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February 21, 2025: Marriott offers six cards to new cardmembers in partnership with both Chase and American Express. In this post, we’ve collected everything you need to know to find the best Marriott credit card for you.
Our recommendations: Find the best Marriott credit card for you
For most people who stay at Marriott hotels more than a few times a year, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® credit card is the best choice, thanks to its earnings on Marriott stays and its annual free night certificate. However, the best card for you might be different. Here are our expert recommendations:
| Marriott credit card | Best for you if… |
|---|---|
 Marriott Bonvoy Bold® credit card Annual fee: $0 | You rarely stay at Marriott hotels but have a stash of Marriott points that you want to keep from expiring. (Marriott Bonvoy points expire if your account in inactive for 24 months.) Sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 Bonus Points + 1 Free Night After spending $2,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months from account opening with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Card. 1 Free Night valued up to 50,000 points. Certain hotels have resort fees. Learn how to apply. |
 Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® credit card Annual fee: $95 | You regularly stay at Marriott hotels and can make use of an annual 35k free night certificate. This will be the best Marriott card for most people. Sign-up bonus: Earn a $150 Statement Credit after making your first purchase in your first 12 months from account opening. Plus Earn 100,000 Bonus Points After you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card. Learn how to apply. |
 Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful® credit card Annual fee: $250 | You to earn Marriott points on groceries and dining. You value baggage delay insurance. Sign-up bonus: Earn 85,000 Bonus Points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening with the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful® Card. Learn how to apply. |
 Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card Annual fee: annual_fees (See Rates and Fees) | You want a Marriott credit card that also earns increased rewards at U.S. supermarkets and on dining. (The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful® credit card may be a better choice because it includes baggage delay insurance.) Welcome offer: bonus_miles_full Learn how to apply. |
 Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card Annual fee: annual_fees (See Rates and Fees) | You stay at Marriott hotels and want a single premium credit card credit card offering airport lounge access, premium travel insurance, and decent rewards on your travel spending that you can use for booking travel and dining out. Welcome offer: bonus_miles_full Learn how to apply. |
 Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card Annual fee: annual_fees (See Rates and Fees) | You are a small business owner and spend a lot (preferably $60k/year) at Marriott hotels. You aren’t worried about earning status and can make use of 35k Marriott free night certificates. Welcome offer: bonus_miles_full Learn how to apply. |
All information about the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® credit card, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® credit card, and the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful® credit card has been collected independently by cardsandpoints.com.
In this article…
Marriott hotel benefits: Perks when staying at Marriott hotels
| | | | | |
| Marriott Bonvoy Bold® credit card | Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® credit card | Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful® credit card | Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card | Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card |
| Points earned at Marriott properties | |||||
| 3x | 6x | 6x | 6x | 6x | 6x |
| Complimentary elite status | |||||
| Silver | Silver | Gold | Gold | Platinum | Gold |
| Earn elite status (Status level and spending required.) | |||||
| – | Gold ($35k) | – | – | – | – |
| Annual elite night credits | |||||
| 5 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 25 | 15 |
| Earn elite night credits through spending (Amount of spending required to earn an additional elite night credit.) | |||||
| – | $5,000 | – | – | – | – |
| Annual free night award (point value of award) Awarded every year, after your first account anniversary. | |||||
| – | 35k | – | – | 85k | 35k |
| Earned free night award ( Certificate Value / Spending Required) Earn a free night award once each calendar year. | |||||
| – | – | 50k $15k | 50k $15k | (See below) | 35k $60k |
With the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you’ll earn a Brilliant Earned Choice Award once you spend $60,000 in a calendar year on the card. One of the selection options is a free night award with a redemption value of up to 85k points.
Some additional notes on Marriott free night awards
If you earn or receive a free night award with your Marriott credit card, you can use that award for a one-night stay at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels with a redemption level at or under the certificate’s value. You may use up to 15,000 additional Marriott points to “expand” the certificate’s value. For example, a 35,000 point certificate can be combined with 5,000 Marriott Bonvoy points and redeemed for a one-night stay priced at 40,000 points.
Chase awards anniversary free night certificates within 8 weeks of your cardmember anniversary date and earned free night certificates within 12 weeks of earning them. Amex awards anniversary free nights with 8-12 weeks of your cardmember anniversary month and earned free nights within 8-12 weeks of earning them.
