If you’re looking to maximize your travel experiences while earning rewards, the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express® Card might be the perfect fit for you. This review dives deep into its features, benefits, and downsides to help you decide if it’s the right credit card for your travel lifestyle.
Key Takeaways
- The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express® Card allows you to earn Marriott Bonvoy Points for hotel stays and other purchases.
- Cardholders enjoy complimentary benefits such as room upgrades and late check-out at participating Marriott hotels.
- The card includes travel insurance coverage for unexpected events during your trips.
- Pros include earning rewards quickly, access to exclusive offers, and various perks for frequent travelers.
- Cons may include annual fees and the need to stay loyal to Marriott brands to maximize rewards.
- Understanding the card’s features is crucial to determine if it fits your travel habits and financial goals.
What is the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express® Card?
The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express® Card is a special credit card that helps you earn hotel rewards and enjoy more benefits when you stay at Marriott hotels. It’s designed for people who love to travel and want to make every trip even better.
With the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express® Card, you earn points every time you make purchases, especially when you book stays at eligible Marriott hotels. These points never expire, which means you can save up for special rewards like free nights, travel, gift cards, and even shopping.
The card not only makes every purchase more rewarding, but also gives you extra perks such as one free night each year on your card anniversary and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. You’ll also get 15 Elite Night Credits each year to help you reach the next level in the Marriott Bonvoy program.
On top of earning points, the card includes different insurance coverages and gives you access to Amex Experiences, which features exclusive event presales and special services. Whether you’re at home or traveling, the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express® Card is packed with features for hotel rewards, travel, shopping, and more. And the best part? You can manage your card easily online or with the American Express App, making it super simple to keep track of your rewards and benefits.
Features
Earn Marriott Bonvoy Points
With the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card, every dollar you spend helps you reach your next adventure faster. You can earn 5 Marriott Bonvoy points for every $1 spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels. For all other purchases, like groceries or online shopping, you will earn 2 points per $1. Your points never expire, so you can collect them until you’re ready to redeem for hotel rewards, free nights, and more.
| Spend Area | Marriott Bonvoy Points Earned |
|---|---|
| Marriott Bonvoy Hotels | 5 points per $1 |
| Other Purchases | 2 points per $1 |
Complimentary Benefits
When you are a Cardmember, you get a range of special benefits. Every year after your Card anniversary, you receive a Free Night Award, making it easy to plan a getaway. You’ll also get automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status which means extra perks when you stay at Marriott hotels. Plus, you’ll enjoy 15 Elite Night Credits every calendar year to help you move up to the next level in the Marriott Bonvoy program.
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Free Night Award | 1 free night each year after Card anniversary |
| Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status | Automatic Silver Elite status |
| Elite Night Credits | 15 every year |
Travel Insurance Coverage
Traveling is more fun when you know you’re protected. The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card comes with a bundle of travel insurance benefits. These include Flight Delay and Baggage Delay Insurance, Lost or Stolen Baggage Insurance, Hotel Burglary Insurance, and even $500,000 Travel Accident Insurance when you charge tickets to your Card. You also get Car Rental Theft and Damage Insurance, perfect for road trips. If you need help during your travels, there’s 24/7 Travel Emergency Assistance, too.
| Insurance Type | Coverage Details |
|---|---|
| Flight Delay & Baggage Delay | Up to $500 for covered delays |
| Lost or Stolen Baggage | Up to $500 per trip |
| Hotel Burglary Insurance | Up to $500 for personal items |
| Travel Accident Insurance | Up to $500,000 for certain travel incidents |
| Car Rental Insurance | Covers theft, loss, and damage for cars up to $85,000 MSRP |
Pros and Cons
Pros of the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express® Card
If you’re looking for a great hotel rewards credit card, the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express® Card offers some exciting advantages. You can earn a big welcome bonus of up to 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points—enough for plenty of free hotel stays. Each year, cardmembers are given an annual free night at participating Marriott hotels. Plus, you get 5 points for every $1 spent at Marriott Bonvoy properties and 2 points per $1 on other purchases. The card also includes Silver Elite status, and you can work your way up to Gold Elite status for even better perks while traveling. There’s strong protection for your purchases and travel, and customer service is available any time, day or night.
