Marriott Rewards Credit Cards: A Comprehensive Guide

Marriott Rewards Credit Cards offer a range of benefits for frequent travelers and Marriott enthusiasts.

You can earn up to 6X points on Marriott purchases with certain cards, making it a great option for those who frequently book Marriott stays.

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card offers a $300 credit towards Marriott purchases within the first 3 months, which can be a significant savings for those who plan to book a lot of Marriott stays.

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card has no foreign transaction fees, making it a great option for international travelers.

For your interest: Cash Value of Marriott Points

To apply for a Marriott Rewards credit card, you can click the "Apply Now" button on the review page of your chosen card. This will take you to the application process, which is fairly straightforward.

You'll need to provide some basic information, such as your name, mailing address, and gross annual income, depending on the type of card you're applying for. For example, if you're applying for the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card on the Chase website, you'll need to provide this information.

The application questions will differ depending on whether you're applying for a personal card or a business credit card. If you're applying for a business card, like the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card, you'll need to provide the legal business name, company Doing Business As name, and business physical address.

Here are the four Marriott credit cards available to new applicants:

If you're looking to apply for a Marriott credit card, you'll need to know if you're eligible as a new applicant. Marriott partners with two issuers: American Express and Chase, offering four credit cards available to consumers and small-business owners.

Marriott has four credit cards available to new applicants, issued by American Express and Chase. This means you'll have more options to choose from when applying.

To be eligible for these credit cards, you'll need to meet the individual requirements set by each issuer, which may vary.

To apply for a Marriott credit card, click the Apply Now button on the review page of the card that suits your needs best. You can choose from the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card, Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card, or Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card.

The application process is straightforward, but the questions will vary depending on whether you're applying for a personal or business card. For instance, if you're applying for the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card, you'll need to provide the legal business name, company Doing Business As name, and business address.

To apply on the Chase website, you'll need to provide information like your name, mailing address, gross annual income, and primary source of income, similar to what's required for the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card.

Here are the Marriott credit cards available to new applicants:

You'll typically need at least good credit to qualify for any of the Marriott credit cards, which means a FICO score of at least 670.

Marriott points expire if your account doesn't have any qualifying activity in 24 months, but earning points from co-branded credit cards can reset the clock.

125,000 Bonvoy points are worth $875 toward Marriott Bonvoy hotel stays, according to Business Insider's points valuations.

Yes, Marriott points transfer to 40 airline and hotel partners, making them a versatile option for travelers.

Some Marriott credit cards have annual fees, ranging from the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card with no annual fee to the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card with a $650 annual fee.

Broaden your view: Annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit

There are several types of Marriott rewards credit cards to choose from, each with its own set of benefits and requirements. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card is a great option for travelers who want to maximize rewards at Marriott properties worldwide.

The card offers 6x points at Marriott hotels and 3x points on dining, gas, and groceries (up to $6,000 annually), plus 2x points on all other purchases. It also comes with an annual free night award (up to 35,000 points), 15 Elite Night Credits, and Silver Elite Status.

For those who want to earn higher rewards at supermarkets and restaurants, the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card or Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Card may be a better choice, but they come with a higher annual fee of $250 and require a $15,000 spend in a calendar year to qualify for the free night.

Here's a brief summary of the Marriott rewards credit cards:

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card is a solid choice for earning free stays and valuable travel benefits through the Marriott Bonvoy program. It offers 6x points at Marriott hotels and 3x points on dining, gas, and groceries (up to $6,000 annually), plus 2x points on all other purchases.

The card's annual fee is $95, which is lower than some of the other Marriott credit cards, but still offers a range of perks, including an annual Free Night Award (up to 35,000 points), 15 Elite Night Credits, and Silver Elite Status.

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With the Boundless card, you'll earn 3 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. This is a great incentive to sign up and start earning rewards right away.

You'll also receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually, which can help you earn elite status faster. And, with automatic Silver Elite status each year of card membership, you'll enjoy perks like room upgrades and priority check-in.

One of the key benefits of the Boundless card is its free night award, which is automatic on your account anniversary. This means you'll get a free night at a Marriott property every year, valued up to 35,000 points.

Here's a breakdown of the card's earning rates:

Note that these earning rates are capped at $6,000 in combined purchases at Restaurants, Gas Stations, and Grocery Stores per calendar year, after which you'll earn 2x points on all other purchases.

