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

Offers for the Marriott Bonvoy Bold^® Credit Card, The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Business Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy™ Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Premier Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card, Marriott Bonvoy^® Premier Plus Business Credit Card, Marriott Rewards^® Premier Plus 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 multiple Marriott credit cards issued by both American Express and Chase sounds like a great strategy. However, Marriott has several layers of complicated application rules that limit which cards and welcome offers you're eligible for.

Here's what you need to know about Marriott credit card application rules and welcome offer eligibility before you apply.

Related: How To Choose Between Marriott Bonvoy^® Credit Cards

How Marriott Credit Card Eligibility Rules Work

Let's start off by defining some of the most common rules that Marriott has set up with its co-branded credit card partners. These eligibility rules come into play when you're applying for a new Marriott credit card — from either American Express or Chase — and factors in whether you currently have or previously had another Marriott card, were approved for one, or received a new cardmember or upgrade bonus.

Each Marriott card has its own restrictions based on your history with certain other Marriott cards. These timelines are:

• 30 days: You currently have or have had a specific card within the last 30 days.
• 90 days: You were approved for a specific card within the last 90 days.
• 24 months: You received a new cardmember bonus or upgrade bonus for a specific card within the last 24 months.

I've used my free nights from Marriott credit cards to stay at swanky places like the St. Regis Bal Harbour / Credit: Mark Jackson

Marriott Bonvoy Bold^® Credit Card Application Rules

You can't open this card if…

You can't earn the bonus if…

If you qualify, here's the current offer:

Marriott Bonvoy Bold^® Credit Card

Welcome Bonus Earn 45,000 Bonus Points after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

Marriott Bonvoy Bold^® Credit Card

Welcome Bonus Earn 45,000 Bonus Points after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

Annual Fee:$0

Show moreEarning Rates

• 3X points for every $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^®
• 2X points for every $1 spent at grocery stores, rideshare, select food delivery, select streaming, and internet, cable, and phone services
• 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 this card if…

You can't earn the bonus if…

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

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card

Apply Now

Rates & Fees

Welcome Bonus Earn 3 Free Night Awards after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months of account opening with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card. Redeem your Free Night Award for a one-night stay at properties with a redemption level up to 50,000 points per night. Certain hotels have resort fees. Special Offer through 6/30/2027: Get up to $100 in statement credits after spending $500 on eligible airline purchases. That's $50 in statement credits semi-annually.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card

Welcome Bonus Earn 3 Free Night Awards after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months of account opening with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card. Redeem your Free Night Award for a one-night stay at properties with a redemption level up to 50,000 points per night. Certain hotels have resort fees. Special Offer through 6/30/2027: Get up to $100 in statement credits after spending $500 on eligible airline purchases. That's $50 in statement credits semi-annually.

Annual Fee:$95

Show moreHighlightsEarning Rates

• Earn 3 Free Night Awards (valued up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 on qualifying purchases in the first 3 months spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months of account opening.
• Special Offer through 6/30/2027: Get up to $100 in statement credits after spending $500 on eligible airline purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually.
• Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases annually on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining.
• Earn 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend.
• 1 Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary.
• Earn up to 17X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Card.
• Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually, automatic Silver Elite status, and path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each calendar year.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees. Your points don't expire as long as you make purchases on your card every 24 months.
• Member FDIC

• 6X points for every $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^®
• 3X points for every $1 spent on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases annually on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining
• 2X points on all other eligible purchases

Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card Application Rules

You can't open this card if…

You can't earn the bonus if…

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

Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card

How to Apply

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

Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card

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

Annual Fee:$250

Show moreEarning Rates

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

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy^® American Express^® Card

How to Apply

Rates & Fees
(Terms apply)

Welcome Bonus Earn 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy^® American Express^® Card

