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When it comes to earning rewards, free nights, travel benefits, and perks that make your hotel stay more comfortable, nothing beats a hotel-branded credit card.
And if you’re a fan of Marriott’s Bonvoy program, you’ll have several cards from which to select, all of which deliver generous levels of Marriott-centric benefits.
While both Chase and American Express issue Marriott Bonvoy-branded credit cards, there are several consistent earning and benefit offerings.
All Marriott Bonvoy-branded credit cards that charge an annual fee offer accelerated earnings at Marriott properties, complimentary elite status, annual free hotel night certificates, and plenty of flexible redemption options for your points.
However, one of the Marriott Bonvoy-branded cards may be a better fit for you than the others. Let’s take a look at what each of these cards has to offer by comparing earning power, benefits, and overall value.
There are 6 Marriott Bonvoy-branded cards from which to select. Each offers its own package of earning rates, redemption options, and stay benefits — let’s take a look at the highlights.
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesA premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a premium card designed with road warriors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalists in mind.
So is the card a worthwhile addition to your wallet?
If you’re looking for a premium Marriott Bonvoy-branded card with equally premium benefits, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card checks those boxes. The card comes with statement credits for Marriott purchases, worldwide airport lounge access, a valuable Free Night Award, Marriott Bonvoy elite status, and much more.
Let’s look at what you can expect from this card designed specifically for the traveler who stays frequently at Marriott properties.
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesThe Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card gives you automatic Marriott elite status and helps you earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on your everyday purchases.
The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card, the latest mid-tier offering in the Marriott Bonvoy lineup of cards, offers cardholders automatic elite status and ways to earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on each of their stays and daily purchases.
The new American Express-issued Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card slots in between some of the lower-end options and the premium (and very expensive) Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card. It provides an easy way to get elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy program, given that cardholders receive complimentary Gold Elite status as a perk of the card.
The Marriott Bountiful card offers automatic elite status and helps you earn more points on every purchase.
The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card can help enhance your Marriott stays by offering automatic elite status, bonus points on paid stays, and Elite Night Credits, and it helps you earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on your day-to-day purchases.
The also-new Marriott Bountiful card offers essentially the same suite of perks as the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card, but it is issued by Chase. Like its Amex-issued counterpart, it also offers cardholders complimentary Gold Elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy program.
Marriott loyalists will love this card's annual free night award, automatic elite status, and up to 17x points per $1 on Marriott hotel stays.
If you’re a frequent traveler and a Marriott loyalist, there’s a lot to love about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. The card comes packed with several great benefits like a free hotel night once a year, automatic Silver Elite status (with a fast-track to Gold Elite status), and multiple options for redeeming points.
With complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status, accelerated earnings, and an annual Free Night Award, the Marriott Boundless card can be a staple for the Marriott Bonvoy traveler.
The card has a lower annual fee and offers good value, even if you stay at a Marriott just a few times per year.
A great option for Marriott hotel fans who want a no annual fee card and automatic Marriott Bonvoy elite status.
Casual travelers who like to frequent properties that are part of the Marriott Bonvoy collection of brands may want to consider the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card.
The Marriott Bold card rewards cardholders for Marriott stays and gives them a boost towards Marriott Bonvoy elite status.
If you’re looking for a Marriott Bonvoy-branded card that offers elevated earnings at Marriott properties but you’d rather avoid paying an annual fee, the Marriott Bold card could be a match.
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesA great option for business owners who stay in Marriott hotels and want automatic elite status.
Business travelers who opt for Marriott as their hotel chain of choice will definitely want to consider the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card. The card offers great benefits to cardholders like a complimentary hotel night once a year, complimentary Gold Elite status, and multiple point redemption options.
If you have a business, regardless of size, the Marriott Bonvoy Business card might be just the ticket for earning free hotel nights to offset business expenses or for a personal vacation. Having the card is also a way to enjoy Gold Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy during all your travels.
