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The promise of free nights, room upgrades, and hotel points with the Marriott Bonvoy Amex Business Card sounds tempting. But let’s pause and ask: do these rewards truly complement your lifestyle and add some excitement to routine business travels?
I’m diving into the card’s features, unveiling its perks, and decoding if it’s the right fit for your needs. Keep reading to learn if aligns with what you’re looking for in a business card.
This article will include:
- What the Amex Marriott Credit Card offers you.
- All the Amex Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card benefits and setbacks.
- A quick Marriott Credit Card comparison.
Read more:
Our Verdict
4.8
Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card: On FIRE Score
| Annual Fee | annual_fees | 5/5 |
| APR | reg_apr,reg_apr_type | 4/5 |
| Intro Offer | bonus_miles_full | 5/5 |
| Maximum Rewards | 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points at Marriot. | 5/5 |
| Everyday Rewards | 2x Marriott Bonvoy Points on other eligible purchases. | 5/5 |
| On FIRE Score | 4.8/5 |
What Is the Marriott Bonvoy Amex Business Credit Card?
The American Express Marriott Bonvoy Business credit card is tailor-made for business travelers who have mastered the art of overnight packing.
That said, this isn’t your standard travel card. Rather than airlines and miles, this card puts the spotlight on Marriott Bonvoy hotel stays—with over 7,000 to choose from worldwide.
With the Marriott Bonvoy card, you can earn up to 6x points on hotel stays, global dining, US gas stations, and more. You’ll also get other benefits, such as Mariott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, room discounts, and premium internet access.
One standout perk is the annual free night award. It’s a nice touch that can contribute to big savings over time.
How Does the Marriott Amex Credit Card Work?
Let’s start with reward points—the make or break for any credit card. Each Marriott Bonvoy point is worth between 0.7—0.9 cents, but the amount of points required for an overnight stay varies drastically depending on which hotel you choose.
Here’s the scoop on the points system—
- 6x points per dollar: Eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
- 4x points per dollar: Eligible purchases at worldwide restaurants, US gas stations, US purchases for shipping, and wireless phone services purchased directly from US service providers.
- 2x points: All other eligible purchases.
The best way to redeem points is by booking hotel stays, ranging from 5,000 to 120,000 points per night. But since Marriott got rid of their awards chart, point requirements can vary, and you’ll have to do some digging to find the best rates.
There are other ways to redeem your points, but they don’t match the optimal value you get from hotel bookings.
Here’s a breakdown—
- Flights: You can redeem for flights through the Mariott Travel Portal at a less than impressive 3:1 ratio. They’re currently partnered with 39 airlines, and you’re free to transfer up to 240,000 points per day.
- Gift cards: You can purchase gift cards from a bunch of popular brands, such as Sephora, Lowe’s, and Adidas. But again, you won’t be getting the best value. You’ll need 5,000 points for a $10 gift card and 30,000 for a $100 gift card.
- Online shopping: Through the Rewards Within Reach platform, you can redeem 10,000 points or less for a range of products. I did some digging and—no surprise, you’re better off shopping elsewhere. For example, the Lacoste Men’s Essential Eau de Toilette (2.5 oz) is worth 22,500 points, totaling around $180. You can buy the same cologne from Walmart at $77, with discounts knocking the price down even further.
- Donate: If you’re feeling generous you can donate points to over 20 charities, such as the American Red Cross and UNICEF. For a $5 donation, you’ll need around 2,500 points.
- Marriott Bonvoy Moments: You can purchase experiences through auctions or at a fixed price. This includes up to five Bonvoy Moments a year in five categories: culinary, entertainment, lifestyle, sports, and partners.
As a self-proclaimed business card, it’s disappointing that you can’t earn points specifically on business purchases. However, the card does have the standard work-related tools that come with most Amex business cards.
These tools include account management, access to QuickBooks, year-end summaries, and the ability to pay bills with Vendor Pay by Bill.com. For me, the most handy feature is the Employee Marriott Bonvoy Business Cards—you can add up to 99 employees to set spending limits and watch out for suspicious purchases.
