If you follow credit card offers like I do, you might have noticed that this past year was particularly exciting. Credit card issuers have been heavily marketing products in search of customers, spending more advertising dollars per customer than they have in recent years, and increasing rewards for the best customers. For individuals who have mastered their own financial situation, this has paid off with cash back incentives and free flights through travel rewards, while customers who have just begun the path to getting out of debt could use 0% APR balance transfer offers to save money.

Not everyone benefits from the best credit cards, however. It’s easy to fall into issuers’ traps. Don’t try to beat the credit card issuers at their games unless you’re prepared to lose.

2012 will be an interesting year. It’s impossible to predict specifically what will happen within the credit card industry, but you can be sure the issuers will continue to compete aggressively for new business and offer the best deals to customers with the best credit. If trends continue, here are the offers I expect to be the best credit cards of 2012.

The best cash back credit card of 2012

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Using a hotel rewards credit card can do more than just provide a way to pay for your travel expenditures. If used properly, it can also save you hundreds to thousands of dollars over the course of a lifetime by offering free stays at hotels and by providing discounts on future travel purchases.

The Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card promises to do both.

The very first thing you’ll notice about the Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card is a 50,000 point bonus for signing up and making your first purchase. Those points can be redeemed for a multiple-night stay at most Marriott locations. Next, Chase will give you another night stay at any hotel in categories 1 through 4 hotel, again just for signing up. Each year you renew your card membership, you’ll receive a free night’s stay.

A great rewards program accompanies the Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card. Here are the details:

• Five points earned for every dollar spent at Marriott locations.
• Two points earned for every dollar spent on airline, dining and car rental purchases.
• One point earned on all other purchases.
• No foreign transaction fees (new feature).

This card also allows you to reach elite status (in Silver, Gold and Platinum) where you’ll earn points faster and receive unique perks and rewards. Every $3,000 you spend will give you one elite night credit, which accelerates your progress towards the next elite status level.

Other than the rewards program, the Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card offers other factors that make this a valuable offer. All cardholders receive an above-average variable APR on purchases and balance transfers of 15.24%, but this card carries an annual fee of $85, which is waived during the first year. The fee may be high, but the rewards you receive through free night stays are worth the cost. If you plan to stay at Marriott hotels often enough to accrue the rewards, this card is a good choice.

The 50,000 bonus point offer included with the Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card is brand new and only available for a limited time, so if you find yourself in need of a rewards credit card that offers multiple free night stays on a yearly basis, consider the Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card.

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