Marriott Bonvoy American Express® Card Review

By: Heather Hanks Oct. 07, 2019

If saving money and earning points is your thing, then you’ll want to check out the Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card. It allows you to earn five points for every dollar you spend on eligible purchases. You’ll also get two points for every dollar spent everywhere else. That’s on top of the savings you’ll already receive as a Marriott Bonvoy member.

The Marriott Bonvoy Card offers an impressive welcome bonus of 50,000 points when you spend $1,500 within your first three months of membership. This is in addition to earning points while you spend. You can spend your 50,000 points on a free three night stay at a Category 2 hotel. For more information, check out our Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card Review below.

Marriott BonvoyTM American Express® Card

Overall Rating

What is the Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card?

The Bonvoy Marriott Credit Card allows you to earn points each time you use it. You’ll get five points for every dollar spent on eligible purchases. These include purchases made at participating Marriott Bonvoy properties. You’ll also get five points for every dollar spent at standalone Marriott Bonvoy retail properties and at Marriott online stores (including online Marriott Bonvoy gift cards). In other words, your purchases and items must be owned or managed by Marriott International, Inc. and its affiliates to qualify for the five points per dollar ratio. This offer does not include returns or exchanges.

You’ll get two points for every dollar spent everywhere else. This includes purchases you make when a merchant code is not in an eligible category. It also applies to payments made using a payment account or for the service of a third party. This offer also applies to purchases made with a card reader attached to a cell phone or at an online realtor that sells merchant goods that are not otherwise identified. Again, this does not apply to returns or store credit. It also does not apply to interest, funds advances, checks, annual fees, or other fees and foreign currencies. You’ll also automatically become enrolled as a Marriott Bonvoy member.

Benefits included with your Marriott Bonvoy membership include the following:

  • A free night award once per year after your anniversary each year
  • Automatic enrollment in Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status
  • 15 Elite Night Credits each year with your Amex Marriott Bonvoy Card that can be used toward achieving the next level of elite status within the Marriott Bonvoy program
  • Enjoy automatic upgrade to Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status when you make $30,000 in purchases on your card each year
  • Marriot Bonvoy Gold Elite status offers room upgrades at check in when available (including the corner room, a higher floor or better view), late check out of 2 pm when available, a welcome gift and bonus points upon arrival to your hotel

Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Credit Card Benefits?

The American Express Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card is a great choice for anyone who frequents Marriott establishments often. The majority of your points will come from purchases made at these locations. You don’t have to be a small business owner to benefit from this card. You’ll get rewarded for all purchases you make. However, your points will be more valuable if you use them at Marriott and affiliate locations. The card offers an extensive welcome offer of 50,000 bonus points, but you’ll have to spend $1,500 within the first three months to get it. Most people find that this isn’t hard to do, especially if you travel often.

Here are some other benefits you’ll get as a card holder:

Welcome bonus of 50,000 points when you spend $1,500 within three months of opening your account (this is good for a free three night stay at a category 2 hotel)

Transfer your points to frequent flyer programs with a wide variety of airlines to choose from

Get 15,000 in bonus points from the Marriott Bonvoy program when you transfer 60,000 points to a frequent flyer program

Earn five points for every dollar spent on eligible purchases

Earn two points for every dollar spent everywhere else

Redeem your points for free nights at over 7,000 hotels with no blackout dates

Become automatically enrolled in a free Marriott Bonvoy membership

Experience entertainment parks through Marriott Bonvoy Moments

Payment flexibility; you can pay your balances in full or over time

The American Express Marriott Bonvoy card is a smart choice if you travel often and want to be rewarded for it. You can also use it on everyday purchases, but your points won’t be as valuable. We like that American Express offers entertainment perks, shopping coverage and travel insurance. You’ll enjoy American Express Invites, which includes Front of the Line access to in-demand entertainment events, such as concerts, films, and games. You’ll get to choose from tickets before they go on sale to the general public. You’ll also get email updates to notify you of events when they come to your area.

American Express also offers travel insurance. You’ll be covered if your flight is delayed or if your rental car or hotel is broken into and burglarized. You can use your card to make purchases on necessary items if your baggage is delayed, including clothing and food. All of your shopping purchases are covered, too. American Express offers a Buyer’s Assurance Protection Plan that doubles your warranty for up to one additional year on items you buy with your card. You don’t even have to register your items to redeem this offer. Your items are also covered from theft or physical damage through the Purchase Protection Plan. No registration required.

Here is a list of places where you can use your American Express Marriott Bonvoy Card:

Luxury

Edition, The Ritz-Carlton, The Luxury Collection, St. Regis, W Hotels, JW Marriot

Premium

Marriot, Sheraton, Marriott Vacation Club, Delta Hotels, Westin, Le Meridien, Renaissance Hotels, Autograph Collection Hotels, Tribute Portfolio, Design Hotels, Gaylord Hotels

Select

Courtyard, Four Points, SpringHill Suites, FairField, Protea Hotels, AC Hotels, Aloft, Moxy

Longer stays

Residence Inn, Towneplace Suites, Marriott Courtyard Element

As you can see, there are plenty of opportunities to use your Marriott Bonvoy American Express card. You can still use your card at places that are not sponsored by Marriot. You just won’t earn as many points back. You can redeem your points by visiting the Marriott Bonvoy website. Remember that you’ll also get automatic upgrades within your Marriot Bonvoy Elite status. You’ll enjoy more benefits each time you move to a higher tier within your membership.