Hot Tip: You’ll be able to triple dip on points earned when using your Marriott-branded card to pay for your stay. Earn up to 6x points for each dollar spent on your card, 10x points per dollar spent on the property during your Marriott stay, plus up to 75% bonus points for having Marriott Bonvoy elite status.
Marriott Bonvoy-branded cards offer accelerated earnings when used for purchases at the affiliated hotel properties. Here’s a breakdown of the additional earning potential for each card.
| Marriott Bonvoy Card | Reward Earnings per Dollar Spent | Annual Fee |
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card |
| $650 |
| Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card |
| $250 |
| Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card |
| $250 |
| Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card |
| $95 |
| Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card |
| $0 |
| Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card |
| $125 |
Finding a balance between earnings that match your spending profile and paying an annual fee with which you’re comfortable could be a primary decision when selecting a Marriott Bonvoy-branded personal card.
If you have a small business and Marriott Bonvoy is your hotel brand of choice, it may be prudent to consider the additional earnings on the Marriott Bonvoy Business card.
Bottom Line: For bonus earnings on everyday purchases (up to $6,000 in purchases each year), the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card may be a good choice. If you’re a business owner, the Marriott Bonvoy Business card with a collection of 4x earning categories for typical business purchases offers the greatest additional earning potential. And, for the frequent traveler who values lounge access, a generous statement credit for Marriott purchases, and Platinum Elite status, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card could be the right match.
While most Marriott Bonvoy-branded cards come with complimentary elite status, all Marriott Bonvoy-branded cards come with 15 Elite Night Credits towards elite status each calendar year.
These 15 nights are enough to automatically earn you Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status and can get you well on your way to the next levels of status.
Here is a list of the annual qualifications for achieving each level of Marriott Bonvoy elite status:
| Elite Status Level | Nights Required |
| Silver Elite | 10 nights |
| Gold Elite | 25 nights |
| Platinum Elite | 50 nights |
| Titanium Elite | 75 nights |
| Ambassador Elite | 100 nights + $20,000 spend in 2022 |
The following Marriott Bonvoy credit cards come with complimentary elite status. Select cards also offer an option to spend your way to higher elite status.
| Marriott Bonvoy Card | Comes With: | Spend Your Way To: |
| Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card | Silver Elite status | Gold Elite after spending $35,000 in a calendar year |
| Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card | Silver Elite status | N/A |
| Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card | Silver Elite status | Gold Elite after spending $35,000 in a calendar year |
| Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card | Gold Elite status | N/A |
| Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card | Gold Elite status | N/A |
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card | Platinum Elite status | N/A |
Silver Elite status comes with:
Gold Elite status receives all Silver Elite benefits plus room upgrades, 25% bonus points on qualifying purchases, and a 4 p.m. late checkout.
Once you reach Platinum Elite status, you’ll receive all of the above and additional perks like complimentary executive lounge access, free breakfast, room upgrades including suites (when available), 75% bonus points, and an annual Choice Benefit.
Titanium Elite status grants you all of the above and additional perks like 75% bonus points and a Choice Benefit selection of a Free Night Award, suite upgrades, and more.
Hot Tip: If you hold both a Marriott-branded personal card and a Marriott-branded business card, you’ll receive a total of 30 Elite Night Credits that count toward elite status. This benefit translates into only needing 20 additional nights stayed at Marriott properties in a calendar year to achieve Platinum Elite status.
One of the most valuable benefits of Marriott Bonvoy-branded credit cards is the annual Free Night Award. It is granted after you pay your annual fee each year, and once added to your Marriott Bonvoy account, it can be used throughout the world at any one of Marriott’s 7,000+ properties.
The Free Night Award normally expires 1 year from the issue date and is good for a free hotel night up to a specified point limit in value. One exciting new feature introduced by Marriott Bonvoy is the ability to add up to 15,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to your certificate to cover the cost of a higher-priced room.
