As the largest hotel chain in the world with over 30 brands and 8,000 properties in 139 countries, it makes sense that Marriott has a handful of co-branded credit cards. These cards offer a variety of travel benefits, including the opportunity to earn Marriott Bonvoy points â the currency used in Marriottâs loyalty program â and redeem award nights and other perks.
But with so many options, how do you know which Marriott credit card offers are right for you? Here’s a quick comparison of cards, including welcome offers, annual fees and other card benefits.
Marriott Bonvoy credit card overview
Welcome offer |
Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. |
Earn 3 Free Nights (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after qualifying purchases. |
Earn 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $3,000 in purchases on the Card within the first 3 months. Terms Apply. |
Annual fee |
|||
Points earned on Marriott spending |
3 points per dollar spent. |
6 points per dollar spent. |
6 points per dollar spent. |
Bonus points earning rate |
2 points per dollar spent on other travel purchases; 1 point per dollar spent everywhere else. |
3 points per dollar on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on gas stations, grocery stores and dining; 2 points per dollar spent everywhere else. |
3 points per dollar spent at U.S. restaurants and on flights booked directly with the airline; 2 points per dollar everywhere else. |
Free award night |
One night redeemed at up to 35,000 points every year. |
One night redeemed at up to 50,000 points every year. |
|
Marriott Bonvoy elite status |
Qualify for Silver based on elite night credits. |
Automatically receive Silver status annually on your card anniversary. |
Automatically receive Gold status as long as youâre a cardholder. |
Elite night credits |
15 each year. |
15 each year, earn an additional night for every $5,000 spent. |
15 each year. |
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit |
Up to $100 every four to five years. |
||
Statement credits |
$300 per year. |
||
Priority Pass Select membership |
|||
Foreign transaction fees |
Terms apply.
Marriott Bonvoy credit card comparison
Letâs take an in-depth look at the Marriott Bonvoy BoldÂŽ Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy BoundlessÂŽ Credit Card and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant⢠American ExpressÂŽ Card across the welcome offers, annual fees and unique benefits.
Welcome offers
All three of Marriottâs co-branded credit cards come with different welcome offers:
-
Marriott Bonvoy BoldÂŽ Credit Card: Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
-
Marriott Bonvoy BoundlessÂŽ Credit Card: Earn 3 Free Nights (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after qualifying purchases.
-
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant⢠American ExpressŽ Card: Earn 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $3,000 in purchases on the Card within the first 3 months. Terms Apply.
Of these, the welcome offer provided by the Marriott Bonvoy BoundlessÂŽ Credit Card beats out the competition. Although free night certificates are more restricted than bonus points, you can redeem them for stays of up to 50,000 points â well above the bonuses of the other two cards.
Terms apply.
Annual fees
Thereâs a range of annual fees for these cards.
The Marriott Bonvoy BoldÂŽ Credit Card has no annual fee, making it free to hold.
The mid-tier Marriott Bonvoy BoundlessÂŽ Credit Card costs $95 per year, but provides a few extra perks in exchange for the annual fee, including a free night certificate.
At $450, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant⢠American ExpressÂŽ Card is the most expensive option. However, youâll receive a $300 credit each year as well as a 50,000-point free night certificate, effectively dropping your out-of-pocket costs.
Terms apply.
Spending toward elite status
Just two of these cards offer the ability to spend your way to higher Marriott elite status. The Marriott Bonvoy BoundlessÂŽ Credit Card provides complimentary Silver elite status that can be bumped to Gold after spending $35,000 during a calendar year.
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant⢠American ExpressÂŽ Card, meanwhile, comes with complimentary Gold elite status; once youâve spent $75,000 in a calendar year youâll receive Platinum status.
Terms apply.
Benefits unique to the Marriott Bonvoy BoundlessÂŽ Credit Card
Earn elite night credits
A newer benefit for this card, you have the ability to spend your way to a higher elite status by earning one elite night credit for every $5,000 you spend, with no cap.
Bonus points on groceries, gas and dining
Although this benefit caps out at $6,000 per year, itâs nice to earn a few extra points on everyday purchases such as food, gas and groceries.
Benefits unique to the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant⢠American ExpressŽ Card
$300 travel credit
This annual credit reimburses you with up to $300 in statement credits each year for eligible purchases made at Marriott properties. Starting Sept. 22, 2022, this benefit will be replaced with a monthly statement credit of up to $25 for eligible restaurant purchases, for a maximum of $300 per year.
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
A common perk on travel credit cards, this $100 credit â offered every four to five years â will reimburse you for the application or renewal fees of either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
$100 Marriott Bonvoy property credit
When booking a minimum two-night stay at a special rate, cardholders receive a $100 property credit for a stay at a Ritz Carlton or St. Regis hotel.
Priority Pass Select membership
Granting airport lounge access to cardholders, those with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant⢠American ExpressŽ Card receive a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership. Enrollment required.
Terms apply.
Choose the best Marriott credit card offer for you
Marriottâs list of co-branded credit cards is as unique as its property portfolio. The nice thing about so many options is that youâll likely find a card that fits your needs. Whether youâre looking for something simple (and free), or are willing to splurge on high annual fees in exchange for big benefits, Marriott has a credit card offer for you.
To view rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant⢠American ExpressŽ Card, see this page.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes whatâs important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2022, including those best for:
This post was originally published on Nerd Wallet