Decoding Marriott's Credit Card Rules: What You Need to Know Before Applying Decoding Marriott's Credit Card Rules: What You Need to Know Before Applying

Decoding Marriott's Credit Card Rules: What You Need to Know Before Applying

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Offers for the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card, Marriott Bonvoy® Premier Plus Business Credit Card, Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Premier Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card, Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express and Starwood Preferred Guest® American Express Luxury Card are not available through this site. Some offers may have expired. Please see our card marketplace for available offers

If you're someone who likes to collect as many Marriott points as possible, earning bonuses on the bevy of Marriott credit cards issued by American Express and Chase sounds like a great strategy. However, there are a myriad of Marriott application rules created by the issuers to prevent “gaming” in the credit card market.

In addition to restricting you from earning all possible multiple Marriott welcome offers, some restrictions even prevent you from getting certain Marriott co-branded cards if you don't meet certain conditions.

The Marriott application rules for co-branded cards layer on top of application restrictions already in place from each provider, including Amex’s “once per lifetime per card” welcome offer rule and Chase’s 5/24 policy. Each card has a separate policy, and the rules are an elaborate tangle bound to trip up even the most plugged-in points and miles aficionados.

Related: How to Choose Between Marriott Bonvoy® Credit Cards

Marriott Application Rules for Co-Branded Credit Cards

Breaking things down a bit, we’ve compiled the information for Marriott application rules into the table below and listed the new welcome offer restrictions next to the card to which they apply. You'll only find cards open to new applications here on the table; product changes from other Marriott cards won't likely allow you to earn a welcome bonus anyway.

Tip: Use the search tool to enter a card name to see how that card interacts with others.

CARDAPPLICATION RESTRICTIONS
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit CardThis credit card is not available to you if:

(1) you currently have any of the following cards or (2) you received a new cardmember bonus for any of the following cards within the last 24 months: Marriott Bonvoy® Premier credit card, Marriott Rewards® Premier credit card, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card.

The new cardmember bonus is not available to you if:

(1) you currently have or had any of the following cards within the last 30 days: Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card, Starwood Preferred Guest® American Express Luxury Card; or if (2) you applied and were approved for any of the following cards within the last 90 days or (3) received a new cardmember bonus or upgrade bonus for any of the following cards within the last 24 months: Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, Starwood Preferred Guest® American Express Luxury Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (previously the Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card)This credit card is not available to you if:

(1) you currently have any of the following cards or (2) you received a new cardmember bonus for any of the following cards within the last 24 months: Marriott Bonvoy® Premier credit card, Marriott Rewards® Premier credit card, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card.

The new cardmember bonus is not available to you if:

(1) you currently have or had any of the following cards within the last 30 days: Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card, Starwood Preferred Guest® American Express Luxury Card; or if (2) you applied and were approved for any of the following cards within the last 90 days or (3) received a new cardmember bonus or upgrade bonus for any of the following cards within the last 24 months: Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, Starwood Preferred Guest® American Express Luxury Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card.
Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card This credit card is not available to you if:

(1) you currently have this card or (2) you received a new Cardmember bonus for this card within the last 24 months.

The new cardmember bonus is not available to you if:

(1) you currently have or had any of the following cards within the last 30 days, (2) you applied and were approved for any of the following cards within the last 90 days, or (3) you received a new cardmember bonus or upgrade bonus for any of the following cards within the last 24 months: Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card, Starwood Preferred Guest® American Express Luxury Card, Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, Starwood Preferred Guest® American Express Luxury Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card.
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card Welcome offer not available to applicants who:

(i) have or have had The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card, the J.P. Morgan Ritz-Carlton Rewards® Credit Card, the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, the Marriott Bonvoy® Premier Plus Business Credit Card,the Marriott Bonvoy Premier Credit Card, the Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy™ Credit Card, the Marriott Rewards® Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card, the Marriott Bonvoy® Premier Plus Business Credit Card, the Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy Business Credit Card, or the Marriott Rewards Business® Credit Card from Chase in the last 30 days, (ii) have acquired the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card in the last 90 days, or (iii) received a new Card Member bonus or upgrade offer for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, or the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card in the last 24 months.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (previously the Starwood Preferred Guest® American Express Luxury Card)Welcome offer not available to applicants who have or have had:

