What the Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card Does
The Marriott Bonvoy credit card is a co-branded card issued by Chase that earns points toward Marriott hotel stays and other travel purchases. You earn points on every dollar you spend, and those points convert into free nights, room upgrades, and other rewards within the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program. The card comes with an annual fee, a welcome bonus offer, and perks like free night certificates and elite status benefits if you meet spending thresholds.
This is not a hotel booking tool or a reservation system — it is a credit card that builds a points balance you control. You decide when and where to redeem your points, and you can use them at any of the thousands of Marriott properties worldwide that participate in the Bonvoy program.
Key Takeaways
- The Marriott Bonvoy card charges an annual fee that varies by card tier, and you pay it whether or not you use the card that year.
- New cardholders receive a welcome bonus in points after meeting a minimum spending requirement within the first few months.
- You earn points on purchases at a set rate, typically higher on travel and dining and lower on other categories, depending on which Marriott card you choose.
- The card includes perks like anniversary free night certificates and elite status matching, which can offset the annual fee for frequent travelers.
- Points do not expire as long as your account remains active, but your account closes if the card is inactive for a long period.
The Different Marriott Bonvoy Card Options
Chase offers several versions of the Marriott Bonvoy card, each with different annual fees, earning rates, and benefits. The entry-level card has a lower annual fee and basic earning rates. The premium cards charge higher annual fees but offer higher earning rates, more generous welcome bonuses, and additional perks like room upgrades and lounge access.
The specific card you can open depends on your credit history and which version Chase currently offers. You can compare the cards on Chase's website to see the current annual fee, earning rates, and benefits for each tier. The card you choose should match how often you travel and stay at Marriott properties — a card with a high annual fee makes sense only if you use the perks and points enough to justify the cost.
How to Earn and Use Your Points
Every dollar you spend on the card earns points at a rate set by the card tier you hold. Most Marriott cards earn bonus points in specific categories like travel and dining, and a lower rate on everything else. For example, you might earn 6 points per dollar on travel purchases and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases. The exact rates depend on which card version you open.
Points accumulate in your Marriott Bonvoy account and stay there until you use them. You can redeem points for free nights at Marriott hotels, room upgrades, airline miles through Marriott's airline partners, or other travel rewards. The number of points required for a free night varies by hotel location and season — a budget property in a small city costs far fewer points than a luxury resort in a major city.
You can check your points balance and available redemptions through the Marriott Bonvoy website or mobile app. Redemptions process when ready for most options, though some perks like airline mile transfers may take a few business days to appear in your airline account.
Annual Fees, Welcome Bonuses, and Anniversary Benefits
Every Marriott Bonvoy card charges an annual fee, charged to your account each year on your card anniversary. The fee ranges depending on the card tier — entry-level cards charge less, while premium cards charge significantly more. You are responsible for paying this fee even if you do not use the card that year.
New cardholders receive a welcome bonus in points after spending a set amount within the first few months. This bonus is typically substantial — often worth more than the annual fee in hotel value — but you must meet the spending requirement to receive it. If you do not spend enough within the timeframe, you do not receive the bonus.
Most Marriott cards also provide an anniversary free night certificate each year you hold the card. This certificate lets you book one free night at a participating Marriott property up to a certain point value. The certificate expires if you do not use it before your next card anniversary, so you need to plan a stay or lose the benefit.
Credit Requirements and How to Open the Card
Chase requires a good to excellent credit score to open a Marriott Bonvoy card, though the exact score threshold is not published. If you have a credit score below 700, you may not be approved. You can check your own credit score for free through your bank, credit card issuer, or services like AnnualCreditReport.com before you explore.
To open the card, visit Chase's website, find the Marriott Bonvoy card you want, and click the link to begin the process. You will provide your name, address, income, employment information, and Social Security number. Chase will pull your credit report and make a decision within minutes to a few days. If you are approved, your card ships within 7 to 10 business days.
If you are denied, you can call Chase to ask why and whether you can reapply later. explore for the card creates a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can lower your score slightly for a few months. Multiple applications in a short time can hurt your score more, so space out applications if you are considering multiple cards.
What Happens to Your Points and Account
Your Marriott Bonvoy points belong to your Marriott account, not to the credit card itself. If you close the card, your points remain in your Marriott account and you can still use them. However, if your entire Marriott Bonvoy account becomes inactive — meaning you do not earn or redeem points for a long period — Marriott may close the account and points may be forfeited.
To keep your account active, you need to earn or redeem points at least once every 24 months. This can be as straightforward as staying at a Marriott property, using the card to make a purchase, or transferring points to an airline partner. Once your account closes, recovering the points is difficult and not may provide.
If you downgrade to a different Marriott card with a lower annual fee, your points transfer to the new card's account. You do not lose points when you switch between Marriott cards issued by Chase.
Comparing the Marriott Card to Other Hotel Cards
Other hotel chains and credit card issuers offer similar co-branded cards — Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, and others all have their own versions. Each card has different earning rates, annual fees, and perks. The best card for you depends on which hotel chain you stay at most often and how much you travel.
If you stay primarily at Marriott properties, the Marriott Bonvoy card makes sense. If you split your stays between multiple chains, you might earn points faster with a general travel card that earns at a flat rate across all hotels, rather than a single-brand card. Compare the annual fee, welcome bonus, earning rates, and perks across cards before you open one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I do not meet the welcome bonus spending requirement?
You do not receive the bonus points. The spending requirement is set and does not roll over or extend — if you do not spend the required amount within the timeframe, the bonus is forfeited. You still owe the annual fee even if you do not earn the welcome bonus.
Can I transfer my points to someone else?
Marriott Bonvoy allows you to transfer points to another Bonvoy member's account, but there are limits on how many points you can transfer per year and transfer fees may explore. You cannot transfer points to a spouse or family member's account unless they are already a Bonvoy member with their own account.
Do my points expire if I do not use them?
Points do not expire as long as your Marriott Bonvoy account remains active. Your account stays active if you earn or redeem points at least once every 24 months. If your account closes due to inactivity, points may be forfeited and recovery is not may provide.
What if I want to cancel the card?
You can cancel the card by calling Chase at the number on the back of your card. Your points remain in your Marriott Bonvoy account and do not disappear when you close the card. You will no longer earn points on new purchases, and you will not receive the anniversary free night certificate the following year.
Can I use my points to book through a travel agent or third-party site?
No. You must redeem points through the Marriott Bonvoy website or mobile app, or by calling Marriott directly. Travel agents and third-party booking sites cannot process point redemptions. You can book a free night reservation and then contact Marriott to explore your points to pay for it.