When it comes to earning rewards, free hotel night redemptions, travel benefits, and perks that make your hotel stay more comfortable, nothing beats a hotel-branded credit card.
Fortunately, as a Marriott Bonvoy loyalist, you’ll have several cards from which to select, all of which deliver generous levels of Marriott Bonvoy-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.
Chase Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards
Earn Marriott Bonvoy points to redeem for free nights at the San Juan Marriott, Puerto Rico. Image Credit: Marriott BonvoyMarriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
With complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status, accelerated earnings, and an annual free night certificate, the Marriott Boundless card can be a staple for the Marriott Bonvoy traveler.
With a lower annual fee, the card offers good value, even if you stay at a Marriott just a few times per year.
Why We Like the Card for Marriott Bonvoy Loyalists
- Earn up to 17x points per dollar spent at Marriott hotels
- Annual free night certificate (up to 35,000 points)
- Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status
- Spend $35,000 on the card in a calendar year to receive Gold Elite status
- 15 elite night credits towards elite status each year, plus earn 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend.
Additional Card Benefits
- 3x on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining
- 2x points for all other purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
If you’re looking for a Marriott Bonvoy-branded card that offers elevated earnings at Marriott properties but you are reluctant to pay an annual fee, the Marriott Bold card could be a match.
Why We Like the Card for Marriott Bonvoy Loyalists
- Earn up to 14x points per dollar spent at Marriott hotels
- 15 elite night credits per year, enough for Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status
Additional Card Benefits
- No annual fee
- Earn 2x points per dollar spent on travel
- 1x point per dollar on all other purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
American Express Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards
With the points you earn from spending on your Marriott Bonvoy credit cards you can book a stay at the majestic JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London. Image Credit: Marriott BonvoyMarriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
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 delivers elevated earnings, worldwide airport lounge access, free hotel nights, 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.
Why We Like the Card for Marriott Bonvoy Loyalists
- Earns 6x points per dollar spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
- Up to $300 statement credit each year for Marriott purchases
- Annual free hotel night certificate worth 50,000 points
- Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
- Achieve Platinum Elite status by spending $75,000 on the card in a calendar year
- 15 elite night credits each year towards Marriott Bonvoy elite status
- $100 property credit at Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis properties
- Free premium Wi-Fi
Additional Card Benefits
Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card
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 that personal vacation. Having the card is also a way to enjoy Gold Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy during all your travels.
Why We Like the Card for Marriott Bonvoy Loyalists
- 6x points per dollar spent at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
- Silver Elite status
- Spend your way ($35,000) to Gold Elite status
- Annual free night 35,000 point certificate
- Additional free hotel night at $60,000 spent on the card
- 15 elite qualifying night credits each year
Additional Card Benefits
- 4x points per dollar spent U.S. restaurants, 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 purchases
Marriott Bonvoy-Branded Cards — Summary
Bottom Line: There are 4 Marriott Bonvoy-branded cards from which to select. Each offers its own package of earning, redemption, and stay benefits.
Earning Power Comparison
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 | Annual Fee |
| Marriott Boundless card | - 6x points per dollar spent at Marriott hotels
- 2x points for all other purchases
| $95 |
| Marriott Bold card | - 3x points per dollar spent at Marriott hotels
- 1x points for all other purchases
| $0 |
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card | - 6x points per dollar spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy Hotels
- 3x points for U.S. restaurant and flight purchases
- 2x points for all other purchases
- Terms apply
| $450 |
| Marriott Bonvoy Business card | - 6x points per dollar spent at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
- 4x points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, U.S. wireless phone services, and U.S. shipping
- 2x points for all other purchases
- Terms apply
| $125 |
Finding a balance between earnings that match your level of spending and spending mix versus 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. You’ll not only earn 6x points on Marriott purchases and 2x points on everyday purchases, but also 4x points on business bonus-earning categories.
Also, remember that you’ll earn an additional 10x points per dollar spent for staying at Marriott properties, plus elite level earning multipliers in addition to the 6x or 3x earnings for using your Marriott-branded card.
Bottom Line: When we compare earnings, all of the Marriott Bonvoy-branded cards with annual fees are created equal with 6x points earning at Marriott properties and 2x points per dollar on all other purchases. If you’re a business owner, however, the Marriott Bonvoy Business card with a collection of 4x earning categories for typical business purchases offers the greatest additional earning potential. If you’re a frequent traveler, you may also find value in the additional earnings of 3x points on dining and flight purchases with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card.
A Faster Path to Elite Status
While most Marriott Bonvoy-branded cards come with complimentary elite status, all Marriott Bonvoy-branded cards come with 15 elite qualifying night credits towards elite status each calendar year.
