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One of the best benefits of holding a Marriott Bonvoy credit card is the elite night credits that come with them. Following the refresh of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, cardholders can now receive up to 40 Marriott Elite Night Credits per year by holding Marriott's top-tier personal card and the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card!
Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card Options
Over the years, Marriott has offered a dizzying array of co-branded cards. And its current portfolio can be a little tricky to figure out. Following Marriott's latest card update, there are now six Bonvoy credit cards available to new applicants:
- Earn two 85K Free Night Awards after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card in your first 6 months. Each award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Card Members could enjoy a value of up to $1,200 when redeeming each reward. Certain hotels have resort fees. Offer ends 11/1/2023.
- $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card at restaurants worldwide.
- With Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when available at select properties and booked with a Qualifying Rate.
- Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines. 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
- Marriott Brilliant Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you will be eligible to select an Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
- $100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy® member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
- Enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, which offers unlimited access to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
- With Cell Phone Protection, you can be reimbursed, the lesser of, your repair or replacement costs following damage, such as a cracked screen, or theft for a maximum of $800 per claim when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month's wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim with a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period. Additional terms and conditions apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- Rates & Fees
- 6X points on purchases at Marriott Properties
- 3X points at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery
- 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines
- 2X points on all other eligible purchases
- Earn 6X Bonvoy points per $1 spent at over 7,000 participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
- Earn 3 Marriott Bonvoy® points for every $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on gas stations, grocery stores, and dining
- Earn 2X Bonvoy points for every $1 spent on all other purchases
- Earn 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
- Earn 4X points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets per calendar year, then 2X points).
- Earn 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
- 1K Bonus Points Per Stay: Earn 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points per paid eligible stay booked directly with Marriott for properties participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
- With complimentary Gold Elites status, earn up to 2.5X points from Marriott Bonvoy® on eligible hotel purchases with the 25% Bonus Points on stays benefit.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Free Night Award: Earn 1 Free Night Award after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ Card in a calendar year. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at a hotel participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- 15 Elite Night Credits: Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express Card® you can receive 15 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
- Plan It® is a payment option that lets you split up purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee. Plus, you'll still earn rewards the way you usually do.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms apply.
- Rates & Fees
- 6X points on purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy
- 4X points on up to $15,000 in combined purchases per year at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets
- 2X points on all other eligible purchases
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $8,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 11/1/23.
- Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly through Marriott. Terms and Conditions Apply.
- 6x Marriott Bonvoy points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
- 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card.
- Terms apply.
- Rates & Fees
- 6x Marriott Bonvoy points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program
- 4x Marriott Bonvoy points on each dollar of eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping
- 2x Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
- 3X points for every $1 spent at over 7,000 participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
- 2X points on other travel purchases (from airfare to taxis and trains)
- 1X point on all other purchases
Plus the recently released Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card.
One of the main benefits of each of these cards is that the primary cardholder receives 15 Marriott Elite Night Credits annually towards Marriott Bonvoy elite status — or 25 for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card.
Stack Marriott Elite Night Credits From Credit Cards
Historically, Marriott cardholders were limited to a maximum of 15 Elite Night Credits nights a year — regardless of how many Bonvoy credit cards they held. In 2020, Marriott improved that to a maximum of 30 Elite Night Credits by stacking a Marriott consumer and business card.
Now, Marriott Bonvoy cardholders can receive up to 40 Elite Nights per year, depending on the cards they hold:
- 15 nights for having an entry-level or mid-tier consumer card OR 25 nights if you have the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card.
- 15 nights for having the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card.
This distinction is important to note. You won't earn additional nights if you have two personal cards or somehow got two business cards.
Amex updated its terms to reflect the new policy. You can see the updated policy appear under the terms and conditions on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card or Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card cards:
“A maximum of 25 Elite Night Credits will be provided per Marriott Bonvoy Member Account, unless you have both an open Marriott Bonvoy Business Card account and an open Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card account; then, you will receive a combined maximum of 40 Elite Night Credits (25 Elite Night Credits as a benefit of an eligible Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card account plus 15 Elite Night Credits as a benefit of an eligible Marriott Bonvoy Business Card account). This benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express.”