(i) have or have had The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card or the J.P. Morgan Ritz-Carlton Rewards® Credit Card in the last 30 days, (ii) have acquired the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, or the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card in the last 90 days, or (iii) received a new Card Member bonus or upgrade offer for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, or the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card in the last 24 months.
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card (previously the Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express) Welcome offer not available to applicants who:

(i) have or have had the Marriott Bonvoy® Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card, the Marriott Bonvoy Business® Credit Card from Chase, or the Marriott Rewards® Business Credit Card from Chase in the last 30 days, (ii) have acquired the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, or the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card, in the last 90 days, or (iii) received a new Card Member bonus offer in the last 24 months on the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, or the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card.
St. Regis Bal Harbour entrance
I've used my free nights from Marriott credit cards to stay at swanky places like the St. Regis Bal Harbour / Credit: Mark Jackson

That table is a lot to take in. So, let's break it down by card.

Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card Application Rules

You can't open the card if…

Chase won't approve you for the Bonvoy Bold if you currently have any of the following cards — or you received a new cardmember bonus for any of the following cards within the last 24 months:

You can't earn the bonus if…

While you can open the card, you won't be eligible for the welcome offer if you currently have or had any of the following cards within the last 30 days:

  • Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card
  • The Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express

… or if you applied and were approved for any of the following cards within the last 90 days or received a new cardmember bonus or upgrade bonus for any of the following cards within the last 24 months:

If you qualify, here's what's currently on offer for this card:

Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
Annual Fee$0
Welcome Bonus Earn 60,000 bonus points + 1 Free Night Award after spending $2,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Free Night Award valued up to 50,000 points. Certain hotels have resort fees.
  • 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

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card Application Rules

Previous name: Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card

You can't open the card if…

If you currently have any of the following cards or you received a new cardmember bonus for any of the following cards within the last 24 months:

You can't earn the bonus if…

While you can open the card, you won't be eligible for the welcome offer if you currently have or had any of the following cards within the last 30 days:

  • Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card
  • The Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express

Or if you applied and were approved for any of the following cards within the last 90 days or received a new cardmember bonus or upgrade bonus for any of the following cards within the last 24 months:

If you qualify, here's what's currently on offer for this card:

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
Annual Fee$95
Welcome Bonus Earn five bonus Free Night Awards after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Redemption level up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points for each bonus Free Night Award, at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
  • Earn 6X Bonvoy points per $1 spent participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining, and 2X points per $1 on all other purchases
  • 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

Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card Application Rules

You can't open the card if…

If you currently have this card or you received a new Cardmember bonus for this card within the last 24 months.

You can't earn the bonus if…

While you can open the card, you won't be eligible for the welcome offer if you currently have or had any of the following cards within the last 30 days, you applied and were approved for any of the following cards within the last 90 days, or you received a new cardmember bonus or upgrade bonus for any of the following cards within the last 24 months:

If you qualify, here's what's currently on offer for this card:

Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card
Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card
Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card
Annual Fee$250
Welcome Bonus Earn 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after you spend $4,000 in eligible purchases on their Card in the first three months.
  • 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

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card Application Rules

You can't earn the bonus if…

If you have or have had these cards:

If you have or have had these cards in the last 30 days:

  • The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card from J.P. Morgan
  • The J.P. Morgan Ritz-Carlton Rewards® Credit Card
  • Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card
  • Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
  • Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card from Chase
  • The Marriott Bonvoy® Premier Credit Card from Chase
  • The Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card from Chase
  • The Marriott Bonvoy® Credit Card from Chase
  • The Marriott Rewards® Credit Card from Chase
  • Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
  • Marriott Bonvoy® Premier Plus Business Credit Card
  • The Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase
  • Marriott Bonvoy Business Credit Card from Chase
  • The Marriott Rewards Business® Credit Card from Chase