These 15 nights are enough to automatically earn you Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status, or be well on your way to the next higher levels of Gold, Platinum, or even Titanium 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 + $14,000 spend in 2021, reverts back to $20,000 spend in 2022 |
The following Marriott Bonvoy credit cards come with complimentary elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program. Select cards also offer an option to spend your way to higher elite status.
| Marriott Bonvoy Card | Comes With: | Spend Your Way To: |
| Marriott Boundless card | Silver Elite status | Gold Elite after spending $35,000 in a calendar year |
| Marriott Bold card | 15 elite night credits each year, enough for Silver Elite status | N/A |
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card | Gold Elite status | Platinum Elite after spending $75,000 in a calendar year |
| Marriott Bonvoy Business card | Silver Elite status | Gold Elite after spending $35,000 in a calendar year |
Silver Elite status comes with:
- Member-only hotel rates
- Fifth consecutive reward night free
- Late checkout at 2 p.m.
- Free internet
- Earn 10% bonus points on qualifying hotel purchases
- Welcome bonus points
Gold Elite status receives all Silver Elite benefits plus the additional benefits of room upgrades, 25% bonus points on qualifying purchases, and a 4 p.m. late checkout.
Once you reach Platinum Elite status, you’ll receive benefits such as complimentary executive hotel lounge access, free breakfast, room upgrades including suites (when available), and an annual Choice Benefit.
Titanium Elite status grants you higher bonus earnings and a Choice Benefit selection of a free night certificate, suite upgrades, and more.
Hot Tip: If you hold both a Marriott-branded personal card and a Marriott-branded business card, you will receive a total of 30 elite qualifying night credits towards Marriott Bonvoy elite status. This benefit translates into only needing 20 nights stayed at Marriott properties in a calendar year to achieve Platinum elite status.
Annual Free Night Certificate
Use a Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card’s free night certificate at the amazing JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa in Vietnam. Image Credit: Marriott BonvoyOne of the most valuable benefits of Marriott Bonvoy-branded credit cards is the annual free night certificate. It is granted after you pay your renewal, and once added to your Marriott Bonvoy account, it can be used throughout the world at one of over 7,300 properties.
The free night certificate normally expires 1 year from the issue date and is good for a free hotel night up to a specified point limit in value.
The following Marriott Bonvoy cards offer free night certificates:
| Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card | Value of Free Night Certificate |
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card | 50,000 points |
| Marriott Boundless card Marriott Bonvoy Business card | 35,000 points |
Bottom Line: The annual free night certificate can offer tremendous value and alone can be worth the annual fee on the Marriott Bonvoy-branded card.
Marriott Bonvoy-Branded Cards — Value Comparison
Should you splurge and get the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card or does the Marriott Boundless card make more sense? And if you have a small business, should you just go for the Marriott Bonvoy Business card?
All Marriott Bonvoy-branded cards that charge an annual fee earn 6x rewards points per dollar spent at Marriott hotels and 2x points on all other non-bonus category purchases.
Let’s take a look beyond those base earnings at the benefits and extra value each card offers compared to its annual fee.
| Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card | Annual Fee | Value Added |
| Marriott Boundless card | $95 | - Silver Elite status
- Spend your way ($35,000) to Gold Elite status
- Annual free night 35,000 point certificate
- 15 elite qualifying night credits
|
| Marriott Bold card | $0 | - 3x points per dollar spend versus 6x points for all other Marriott Bonvoy-branded cards
- 15 elite qualifying night credits, enough for Silver Elite status
|
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card | $450 | - Gold Elite status
- Spend your way ($75,000) to Platinum Elite status
- 15 elite qualifying night credits
- $300 Marriott purchase statement credit
- Annual free night certificate good for 50,000 (versus 35,000 points)
- Up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
- Priority Pass lounge membership for the cardholder and 2 guests (upon enrollment)
- $100 credit for 2 night stays at Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis hotels
- Earn 3 points at U.S. restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines
- Free premium Wi-Fi
- Terms apply
|
| Marriott Bonvoy Business card | $125 | - Silver Elite status
- Spend your way ($35,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year) to Gold Elite status
- Annual free night 35,000 point certificate
- Additional free hotel night at $60,000 spent on the card
- 15 elite qualifying night credits
- More bonus earning categories: 4x points at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping
- Terms apply
|
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card has the highest annual fee. It does, however, come with a $300 statement credit for Marriott purchases. So, there is really only $150 more value to realize to potentially offset that fee.
If the worldwide Priority Pass Select lounge access membership and Marriott Gold Elite status deliver enough additional value for you, you’ve more than covered the annual fee.
You may also find value in the 50,000-point free night certificate which might secure you a hotel room worth significantly more than the 35,000-point certificate of the other, lower fee, Marriott Bonvoy cards.
Only you can decide which card is a match for you depending on your spending mix, your tolerance for paying an annual fee, and whether you will utilize the benefits offered on a specific card.