If you're looking for a Marriott Rewards credit card with no annual fee, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card is a great option. It offers a decent list of benefits without incurring a yearly cost.

One of the perks of this card is that it has no foreign transaction fees, which can be a huge money-saver when traveling abroad.

You'll also get baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, and trip delay reimbursement, which can provide peace of mind when traveling.

With the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card, you'll also have access to Visa Signature Concierge, which can help with everything from making restaurant reservations to booking travel arrangements.

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The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card offers a free night award each year for properties that cost up to 85,000 points.

This card also gets you complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite Status, and 25 annual Elite Night Credits, which can help you earn lifetime elite status.

You can use the card's $300 statement credits each year to use at restaurants worldwide, up to $25 a month.

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card's 35,000-point free night award is automatic on your account anniversary and will more than cover the card's annual fee.

The card's annual fee is $95, which is a fraction of the $650 fee of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card.

To get the most out of your Marriott credit card, you'll want to carefully track the rewards on your particular card and remember to utilize them before they expire.

You can use a reward tracking app to help you keep track of your benefits in one convenient destination.

If you're a frequent traveler who stays at Marriott hotels, you may be able to offset the premium Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card's high annual fee by taking advantage of the card's free night award and other perks.

However, if you won't get enough value out of the card to justify the annual fee, you may be better off choosing a different Marriott card.

Only the Marriott Bonvoy cards issued by AmEx come with rental car insurance, which can be a valuable perk for frequent travelers.

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The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card offers a welcome bonus of 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after spending $5,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership.

You can earn 6x points on participating hotel purchases with the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Card, as well as 4x points at global restaurants and U.S. supermarkets on up to $15,000 in combined spending per year.

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card pays 3X points for every dollar spent at restaurants worldwide and on flights purchased directly from an airline.

To maximize your points, consider tracking your rewards on your particular card and utilizing them before they expire, just like the Marriott credit card guide recommends.

Here are some top cards to earn points that transfer to the Marriott Bonvoy program:

If you're looking to rack up points quickly, consider the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card, which offers 85,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first six months. This card also comes with 1,000 bonus points for each qualifying stay when you pay with your card.

The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card is another option, offering 85,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months, worth about $595 in travel.

You can also earn points quickly with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, which offers 6x points on eligible hotel purchases, as well as 4x points at global restaurants and U.S. supermarkets.

For business travelers, the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card offers 4 points per dollar charged at 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.

Here are some of the best Marriott credit cards for earning points quickly:

Remember, the best card for you will depend on your individual spending habits and travel plans. Consider each card's bonus categories and whether they align with your existing expenses to maximize your points earnings.

To get the most out of your Marriott credit card points, upgrades, and perks, track the rewards on your particular card and utilize them before they expire. This can be done with the help of a reward tracking app.

Most Marriott credit cards come with a free night certificate and hotel elite status that can offset the annual fee. This is a significant perk, especially if you stay at Marriott hotels just a couple of times a year.

You'll typically need at least good credit to qualify for a Marriott credit card, which means a FICO score of at least 670.

To make the most of your Marriott credit card, consider which benefits you'll use before choosing a card. Examples include complimentary elite status, extra benefits, bonus points, and other perks that can make your Marriott stay more enjoyable.

Some Marriott credit cards have annual fees, ranging from the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card with no annual fee to the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card with a $650 annual fee.

To keep your Marriott points from expiring, earn points from co-branded credit cards, stays, points transfers from flexible points programs, and converting points to miles can all reset the clock.

125,000 Bonvoy points are worth $875 toward Marriott Bonvoy hotel stays, according to Business Insider's points valuations. However, you could get more or less value depending on where you redeem your points.

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Here's a breakdown of the benefits you can expect from different Marriott credit cards:

You can earn Marriott Bonvoy points by transferring points from various partners, including American Express Membership Rewards, BILT Rewards, and Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

These flexible points can be earned through various credit cards and transferred directly to the Marriott Bonvoy program at a 1:1 ratio, meaning 1,000 flexible points equal 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.

Some of the best credit cards to earn points which transfer to the Marriott Bonvoy program include the Bilt Mastercard, Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve Card, and several American Express cards.

