee: $45 (waived in the first year)

• Earn 30,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 in your first three months from account opening

• Receive an e-certificate worth two free nights’ stay on approval of your application

• Those bonus points and the e-certificate can be worth up to six nights at Marriott Category 1 locations

• Get 10 nights’ credit toward earning Marriott’s “Elite” VIP travel perks every year upon account anniversary

• Earn three points for every dollar you spend at participating Marriott locations

• Earn one point for every dollar you spend on other purchases

The Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card from Chase

• Annual fee: $85 (waived in the first year)

• Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 in your first three months from account opening

• Receive an e-certificate worth two free nights’ stay on approval of your application

• Those bonus points and e-certificate can be worth up to seven nights at Marriott Category 1 locations

• Get 15 nights’ credit toward earning Marriott’s “Elite” VIP travel perks every year

• Earn five points for every dollar you spend at participating Marriott locations

• Earn two points for every dollar you spend on airline tickets purchased directly with the airline, and at car rental agencies & restaurants

• Earn one point for every dollar you spend on other purchases

Choosing the best credit card deals for you

If you’re a keen traveler who enjoys vacationing in luxury, and if you’ve a good credit score and rarely carry forward significant balances, then these two credit cards should almost certainly make your short list. How should you choose which to apply for?

Well, that’s simple. You should use the same process that you do when choosing any card: sit down and realistically assess what your spending patterns are, what your needs are, and how the different credit cards perform in meeting those needs. In this case, you just have to work out whether the higher annual fee of the Premier product is worth to you the extra rewards it can bring.

Published 04/28/11 (Modified 07/09/14)