Welcome Bonus Earn 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

Annual Fee:$250

Show moreWhy We Like ItHighlightsEarning Rates

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 85,000 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.
• 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®. Terms apply. See www.marriott.com/loyalty/terms/default.mi for more information.
• Earn up to 18.5X Marriott Bonvoy® points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Earn 6X points with the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card. Earn up to 10X points from Marriott Bonvoy for being a Marriott Bonvoy member. Earn up to 2.5X points from Marriott Bonvoy with the 25% Bonus Points on Stays, a benefit available with your complimentary Gold Elite status.
• 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® American Express® Card in a calendar year. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at a participating hotel. Certain hotels have resort fees.
• 15 Elite Night Credits: Each calendar year, receive 15 Elite Night Credits towards 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.
• Booking the trip is easy. Avoiding delays is next to impossible. If a round-trip is paid for entirely with your Eligible Card and a covered reason delays your trip more than 12 hours, Trip Delay Insurance can help reimburse certain additional expenses purchased on the same Eligible Card, up to $300 per trip, maximum 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• Plan It® is a payment option that lets you split up large purchases into monthly installments with a fixed fee. A fixed monthly fee is shown upfront so you'll know exactly how much you'll pay. Plus, you'll still earn rewards for the purchases you plan 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.

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

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card

How to Apply

Rates & Fees
(Terms apply)

Welcome Offer Earn 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card

Welcome Offer Earn 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

Annual Fee:$650

Show moreWhy We Like ItHighlightsEarning Rates

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 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 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 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines.
• Earn 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
• Earn up to 21X Marriott Bonvoy® points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Earn 6X points with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. Earn up to 10X points from Marriott Bonvoy for being a Marriott Bonvoy member. Earn up to 5X points from Marriott Bonvoy with the 50% Bonus Points on Stays, a benefit available with your complimentary Platinum Elite status.
• $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: With the $300 Brilliant Dining Credit, you can get up to $25 per month each calendar year in statement credits for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide when you pay with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.
• With complimentary Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite status, earn up to 5X points from Marriott Bonvoy® on eligible hotel purchases with the 50% Bonus Points on stays benefit.
• 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®, such as Le Metropolitan, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel in Paris. 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.
• Receive either a $120 statement credit for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee every 4 years, when charged to your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Each calendar year, receive 25 Elite Night Credits towards 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.
• With your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you can enroll in Priority Pass™, with an unlimited number of visits to over 1,300 airport lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or in-between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks and internet access in a comfortable location.
• Trip Cancelled or Interrupted? If you purchase a round-trip entirely with your Eligible Card and a covered reason cancels or interrupts your trip, we may be able to help. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
• $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.

• 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…

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

Marriott Bonvoy Business^® American Express^® Card

How to Apply

Rates & Fees
(Terms apply)

Welcome Bonus Limited Time Offer: Earn 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® Bonus Points and 1 Free Night Award after you spend $8,000 in purchases on the Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. The Free Night Award has a redemption level up to 50,000 points at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^®. Resort fees and terms apply. Offer ends 11/4/26.

Marriott Bonvoy Business^® American Express^® Card

Welcome Bonus Limited Time Offer: Earn 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® Bonus Points and 1 Free Night Award after you spend $8,000 in purchases on the Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. The Free Night Award has a redemption level up to 50,000 points at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^®. Resort fees and terms apply. Offer ends 11/4/26.

Annual Fee:$125

Show moreWhy We Like ItHighlightsEarning Rates

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.

• Limited Time Offer: Earn 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy® Bonus Points and 1 Free Night Award after you spend $8,000 in purchases on the Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. The Free Night Award has a redemption level up to 50,000 points at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Resort fees and terms apply. Offer ends 11/4/26.
• 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 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 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.

• 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

Related: Amex Just Tightened Marriott Credit Card Bonus Rules — With No Notice

Don’t Forget Amex and Chase Application Rules

In addition to restricting you from earning every possible Marriott welcome offer, 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 are layered on top of each issuer's application restrictions, like Amex’s five credit cards max rule, Amex's “once per lifetime” welcome offer rule, and Chase’s 5/24 policy.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, a lawyer might be needed to see if you're eligible for a new Marriott credit card or a Marriott credit card welcome bonus. Besides the rules mentioned above, it's also important to understand that both Chase and Amex have their own general issuer rules, such as Chase's 5/24 rule or Amex's “once per lifetime” rule. These rules come into play on top of the Marriott-specific rules outlined in this post.

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.

For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card (Rates & Fees), 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)