Unfortunately, Chase hasn't reflected the increased Elite Night Credit in the terms and conditions for Bonvoy cards issued by Chase:
“A maximum of 15 Elite Night Credits will be awarded through this benefit per Marriott Bonvoy Member Account even if the Member has more than one credit card linked to their Marriott Bonvoy Member Account, unless you have both a small business Marriott Bonvoy credit card account and a consumer Marriott Bonvoy credit card account; then you may receive a combined maximum of 30 Elite Night Credits (15 per credit card account).”
Easier Marriott Elite Status
While complimentary Silver Elite status is…well…better than nothing, Bonvoy members don't really see any significant value until they've reached the higher status levels — particularly Platinum Elite and Titanium Elite. With this updated policy, if you have both a personal and business Bonvoy credit card, you'll start the year with either 30 or 40 Elite Night credits on your account.
Cardholders with a personal and business Bonvoy credit card should see elite night credits post to their Marriott account early in the year — if not already. For example, I'm starting 2023 just 35 nights shy of requalifying for Titanium Elite status. That's thanks to my Marriott Bonvoy Business Card and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card cards:
Other Considerations
Before you go rushing out to apply for multiple Bonvoy cards, there are a few things you may want to consider.
First, you can earn Gold Elite status through several cards. That means you don't need to get two Marriott cards just to get Gold Elite status. For example, The Platinum Card® from American Express grants complimentary Marriott Gold Elite status to cardholders (as well as Hilton Gold Status and a ton of other benefits). Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.
Second, you can now receive complimentary Marriott Platinum status just by holding the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card. With Platinum Elite status, you can choose free breakfast as a welcome gift, get lounge access, and 4pm guaranteed checkout.
So, if you aren't sure you'll stay the additional nights necessary to earn more than Gold Elite status, applying for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card would be a simpler means to getting Platinum Elite status.
Finally, keep in mind that Chase and Amex have A LOT of restrictions on Marriott credit card welcome offers. The restrictions are so complex that we've published a dedicated post to help folks decipher them. Needless to say, before applying for a new Marriott credit card, be sure to confirm that you're eligible for the welcome offers.
Final Thoughts
Marriott recently increased the maximum number of elite night credits members can receive just from holding Bonvoy credit cards. Cardholders can now earn up to 40 Elite Night Credits per year just for holding a combo of rewards cards.
This increases the annual starting point for Bonvoy members with one consumer card and one business card to 30 Marriott Elite Night Credits — or 40 Elite Night Credits for Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card cardholders.
Now that the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card comes with complimentary Platinum Elite status, the 40-night headstart would be beneficial to those chasing Titanium Elite or Ambassador Elite status.
Before this change, we relied on the other benefits and welcome offers to justify having more than one Bonvoy card. Now, for some people, the compounding benefit of elite nights could be reason enough alone. Now, you can get up to a 40-night headstart, plus you'll potentially have 2 free night certificates from your credit cards to start your year off on the right foot.
Do you think it's worth holding multiple Bonvoy credit cards for Marriott elite status?
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (Rates & Fees), Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card (Rates & Fees), and Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card (Rates & Fees)
The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
I have the night needed to be a lifetime platinum member but am still shy of being platinum for ten years. Would the Amex card that grants automatic platinum status satisfy that requirement. Much cheaper than another 50 nights.
From my experience, elite status earned solely from credit cards DOES count toward lifetime status. I had several years as a Gold Elite solely through the Amex Platinum that are really helping me toward Lifetime Gold (for what that’s worth). If you naturally travel >20 nights, don’t forget that you can get a personal Marriott card (e.g. Boundless) and the Amex Marriott Business card to start with 30 ENCs each year.
Quick question… I hold a Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card and it’s been over 2 years now. Recently, I applied and now have an American Express Marriott Bonvoy Business card that I use. I received that welcome offer.
If I wanted to obtain the other Amex Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, am I eligible for their welcome offer/bonus? I’m trying to figure out the restrictions and if I need to wait to apply, but it gets complicated.
PS I have a high credit score as well.
Any help is appreciated!