Now, back to the fun stuff—the yearly free night award. Everyone loves free things, but the best part is this free night can easily offset the annual fee of $125. Price tags on hotel stays can vary, but with the average Marriott overnight stay costing around $245, this is a bargain. And if you spend $60,000 a year, you get another free night for good measure.
The card also comes with complimentary Gold Elite status—bringing you 25% more points on hotel purchases, potential room upgrades, and late checkouts. Plus, the card has a 7% room rate discount, so you can get the golden treatment without shelling out the full price.
Take a look at our selection of the best business cards.
Marriott Bonvoy Business Card: Fees
| Details | Metric |
| Annual fee | annual_fees |
| Regular APR | reg_apr,reg_apr_type |
| Cash advance APR | cash_advance_apr |
| Cash advance fee | cash_advance_fee |
| Penalty APR | 29.99% |
| Foreign transaction fee | foreign_transaction_fee |
| Returned payment fee | $39 |
| Late fee | late_payment_fee |
Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card: Pros and Cons
There’s nothing like a good old-fashioned pros and cons list to help you decide (à la Friends).
Pros
- Automatic Marriott Gold Elite status.
- Generous sign-up bonus of 3 free nights.
- 7% room rate discount.
- Baggage and car rental insurance.
- Extended warranty and purchase protection.
Cons
- annual_fees annual fee.
- Poor airline transfer ratio.
- No airport lounge access.
Why I like it
Automatic Gold Elite status
I always appreciate a comfy bed and a quiet room, but it’s the special touches that always bring me back. And if you’re a frequent hotel visitor, extra perks can really help brighten up your business trip.
Here are some of the benefits of the Gold Elite status:
- More points: You’ll get 25% more points on every eligible hotel purchase. This covers room rates and other incidentals, like dining and spa charges.
- Late checkout: Enjoy a few extra winks with priority late checkout—no need to pack your bags and leave until 2 p.m.
- Room upgrades: While this isn’t guaranteed, Marriott will do their best to upgrade your room based on availability.
- Welcome points: Upon arrival, Marriott will treat you to a welcome gift of 250 to 500 bonus points.
- Cash and points: Don’t have enough points to book your stay? You can pay for your room by combining cash and points—for as little as $55 and 3,500 points.
- Redemption: If you fancy a cocktail at the hotel lounge or a much-needed facial at the spa, you’re free to charge the amount to your hotel room and pay with points.
Member rates: By booking through the Marriott Bonvoy website or app, you’ll get access to exclusive rates for Gold status members.
Generous sign-up bonus
Marriott Bonvoy gives you a boost right out of the gate with a sign-up bonus of three free night awards (worth up to 95,000 points). Of course, the catch is that you’ll need to spend $6,000 in the first six months of account opening.
If you combine the complimentary annual free night and the extra free night for spending over $60,000 a year, you can get a maximum of five free nights in the first year for simply using the card. With the average cost of a Marriott hotel overnight stay being around $245, those five nights are valued at around $1,225.
7% room rate discount
Saving money is always a win. With a 7% room rate discount, the Marriott card offers a tangible benefit every time you book a stay at a Marriott Bonvoy property.
As a Marriott Bonvoy member, you’re already entitled to a 2% to 5% discount off the Standard Flexible Room Rate. But with this Amex Business card under your belt, you get an additional discount, bringing the total to 7% on standard rooms only.
Baggage and car rental insurance
I know firsthand that lost or damaged baggage can be enough to ruin a trip. But this card will at least ensure you’re compensated for it. You, your partner, and any children under 23 years of age will be covered by the baggage insurance.
Here are the terms—
| Location | Checked-in baggage | Carried-on baggage |
| Transit to or from the terminal | N/A | Up to $1,250 |
| While at the terminal | N/A | Up to $1,250 |
| Traveling on a common carrier vehicle | Up to $500 | Up to $1,250 |
Your car rental insurance also provides coverage for up to $50,000 for the first 30 days in case of theft or damage (excluding rental vehicles in Australia, New Zealand, and Italy).
