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- When Marriott merged with Starwood, it ended up with two different credit card partners: American Express and Chase.
- Now, the new Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program gives Marriott loyalists the choice between the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card, the Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card, and the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card.
- However, because the three cards belong to two different issuers, the rules for which Marriott cards you are eligible for and for which you can get the bonus are complicated.
When Marriott merged with Starwood, it ended up with two different credit card partners: American Express and Chase.
All of these cards have merged into the new Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program, meaning that you have the opportunity to choose from multiple card products and banks. American Express offers the Bonvoy Brilliant premium card and, for businesses, the Bonvoy Business card. Chase, meanwhile, offers the Bonvoy Boundless Visa for consumers.
Although it is a very unusual arrangement in the credit card industry, Chase and American Express cooperate to ensure that you cannot simultaneously have cards or receive welcome bonuses from both issuers. The rules are very complicated, but in general, you can't get any of these cards if you currently have a Marriott Bonvoy credit card in the same family with either bank.
So, for example, if you have a business card, you can't get the new business card; if you have a personal card, you can't get a personal card. To switch between a personal AmEx and Chase Visa card, you'll have to cancel the AmEx and wait more 30 days.
The good news is that for the AmEx products, you'll be warned if you aren't eligible for a welcome bonus before a credit report is run, giving you a chance to withdraw the application. So, there is no harm in starting the application process if you aren't sure whether or not you're eligible.
Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
If you qualify, this Visa Signature card ($95 annual fee) is offering a 75,000-point signup bonus after meeting a $3,000 minimum spend in the first three months.
Along with the normal slate of Visa Signature benefits, you'll receive 6x points per dollar spent at Marriott properties, 2x points per dollar spent on all other purchases, and no foreign transaction fees. The most valuable benefit is a Free Night Award, which you can book into any property costing up to 35,000 points, and automatic Silver Elite status through 15 elite nights which are granted each account anniversary year.
It is possible to earn Gold Elite status with $35,000 of spend per year on the Bonvoy Boundless, but there are much better cards for everyday spend; this is only worthwhile if most of the spending is with Marriott. You can also earn up to an additional 100,000 points by referring your friends.
The hard part? This card is issued by Chase, so it's subject to its 5/24 rule (meaning you can't have signed up for more than five cards in the past 24 months). Accordingly, it's best to get this card if you intend to keep it for the annual free night bonus, versus just for the signup bonus.
AmEx Marriott Bonvoy Business
Many people own a business without even realizing it. If you sell things online, perform freelance services or own rental property, you own a business and can benefit from separating your business and personal spending.
The AmEx Marriott Bonvoy Business card currently offers a 75,000-point welcome offer after meeting a $3,000 minimum spend in the first three months. This card earns 6x points per dollar spent with Marriott, 4x points at US restaurants, US gas stations, and on wireless telephone services purchased directly from US service providers, and 2x points on all other purchases.
Given the relatively low value of Marriott points, this isn't a particularly rewarding card for everyday spend. However, it does offer automatic Silver Elite status through 15 elite nights which are granted each account anniversary year.
You also receive a Free Night Award, which you can book into any property costing up to 35,000 points. With $60,000 per year in annual spend on the card, you can earn a second free night award. A free Boingo Wi-Fi subscription is also included as part of your $125 annual fee.
AmEx Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
You might do a double-take at the hefty $450 annual fee. However, this is a premium card with premium benefits. If you use them well, you'll get plenty of value in return.
The Bonvoy Brilliant card offers a solid 75,000 point welcome offer after meeting a $3,000 minimum spend in the first three months. You'll earn points at a similar rate to other cards: 6x points per dollar spent with Marriott, 3x points per dollar at US restaurants and flights (when booked directly with an airline), and 2x points per dollar on everyday spend.
Given the low value of Marriott points, this isn't particularly rewarding, but it's worthwhile to use the card for spending with Marriott.
The real value is in the perks. The first $300 in spend you make with Marriott is rebated as a statement credit. Along with 15 elite nights, you'll receive automatic Gold status with Marriott. If you spend $75,000 on the Bonvoy Brilliant, you can earn Platinum (although for what you get, this is a questionable value proposition for most people).
You'll receive an annual free night award that can be applied to a property costing up to 50,000 points. This is enough for most 4-star properties, and can even get you into a few international 5-star properties. You'll receive a Priority Pass, which gets you and two guests into Priority Pass airport lounges worldwide. If you don't have TSA Precheck or Global Entry yet, you can apply and the fee will be refunded up to $100. And you'll get a free Boingo Wireless subscription.
How to choose which card could be best for you
All three Bonvoy cards are most valuable for the Marriott status they confer and the free nights that are offered.
If you infrequently stay at Marriott hotels and aren't targeting the most aspirational properties, the Bonvoy Boundless and Bonvoy Business products are designed for you. Given the lower annual fee and similar benefits with the Bonvoy Boundless, for most people, this will be the better of the two cards to obtain if you're eligible.
The Bonvoy Brilliant is designed for people who spend at least $300 per year with Marriott. It has an effective $150 annual fee after the $300 in statement credits you'll receive on Marriott spend. If you use the free night certificate at an aspirational property, you can get far more value out of the card with only this benefit.
The other benefits are nice if you don't already have them, but duplicate those of more rewarding cards for everyday spend (an extra Priority Pass can certainly come in handy if you're traveling with a group, though!). Other than that, the Gold status the card confers will get you late checkout and an occasional room upgrade.
These aren't the best cards for everyday spend. They should be paired with more rewarding cards. However, if you're a Marriott loyalist, one of these three cards in your wallet will be indispensable.
Learn more about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless »
Learn more about the Marriott Bonvoy Business »
Learn more about the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant »
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