Here are some of the top credit cards for earning transferable points:

These credit cards offer a great way to earn points that can be transferred to the Marriott Bonvoy program, helping you to maximize your points and redeem them for travel rewards.

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card offers a free night award every year after your card renewal month worth up to 85,000 points.

With the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card, you get a free night award every year worth up to 35,000 points. This is automatic on your account anniversary.

The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card come with a free night award worth 50,000 points, but only after you spend $15,000 in a calendar year.

To qualify for the free night award on the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card, you need to spend $15,000 in a calendar year.

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If you're an occasional traveler who stays at Marriott hotels, you might want to consider the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card.

This card offers a free night award every year worth up to 35,000 points, which can be redeemed for a free night at participating Marriott hotels.

The card also offers low-level Silver status with Marriott, and if you spend $35,000 on the card in a calendar year, you'll be upgraded to Gold status.

You can also get Gold status as a complimentary benefit with other Marriott credit cards, such as the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Card, Marriott Bonvoy Business Card, and The Platinum Card from American Express.

Here are some key benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card:

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card is a great option for occasional travelers who want to maximize their Marriott stays without breaking the bank.

If you're a Marriott Bonvoy cardholder, you're in luck because some of your cards come with rental car insurance. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card and Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card offer this benefit if you use them to pay for your rental.

However, not all Marriott cards provide rental car insurance. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card and Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Card don't offer this benefit.

It's essential to check your card benefits before renting a car to ensure you have the necessary coverage.

Earning elite status with Marriott can unlock some amazing perks.

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card comes with Platinum status, which is a great starting point.

Platinum status gets you access to exclusive benefits like room upgrades and free breakfast.

The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card, and Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card all grant you Gold status.

Gold status is a step down from Platinum, but still offers some great benefits like bonus points and extra amenities.

The Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card and Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card provide Silver status, which is a good starting point for beginners.

Silver status is a great way to get familiar with the Marriott elite status program and its benefits.

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Marriott Bonvoy points can be transferred to 39 airline loyalty programs, giving you flexibility and options for earning the miles you need for flights. You can transfer your points at a 3:1 ratio, which means every 3 Bonvoy points will get you 1 airline mile.

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This transfer option can be a game-changer for travelers who need a few extra miles to book a ticket. For example, if you're short on American Airlines AAdvantage miles for a holiday trip, you can use your Marriott points to top up your balance.

One thing to keep in mind is that you can earn a 5,000-mile bonus for every multiple of 60,000 Bonvoy points you transfer to a frequent flyer program. However, this bonus does not apply to American, Delta, or Avianca.

Here are some examples of airline loyalty programs that you can transfer your Marriott Bonvoy points to:

Note that this is not an exhaustive list, but it gives you an idea of the many airline loyalty programs you can transfer your Marriott points to.

I use the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card for my Marriott hotel spending, despite valuing the return on a non-Marriott card higher. This is because I can efficiently earn Marriott Bonvoy points, which I value at a 4.2% return, through this card.

Earning Marriott Bonvoy points can be challenging, short of staying at Marriott properties, but I consistently get big value when redeeming them, especially at luxury properties. I've found that collecting points that are harder to earn, even if they're not the points currency I value the most, can be beneficial.

The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Card offers similar rewards and bonuses as the Amex co-branded version, including 6x points on participating hotel purchases. This card also comes with a $250 annual fee, but it can be a good option for frequent travelers.

Marriott Bonvoy Gold status, which can be earned through this card, provides benefits like room upgrades, late checkout, and a 25% points bonus on paid stays. These perks can be very valuable, especially for those who frequently stay at Marriott properties.

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You're planning a trip and want to choose the right accommodations? Consider the value of Marriott Bonvoy points, which can vary greatly depending on the hotel.

A room at the Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort on Oahu, can be booked for 61,000 points per night, but it's worth only about 0.78 cent per point in value.

The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection on the Big Island, costs 92,500 points per night, but it's worth 1.09 cents per point in value. That's a significant difference.

To determine the value of Marriott Bonvoy points for you, compare the cash price to the points price for rooms at places you might want to stay in the future. Use the NerdWallet average of 0.9 cent per Bonvoy point as a benchmark.

Ultimately, the value of Marriott Bonvoy points will depend on your individual preferences and needs.

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