Extended warranty and purchase protection
If your company frequently invests in electronics and technology, the card offers extended warranty coverage for an additional year and purchase protection, giving you an added layer of assurance.
The purchase protection covers theft or accidental damage within 90 days from the purchase date. It’s limited to $1,000 per incident and up to $50,000 per account annually, making sure your purchases are safe.
Why you may want a different card
annual_fees annual fee
At annual_fees, it’s not the highest annual fee out there, but it’s still an extra expense that I’d rather not pay. However, if you take advantage of the free night awards and discounted room rates, you can easily offset this fee.
But if you’re business is on a tight budget, check out no-annual-fee cards like the card_name or the card_name.
Poor airline transfer ratio
While you have plenty of airlines to choose from, the transfer ratio is a disappointing 3:1. This isn’t too surprising for a card that focuses on hotel-based rewards and perks—but if your goal is to get a catch-all travel card, this one misses the mark.
A silver lining is that Marriott International will add 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points you transfer to airline miles.
But if you’re keen for better value, check out the card_name or the card_name for 1:1 airline transfer rates and other travel perks.
No airport lounge access
There’s no denying that the Marriott Bonvoy card offers plenty of benefits for those staying in their hotels—but those options become limited once you step outside your hotel room.
As the card is for business travelers, it’s a shame they don’t include access to airport lounges. And being a ‘hotel card’ isn’t an excuse—the card_name offers ten complimentary visits to over 1,200 airport lounges after enrolling in Priority Pass™ Select Membership.
If you want more sky-high perks, check out the top travel cards with cash back.
Amex Mariott Bonvoy Credit Card: Additional Things to Know
How do the Amex Marriott rewards work?
The Amex Mariott Bonvoy Business card lets you earn 6x points at Marriott, 4x points on restaurants, gas stations, and wireless telephone services, as well as 2x points on other purchases.
These points can get you some handy hotel deals, but the best way to take full advantage of your card is to soak up all the added rewards and benefits.
Here’s a rundown of the top Amex Marriott card benefits—
- Elite Night Credits: Get a head start with 15 Elite Night Credits credited to your Marriott Bonvoy Member Account within 60 days of getting your card. To score these credits, you have to be a Basic Card Member and link to an active Marriott Bonvoy Member Account. Have more than one Amex Marriott Bonvoy account? Combine your credits for up to 40 Elite Night Credits.
- Free night award: Spend $60,000 on eligible purchases and bag a Free Night Award from Marriott Bonvoy. This money-saving award can snag you a one-night stay, covering room rates and taxes, at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels with redemption levels at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
- Gold Elite Status: Your card comes with a complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status. Think late checkout until 2 p.m., premium Wi-Fi, and potential room upgrades like better views or special amenities. Plus, rake in 25% more points on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.
- Room rate discount: Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card members get a 7% discount off the Standard Flexible Room Rate by booking with the Amex Business Card Rate. As a regular Marriott Bonvoy member, you already get 2% to 5% off the Standard Flexible Room Rate—but you can combine that with your card’s Amex Business Card Rate for a total of 7% off.
- Lowest price guarantee: It’s not exactly a reward, but it’s certainly rewarding to have reassurance. If you book on amextravel.com, you can score the lowest hotel rate guarantee. Find the same room, hotel, dates, and details at a lower price online (before taxes and fees), and they’ll refund you the difference.
Check out the best cash back credit cards for more rewards.
How to transfer Amex to Marriott points?
Transferring your Amex points to Marriott might seem like a crazy idea. Amex Membership Rewards points have more flexibility in terms of redemption options and can offer better value, such as 1:1 airline transfer rates.
So why would you want to transfer to Marriott? By transferring 2 Membership Rewards points (MRP), you’ll get 3 Marriott Points (MP)—this 2:3 transfer ratio is a pretty sweet deal if you want to boost the value of your hotel stays.