If you have acquired these cards in the last 90 days:

Or if you've received a new Card Member bonus or upgrade offer for these cards in the last 24 months:

If you qualify, here's what's currently on offer for this card:

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card
Apply Now
Rates & Fees
(Terms Apply)
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card
Annual Fee$250
Welcome Bonus Earn up to 135,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points. Earn 85,000 points after you spend $5,000 and an extra 50,000 points after you spend an additional $2,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership.
The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card delivers a Free Night Award after spending $15,000 in a calendar year, applicable for one night at hotels in the Marriott Bonvoy program (up to 50,000 points), and receive complimentary Gold Elite status. Enrollment required for select American Express benefits.
  • Earn up to 135,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points. Earn 85,000 points after you spend $5,000 and an extra 50,000 points after you spend an additional $2,000 in purchases on the Card within your 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.
  • Marriott Bonvoy® 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 Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite 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.
  • 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.
  • Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
  • 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

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card Application Rules

You can't earn the bonus if…

If you have or have had these cards in the last 30 days:

If you have acquired these cards in the last 90 days:

Or you've received a new Card Member bonus or upgrade offer in the last 24 months from these cards:

If you qualify, here's what's currently on offer for this card:

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
Apply Now
Rates & Fees
(Terms Apply)
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
Annual Fee$650
Welcome Offer Earn up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points. Earn 100,000 points after you spend $6,000 and an extra 50,000 points after you spend an additional $2,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership.
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card offers plenty of value for Marriott enthusiasts: up to $300 yearly in dining credits, Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite status, and a Free Night Award valued at up to 85K points after every card renewal. Earn 6X points at Marriott hotels, 3X on dining and direct airline bookings, and 2X on other purchases. Additional perks include a $100 property credit at select Marriott brands, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit, 25 annual Elite Night Credits, and a Priority Pass Select membership. Enrollment required for select American Express benefits.
  • Earn up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points. Earn 100,000 points after you spend $6,000 and an extra 50,000 points after you spend an additional $2,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card at restaurants worldwide.
  • With Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite Status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when the stay is booked with a Qualifying Rate at hotels that participate in Marriott Bonvoy, subject to availability upon check-in.
  • Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Earn 3X Marriott Bonvoy® points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2X Marriott Bonvoy® points on all other eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.
  • 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 a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Brilliant 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 ($120) 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.
  • Enroll in Priority Pass Select, which offers unlimited airport lounge visits 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.
  • Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
  • 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

Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card Application Rules

You can't earn the bonus if…

(i) have or have had the Marriott Bonvoy® Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy Business Credit Card from Chase, or the Marriott Rewards® Business Credit Card from Chase in the last 30 days, (ii) have acquired the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card from Chase, in the last 90 days, or (iii) received a new Card Member bonus offer in the last 24 months on the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card from Chase, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card from Chase, or the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card from Chase.

If you qualify, here's what's currently on offer for this card:

Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
AmexBonvoyBiz
Apply Now
Rates & Fees
(Terms apply)
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
Annual Fee$125
Welcome Bonus Earn 3 Free Night Awards after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
The Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card offers a suite of benefits ideal for frequent travelers and Marriott loyalists. Key benefits include complimentary Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite status, offering perks like late checkout and bonus points on stays. Cardholders also enjoy a 7% discount on eligible Marriott bookings, 15 Elite Night Credits annually, a Free Night Award each year post-renewal, and an additional Free Night Award after $60,000 annual spend. Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.
  • WELCOME OFFER: Earn 3 Free Night Awards after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Each Free Night Award has a redemption level up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points, for a total potential value of up to 150,000 points, at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees. Terms apply.
  • Receive a 7% discount on eligible bookings as a benefit of being both a Marriott Bonvoy® member & a Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card Member when you book directly with Marriott through an eligible channel for a participating property under the Amex Business Card Rate.
  • 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. Award 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 Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® 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

Final Thoughts

As you can see, a lawyer might be needed to see if you're eligible for a new Marriott credit card or Marriott credit card welcome bonus. It's safe to say that if you currently have any Marriott credit card — or have received a Marriott credit card welcome bonus in the last 24 months — you should check the fine print above of the card you're applying for to see if you're eligible.

