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Offers for the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card and Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card are not available through this site. Some offers may have expired. Please see our card marketplace for available offers
I've used some mix of Marriott Bonvoy® credit cards for over a decade to maximize my stays with the brand, saving thousands of dollars over that time by way of free nights, upgrades, and even free breakfast. Marriott's co-branded credit card options are varied and prolific. You'll currently find seven in total across two credit card issuers. However, it's not easy to decipher the application rules for this combined card lineup. And it can be confusing to determine which card (or cards) is best for you. You're forgiven if you're confused by all the credit cards that start with the letter B.
In this post, we'll look at the Marriott Bonvoy credit card options, including their benefits and how they could fit into your travel strategy.
Page Contents
- No-Annual-Fee Marriott Credit Card
- Mid-Tier Marriott Credit Cards
- Premium Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards
- Business Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Card Strategy
- Bottom Line
- Marriott Credit Cards FAQ
- What credit cards give you Marriott status?
- Are there any Marriott credit cards with Titanium status?
- What is the best credit card for Marriott status?
- Do Marriott credit cards have an annual fee?
- Do Marriott credit cards offer free nights?
- What credit score is needed for a Marriott credit card?
- Can I have more than one Marriott credit card at the same time?
- Is having a Marriott co-branded credit card worth it?
No-Annual-Fee Marriott Credit Card
The Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card is the only co-branded Marriott credit card that doesn't charge an annual fee. Cardmembers receive automatic Marriott elite status at the Silver Elite tier courtesy of the 5 elite night credits issued with the card, plus you'll get 30,000 Bonus Points after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
- 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
The major consideration for folks looking to apply for the Bonvoy Bold is that it can lock you out from getting more valuable Marriott cards, thanks to the Chase 5/24 rule.
The Bonvoy Bold is perfect if you want the 5 elite night credits to help you reach a higher elite status tier. The 30,000 Bonus Points-point bonus is also decent for a no-annual-fee hotel card. But there are more valuable Marriott Bonvoy cards to consider that also include this benefit. And it's worth pointing out that changes are coming to this card in July, liking reducing the value proposition.
Related: Bonvoy Bold Card Review
Mid-Tier Marriott Credit Cards
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
The $95-annual-fee Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card delivers top benefits for a mid-tier hotel card. For starters, you'll earn up to 17x points per dollar spent at Marriott Bonvoy-participating hotels. In recent AwardWallet redemptions, users have received 0.93¢ per point in valuation from Marriott points. That means you can earn 16 cents per dollar back in value as Marriott points.
- 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
The annual fee for the Marriott Boundless is $95, and the card provides an annual free night award worth up to 35,000 points — as well as Marriott allowing you to add up to 15,000 Bonvoy points to each free night award for higher-value bookings. That will take you far at some of the top hotels for using Marriott free night awards, and it's easy to redeem the annual free night for more than the cost of the annual fee.
Related: Marriott Boundless Card Review
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card
The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card is the first American Express co-branded Marriott Bonvoy credit card on this list. The Bonvoy Bevy comes with a $250 annual fee (Rates & Fees) and a current welcome offer of 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases in the first six months.
- 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®.
- 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.
- 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
With this card, you can earn up to 18.5x points per dollar spent at Marriott Bonvoy-participating hotels: 6x from the card and 12.5x from your Marriott Gold Elite status earned from the card. Note that the card doesn't provide a free night automatically on your cardmember anniversary. To get a free night worth up to 50,000 points, you'll need to spend $15,000 in a calendar year on purchases with your card, which is a big negative of this card. However, it does provide 1,000 bonus points on each paid stay you make with Marriott Bonvoy.
Related: Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Card Review
Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card
The Marriott Bountiful certainly feels premium with its $250 annual fee. However, the card doesn't come with an annual free night like some of Marriott's other premium co-branded credit cards. The sign-up bonus, however, is pretty nice. 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
With both the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Card from Amex and the Marriott Bountiful from Chase, you'll only earn a free night after you spend $15,000 on the card every calendar year. The free night is worth up to 50,000 points. You'll also receive automatic Gold Elite status while holding either of these cards and earn 1,000 bonus points on each paid stay.
