Perhaps you’ve joined the and have a few Marriott stays booked on the calendar — or maybe this is the first time you’ve considered Marriott loyalty.
Getting a dedicated credit card can help you ramp up your rewards earning rates so you can earn free stays more quickly. But the road to getting a Marriott credit card isn’t all sparkles, upgrades and points.
Here’s what you need to know to add a Marriott credit card to your lineup.
When it comes to co-branded credit cards, Marriott partners with two issuers: American Express and Chase. Each bank offers two Marriott credit cards to Bonvoy members, for a total of four credit cards available to consumers and small-business owners.
Here are some key differences:
Other benefits: Up to $300 Marriott Bonvoy statement credit, 15 elite night credits, Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), Global Entry or TSA PreCheck enrollment fee credit, and a $100 Marriott Bonvoy property credit for a two-night minimum stay at The Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis. Terms apply.
Terms apply.
Getting a brand-specific travel credit card can be a significant step towards determining your loyalty. Before you make that decision and select a , ask yourself the following questions.
Before you apply for a Marriott rewards card, figure out which issuer suits your needs best — or — and whether you qualify for one of its credit cards. Keep in mind the unwritten that limits the number of credit cards you can be approved for in any 24-month span (max five).
Also, consider which cards you’ve had in the past. For instance, American Express cardholders are only allowed to earn a welcome bonus on a specific card . If you’ve already had the or the in the past, you might consider one of the Chase-issued options instead.
Examine your recent travels to decide which card has an annual fee you can justify. We recommend thinking through which cards have a fee you’re comfortable paying (if any) that offer benefits you expect to use. The goal is to extract enough benefits from card membership to offset the fees.
Consider each card’s bonus categories and whether your existing (or anticipated) spending patterns will result in a lot of Bonvoy points. If you rarely eat out, a card that offers extensive bonus points on dining might not be of use to you.
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While the ability to earn Bonvoy points at an accelerated rate can be attractive to some, it’s worth doing a gut-check about whether going “all-in” on a single hotel brand is the right choice for you.
A more generic travel credit card that isn’t tied to a specific brand, such as the or the , could give you more flexibility in booking not just accommodations with points, but flights, too. If you anticipate traveling to destinations where Marriott properties are harder to come by, a card like this can come in handy.
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If you currently don’t hold a Marriott card and haven’t applied for too many credit cards in the last 24 months, getting a Marriott credit card shouldn’t be too difficult. However, you need to be aware of some restrictions that can preclude you from obtaining a Marriott Bonvoy card.
Potential barriers include:
You can easily apply for the Marriott credit card of your choice by clicking the Apply Now button on each card’s review page:
The application process is fairly straightforward, and the application questions will differ depending on if you’re applying for a personal card or a business credit card. For instance, American Express asks applicants to provide the legal business name, the company Doing Business As name and the business’s physical address.
applicants on the Chase website will need to provide information like name, mailing address, gross annual income and primary source of income.
Co-branded Marriott cards help accelerate the speed with which you earn rewards in the Marriott Bonvoy program. However, the ongoing perks, such as elite status, elite night credits and are also worth considering.
Based on how often you stay at Marriott properties, pick a card that suits your needs best, and use it to keep earning rewards in between hotel stays.
To view rates and fees of the , see .
To view rates and fees of the , see .
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the , including those best for:
This post was originally published on Nerd Wallet