Complicated is quite an understatement! We list all of the rules here: https://awardwallet.com/blog/marriott-card-application-rules/
From my reading of the terms, you should be eligible – assuming you earned the sign-up bonus on the Boundless more than 2 years ago.
Hi! Do you know how long it takes for Marriott to post the 15 Elite Night Credits for the Bold card (no fee)? On the application it says within 60 days but wondering if there’s a chance they could post before 12/31?
It will almost surely post before the year end. As with many terms and conditions, they are just trying to prevent people from calling too soon after applying.
It will very likely post within a few days of applying. I wouldn’t cut in closer than a couple of weeks before the end of the year. As with many terms and conditions, these dates are set quite high to dissuade people from calling in right after applying.
My elite night credits posted on 1/1
Hello – has the ability to stack ENC between the Chase Boundless and Amex Business card recently changed? I’ve had the Chase Boundless for a year and just went to open Marriott’s Amex Business card but the Ts & Cs state that the stacking of both of sets of 15 ENCs from a consumer and business card is only available between Amex consumer cards and the Amex business card.
The Ts & Cs stated in this article are only from Chase’s side (suggesting that you might still be able to stack the ENC if you open the Amex Business FIRST).
What’s your interpretation here? Is the Boundless ENC benefit no longer stackable?
Amex states:
“To be eligible to receive the 15 Elite Night Credits with this Card, you must be the Basic Card Member, and you must have an active Marriott Bonvoy Member Account linked to your Card Account. A maximum of 15 Elite Night Credits will be provided per Marriott Bonvoy Member Account, unless you have both an open Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express Card® account and an open Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card account; or, you have both an open Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express Card® account and an open Marriott Bonvoy® American Express® Card account. Then, you may receive a combined maximum of 30 Elite Night Credits (15 per Card account). If you have both an open Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express Card® account and an open Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card account, you may receive a combined maximum of 40 Elite Night Credits (15 Elite Night Credits as a benefit of an eligible Marriott Bonvoy Business Card account plus 25 Elite Night Credits as a benefit of an eligible Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card account). This benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express.”
I noticed that sly change as well. But I don’t think that anything has changed in practice. As someone that holds both a Boundless and a Bonvoy Business Card, I still have the 30 ENC this year. And until we hear of someone not getting the full 30 ENC from a Chase personal + Amex business card, I’m going to assume that it’s same as before.
Well JT, since this change in policy has only occurred in the past few months you likely won’t see the change until the annual posting of ENCs which happens Jan – March according to Marriotts T&C. I will be interested to see what happens.
Hi,
Thanks for sharing this info, very helpful.
I currently have the US Chase Marriot Bonvoy Boundless giving me 15 elite night credits annually. If I also get the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card, it gives 25 elite night credits annually. Since both cards are consumer cards and we can’t combine their elite nights, would I end up annually getting 15 elite nights or would I get 25? I couldn’t find online any info discussing this scenario, I would assume logically Marriott should give you the maximum of both, which is 25 nights. I am sure many people will be having this scenario.
I would appreciate it if you can please clarify this from Marriott or either credit card companies, that would be a good addition to this thread discussion as I haven’t found an answer online anywhere, many thanks!
We confirmed that you would get 25 Elite Night Credits in that case. It’s the greater of the cards that you carry.
I’m in a similar situation. I have the Chase Boundless, and Amex business. I will be 6 nights short of titanium this year so I was considering getting the Brilliant and getting rid of my Boundless if I’m able to get the 10 extra nights added on top of what I’ve already received.
Are you saying you confirmed with Marriott that they would add 10 nights to the 30 that I already received this year in this type of situation?
I haven’t run that particular situation by Marriott… but I can! Stay tuned.
I haven’t run that particular scenario by Marriott.. but I can. Stay tuned!
Great news: Marriott confirmed that you will indeed get 10 extra Elite Night Credits in this situation.
Great, thank you!
Thanks! Had the same question
Did you apply and receive the extra nights? I applied and received my card on 11/14, but have not received any additional nights. I contacted Marriott and they told me to contact Amex, so I contacted Amex and they said there is nothing they can do until after 60 days. Unfortunately that puts me into next year and defeats the purpose of getting the card, which was to get the extra few nights for Titanium.