Compounding these complicated application rules, Chase's 5/24 rule might prevent you from receiving a new Chase-issued Marriott co-branded card. And, if you're eyeing one of Amex's issued cards, know that their “once per lifetime” rule might come into play if you've already received a welcome bonus from that card or a previous version of that card in the past.

While we understand why card issuers put these rules into place — it's a business, after all — the utter madness of listing a dozen card names in each card's T&Cs makes it incredibly frustrating to understand Marriott's card application rules. But it's worth the hassle if you want to maximize the number of welcome bonuses you can earn.

For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card (Rates & Fees), Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (Rates & Fees), and Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card (Rates & Fees)

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Comments

  • ContinentHopper says:

    AMEX Bevy restrictions as listed are missing those related to having or having had the Brilliant.

  • Does taking a retention offer on an existing Marriott card impact anything here? E.g., earning Marriott points from a retention offer on an Amex Marriott card prevent you from opening Chase Marriott Boundless for 2 years?

    The terms say welcome bonus or upgrade offer, and retention offer is not either of those, so it shouldn’t impact. But since Marriott is enforcing these rules on their end, I’m paranoid they may treat a retention offer like an upgrade offer on their end. Anyone have DPs here?

  • Hi All I’m going to get the Marriott credit card. But I need to know when I should apply. I need the 15 elite night bonus to post in January or February of 2024. Any help is appreciated thanks

    • Ryan Smith says:

      Hi Robert, these elite nights will post every year. If you don’t currently have a Marriott credit card and open one now, you would get the elite night credits shortly after opening the account. Then, you’ll get them again January of each year that your account is opening.

  • This is by far the most helpful post I’ve seen. Does anyone have a data point on the definition of “received a new Card Member bonus offer in the last 24 months on the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card from Chase”? I received the bonus on January 8, 2021, but signed up for the bonus offer on October 14, 2020. I have to assume it’s from when I received the bonus.

    Next year, 2022 I have 12 nights booked with points, and with 15 nights from Boundless, the 15 nights from a business card would get me platinum status. The question is, if I apply in November 2022, will I be eligible for the bonus(24 months after sig, or do I have to wait till after February 2023 (24 months after receiving bonus points). It’s tough as the only Business card is the AMEX once in a lifetime offer which I don’t want to lose just to get Platinum status at Marriott.

    Thanks in advance!

    • Thanks! Glad that this post helped! Indeed, it’s based on when you received the bonus – so January 8, 2021. Totally understand not wanting to miss out on the bonus or Platinum! Hopefully you’ll be able to get some more paid (and reward) stays for 2022.

  • Thanks for this helpful compilation, much easier to have all these restrictions in table form in one location.

    For Chase cards, like the Boundless, Chase will just deny the applicant without a credit inquiry if it’s been within 24 months of earning the welcome/sign-up bonus for the same card. As AMEX is lifetime, does AMEX do the same for an application of the same/similar card? For example, if I don’t remember if I opened a SPG Business card years ago, but try to apply for the Bonvoy Business card. Would the application system automatically detect my prior SPG Business account and deny me the Bonvoy Business without proceeding all the way to the credit check stage of the application?

    Much appreciated

    • Yes! Amex will pop up a window letting you know (when you click apply, but before pulling credit) if you aren’t eligible for the welcome bonus.

  • If we have the Amex Marriott business card that is still open can we apply for the Chase Boundless card and get the bonus? It has been 24 months since we received the bonus on the Amex Marriott business card. I have read conflicting reports and trying to decide if we really need to cancel the business card. Thanks!