The following Marriott Bonvoy cards offer Free Night Award:
| Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card | Value of Free Night Award |
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card | Up to 85,000 points |
| Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card Marriott Bountiful card | Up to 50,000 points (after spending $15,000 on the card in a year) |
| Marriott Boundless card Marriott Bonvoy Business card | Up to 35,000 points |
Bottom Line: The annual Free Night Award can offer tremendous value and alone can be worth the annual fee on the Marriott Bonvoy-branded card.
In addition to benefits such as elite status, lounge access, statement credits, and earning rewards, you’ll find Marriott Bonvoy-branded cards offer additional travel benefits and protections.
| Benefits/Protections | Marriott Bold Card Marriott Boundless Card Marriott Bountiful Card | Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Card Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card Marriott Bonvoy Business Card |
| Car Rental Collision Damage Coverage | Secondary coverage within the U.S., primary outside the country | Secondary coverage with access to purchase premium protection for 1 low fee that covers the entire rental period |
| Trip Interruption/Cancellation | N/A | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card: up to $10,000 per trip, $50,000 per eligible card per 12-month period for each coverage |
| Trip Delay | Up to $500 for trip delays greater than 12 hours | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card: up to $500 per trip for delays more than 6 hours, maximum 2 claims in a 12-month period
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card: up to $300 for round-trip flights paid for with the card that are delayed by more than 12 hours |
| Baggage Delay | Marriott Bold card and Marriott Boundless card: Up to $100 per day for up to 5 days for delays greater than 6 hours | None |
| Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Luggage | Up to $3,000 per person per trip checked or carry-on bag |
|
The car rental collision and damage insurance waiver can save you plenty when you rent a vehicle. Pay for the entire rental with your card, decline the rental agency’s CDW/LDW insurance, and have coverage if the rental car is damaged or stolen.
Chase’s coverage is superior because it is primary coverage outside the U.S., not secondary. This means that you do not first have to file a claim with your own insurance company before coverage kicks in, as you would with secondary coverage. However, you will have the option with Amex to purchase Premium Protection for 1 low price that covers the entire rental period. Prices range from $12.95 to $24.95.
The actual limits, terms, and conditions of these additional benefits are expressly spelled out in the benefits guide that comes with each card.
| Benefits/Protections | Marriott Bold Card Marriott Boundless Card Marriott Bountiful Card | Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Card Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card Marriott Bonvoy Business Card |
| Purchase Protection |
|
|
| Extended Warranty | Up to 1 additional year on warranties of 3 years or less | Up to 1 additional year on warranties of 5 years or less |
| Return Protection | N/A |
|
For full shopping benefits and protections, be sure to access the Guide to Benefits for the specific card.
Bottom Line: While you wouldn’t select a credit card based on shopping protections and benefits alone, it’s good to know which coverages are offered on which cards to utilize these benefits, should the situation arise.
Marriott Bonvoy-branded credit cards allow you to accelerate rewards earning. With generous welcome bonuses, elevated earnings at the Marriott family of properties, and every purchase you make earning points, rewards add up fast.
Fortunately, the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program offers several options for redeeming your points for hotel nights, transferring your points to airline partners, and more.
Let’s take a look at what you can do with your Marriott Bonvoy points.
There are several ways to redeem your points for free hotel nights:
Whether you’re looking for a luxury experience, a single night at an airport hotel, or a convenient venue to conduct business, you’ll be able to use your rewards points to book a room.
When it comes to redeeming points, it’s best to have options. In addition to using them for free hotel nights, Marriott Bonvoy points can be transferred to airline partners and subsequently used to purchase award tickets.
It’s easy to turn Marriott Bonvoy points into miles — there are dozens of airline partners to choose from. Points generally transfer at the ratio of 3 Marriott Bonvoy points to 1 airline mile. Plus for every 60,000 points you transfer to most partners, you’ll receive a 5,000-mile bonus (the exceptions are American Airlines, Avianca Airlines, and Delta Air Lines).