Related: Hotel Credit Cards That Provide Free Annual Night Certificates
Premium Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is Marriott's premium co-branded card. It provides the highest level of perks available to Marriott Bonvoy members, including automatic Platinum Elite status. The welcome offer is currently 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 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: 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.
- A Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite member will earn 50% more points on eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy for each U.S. dollar or the currency equivalent that is incurred and paid for by the member.
- 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.
- 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.
- With your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you can enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, with an unlimited number of visits to over 1,200 airport 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.
- 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.
- 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
This card has a compelling welcome offer and plenty of high-value perks and benefits, but the underwhelming earning rates and higher annual fee since 2022 make the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card less attractive to me than it was in the past. I think that The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card, which is unfortunately no longer open to new applicants, is a more effective premium Marriott Bonvoy credit card.
With the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card, you'll also receive an annual free night award worth up to 85,000 points on each cardmember anniversary, which you can top off with up to 15,000 Bonvoy points to redeem for hotels up to 100,000 points. The card also provides up to $300 annually in dining credits (available as up to $25 per month) and a Priority Pass™ lounge membership. Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.
Related: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card Review
The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card is no longer offered to new applicants, but you can product change to the card if you jump through a few hoops. If you do so, you'll receive a bevy of benefits, including 18.5x Marriott Bonvoy® points per dollar spent at Marriotts, automatic Gold Elite status, and a free night award worth up to 85,000 points per night on each cardmember anniversary. This can also be topped off with 15,000 Bonvoy points to redeem for award stays up to 100,000 points. You'll also get a Priority Pass™ lounge membership with this card.
Business Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
American Express has emerged from the two banks as the lone holder of the Bonvoy co-branded business card. The Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card has a $125 annual fee (Rates & Fees). The welcome offer is up to 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy® Points — 75,000 bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases and an extra 50,000 bonus points after you make an additional $3,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- WELCOME OFFER: Earn up to 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy® Bonus Points. Earn 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases and an extra 50,000 bonus points after you make an additional $3,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- 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.
- 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
This card is a better fit for everyday spending than the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card or Marriott Boundless, thanks to a more competitive 4x earning on categories such as restaurants worldwide and U.S. wireless telephone services. Cardholders also receive complimentary Gold Elite status with this card.
Plus, if you hold both the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Business Card, you'll receive a total of 40 Marriott elite night credits each year (the maximum elite night credits from each card). That means you'll only be 10 nights away from Marriott Platinum Elite status with this strategy. This doesn't apply to holding two personal Marriott cards and is a massive incentive to get the Marriott business card.
Remember that you get automatic Platinum Elite status with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card, so those free Elite Night Credits could put you closer to earning Titanium Elite status (which requires 75 nights annually).
Related: Marriott Bonvoy Business Card Review
Marriott Bonvoy Card Strategy
Marriott co-branded cards offer a lot of perks, from Marriott Bonvoy status to free night certificates on card anniversaries. However, before applying, consider these three important points:
- First, if you're considering other credit card offers in the future, know your Chase 5/24 status. This doesn't mean you have to apply for a Chase credit card first, but know that the number of credit cards you open in the next 24 months may affect your ability to apply for the Chase-issued Marriott credit cards detailed in this post.
- Next, consider your credit card history, and make sure you're aware of Marriott card application rules to check your welcome offer eligibility.
- Finally, consider your future stays with Marriott. By doing so, you'll understand what status you're hoping to attain and can help maximize benefits and rewards on your next stay. The right hotel elite status can really elevate your next stay.
Related: Last-Minute Strategies To Reach Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status
Bottom Line
As you can see, a variety of cards earn Marriott points. Take your time to choose the right card for your needs and credit card strategy. Hopefully, this breakdown of benefits has informed your next strategic move within the Marriott Bonvoy program and will help you maximize your next hotel stay.
Marriott Credit Cards FAQ
What credit cards give you Marriott status?
