The Marriott Bonvoy Amex is one of three Marriott cards issued by Amex. The other cards are the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant and Marriott Bonvoy Business card. Before jumping into this credit card review, it’s important to note this card is no longer eligible for new cardmembers.
In addition to Amex, Chase also issues Marriott credit cards. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless and Marriott Bonvoy Bold. Chase does not currently offer a Marriott business credit card so business owners should look to Amex.
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Marriott Bonvoy AmEx Details
One of the primary reasons to keep this card open is the free award night. This free award night is more than offset by the $95 annual fee.
Separately, this card has no foreign transaction fees. It’s not the first card I’d recommend using when traveling internationally but it can make sense to use without other options.
Marriott Bonvoy AmEx Perks
A free night award, complimentary Marriott Bonvoy silver elite status, the ability to earn Marriott Bonvoy gold elite status, and 15 elite night credits are the perks of this card.
Cardmembers receive 1 free night award every year after you pay your annual fee. The award night is valid at a Marriott property requiring up to 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night. This means that you can use this award night up to the standard rate for a category five Marriott property.
Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy silver elite status comes with 10% bonus points on stays and priority late checkout. For comparison, Marriott Bonvoy Silver platinum elite status comes with 50% bonus points on stays, enhanced room upgrades, including Select Suites, an annual gift, lounge access, and 4 p.m. Late Checkout.
You can earn Marriott Bonvoy gold elite status after spending $35,000 in a calendar year. Marriott Bonvoy gold elite status comes with 25% bonus points on stays, enhanced room upgrade, and 2 p.m. late checkout.
15 elite night credits are credited to your Marriott Bonvoy account each calendar year. These elite nights help you to earn higher tiers of elite status. Business owners can stack the 15 elite nights from the Marriott Bonvoy Business card with the Marriott Bonvoy Amex. You would then start the year with 30 elite night credits.
Amex Offers rewards cardmembers who spend with its shopping, dining, and travel partners. By spending with these parnters, you earn credits or additoinal points.
ShopRunner offers its members free 2-day shipping at its 100+ online store partners. Pair 2-day shipping from ShopRunner with 2-day shipping from Amazon Prime and nearly all of your online shipments arrive in two days.
How to Earn Points with the Marriott Bonvoy AmEx
You earn 6x points at Marriott and 2x points on all other purchases with the Marriott Bonvoy AmEx. For comparison, some of the best credit cards for hotel spending include the American Express Green Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and Citi Premier.
The American Express Green Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and Citi Premier, and each earn 3x points at hotels. Separately, the American Express Green Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve earn 3x point on dining. You earn 3x points on airfare, dining, gas, and groceries with the Citi Premier.
How to Redeem Points with the Marriott Bonvoy AmEx
Marriott Bonvoy has more than 40 airline partners and its points transfer to most airlines at a 3:1 ratio. In addition, you receive a 5,000-mile bonus with every 60,000 points that you transfer to an airline partner.
Examples of ways to receive high-value with your Marriott points include: 1) 70,000 Alaska Airlines miles (140k Marriott) to fly Cathay Pacific first class to Asia, 2) 70,000 American Airlines miles (140k Marriott) to fly Qatar Airways to the Middle East, 3) 50,000 Asiana Airlines miles (120k Marriott) to fly Lufthansa first class to Europe. In short, knowing which partners to transfer points to can increase the value of your points.
Which Cards Compete with the Marriott Bonvoy AmEx?
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card, IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card, and World of Hyatt Credit Card compete with the Marriott Bonvoy AmEx.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass cardmembers earn 12x points at Hilton, 6x points on groceries and dining, and 6x points on gas. You earn 25x points at IHG with the IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card. World of Hyatt Credit Card earn 4x points at Hyatt. So, there are plenty of alternate card options in addition to Marriott cards.
Common Marriott Bonvoy AmEx Questions
Is Marriott Bonvoy Amex worth it?
By using the free night award every cardmember year, you can offset the Marriott Bonvoy Amex annual fee. In other words, if you do not use the free night, then this card is not likely worth it.
Is the Marriott Bonvoy Amex metal?
This card issued by Amex is plastic. However, Amex does offer metal cards like the Amex Platinum and Amex Gold.
Does Marriott take Amex?
The Marriott Bonvoy Amex is issued by Amex. Separately, Chase also issues Marriott credit cards including the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless credit card and Marriott Bonvoy Bold.
What is the Bonvoy Amex card?
Amex currently issues the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Business Card. The Marriott Bonvoy AmEx is no longer open to new applicants. Existing cardmembers receive a free night award, complimentary Marriott Bonvoy silver elite status, the ability to earn Marriott Bonvoy gold elite status, 15 elite night credits, and earn 6x points at Marriott. In short, this card can be ideal for those who value Marriott hotel perks.
Conclusion on the Marriott Bonvoy AmEx
The free night award, complimentary Marriott silver elite status, the ability to earn Marriott gold elite status, 15 elite night credits, and earn 6x points at Marriott are reasons to keep this card open. So, if you’re’ unable to take advantage of these perks, it likely does not make sense to keep this card open.
What do you think about the Marriott Bonvoy AmEx? How do you like to redeem Marriott points earned from this card? Please let me know in the comments below or by sending me an email on my contact page.
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