Here are some additional ways to redeem your Marriott Bonvoy points:
Some redemption options provide far less value than others. Generally, the best redemption options for your points are hotel stays, and transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to airline partners.
There is value to be found in this group of Marriott Bonvoy-branded credit cards for the traveler who is loyal to Marriott.
While you’ll have to pay an annual fee with most of these cards, you’ll find plenty of perks and benefits that can help offset that cost, including things like statement credits, lounge access, complimentary Marriott Bonvoy elite status, generous welcome bonuses, and Free Night Award that can deliver enough value on their own to make the fee more than worth it.
And remember, you could qualify for more than 1 Marriott Bonvoy-branded credit card — a personal card and a business card.
If you frequent Marriott properties, you’ll want to be a cardholder to earn free nights, enjoy the benefits of elite status, and take advantage of all the other perks that come with Marriott Bonvoy-branded credit cards.
For the car rental collision damage coverage benefit of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card, and Marriott Bonvoy Business card, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car rental loss or damage coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. For the trip cancellation and interruption insurance and trip delay insurance benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card, and Marriott Bonvoy Business card, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. For the baggage insurance plan benefit of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card, and Marriott Bonvoy Business card, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. For the extended warranty and purchase protection benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card, and Marriott Bonvoy Business card, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. For the return protection benefit of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card, and Marriott Bonvoy Business card, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, click here.
The best Marriott Bonvoy-branded credit card for you would be the one that matches your spending habits, how often you stay at Marriott properties, and how much you feel comfortable paying for an annual fee.
You may be comfortable paying the higher annual fee for the premium Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card that provides statement credits, Priority Pass lounge membership, Gold Elite status, and a higher value Free Night Award.
Or, you could be most comfortable with paying the $250 annual fee for either the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card or the Marriott Bountiful card, which offer complimentary Gold Elite status, a Free Night Award (up to 50,000 points after spending $15,000 in a year), and more.
Finally, you may find that the Marriott Boundless card with a lesser $95 fee, Silver Elite status, and a 35,000-point Free Night Award fits you just fine.
You can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to dozens of airline frequent flyer programs, most at a rate of 3 Marriott Bonvoy points to 1 airline mile, with a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points transferred.
See our guide to Marriott Bonvoy transfer partners.
You cannot transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to other hotel programs.
Yes, you can have more than 1 Marriott Bonvoy-branded credit card. For example, you could have 1 personal card and 1 business card.
If you have had the same Marriott Bonvoy-branded or Ritz-Carlton Rewards® Card previously, however, you may not qualify for the welcome bonus.
You can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points and Amex Membership Rewards points to Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1 ratio.
However, there are promotions through which you could receive better value.
No. Points earned with the Marriott Bonvoy-branded cards are redeemable for award stays, can be transferred to airline partners, or redeemed in other ways, but these points do not help you toward earning elite status.
However, if you reach specific card spending thresholds, you could qualify for a higher elite status level.
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Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.
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2 comments
Matthew Martin
November 23, 2022
Can you have the Amex Brilliant as your primary Marriott card and the Chase Boundless to earn elite night credits for every $5,000 spent? Right now, I have both cards and I’m trying to decide if it’s worth keeping the Boundless.
I won’t spend enough on the Brilliant ($60k?) to take advantage of that benefit and I don’t own a business for the business card to make sense either I think. Thanks!
Christine Krzyszton
November 23, 2022
Hi Matthew. There is some redundancy in the 2 cards but the extra free hotel night certificate (in addition to the one on your other card) is worth the annual fee on the Marriott Boundless card. If you need the extra elite night credits to qualify for your preferred elite level and spend enough on the Boundless, then it sounds like you might consider keeping both cards and use as you suggested. Another option if you decide not to keep the Marriott Boundless card is to downgrade it to the Marriott Bold card, with no annual fee but of course, no elite night credits for spending. This would preserve that portion of your credit limit attributed to that card (which could prove helpful in the future).
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