I have the AMEX and Chase Bonvoy as well. I have been on the phone with AMEX the last 3 months trying to get my 15 elite night credits. Sounds like AMEX is screwing customers out of the bonuses they offered.
Do you have the Amex Bonvoy Biz or the Amex Brilliant?
I have the AMEX Bonvoy card and the Chase Bonvoy card. Neither is the business card. My nights earned to date show 16 nights. I am confused about which card I am receiving them from, and why not in multiples of 15? Any clue?
44 nights needed to renew Titanium Elite
Nights stayed15
Paid:5
Redeemed:10
Bonus nights16
Promotional:0
Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card:16
Rewarding Events:0
2022 total 31
After a recent change, Boundless cardholders now get an extra Elite Night Credit for every $5k of purchases on the card each year. You must have spent more than $5k!
Thanks for this info. I’m based in Canada and have an Marriott Bonvoy AMEX Personal as well as a Business card. I only see 15 ENC and don’t see that as being fair.
Do you know why the program is different in the US vs Canada? The interesting part is that I spend the majority of my time travelling to the US!
Thanks in advance for any insight…
Cheers, Dave
Dave – why it’s different is a mystery, but it may be part of the settlement between Chase, Amex, and Marriott when the final merger happened with SPG-Marriott. Amex and Chase both had interest in being the credit card provider, and the Marriott business card from Chase closed during these negotiations. Next thing we knew, the business card and personal card 15 nights could stack, where they didn’t before. It likely came from these legal discussions between Chase & Amex, but that’s just inference.
Hi there,
my I ask that, I currently have one Chase Marriot Bonvoy Boundless credit card which is giving me 15 ENC a year, and I considered it as an “open consumer” card account(please correct me if wrong), now if I apply for “Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card” which also has 15 ENC a year as benefit, will it be considered as small business card so that the 15 ENC get stacked (total 30 ENC) ?
If yes, will I receive the new card’s 15 ENC this year or only starts next year ?
Thank you in advance.
Yes, you would get 30 night credits from having those 2 cards, and it will start this year.
Do you know if I have already had the Canadian version of the Marriott Bonvoy Amex and now applies for a Bonvoy Brilliant, will I get 30 elite nights or just 15?
T Law – from how I read the terms, I’m pretty sure you will just have 15 nights. That’s because you would have 2 personal cards. The terms in the US-issued cards say that you get 15 nights no matter how many personal cards you have. You only get 30 if you have personal and business cards. The terms on the Canadian card say this: “You will receive a maximum of 15 Elite Night Credits per calendar year even if you have more than one Marriott Bonvoy Consumer or Small Business credit card account” so to me it looks like the only way you’d get 30 nights at this point is getting a US-issued small business Marriott card.
Happy New Year – I hold both the Bonvoy Brilliant card and the Bonvoy Premier Plus Business and find that I only have 15 nights and not 30.
So, this policy might have ended.
The T&C still reflect that you can get 30 Elite Night Credits by holding both a personal and business card. And, 30 ENC have already posted to my account. That said, it usually takes a few days for them to post. So, I’d recommend reaching out to Marriott in a few days if they don’t show up.
So if I get Amex Platinum (= Bonvoy gold) + Bonvoy personal card (15 nights) + Bonvoy biz card (15 nights), would I then get 55 nights and Bonvoy Platinum status!?
Or Amex Platinum only gives Gold status but not the elite qualifying 25 nights?
Unfortunately the latter option. Automatic gold from the Platinum card doesn’t give you the equivalent number of elite credits.
I currently hold a Amex Marriott Bonvoy card (the former SPG card), which comes with 15 elite night credits posted on my card anniversary (every April). Amex sent me an offer to upgrade to the Bonvoy Brilliant card mentioning 15 elite night credits as part of the various offerings that come with the card.
Since this is another consumer card and I have received 15 nights this year, I assume I would not receive another 15 elite night credits by upgrading? Would I get them on the card anniversary – which would be April 2022 (and thus not qualify for this year)? Or could I actually get them this year?
I’m pretty confident that you’d only get 15 elite nights (per year) for having a personal card. I’m guessing that it’s coded on Marriott’s side that if you have a personal card +15 on the elite nights – with no way to double up.