- Earn up to 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points as a welcome offer
- Get an annual free night award at participating hotels
- 5X points on Marriott purchases; 2X points on everything else
- Automatic Silver Elite status with the chance to upgrade to Gold Elite
- 15 Elite Night Credits each year—helps you reach higher status faster
- Extensive travel and shopping coverage for peace of mind
- Customer service available 24/7, worldwide
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Welcome Bonus | Earn up to 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points |
| Annual Free Night | Get one free night every year after your card anniversary |
| Points on Purchases | Earn 5X points at Marriott hotels, 2X points on other spending |
| Elite Status | Automatic Silver Elite; possible upgrade to Gold Elite |
| Travel Coverage | Insurance for flight delays, baggage, hotel burglary, car rentals, and more |
Cons of the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express® Card
While the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express® Card has many perks, there are a few downsides to consider. There’s a $120 annual fee you need to pay each year. If you’re not a frequent traveler or don’t stay at Marriott hotels often, the rewards may add up slowly for you. Only new cardmembers can receive the welcome bonus, so if you’ve had the card before, you won’t qualify for that extra points boost. Also, while the card has strong travel coverage, some features might not be available under certain circumstances, like global travel restrictions. Lastly, since it’s an American Express card, not all stores in Canada accept it.
- Annual fee of $120 applies
- Welcome bonus only for new cardmembers
- Best value for frequent Marriott guests
- Some travel coverages may be limited due to global circumstances
- American Express not accepted everywhere
| Drawback | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $120 charged each year |
| Bonus Restrictions | Welcome bonus only for new cardmembers |
| Limited Acceptance | May not be accepted at all merchants in Canada |
| Travel Limitations | Some insurance coverages may be restricted during travel disruptions |
Price
When considering the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card, it’s important to look at all the costs involved. The annual fee for this card is $120. This means you pay $120 each year to keep using the card and enjoy its hotel rewards and travel benefits. Keep in mind, there is no extra annual fee for additional cards added to your account, making it easier to share the card’s perks with family members at no extra cost.
Besides the annual fee, you should also know the interest rates. The standard interest rate for purchases is 21.99%, and it’s the same for cash advances. If you miss payments, these rates can go up to 25.99% or even 28.99%, depending on your account status. That’s why it’s smart to pay your balance on time to avoid extra interest charges.
If you want to make a payment on your Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card, you can do so easily online. Use the official American Express payment page at this link.
For new cardholders, there are special promotions available. For example, you can earn up to 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points in the first year if you reach the required spending thresholds. It’s important to check the latest offers when you apply, as these can be a great value compared to the annual fee.
Remember, using this card responsibly helps you make the most of its value. Always be sure to keep up with payments, be aware of interest rates, and weigh the annual fee against the hotel rewards, travel perks, and exclusive benefits the card provides.
Conclusion
To sum up, the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card stands out as a smart choice if you are looking for a credit card that makes your hotel stays even more rewarding. Whether you want to earn hotel rewards, enjoy special perks at Marriott properties, or have peace of mind with travel and shopping protections, this card packs a lot of value into its features.
With the ability to earn up to 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy® Points as a new Cardmember, plus 5x points on Marriott hotel purchases and 2x on everything else, your everyday spending can help you save on exciting getaways. The annual free night award, automatic Silver Elite status, and a path to Gold Elite make your hotel experiences even better. And, as points do not expire, you can save them up for longer journeys whenever you’re ready.
On top of hotel rewards, you get valuable travel coverage, shopping protections, exclusive Amex experiences, and reliable customer service that is available 24/7. All these benefits come at a reasonable annual fee of $120. If you’re searching for a way to maximize hotel rewards and enjoy extra travel comforts, the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card is truly worth considering.
Ready to experience all these benefits? You can learn more and apply online. Adventures and unforgettable stays await with Marriott and American Express!
