The Marriott Bonvoy credit cards are issued by Chase, and which one makes sense depends on how much you travel and what you spend on each month
There is no single "best" Marriott card because the right choice depends on your spending habits and how often you stay at Marriott properties. Chase currently offers three Marriott Bonvoy cards: the standard card, the Premier Plus card, and the Brilliant card. Each charges a different annual fee and offers different earning rates and perks. The standard card has no annual fee. The Premier Plus card charges an annual fee but includes a free night certificate each year. The Brilliant card charges the highest annual fee but adds travel credits and higher earning rates.
Before you choose, think about two things: how much you spend on dining, groceries, and travel each year, and whether you stay at Marriott hotels often enough to use the perks. A card that costs $95 per year only makes financial sense if the benefits you actually use are worth more than $95 to you.
Key Takeaways
- The no-annual-fee Marriott Bonvoy card earns points on all purchases and is worth considering if you stay at Marriott occasionally but do not want to pay for perks you will not use.
- The Premier Plus card charges $95 per year but includes an annual free night certificate, which can be worth $100 to $300 depending on the hotel category you book.
- The Brilliant card charges $450 per year and includes a $300 annual travel credit, a free night certificate, and higher earning rates on dining and travel.
- All three cards earn Marriott Bonvoy points that you can redeem for hotel stays, but the earning rate and bonus categories differ between cards.
- Your credit score, annual spending, and travel frequency should guide your choice — a card with a high annual fee is only worth it if you will use the included benefits.
How the three cards compare on annual fees and free night certificates
The standard Marriott Bonvoy card has no annual fee. You earn 2 points per dollar on Marriott stays and dining, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. This card is straightforward: you pay nothing upfront, and you accumulate points slowly on everyday spending. There is no free night certificate, no travel credit, and no bonus categories beyond Marriott and dining.
The Premier Plus card costs $95 per year. In exchange, you receive an annual free night certificate that can be used at most Marriott properties worldwide. The certificate covers one night's room rate and taxes, up to a certain point value that varies by card tier. You also earn 3 points per dollar on Marriott stays and dining, and 1 point per dollar on everything else. If you stay at Marriott hotels at least once per year and the free night certificate covers a stay you would have paid for anyway, the card often pays for itself.
The Brilliant card costs $450 per year. It includes a $300 annual travel credit (which covers airfare, hotels, rental cars, and some other travel expenses), an annual free night certificate, and higher earning rates: 3 points per dollar on dining and travel, and 1 point per dollar on other purchases. The Brilliant card is designed for people who travel frequently and spend heavily on dining and airfare.
Earning rates and bonus categories: where you accumulate points fastest
Points are the currency of Marriott Bonvoy. The more points you earn, the more nights you can book without paying cash. The earning rate varies by card and by category.
On Marriott hotel stays, the Premier Plus and Brilliant cards both earn 3 points per dollar, while the standard card earns 2 points per dollar. On dining, the Premier Plus earns 3 points per dollar and the Brilliant earns 3 points per dollar, while the standard card earns 2 points per dollar. On airfare and other travel purchases, the Brilliant card earns 3 points per dollar, while the other two earn 1 point per dollar. On groceries, gas, and everyday purchases, all three cards earn 1 point per dollar.
If you spend $3,000 per year on dining and Marriott stays combined, the Premier Plus card would earn you 9,000 points per year from those categories alone, compared to 6,000 points on the standard card. That 3,000-point difference might cover one free night at a mid-range property. Whether that is worth $95 depends on whether you would book that night anyway.
When the free night certificate actually saves you money
The free night certificate is the most valuable perk on both the Premier Plus and Brilliant cards, but only if you use it. The certificate covers one night's room rate and taxes, but it has a maximum point value. For the Premier Plus card, the certificate typically covers stays at properties in lower and mid-range categories. For the Brilliant card, the certificate covers higher-category properties. If you book a night that costs more than the certificate's maximum value, you pay the difference out of pocket.
