What the Marriott Bonvoy Visa Card is and who it's for

The Marriott Bonvoy Visa is a co-branded credit card issued by Chase in partnership with Marriott International. When you use it to make purchases, you earn points in the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program instead of (or in addition to) cash back. Those points can be redeemed for hotel stays, flights, and other travel-related expenses through the Marriott Bonvoy ecosystem.

This card makes sense if you stay at Marriott properties regularly — whether for work travel, vacations, or both — and want to accumulate points faster than you would by paying cash and earning points through the hotel directly. It does not make sense if you rarely stay at hotels or prefer to earn cash back on all your spending.

Chase offers several versions of this card at different annual fee levels, each with different earning rates and sign-up bonuses. The specific benefits and costs depend on which version you hold.

Key Takeaways

  • The Marriott Bonvoy Visa charges an annual fee (the amount varies by card tier) and earns points on every purchase you make, which you can redeem for Marriott hotel stays and other travel expenses.
  • You earn bonus points on your first purchase and additional points on Marriott stays and dining purchases, but the earning rate on everyday spending is lower than some competing travel cards.
  • The card includes perks like a free night certificate each year (on higher-tier versions), room upgrades, and late checkout at Marriott properties, but these benefits only have value if you actually use them.
  • Points can expire if your account is inactive for 24 months, so you need to use the card or your Marriott account regularly to keep points from disappearing.
  • The annual fee is not refundable, so you should calculate whether the free night certificate and other benefits are worth more than what you pay each year.

How points earning works on this card

Every time you swipe the Marriott Bonvoy Visa, you earn points based on the category of purchase. On everyday purchases — groceries, gas, restaurants — you typically earn 1 point per dollar spent. On Marriott hotel stays and dining at participating restaurants, you earn more points per dollar, often 3 to 6 points depending on the card tier and the specific merchant.

When you first open the card, you receive a sign-up bonus of points (the exact number depends on which card version you choose). This bonus usually requires you to spend a certain amount within the first few months. For example, you might earn 50,000 bonus points if you spend $5,000 in the first three months — but you need to check your specific card's offer to know the exact requirement.

Points accumulate in your Marriott Bonvoy account, which is separate from your credit card account. You can see your balance by logging into the Marriott Bonvoy website or app. The points never expire as long as your account stays active, but if you do not use your Marriott account or the credit card for 24 consecutive months, Marriott will close your account and you will lose any points you have saved.

What the annual fee covers and what it does not

The Marriott Bonvoy Visa charges an annual fee that is billed to your credit card each year on your account anniversary. The amount ranges from around $95 to $450 depending on which version of the card you hold. This fee is not waived for the first year on most versions — you pay it when ready when your account opens.

In return for this fee, you receive certain benefits. The most valuable is usually a free night certificate that you can use once per year at a Marriott property up to a certain point level (higher-tier cards include certificates for higher-point properties). You also typically receive room upgrades when you check in, late checkout, and bonus points on your account anniversary.

The catch is that these benefits only have value if you actually use them. If you never stay at a Marriott hotel, the free night certificate is worthless. If you stay at budget properties that cost fewer points than your certificate allows, you may not get full value. Before you open the card, calculate whether the free night certificate alone is worth the annual fee at properties where you actually stay.

How to redeem points for hotel stays and other rewards

To redeem points, log into your Marriott Bonvoy account on the Marriott website or app and search for available hotels on your desired dates. Each property shows the number of points required for each night. You can book directly using points, or you can use a combination of points and cash if you do not have enough points for the full stay.

Points can also be transferred to airline partners in the Marriott Bonvoy program — Marriott has partnerships with most major airlines. The transfer rate is usually 1 Marriott point equals a fraction of an airline mile (often 1 point equals 1 airline mile, but this varies). Some people find airline transfers valuable if they are close to earning a free flight; others find hotel redemptions more straightforward.

You can also use points to pay for dining at participating restaurants, car rentals, and other travel expenses through the Marriott Bonvoy portal, though hotel stays are typically the most common redemption.

Annual fee versus the value you actually get

The annual fee is a real cost that hits your account every year, whether you use the card or not. To decide if the card makes financial sense, you need to know what you will actually use.

Start with the free night certificate. Look up the point value of hotels where you typically stay. If you stay at a property that costs 50,000 points per night and your card's certificate covers up to 50,000 points, and you stay there at least once per year, the certificate alone may cover most or all of the annual fee. If you stay at cheaper properties or rarely travel, the certificate has little value.

Add in the sign-up bonus. If you earn 50,000 bonus points and those points are worth $500 to $600 in hotel stays (depending on the property), that bonus can offset the first year's fee. But this is a one-time benefit, not something you get every year.

After the first year, you are paying the annual fee for the free night certificate, room upgrades, and the ongoing earning rate on your purchases. If the free night certificate is worth less than the fee, or if you do not use it, the card costs you money every year.

Comparing this card to other travel credit cards

Other travel credit cards earn cash back or points in different programs. A card that earns 2% cash back on all purchases, for example, might be better if you do not stay at Marriott hotels often. A card that earns points in a different hotel program (like Hilton or IHG) makes more sense if you prefer those chains.

The Marriott Bonvoy Visa is most competitive if you are already loyal to Marriott properties and would earn Marriott points anyway through your stays. The card accelerates that earning and adds perks like room upgrades and the free night certificate. If you are not a frequent Marriott guest, the annual fee is harder to justify.

Some people hold multiple hotel credit cards — one for Marriott, one for Hilton, one for another chain — to maximize benefits across different properties. Others find that one card with a lower annual fee and broader earning categories (like a general travel card) works better for their spending patterns.

What happens if you close the card or stop using it

If you close the Marriott Bonvoy Visa, your points do not disappear when ready. They stay in your Marriott Bonvoy account as long as your account remains active. However, if you do not use your Marriott account or any Marriott credit card for 24 consecutive months, Marriott will close your account and you will lose all your points.

This means that if you accumulate 100,000 points and then stop traveling for two years, those points will vanish. To keep your points alive, you need to either stay at a Marriott property, use a Marriott credit card, or log into your Marriott Bonvoy account at least once every 24 months.

If you decide the annual fee is no longer worth it, you can downgrade to a no-annual-fee version of the Marriott Bonvoy card (if one exists) rather than closing the account entirely. This keeps your points active and your account open without paying the fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my points at hotels other than Marriott?

Marriott Bonvoy points can only be redeemed at Marriott-owned or Marriott-managed properties, which includes brands like Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, W Hotels, Sheraton, and Westin. You cannot use them at independent hotels or competing chains. You can transfer points to airline partners, but that is a different redemption path.

What if I do not spend enough to earn back the annual fee?

If the free night certificate and sign-up bonus do not cover the annual fee in your first year, or if you do not use the card much after that, you are paying money for a benefit you do not use. Calculate the value of the free night at hotels where you actually stay before opening the card.

Do I lose my points if I do not use the card for a while?

Points do not expire as long as your Marriott Bonvoy account stays active. Your account stays active if you use any Marriott credit card, stay at a Marriott property, or log into your account at least once every 24 months. If your account closes due to inactivity, your points are lost.

Is the sign-up bonus worth opening the card?

The sign-up bonus can be valuable if you were planning to spend that amount anyway in the first few months. If you have to spend extra money just to earn the bonus, you are paying for points that may not be worth the cost. Only pursue the bonus if it aligns with spending you would do regardless.

Can I get the annual fee waived?

Chase does not typically waive the annual fee on the Marriott Bonvoy Visa, even if you call to ask. The fee is charged on your account anniversary each year. Your only option is to close the card or downgrade to a version with a lower or no annual fee.