You won’t earn a Marriott free night award after opening the card, unless you earn a free night award as part of a card’s new cardmember welcome bonus.
Rewards: Earn Marriott Bonus Points for purchases
| | | | | |
| Marriott Bonvoy Bold® credit card | Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® credit card | Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful® credit card | Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card | Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card |
| Points earned at Marriott properties | |||||
| 3x | 6x | 6x | 6x | 6x | 6x |
| Dining (Amex cards: Restaurants worldwide. Bonvoy Bevy includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.) | |||||
| – | Up to 3x | Up to 4x | Up to 4x | 3x | 4x |
| Flights booked directly with airlines | |||||
| – | – | – | – | 3x | – |
| Gas Stations (Amex cards: U.S. gas stations.) | |||||
| – | Up to 3x | – | – | – | – |
| Grocery stores (Amex cards: U.S. Supermarkets) | |||||
| 2x | Up to 3x | Up to 4x | Up to 4x | – | – |
| Shipping (Amex cards: U.S. purchases for shipping.) | |||||
| – | – | – | – | – | 4x |
| Wireless services purchased from U.S. providers. | |||||
| – | – | – | – | – | 4x |
| Additional categories: Select food delivery, rideshare, internet, cable and phone services | |||||
| 2x | – | – | – | – | – |
| Other purchases | |||||
| 1x | 2x | 2x | 2x | 2x | 2x |
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® credit card earns 3X points for every $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful® credit card earns 4X points for every $1 on the first $15,000 in combined purchases each year on grocery stores and dining.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card earns 4X at restaurants worldwide [including takeout and delivery in the U.S.] and U.S. Supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases at restaurants and supermarkets per calendar year, then 2X points)
Other travel benefits: Travel insurance and more
| | | | | |
| Marriott Bonvoy Bold® credit card | Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® credit card | Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful® credit card | Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card | Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card |
| Trip Delay Reimbursement | |||||
| – | |||||
| Baggage Delay Insurance | |||||
| – | – | – | |||
| Lost Luggage Reimbursement (Covers loss, but not damage.) | |||||
| – | – | – | |||
| Amex Baggage Insurance Plan (Covers loss and damage, but not baggage delays.) | |||||
| – | – | – | |||
| Auto Rental Coverage (Amex: Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance) | |||||
| Travel Accident Insurance | |||||
| – | |||||
| Travel and Emergency Assistance (Amex Global Assist® Hotline) | |||||
Consumer insurance benefits: Protection for the things you buy
| | | | | |
| Marriott Bonvoy Bold® credit card | Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® credit card | Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful® credit card | Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card | Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card |
| Purchase protection | |||||
| Extended warranty | |||||
| Return protection | |||||
| – | – | – | – | – | |
Best Marriott credit card welcome offers
 Marriott Bonvoy Bold® credit card Annual fee: $0 | Marriott Bonvoy Bold® credit card: Earn 60,000 Bonus Points + 1 Free Night After spending $2,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months from account opening with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Card. 1 Free Night valued up to 50,000 points. Certain hotels have resort fees. Learn how to apply. A decent option if you want a card with no annual fee to keep your stash of Marriott points from expiring. |
 Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® credit card Annual fee: $95 | Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® credit card: Earn a $150 Statement Credit after making your first purchase in your first 12 months from account opening. Plus Earn 100,000 Bonus Points After you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card. Learn how to apply. The best Marriott credit card for most. Includes an annual free night certificate. |
 Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful® credit card Annual fee: $250 | Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful® credit card: Earn 85,000 Bonus Points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening with the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful® Card. Learn how to apply. A decent card to get if you want to buy Marriott Gold status and want to use the card for grocery store and dining spending. Allows you to earn a 50k point free night certificate after spending $15k in a calendar year. |
 Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card Annual fee: annual_fees (See Rates and Fees) | Welcome offer: bonus_miles_full Learn how to apply. Similar to the Chase card. Allows you to earn a 50k point free night certificate after spending $15k in a calendar year. |
 Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card Annual fee: annual_fees (See Rates and Fees) | Welcome offer: bonus_miles_full Learn how to apply. This is the card to get if you want to get an 85k free night certificate on your cardmember anniversary. |
 Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card Annual fee: annual_fees (See Rates and Fees) | Welcome offer: bonus_miles_full Learn how to apply. Offers a 35k, point free night certificate, plus the ability to earn another with $60,000 of spending in a calendar year. |
Our tips on using Marriott credit cards
Here are our quick tips and tricks based on our experience using Marriott credit cards that can help you get the most value out of your cards:
- Pay for your Marriott stays with your credit card. In most cases, you’ll earn the most rewards value on your stays by booking directly and using your hotel-branded credit card to pay for your stay.