There are seven credit cards that give cardholders Marriott Bonvoy status. The no-annual-fee Marriott Boundless grants Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Card, Marriott Bountiful, Ritz-Carlton Card, and Marriott Bonvoy Business Card offer Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card is the only credit card to offer Marriott Bonvoy's Platinum Elite status.
Are there any Marriott credit cards with Titanium status?
Unfortunately, there are no Marriott credit cards offering Marriott Titanium Elite status. However, Marriott co-branded cards do offer a quicker path to Titanium, as several offer automatic elite nights that help cardholders reach the 75-night threshold for Titanium status.
What is the best credit card for Marriott status?
The best credit card for Marriott status is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card. The card offers Marriott Platinum Elite status for as long as you hold the card. No Marriott credit card offers Titanium or Ambassador status, meaning this is the highest level of status you can receive automatically.
Do Marriott credit cards have an annual fee?
All Marriott co-branded credit cards have an annual fee, except for the Bonvoy Bold. However, this card offers the most pared down slate of benefits. If you're looking to maximize your experience with the Marriott Bonvoy elite program with a co-branded credit card, one with an annual fee will offer more benefits.
Do Marriott credit cards offer free nights?
Yes, several Marriott credit cards offer free nights as a yearly account anniversary benefit and for spending on the card. There are free night certificates for 35,000 points, 50,000 points, and 85,000 points, which can all be topped off with 15,000 extra Marriott Bonvoy points from your account.
What credit score is needed for a Marriott credit card?
While there are many factors that go into a successful credit card application, very good to excellent credit is recommended before applying for a Marriott credit card.
Can I have more than one Marriott credit card at the same time?
Yes! However, you'll want to make sure you're aware of Marriott credit card application rules to ensure you qualify for the welcome bonus. Marriott even rewards those with both a personal and business Marriott co-branded card by granting them up to 40 elite nights towards status each year.
Is having a Marriott co-branded credit card worth it?
If you stay at Marriott properties frequently throughout the year, a Marriott co-branded card can be completely worth it. However, understanding your stay patterns and weighing that against annual fees and other credit card options is important before making any decision on your next credit card.
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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Hi, please help shed some light. I have SPG $95 AE bonvoy now (since 2010). I would like to apply for Chase brilliant 250K points. I’ve did the research and it’s either 30 days never have had the card (which I qualify) or 30 days cancellation period on the existing spg card. Any thoughts? Thanks!
We get much more into the nitty-gritty of Marriott card eligibility in this post: https://awardwallet.com/blog/marriott-card-application-rules/
Are you referring to the Chase Bonvoy Boundless card’s 5 night certificates (each worth up to 50k) offer? If so, it does look like you’d need to cancel (or potentially product change?) your existing card and then wait 30 days.
“Eligibility for the new cardmember bonus: The bonus is not available to you if you (1) are a current cardmember, or were a previous cardmember within the last 30 days, of Marriott Bonvoy® American Express® Card (also known as The Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express)”
Nice to able to earn points on the Bonvoy card even though they are devalued; however getting Marriott status (Gold elite) has not gotten us a single room upgrade over 21 stays Jan to Apr 2019. Don’t expect it. Book other rooms than Marriott and get what you want instead of anticipating an upgrade.
Thank you for the detailed post. Much appreciated.
Too bad the Bonvoy cards earn 33% less points on regular purchases compared to SPG
The Bonvoy Brilliant annual $300 statement credit offsets the $450 annual fee pretty nicely. Even so, agree that point accrual and gold status vs platinum could be better. Still may consider in the future..Thanks for the great insight!
One problem I have run into in the past with Marriott Rewards (now Bonvoy) is that free night certificates are only good for a certain level of hotel, and very often in big cities such as Washington DC, and london, there are no hotels at that level. So, you end up having to stay far away or not use the certificate.
AMEX and Chase scramble to divide up the strangely renamed Marriott affinity credit card pie:
Badly Branded Bonvoy Boundless/ Brilliant Battles Belie Bad Bank Business Breakup
Great info to read. Can’t believe they debuted Bonvoy commercials during the Oscars telecast!