The minimum transfer is 400 points, and the estimated transfer time is around one business day.
Here are some transfer amounts to give you a better idea of how much you’ll be getting—
- 2000 MRP = 3000 MP
- 10,000 MRP = 15,000 MP
- 50,000 MRP = 75,000 MP
- 100,000 MRP = 150,000 MP
The process is simple—head toward the Marriott Bonvoy points transfer page, sign into your account, and enter how many points you would like to transfer. If you need help converting your points they also have an easy-to-use transfer calculator.
Amex Mariott Bonvoy Business vs. Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless: What’s the difference?
There are a myriad of Marriott Bonvoy cards, but the Amex Marriott Bonvoy and the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless credit cards are often pitted against each other. So, which comes out on top?
The Amex card hits you with a slightly higher annual fee of $125 compared to Chase’s $95. Not the best start for Amex, but stay with me.
As for bonuses, Amex offers three free nights after spending $6,000 in six months, while Chase dishes out three free nights after hitting $3,000 in three months. In both cases, the free nights total 95,000 points.
While Chase has a smaller spending threshold, Amex gives you double the time to meet its spending requirement—looks like this one is a tie.
And let’s not forget what’s going on behind the scenes. American Express’s “once-per-lifetime” rule means if you’ve previously earned the same bonus, you won’t qualify for it again. Chase’s 5/24 rule could be more restrictive for some, as they won’t let you open more than five cards in the last 24 months.
More cracks show when you dig deeper into each card’s benefits. The Amex card automatically comes with Gold Elite status, while Chase only offers Silver (with the chance to earn Gold after spending $35,000 a year).
Without the automatic Gold status, Chase cardholders miss out on potential room upgrades, welcome gift points, and 25% bonus points on stays (reduced to 10% with Silver).
To give you a clearer picture, here are the two Marriott Bonvoy cards side-by-side—
| Details | card_name | card_name |
| On FIRE score | 4.8/5 | 4.8/5 |
| Annual fee | annual_fees | annual_fees |
| APR | reg_apr,reg_apr_type | reg_apr,reg_apr_type |
| Welcome bonus | bonus_miles_full | Earn three free nights (each night valued at 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 in your first three months. |
| Rewards |
|
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| See Rates and Fees | See Rates and Fees |
If Chase has caught your eye, discover the best Chase credit card for you.
How to Maximize Points With the Amex Marriott Business Card
Our Verdict
4.8
To maximize your Marriott Bonvoy points, prioritize using them for hotel stays rather than transferring them for flights. Most Marriott flight transfer ratios stand at 3:1 across programs, which isn’t great value compared to other business cards, like the card_name, which offer 1:1 ratios.
But what you should focus on is Marriott’s fifth-night free benefit on award reservations. Marriott’s “Stay for 5, Pay for 4” perk means you can reduce your five-night stay by around 20%. The chance to get a free night is integrated into the booking process for eligible stays of five nights or more.
And the timing of your bookings is everything. To save those points, look for reduced rates during off-peak seasons. Marriott keeps details about the cheaper seasons under lock and key, but you can easily find out by doing some legwork. Head to the Marriott website, choose a destination, and select “Flexible Dates” to see the prices for each night, every month.
Through the “Flexible Dates” option, you can also pre-select “Use Points/Awards” to view any discounted rates and book with PointSavers. If you’re lucky, you can use PointSavers to save up to 20% off regular point redemption rates. These offers come and go, so keep a lookout.
Best Cards to Pair With the Amex Marriott Business Credit Card
To further maximize your points and status with the hotel chain, consider pairing it with other Amex Marriott credit cards.
The card_name comes with a reasonable $250 annual fee and offers 6x points on Marriott hotels—totaling 12x points when combined with the business card. The Bonvoy Bevy also gets you 4x points at supermarkets, a handy perk missing from the business card.
Plus, combining the two cards means more free nights and a total of 30 annual Elite Night Credits. Plus, you bag an additional 1,000 bonus points for booking a stay with the Bevy Bonvoy card.