    • You should be set as long as you only have the Amex Marriott Business Card and earned the bonus more than 24 months ago. That portion of the T&C read: “The bonus is not available to you if you…are a current or previous cardmember of either Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card (also known as The Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express) or Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card (also known as the Starwood Preferred Guest® American Express Luxury Card), and received a new cardmember bonus or upgrade bonus in the last 24 months”

  • So, if I have an AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Business card, under a tax ID or my social security number, and I have a 2nd business under my name with a 2nd tax ID#, would I be able to apply for any of the cards with this promotion – and get the bonus miles?

    • Sorry for the delay. You can get the Chase issued Personal cards as long as you didn’t (a.) open the Amex Marriott business card in the past 90 days AND (b.) Didn’t earn a welcome bonus on the Amex Marriott business card in the past 24 months.

      For a new Marriott business card, I believe you are not allowed to have more than one, but it’s possible that a different biz ID could be an exception.

  • Scott Peterson says:

    WP20: 100,000 Bonvoy points aren’t all that much, as the points themselves have been devalued. Hotels with low point redemptions are usually in places I would generally not visit.

  • What a load of… from Marriott. What does a SPG biz card have to do with a personal Chase card? Do you know when the 100k offer will end? My wife got the SPG biz April of 2017 and so I’m guessing she didn’t get the bonus until a month or so after that so should we be thinking of applying in May or even June? Or is she ok to apply in April as that will be 2 years?

  • This is the easiest post I have seen in regards to this, thanks for all your great work to educate!

  • Quick question, if I have a second business with a second tax ID number, am I eligible for a second SPG Business card?

  • Thanks for the cleanest and easiest to read blog on those credit cards! By the way, it’s been exceedingly frustrating to get the SPG and Marriott accounts combined. It seems that everyone needs a NEW SPG number to log in and combine. However, Marriott/SPG has not sent all of those numbers out yet! Calling in yesterday and today….and finally getting the process done was over the top ridiculous! I finally asked for complimentary points …for the hassel….and they gave them! FYI – they probably will not offer…you may want to ASK…and ye shall Receive!

  • Thank you- very helpful

  • conclusion is points bonus is getting less and less! but still we love these hotels and will stick to them for long time

  • I’m really getting tired of hearing about SPG and Marriott and all of the stunts that they pull and all of the switching of the rules!!

    Thanks for keeping us informed. I’m ready to look at the glamour and simplicity of Hilton. We just returned from a delightful stay at the Hilton Rose Hall all-inclusive resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica. It is a wonderful family friendly Resort!

  • Thx , I will let my friend know that he is not going to get bonus miles , he is going to be mad.

  • Hope to see more options in Canada as well!

  • I’m sure a lot of people aren’t going to realize this until they apply for a card and don’t get the sign up bonus.

  • Almost seems like a devaluation. Thanks for the update.

  • More and more restrictions are taking the opportunities and fun away.

  • Thanks for the reminder.
    Still debating whether to get the new luxury card at this moment…

  • painful to follow these rules.

  • Gaston Porterie says:

    Thanks – this is one of the best summaries of this convoluted subject!

  • Too bad I had AMEX SPG personal and biz before and I don’t do chase. The only choice is the SPG lux card.

  • thanks for the reminder!

  • Bernard Say says:

    People who are maxed out due to the 5/24 rule should take advantage of this while they can.

  • Marriott is going to loose alot of patrons between this and the merger devaluation.

  • Too much power for Marriott!!!!

  • We’ll probably see more and more of this in these situations moving forward. Just means we’ll have to be smarter in our plans.

  • Thanks for the reminder – i can’t follow up on all changes myself!

  • Quick question – are Amex and Chase working together on this. How does one company know what the other one gives?

  • Thanks for the reminder!

  • Thank you for the reminder. It is hard to keep up with all the changes towards more difficult restrictions.

  • The bottom line is points game is getting less and less interesting to play! I miss good old days really.

    • There will be something new around the corner!

      • Yes, we must keep the faith that the pendulum simply must swing back at some point. Loyalty programs are very valuable to companies, and they will not want to lose our interest. At some point, they will have to compete for it with quality.