The Amex luxury card is pretty disappointing, comparing to all other high annual fee cards. Wonder if it’s due to dual-issuer agreement which makes Amex less compelled to give very competitive features.
Awesome! Thank you for clarifying this
Between the two, I personally like the Amex cards. Customer service is above all.
I need to wait a few more months until I’m eligible again to apply, but am bookmarking the application rules post. Thanks!
Quite the tangled web of cards. Thanks for making some sense of it.
Is there a way to convert AAdvantage miles to Marriott points?
Love Marriott brand hotels, especially now they are even bigger with SPG hotels. Would def consider getting the co-brand new cards.
I’ve had the Chase Marriott cars for years and recently upgraded it. Would there be good reason to apply for the AmEx Marriott card to take advantage of their sign on bonus points, or would I be ineligible for it?
Eligibility depends on the exact card you hold, when you applied for it, and the last time you received a bonus on it. Check out the bullet points next to the card you want to apply for in our updated Marriott card application rules post.
Rich
Thanks for the though breakdown of the new types of credit cards.
Thanks for the breakdown. It is helpful as I am debating whether to go with Hilton or Marriott for my travel and will get a CC to enhance earnings.
The 2x points on all non Marriott spending isn’t enough to make me jump for the new card.
Thanks for this article, it helps a lot. I still can’t get over the name Bonvoy though!
Amex wouldn’t allow the Bonvoy Business if you have Chase Marriott Personal
Sure do miss earning the 3x SPG points on the old SPG card…
I need a new Marriott card!
be careful if you have had the bonus from Amex before (for SPG) then you may not be eligible for the new AMEX bonvoy cards. There are some specific rules around this. search other blogs for more detailed info about it.
Statement credits for the Luxury card have the potential to completely negate the annual fee if you spend on certain things.
I don’t like how bonus points are limited to US locations but that’s across the board with Amex.
Love Marriott experience every time I stayed. Great to be part of the program.
Wow what amazing deals – wish we had something similar in the UK! Still have the SPG Amex at a fairly poor earning rate (with minimal benefits for annual fee) and a Marriott MasterCard which is closed to new applicants!
thank for the information. very helpful
I’m still sorting through the Marriott Bonvoy program overall now that it has consolidated, but this is a great summary of the different cards I’ll have a choice of with the new program when I decide if the fees will be worth it. Very helpful, thanks.
It’ll be interesting to see what happens in the UK, where the SPG card is still available.
Great layout to best understand what you get where. I’m waiting for the no AF card from Chase. I wonder when they might put that out. I don’t use Marriott enough to justify the cards with the AF right now.
Just wish one was available in Australia.
with this new bonvoy launch, the credit card offerings have gotten pretty messed up. The new AmEx bonvoy business card didn’t provide any additional benefits but they still increased the annual fee. That on top of the loss of 1/3 rd of the earning rate. I”m likely going to cancel the card.
It is really a wonderful gift to us that you are able to analyze this amount of data and clearly explain it to the rest of us. Thank you!
making it more confusing everyday so you either squander your points, never use them or never earn them… I miss the old days
Can the 100,000 AE points be transferred to United Airlines or Marriott? Previously to transfer AE points to either program one had to transfer AE to Marriott then from Marriott to UA. There wasn’t a direct transfer from AE to UA. It’s been a while since I did this so I may be mistaken. The basic question …can I transfer the business AE 100,000 points to either Marriott or UA?
Regards,
Nick
Still no direct transfer between Membership Rewards and United. You can transfer Membership Rewards to Marriott at a 1:1 ratio but it’s not a recommended use of your points as Amex points are much more valuable than Marriott Points.
Helpful info. as these restrictions/qualifications are continually getting more complicated and requiring more careful consideration.
I do think Bonvoy is the worst name of any loyalty program.
This is a huge help in understanding the nuances of the cards. I find these explanations extremely helpful. Thanks! I think I know which direction I’m heading towards finally!
