Unlock Up to 200K Points with These Unprecedented Marriott AmEx Credit Card Deals

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Marriott Bonvoy has introduced one of its most enticing credit card welcome bonuses ever, allowing you to rapidly accumulate points through card expenditures and stays at Bonvoy hotels. This offer has two components: first, receive a welcome bonus for spending a specified amount within a set period. Second, gain an additional 50,000 bonus points after completing six qualifying paid nights at Marriott Bonvoy properties by January 31, 2024. Applications must be submitted by August 9, 2023, to qualify for these incredible bonuses.

Among a strong array of cobranded credit cards, Marriott Bonvoy’s premier card, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (annual fee $650, see rates and fees), offers the highest rewards to new cardholders: 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months, plus the 50,000 points per six-night stay bonus. That totals 200,000 points redeemable for vacations nearly anywhere globally, thanks to Marriott’s vast network of 30 brands (8,300 properties in 138 countries and territories). The mid-tier Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card ($250, see rates and fees) provides up to 175,000 points, including 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months, along with the 50,000 points per six-night stay bonus.

Here’s a summary of the two card offers to assist you in choosing the right one for your needs.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card was relaunched in the summer of 2022, offering cardholders the upgraded Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite Status (up from the previous Gold Status) and enhancing the annual anniversary Free Night Award's value to 85,000 points from the previous 50,000.

The Brilliant card is ideal for Marriott enthusiasts who can fully leverage the benefits of Platinum Elite Status, typically requiring 50 nights of stay per year. This status includes perks such as lounge access, superior room upgrades, and a 4 p.m. late checkout (subject to availability). However, it also appeals to travelers who may spend only a few weeks—or even just a week—per year in hotels and enjoy the luxury associated with Platinum status. While the $650 annual fee may initially seem high, the value derived from the annual certificate (often redeemable at properties costing $1,000 per night), coveted Platinum status, airport lounge access, and statement credits makes it worthwhile.

It's important to note that when the card was relaunched last year, it featured an attractive limited-time bonus of 150,000 points, which was the highest we had seen for this card. The introductory offer was later reduced to 95,000 points and even 85,000 at times. The current bonus of up to 200,000 points is the best offer yet, allowing you to earn 150,000 points after spending $6,000 on purchases within six months of account opening, along with an additional 50,000 bonus points after staying six eligible paid nights at Marriott Bonvoy hotels by January 31, 2024.

Not only does this card offer a generous welcome mega-bonus for quickly accumulating points, but it also features an excellent points-earning structure. You can earn up to 21 points per dollar spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3 points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines, and 2 points on all other purchases. If you take full advantage of the introductory offer and spend six nights at Bonvoy properties averaging $300 per night, you'll receive the 50,000-point bonus plus an extra 37,800 points (21 points per dollar x $300 per night x 6 nights). That adds up to a significant number of points!

During your hotel stays, enjoy various on-property benefits thanks to the automatic Platinum Elite Status provided by the card. You can also access airport lounges when traveling to or from your destination. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card offers complimentary Priority Pass Select Membership (enrollment required), allowing access for the cardholder and two guests to over 1,300 airline lounges around the globe. Additionally, you'll receive up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year (allocated as $25 per month) for dining purchases at restaurants worldwide, along with up to $100 in statement credits every four years for Global Entry application fees, or up to $85 every four and a half years for TSA PreCheck.

Moreover, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card keeps its cardholders satisfied over time by offering one Free Night Award annually after the renewal month. This award can be redeemed for one night at any hotel or resort, valued up to 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, which can typically secure you a property worth around $1,000. Not too shabby!

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card was launched in September 2022, targeting travelers eager to quickly earn hotel award nights and enjoy automatic Gold Status without incurring a high annual fee. Initially, the card attracted customers with a 125,000-point bonus, which later decreased to 85,000 points. Currently, you can earn 125,000 points after spending $5,000 on purchases within six months of opening your account, plus an additional 50,000 bonus points after staying six eligible paid nights at Marriott Bonvoy hotels by January 31, 2024.

Similar to its more premium counterpart, the Brilliant, the Bevy also features an impressive points-earning structure. Cardholders can earn up to 18.5 points for every dollar spent at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 4 points at restaurants globally and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases per year), and 2 points on all other transactions. Following our earlier example, if you fully utilize the current introductory offer and spend six nights at Bonvoy properties averaging $300 per night, you’ll receive the 50,000 bonus plus an extra 33,300 points (18.5 points per dollar x $300 per night x 6 nights). That’s a substantial amount of points!

While the Bevy lacks annual credits like those offered by the Brilliant, cardholders enjoy automatic Gold Status and earn a Free Night Award (valued up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points, instead of 85,000) after making $15,000 in purchases each year.

Key Takeaways

Marriott Bonvoy continues to provide excellent opportunities for earning free nights at even its most prestigious brands through its latest offers from the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card.

Despite the higher annual fee, we lean towards the Brilliant for its perks, including Platinum elite status, statement credits, airport lounge access, and the value of an annual free-night certificate that significantly offsets the annual fee. If you’ve been considering a Marriott credit card and plan to spend a week or more in hotels before year-end, it’s worth strongly considering one of these two cards. Just keep in mind that applications must be submitted by August 9, 2023, to qualify for these mega-bonuses.

Although the offers outlined above are accurate as of the publication date, they are subject to change at any moment and may have already changed or may no longer be available.