Also, remember that each card comes with a generous welcome bonus after card approval and meeting initial spending requirements. This welcome bonus alone could deliver value enough to offset the first-year annual fee.
Bottom Line: Higher annual fees typically result in additional valuable benefits. If you are comfortable paying the fee and will make use of all the associated benefits, the added value can make the card worth it.
Book a 5-night reward stay and receive the fifth night free. Sheraton Buganvilias Resort and Convention Center, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Image Credit: Christine KrzysztonWhat Can You Do With Marriott Bonvoy Points?
Marriott Bonvoy-branded credit cards allow you to accelerate rewards earning. With sign-up 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.
Free and Discounted Hotel Nights
There are several ways to redeem your points for free hotel nights.
- PointSavers — Discounted award stays, based on availability, with peak and off-peak pricing
- Award rooms — Reward redemptions based on dynamic pricing
- Cash and Points — Use a combination of cash and award points, also with peak and off-peak pricing
- Fifth Night Free — Book 5 consecutive award nights and pay for 4
- Points Advance — If you don’t have enough points to book your stay you can “borrow” from Marriott Bonvoy and pay them back up within 60 days of booking
Properties under the Marriott Bonvoy collection of properties total over 7,300 worldwide. 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.
Transfer to Travel Partners
When it comes to redeeming points, it’s best to have options. In addition to 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 and there are dozens of airline partner choices. Points generally transfer at the ratio of 3 Marriott Bonvoy points to 1 airline mile. Plus for every 60,000 points you transfer, you’ll receive a 5,000-mile bonus.
- For example: transfer 60,000 miles to airline transfer partner American Airlines and receive 25,000 miles (60,000 points = 20,000 miles + 5,000 mile bonus)
Other Redemption Options
When it comes time to redeem your points it’s good to have options. Here are some additional ways to redeem your Marriott Bonvoy points:
- TSA PreCheck — 25,000 points for an $85 certificate
- Gift Cards — A common redemption value would be 5,000 points for a $10 retail gift card or 10,000 points for a $25 gift card
- Merchandise — Redeem your Marriott Bonvoy points for retail merchandise (generally not a good value)
- Marriott Bonvoy Moments such as concerts, festivals, sporting events
- Flights and Rental Cars (generally not a good value)
- Donate your points to charity
Some redemption options provide far less value than others. Generally, the best redemption options for your points are hotel stays, hotel/air packages, and transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to airline partners.
Travel Benefits and Protections
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.
| Benefit | American Express Benefit/Protections | Chase Benefit/Protections |
| Car Rental Collision Damage Coverage | Secondary coverage with access to purchase premium protection for 1 low fee that covers the entire rental period | Secondary coverage within the U.S., primary outside the country |
| Trip Interruption/Cancellation | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card: up to $10,000 per trip, $50,000 per eligible card per 12-month period for each coverage | N/A |
| Trip Delay | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card: up to $500 per trip for delays more than 6 hours, maximum 2 claims in a 12-month period | Up to $500 for trip delays more than 12 hours |
| Baggage Delay | None | Up to $100 per day for up to 5 days for delays more than 6 hours |
| Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Luggage | - Marriott Bonvoy Business card: Up to $1,250 for carry-on, $500 for checked
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card: Up to $3,000 for carry-on, $2,000 for checked
| Up to $3,000 per person per trip checked or carry-on |
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 versus 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.
We’ve provided just an overview of the additional benefits and protections. The actual limits, terms, and conditions are expressly spelled out in the benefits guide that comes with each card.
Shopping Benefits and Protections
- Purchase Protection — Covers qualifying items on both cards for damage up to 90 days from the purchase date on Marriott Bonvoy Amex cards, or 120 days for Chase-issued cards. Chase offers $500 per claim, up to $50,000 per year. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card coverage is $10,000 per claim, $50,000 per year, and the Marriott Bonvoy Business card is $1,000 per claim and $50,000 per year.
- Extended Warranty — Offers extended coverage beyond the manufacturer’s warranty for qualifying items. American Express cards offer up to 1 additional year on warranties of 5 years or less. Chase offers an additional year extension on warranties of 3 years or less.
- Return Protection — Covers $300 per item for American Express cards. There is no return protection provided on Chase Marriott-branded cards.
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.
Final Thoughts
There is value to be found in this foursome of Marriott Bonvoy-branded credit cards for the traveler who prefers Marriott Bonvoy as their brand of choice.
Cards offering annual free night certificates deliver value that alone could offset an annual fee and complimentary elite benefits could make that free stay even more comfortable.
And remember, you could qualify for more than 1 Marriott Bonvoy-branded credit card — a personal card and a business card. Doing so offers the opportunity to receive 30 total elite qualifying night credits toward elite status (15 for each 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.
The information regarding the Ritz-Carlton Rewards® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card, click here.
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