- Make a plan to use your free night certificate. If your card offers a free night certificate, be sure to use it. Know when your certificates expire (usually one year after they are issued). Remember, it’s better to use the certificate for less-than-maximum value than to let it expire.
- Remember, you can “top up” your free night certificate. You can use up to 15,000 points in combination with a free night award to use it for a more expensive hotel stay.
- Use other cards for most of your other purchases. Outside of Marriott hotels, you can earn more rewards with other credit cards. Other cards earn more on groceries, gas, dining, and other categories.
- Consider downgrading over canceling. If you find yourself not staying at Marriott hotels and getting more value than you’re giving up by paying your card’s annual fee, consider downgrading your card. You might be able to downgrade to a no-annual-fee card, to keep your credit line and give yourself a way to keep your Marriott points alive.
- Don’t let your Marriott points expire. Remember, Marriott points expire after 24 months of account inactivity. Be sure to earn or use your points at least once every 24 months.
Our experiences: How we use Marriott credit cards
My card of choice is the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® credit card. I’m happy to pay the card’s annual fee because I easily get enough value from the card’s annual free night certificate (though I will admit to having it almost expire in 2022). I charge all of my Marriott stays to the card, and use it for nothing else.
Other cards offer more value in spending categories and I don’t stay at Marriott hotels often enough to worry about earning Marriott status. Besides, I have lifetime status with Marriott, thanks to several years of spending 150+ nights in hotels while working for a big consulting firm.
I might consider adding the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card to my wallet for an additional annual free night certificate, but doing that isn’t a priority for me at this time.
Bottom line: The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® credit card is best for most
Which Marriott credit card is best for you will depend on your travel patterns and preferences, but the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® credit card will likely be the best choice for most people, thanks to its low annual fee, annual free night certificate, and earnings on Marriott stays.
Amex rates and fees disclosures
- For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card, see this link: See Rates and Fees
- For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, see this link: See Rates and Fees
- For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, see this link: See Rates and Fees
Amex insurance disclosures
Amex Baggage Insurance Plan (standard) benefit disclosure: Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Eligible Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a Common Carrier Vehicle ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible Account. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on Baggage and up to $500 for checked Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus). For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Amex Baggage Insurance Plan (premium) benefit disclosure: Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Amex Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance (standard) disclosure: Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please 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.
Amex Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance (premium) disclosure: Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please 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.
Amex Global Assist Hotline disclosure: You can rely on Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial, or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.
Amex Premium Global Assist Hotline disclosure: You can rely on Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial, or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Plus, we may provide emergency medical transportation assistance and related services. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.
Amex Purchase Protection (standard) benefit disclosure: When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase with their Eligible Card, Purchase Protection can help protect their Covered Purchases for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date if it is stolen or accidentally damaged. The coverage is limited to up to $1,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Amex Premium Purchase Protection (premium) benefit disclosure: Purchase Protection is an embedded benefit of your Card Membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect Covered Purchases made on your Eligible Card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date. The coverage is limited to up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Coverage Limits Apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Amex Return Protection benefit disclosure: With Return Protection, you may return eligible purchases to American Express if the seller won’t take them back up to 90 days from the date of purchase. American Express may refund the full purchase price excluding shipping and handling, up to $300 per item, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per Card account, if you purchased it entirely with your eligible American Express® Card. Purchases must be made in the U.S. or its territories. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Amex Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance disclosure: The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Amex Trip Delay Insurance (standard) disclosure: Up to $300 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 12 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Amex Trip Delay Insurance (premium) disclosure: Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Advertiser disclosure: Cards and Points has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Cards and Points and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Some or all of the card offers that appear on this site are from advertisers. Compensation may affect how and where card products appear on the site. The site does not include all card companies or all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities. Terms apply to all credit card benefits.