American Express Marriott Bonvoy Card: Pros and Cons

We like the idea of using one card for several purposes. It clears up room in your wallet and looks better on your credit report if you don’t have to remember to make numerous payments each month. You can use the American Express Marriott Bonvoy Card no matter what your business is. It also makes a great card to use on personal expenses, too. You can hand out additional cards to employees or family members to help you rack up the points. These cards come without an annual fee.

Marriott Bonvoy Card PROS

  • Welcome bonus offer of 50,000 points when you spend $1,500 within the first three months of membership (this is equivalent to a free three night stay at a category 2 hotel)
  • Earn five points for every dollar spent on eligible purchases (you can use your card at one of over 25 hotels)
  • Earn two points for every dollar spent everywhere else
  • Can be used as both a personal and business card
  • Points can be redeemed for future trips to help lessen the financial burden, such as free nights at hotels with no blackout dates
  • Earn automatic Marriott Bonvoy membership and get a free hotel night award after your anniversary every year
  • Earn 15 Elite Night Credits each year, which can be used to help you attain the next level of elite status within the Marriott Bonvoy program
  • You’ll automatically become upgraded to Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status when you spend $30,000 on your card each year
  • Receive free room upgrades upon check-in whenever available, such as upgrades to a corner room, a room on a higher floor and a room with a better view
  • Enjoy late check-out time of 2 pm at hotels, resorts and conference center hotels when available
  • Enjoy a gold welcome gift for being a member and bonus points upon arrival to check-in
  • No annual fee for additional cards; additional cards can be used to help you earn more points
  • Additional card holders are also covered when they travel or make purchases with their cards
  • Flexible payments (you can pay your balance in full or over time as long as your account is in good standing and you have good credit)
  • Shopping coverage includes Buyer’s Assurance Protection Plan (earn an additional year of warranty coverage on items purchased with your card) and Purchase Protection Plan (protects your items from theft and physical damage even if you don’t register them)
  • You’ll receive 15,000 bonus points from the Marriott Bonvoy program when you transfer 60,000 points to a frequent flyer program
  • Travel insurance, including flight delay insurance, car rental theft and damage insurance, delayed baggage insurance, and more
  • You’ll be notified via email when entertainment events come to your area (you’ll also get to buy tickets from a block group of tickets that are reserved for American Express card holders only)
  • You’ll earn Front of the Line access to in-demand entertainment events so that you can buy tickets before they go on sale to the public
  • You can transfer your points to a frequent flyer program at a wide variety of airlines

Marriott Bonvoy Card CONS

  • You may want to go with another card if you don’t travel often or want rewards in the form of cash back. The Marriott Bonvoy American Express card can be used as either a business or personal card, but it’s best used by someone who travels often. This is because many of your rewards come in the form of free hotel stays and other travel-related expenses.
  • There is an annual fee of $120. However, additional cards have no annual fee. Keep in mind that you’re earning five points for every dollar you spend on eligible purchases. You’ll also get two points for every dollar spent everywhere else. This adds up quickly and translates to free hotel stays and more. You’ll make up for the cost of the annual fee. You can speed up the earning process by passing out cards to your employees and family members.

How To Apply American Express Marriott Bonvoy Card

The application process is simple. You can visit the American Express website and fill out your application online. You’ll need to have excellent credit to qualify. Remember that American Express will do a hard pull on your credit to determine your creditworthiness. Your credit score and credit history will likely dictate your terms and conditions.

Before you apply, American Express wants to make sure you agree to the following terms and conditions:

  • The preferred rate for purchases is 19.99% from the time your account is opened
  • The preferred rate for funds advances is 22.99%, also effective the day your account is opened
  • If you miss two payments within 12 billing cycles, then your APR will increase to 23.99% for the next 12 months
  • Missed payments refer to when you don’t make your minimum monthly payment on its due date
  • You have a 21 day interest-free grace period on new purchases from your closing date if you make your next payment in full (Quebec residents can enjoy this offer on all purchase balances each month if you pay in full by the next payment date)
  • Your APR will increase to 26.99% if you miss three or more payments within 12 months
  • There is no interest-free grace period on funds advances, balance transfers and checks
  • Your minimum monthly payment is calculated as follows: ○ The total amount of past bills minimum payments plus installment amounts including fees AND $10 and interest fees (including overlimit fees and dishonored payment fees) ○ OR 5% of the remaining balance that you owe that month for Quebec residents ○ OR the entire balance of the statement
  • Reinstating points costs $20 for each reinstatement online and $30 through other services (plus taxes)
  • Statement reprints are $3 per statement
  • Balance transfers are 3% of the amount being transferred
  • Funds advances are $2.75 each
  • Dishonored payments are $25 each
  • Overlimit fees are $29
  • Installment program is up to 8% of each purchase

To apply, you’ll need to provide your personal and financial information. This includes your name, address, social security number, and banking numbers. It helps to have all of this information handy while you apply to move along the process. You can expect excellent customer service and insurance policies with any American Express card. Contact their help center if you have any questions.

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Apply for the American Express Marriott Bonvoy Card now and get a response in 60 seconds

Marriott BonvoyTM American Express® Card

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