Thanks for the breakdown. 4x points at gas stations, the extra night and auto status on the business card is a worthwhile consideration for me.
Thanks for sharing the breakdown. Very helpful!
Looking to mortgage shop around September so I will have to miss out on any credit card sign ups until after all of that is complete.
It’s very confusing, they should have stuck with either Chase or Amex.
Too many rules to even get a card.
Thanks for this, much appreciated.
Great info. Want this deal.
Thank you for pointing out the most valuable card for us.
strange the UK SPG Amex is still available for new sign-ups.
I’m still really not sure which marketing agency thought bonvoy was a good name?! But putting that aside, I’ve found the integration betweeen Marriott and SPG fairly smooth, and I’m enjoying being able to book some top end former spg properties using points advance.
Imagine them announcing it at the airports for people are apart of that status.
Wow! This lays it out all out nicely compared to other posts I’ve seen about these changes. Thank you! And thank you for the Marriott card eligibility link – super helpful as I strategize which cards to get in what order!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I don’t understand why the Bonvoy business card is any better, especially with the increased fee since there is no increase in benefit with the increase in fee. Unless you are spend significantly in the bonus categories (which by the way are bonus categories for other cards as well and provides better value there), its much better to just get the personal chase version.
Ability to get a second free night, the higher bonus categories and currently higher welcome bonus put it above the personal version IMO
Thank you for the clarity. Heavily invested in SPG / Marriot and looking toward getting new program card.
Thanks for reminding me of the AMEX ‘Welcome Tool’ to ascertain eligibility (since Chase is out (5/24).
Business card it is! Needed a cooling couple months before my next chase business card
The Automatic Silver Elite status is good.
Will have to think about what to do next!
Wow, I’m actually impressed by the premium card… elite status, $300 Marriott credit, and annual free night cert is pretty compelling.
I have both the Bonvoy Brilliant card and the business card and will probably keep them. With the 300 dollar credit, the luxury card annual fee is reasonable. I wish it had a better earn rate at their hotels — the same earn rate as the other cards is disappointing. I agree that the business card has the best for category earnings. It will be my gas card when there are no quarterly gas bonuses.
A very confusing line up of cards compared to other chains. Thanks for the rundown on the latest changes.
I have no idea what I’m going to do with my remaining cards. I previously dropped the business versions of my SPG and Marriott cards.
Too bad Amex isn’t an option for entry level – partner doesn’t like Chase due to banking scandals
Don’t think business card is better one. Bonus categories may be better but how many readers here are using only one card?
With effectively $150 fee for Brilliant, $125 for business is really high.
Anyway, we will still keep two Lux, 1 Amex biz, 2 Chase Biz for a while.
Some useful information here, thanks.
Being burdened with Chase 5/24 I do not have to worry about any new Chase cards at this time.
I very much appreciate your spinning of a “burden” into “no worry for me here.” Turning such a negative on its head is probably a tool that serves you well in life. And, I need to take a lesson from you!
Thanks for the info. This seems to be the clearest explanation I’ve seen, so far.
you’re welcome!
Seems to me the luxury card gets the most bang for the buck.
Well that makes sense!
The “Cross over” rules (see Marriott card eligibility resource.) are really a PITA. I suddenly have an Amex Bonvoy card and my husband has a Chase Bonvoy card. I was the lucky one – I got approved for the new Amex Bonvoy Business card; my husband was the unlucky one. He upgraded his Chase Marriott card i November and got points AND he hasn’t had the card for 24 months yet.
Couldn’t agree more. Basically an act of collusion. Not saying it’s illegal or anything like that, but to see companies start to partner in this way is concerning.
The $95 is justified with the card. I wish it was a little higher or offered more points, but it’s worth it and justified for sure.
The free night is worth it. I wish it was a little more value/higher levels, but it’s still good enough to justify.
I hope they clarify the posting times of when the free night cert will hit out accounts
I’m really sad Amex is not issuing the basic consumer card anymore.
Yea, its difficult to pick up cards with Chase if youve been in the space a while