Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex review: Great benefits for loyal Bonvoy members

Overview of the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card is an excellent choice for small-business owners who are fans of Marriott Bonvoy. It offers valuable benefits, including an annual complimentary night at hotels (up to 35,000 points; resort fees may apply) and the opportunity to enhance your Marriott elite status with 15 elite night credits each year. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½

*Card rating reflects the perspective of TPG's editors and is not swayed by the card issuer.

This Marriott Bonvoy Business Card shares many features and benefits with the Marriott Bonvoy consumer cards, but it also includes generous bonus reward categories tailored for small-business owners.

With an annual fee of $125 (see rates and fees) and a recommended credit score of at least 670, this card provides numerous additional benefits, making it a strong option for hotel business credit cards.

Here's everything you should know about the only Marriott business credit card currently available to new applicants.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Bonvoy Business Amex

Bonvoy Business Amex introductory offer

Currently, with the Bonvoy Business Amex, new cardmembers can earn three complimentary night awards after making $6,000 in purchases during the first six months of membership.

Each complimentary night award can be redeemed for stays worth up to 50,000 points at hotels within the Marriott Bonvoy network. Resort fees and terms apply.

As per TPG's September 2024 valuations, Marriott points are valued at 0.85 cents each, meaning the three free night awards (up to 50,000 points per night) could total as much as $1,275. This presents an excellent value considering the card's annual fee.

Benefits of the Bonvoy Business Amex

A significant reason to consider this card is its additional perks. Enrollment is necessary for certain benefits; terms apply.

Initially, it provides automatic Marriott Gold Elite status, which offers 25% bonus points on paid stays, late checkout, premium internet access, a points welcome gift with every stay, and room upgrades (subject to availability at check-in).

Additionally, you will receive 15 elite night credits toward the next tier of elite status (which can be combined with a Marriott Bonvoy consumer card) and a complimentary night award each anniversary year. Resort fees may apply.

The complimentary night can be used at properties costing 35,000 points or less per night. You can top off your 35,000-point certificates with up to 15,000 points from your Bonvoy account. Furthermore, you can earn a second complimentary night award (up to 35,000 points per night) after spending $60,000 in a calendar year. Resort fees may apply.

Additional benefits include access to Amex Offers and no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees).

Moreover, you can receive an automatic 7% discount on standard room rates when you book an eligible room directly through Marriott at participating properties using the Amex Business Card Rate. However, the 7% discount may seem more attractive than it truly is.

Earning rewards with the Bonvoy Business Amex

This card allows you to earn 6 points for every dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program.

You also earn 4 points for every dollar spent at restaurants around the globe, U.S. gas stations, on wireless services purchased directly from U.S. providers, and on shipping purchases made with U.S. merchants.

For all other eligible purchases, you'll receive 2 Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card points per dollar spent.

Marriott Gold Elite members and higher can earn additional Marriott points for every purchase made at eligible Marriott Bonvoy properties; these points can be combined with those earned on the Bonvoy Business Amex.

Redeeming rewards with the Bonvoy Business Amex

Naturally, the most straightforward method to redeem Marriott Bonvoy points is for hotel stays. Bonvoy employs dynamic pricing, meaning the number of points needed for a stay tends to be lower during off-peak travel times.

Whenever possible, take advantage of the fifth night free on award stays. This benefit allows you to enjoy up to a 20% discount on your redemption and make your points go further.

TPG credit cards writer Chris Nelson's prime strategy for using free night certificates is at luxury hotels in Eastern Europe, like The Ritz-Carlton in Budapest and Vienna, where you can often redeem for 45,000 points per night.

Transferring points with the Bonvoy Business Amex

You can exchange your Marriott Bonvoy points for airline miles, generally at a 3:1 ratio, plus receive a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points you transfer.

Bonvoy points are particularly advantageous for certain award flights, as they can be transferred to airlines that don’t collaborate with other transferable points programs, such as Alaska Airlines, Japan Airlines, and Asiana. This creates numerous opportunities for booking valuable flights with hard-to-earn miles.

Marriott boasts some of the most flexible policies regarding points transfers between accounts, making it both free and straightforward to manage online. That said, using your points for stays at Marriott is still the most beneficial way to utilize them.

What cards rival the Bonvoy Business Amex?

Although this is Marriott's sole small-business card open to new applicants, there are personal Marriott Bonvoy cards available that provide similar or even superior benefits.

• If you desire automatic Platinum Elite status: The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card includes this, along with an annual free night at Marriott hotels valued at up to 85,000 points per night (note that some hotels may impose resort fees) and up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year (up to $25 monthly) when using your card at eligible restaurants globally. Enrollment is necessary for select benefits; terms apply. These perks can help mitigate the card's substantial $650 annual fee (see rates and fees). To learn more, read our full review of the Bonvoy Brilliant.
• If you prefer a different hotel brand: Consider the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card. This card provides Hilton Gold status and 12 points per dollar spent at eligible Hilton properties; terms apply. To learn more, read our full review of the Hilton Honors Amex Business.
• If you seek broader rewards: Opt for The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. It grants 5 points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked via Amex Travel. Alongside its numerous benefits and fee credits, you also gain Gold status with both Marriott and Hilton. Enrollment is necessary for select benefits; terms apply. To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Business Platinum.

For more options, take a look at our complete list of the best hotel cards.

Conclusion

The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a strong small-business card that offers valuable advantages at over 8,000 locations worldwide. With a free night award, solid earning categories, and attractive perks, it stands out as one of the better hotel credit cards for small-business owners and could be well worth it if you frequently stay with Marriott to make the most of its offerings.

This card is an excellent choice for those looking to apply for valuable Chase credit cards, as being an Amex business card means it won't contribute to your Chase 5/24 count.