A free night certificate is worth using if you stay at Marriott hotels at least once per year and the certificate covers a property where you would have paid cash. If you never stay at Marriott, or if you only stay at properties that exceed the certificate's maximum value, the certificate is worthless to you. In that case, the annual fee is pure cost.
The Brilliant card's $300 travel credit is easier to use than the free night certificate because it covers any travel purchase — airfare, rental cars, hotels outside Marriott, train tickets. If you book one flight per year, you almost certainly use the $300 credit. That means the Brilliant card's true annual cost is $450 minus $300, or $150 per year, before you count the free night certificate.
Your credit score and approval odds
All three Marriott Bonvoy cards are issued by Chase, and all require a good credit score to be approved. Chase typically approves applicants with a credit score of 670 or higher, though approval is not may provide at any score. The higher your score, the better your odds and the higher your credit limit may be.
If your credit score is below 670, you may be denied. If you have been denied for a Chase card in the past, you can call Chase reconsideration at the number on the denial letter to ask whether your situation has changed. Do not explore for multiple cards in a short time, because each process creates a hard inquiry on your credit report and can lower your score by a few points.
How to decide which card is right for you
Start by asking yourself three questions: How much do I spend on dining and travel each year? How often do I stay at Marriott hotels? And would I use the free night certificate if I received one?
If you spend less than $1,000 per year on dining and Marriott stays combined, and you stay at Marriott fewer than once per year, the standard no-annual-fee card is the right choice. You will accumulate points slowly, but you will not pay for perks you do not use.
If you spend $1,000 to $3,000 per year on dining and Marriott stays, and you stay at Marriott at least once per year, the Premier Plus card often makes sense. The free night certificate usually covers the $95 annual fee, and the higher earning rates on dining and Marriott stays add up over time.
If you spend more than $3,000 per year on dining and travel combined, and you travel frequently, the Brilliant card may be worth the $450 annual fee. The $300 travel credit and free night certificate together cover most of the fee, and the higher earning rates on dining and airfare add significant value.
How to use Marriott Bonvoy points once you have them
Points can be redeemed for hotel stays, airline miles, or other travel purchases through the Marriott Bonvoy program. The number of points required for a night varies by property and by season. A budget property might cost 10,000 points per night, while a luxury resort might cost 50,000 or more. You can also transfer points to airline partners at a 1-to-1 ratio, though this is usually not the best value.
The real value of a Marriott card comes from combining points earned through spending with points earned through sign-up bonuses. When you open a new card, you typically receive a bonus of 50,000 to 100,000 points after you spend a certain amount in the first few months. That bonus alone can cover several free nights at mid-range properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hold more than one Marriott Bonvoy card at the same time?
Yes. Some people hold both the Premier Plus and Brilliant cards to maximize earning rates and receive two free night certificates per year. However, you will pay both annual fees. This strategy only makes sense if your spending is high enough that the extra earning rates and second free night certificate justify paying both fees.
What happens to my free night certificate if I do not use it before the year ends?
The certificate expires at the end of your card membership year, which is typically 12 months from when you opened the card. You cannot carry it over to the next year. Mark your calendar when you open the card so you remember to book before the certificate expires.
Do I earn points on the annual fee itself?
No. The annual fee does not earn points. You only earn points on purchases you make with the card.
What if my credit score is too low to be approved?
If you are denied, wait at least six months before explore again. Use that time to pay down existing balances and make all payments on time. These actions will raise your credit score. You can also start with the no-annual-fee Marriott card, which has slightly lower approval requirements, and upgrade to a premium card later.
Can I switch from one Marriott card to another without losing my points?
Yes. Your Marriott Bonvoy points are tied to your account, not to the card itself. If you close one Marriott card and open another, your points remain in your account. However, closing a card can lower your credit score slightly, so wait at least a few months between applications.