If you’re keen to earn points on the airline side of traveling, you can also check out the Amex Business Platinum Card—which offers 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels.
Alternatives to the Amex Mariott Bonvoy Business Card
If you’re eager to explore further, here are more hotel cards—
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Amex Marriot Bonvoy Business Credit Card: Useful Links
- Amex Marriott Bonvoy credit card login.
- Fill out the Marriott Bonvoy Business credit card card_name
- Find out more on the Marriott Bonvoy Business website.
- Amex Marriott Bonvoy credit card customer service.
- Learn more on the Amex FAQ page.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s website.
Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card Customer Reviews
If you’ve made it this far, I’m guessing you’re seriously considering signing up for this card. But before you commit, take a look at these firsthand experiences for some insight—
“Great rewards like 4x on gas and dining make this not only a keeper card but an everyday card that is my number one go-to option. Plus, the free anniversary night easily offsets the annual fee.”
“This is a great card if you travel and stay in the Starwood hotels. I used this card in combination with my Delta Gold card from Amex. As a member for 16 years, this is a great card. The credit limit could be higher though.”
Is the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Business Card Worth it?
If you’re a regular at Marriott hotels or just big on travel, this card packs some punch. The 6x points at Marriott hotels and Gold tier status can help you get better hotel value and have a more enjoyable stay.
But if you’re more focused on the journey than the destination, you’ll need to combine this card with another that offers better airline redemption options and more points on airline travel.
Ready to book your next Marriott getaway?
Apply for the Amex Mariott Bonvoy Business Card here.
FAQ
What’s the best Marriott credit card?
Here’s a comparison of the best Marriott cards to help you find the right one—
- Amex Marriott Bonvoy Business: Great for business spenders with accelerated points on business purchases, Gold status offers, and solid rewards at Marriott hotels.
- Chase Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card: Entry-level card with no annual fee, offering basic perks and earning points on Marriott stays and everyday purchases.
- Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless: A popular choice with a good intro bonus, annual free night, and perks like Silver Elite status.
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express: Premium card with high-end perks, like an annual free night, Platinum Elite status, and airport lounge access.
Check out more top travel cards for on-the-road.
Is it hard to get a Marriott Bonvoy Business credit card?
Getting a Marriott Bonvoy Business card shouldn’t be difficult if you have a decent credit score and a legitimate business. While Amex doesn’t specify exact credit score requirements, you should aim for a score of FICO 670 or higher (good to excellent).
You’ll also need the following details ready when filling out the application:
- Legal business name.
- Business address and phone number.
- Industry type and company structure.
- Years in business and number of employees.
- Business revenue and tax ID.
- Personal details.
Take a look at our selection of the best business cards.
Is the Marriott Bonvoy Business credit card metal?
While previous versions of the card were metal, the current Marriott Bonvoy Amex Business card is made from plastic.
Our Methodology
Our credit card reviews aim to provide a comprehensive assessment of both quantitative and qualitative factors. The quantitative analysis focuses on the financial costs and benefits associated with each card, including interest rates, fees, rewards programs, cash-back offers, and other monetary perks. However, we also consider qualitative aspects that impact the everyday use and value of the card. These include the simplicity of the application process, the structure of the rewards program, the likelihood of utilizing certain card features, and the suitability of the card for frequent or infrequent use. Our On FIRE rating system allows for quick comparisons between cards within a particular category. When choosing a new credit card, consumers should weigh the quantitative dollar amounts along with qualitative ease-of-use factors to select the best overall option for their needs.
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Physician on FIRE has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Physician on FIRE and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Some or all of the card offers that appear on the website are from advertisers. Compensation may impact on how and where card products appear on the site. POF does not include all card companies or all available card offers. Credit Card Providers determine the underwriting criteria necessary for approval, you should review each Provider's terms and conditions to determine which card works for you and your personal financial situation.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
User-Generated Content Disclosure: Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
