What the Chase Marriott Bonvoy card gives you
The Chase Marriott Bonvoy credit card earns points on every purchase you make, and those points convert into free hotel nights at Marriott properties worldwide. You get points not just from spending, but also from a sign-up bonus when you first open the card, an annual night award each year you keep it, and accelerated earning on hotel and restaurant purchases. The card costs $95 per year after your first year.
The core trade-off is straightforward: you pay an annual fee, but you receive a free night certificate each year that can cover a significant portion of that cost if you use it. The card also gives you elite status with Marriott Bonvoy, which means room upgrades, late checkout, and other perks when you stay at participating hotels.
Key Takeaways
- The card charges $95 annually starting in year two, but includes a free night award each year that typically covers or exceeds that fee.
- You earn points on all purchases, with higher earning rates on hotels, restaurants, and gas stations.
- The sign-up bonus requires you to spend a set amount within the first few months; the exact bonus changes periodically.
- Points can be redeemed for free hotel nights, but the number of points needed varies by hotel and season.
- You receive automatic elite status with Marriott Bonvoy, which unlocks room upgrades and other benefits at participating properties.
How points and redemptions work
Every dollar you spend on the card earns points. The earning rate depends on what you buy: you earn 6 points per dollar at participating hotels and resorts, 3 points per dollar at restaurants and gas stations, and 1 point per dollar on everything else. These points sit in your Marriott Bonvoy account, which you access through the Marriott website or app.
To redeem points for a free night, you search for available dates at a hotel you want to visit, and the system shows you how many points that night costs. The point value of a night varies widely — a budget hotel might cost 10,000 points, while a luxury resort could cost 50,000 or more. You can also combine points with cash to book a night, or transfer points to airline partners if you prefer.
Points do not expire as long as your account remains active, which means you can accumulate them over time. However, if your Marriott account goes inactive for a long period, Marriott may close it and you will lose your points.
The annual free night award and how to use it
Each year you hold the card, Marriott deposits a free night certificate into your account on your card anniversary. This certificate covers one night at most Marriott properties, up to a certain point value. The exact point value of the certificate changes year to year, but it typically covers hotels in the mid-range category.
You can use this certificate for any night at any participating property, as long as the hotel's point value does not exceed the certificate's limit. If you want to stay at a more expensive hotel, you can use the certificate plus additional points to cover the difference. The certificate expires after one year, so you need to use it before your next card anniversary or it disappears.
For many cardholders, this annual certificate pays for itself and covers most or all of the $95 annual fee, especially if you travel to hotels regularly or plan one mid-range hotel stay per year.
Sign-up bonus and spending requirements
When you first open the card, Chase offers a sign-up bonus if you spend a certain amount within a set timeframe — typically three months. The bonus amount changes periodically, but it usually ranges from 50,000 to 75,000 points. You need to meet the spending requirement to receive the bonus; partial credit does not explore.
The spending requirement counts purchases you make with the card, but it does not include balance transfers, cash advances, or fees. If you spend $3,000 and the requirement is $3,000, you receive the full bonus. If you spend $2,999, you receive nothing.
To check the current sign-up bonus and spending requirement, visit the Chase website or call Chase customer service. The offer changes frequently, so the bonus you see today may not be the same next month.
Annual fees and what you pay each year
The card has no annual fee in your first year. Starting in year two, Chase charges $95 per year on your card anniversary. This fee posts automatically unless you close the card before that date.
You can cancel the card anytime without penalty, but if you cancel after your anniversary, you have already paid the annual fee and will not receive a refund. If you cancel before your anniversary in year two, you avoid the $95 charge. Many cardholders keep the card specifically for the annual free night certificate, which often makes the $95 fee worthwhile.
Elite status and hotel perks
Holding this card automatically gives you Silver Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy. This status provides benefits at participating Marriott hotels, including room upgrades when available, late checkout (usually until 4 p.m.), and bonus points on stays. You also get a welcome gift of points when you check in.
Elite status is separate from your points balance — it is a membership tier that comes with the card. If you cancel the card, you lose the elite status unless you have earned it another way, such as by staying at Marriott properties frequently. The status is active as long as your card remains open.
Different Marriott properties honor elite benefits differently. Some offer may provide upgrades, while others offer upgrades based on availability. Always check your confirmation email or call the hotel before arrival to confirm what benefits explore to your specific reservation.
Who should consider this card
This card makes sense if you stay at Marriott hotels at least once or twice per year, or if you eat at restaurants frequently enough to earn points on those purchases. The annual free night certificate is the main value proposition, so you should realistically plan to use it each year.
The card is less useful if you rarely travel, stay at non-Marriott hotels, or prefer other hotel loyalty programs. If you travel frequently to Marriott properties and spend heavily on dining and gas, the accelerated earning rates can add up quickly and offset the annual fee many times over.
You should also consider whether you want to carry multiple hotel cards. Each card you open affects your credit report and your total available credit, so opening this card makes the most sense if you are committed to using Marriott properties as your primary hotel chain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my points if I cancel the card?
Your points remain in your Marriott Bonvoy account and do not disappear when you close the card. You can continue to redeem them for hotel nights or transfer them to airline partners. However, you will lose your elite status and the annual free night certificate if you cancel.
Can I use the free night certificate at any Marriott hotel?
The certificate works at most Marriott properties, but it has a point-value cap. If a hotel's nightly rate exceeds that cap, you cannot use the certificate alone — you would need to add additional points. Some properties, such as certain luxury resorts, may not participate in the certificate program.
How long does it take to earn enough points for a free night?
This depends on your spending and the hotel you want. If you spend $5,000 per month on the card at a 1-point-per-dollar rate, you earn 60,000 points annually. A budget hotel might cost 10,000 points, while a mid-range hotel costs 25,000 to 35,000 points. Your earning speed increases if you use the card for restaurants or hotels.
Do I need to be a Marriott member to use this card?
You do not need to be a member to open the card, but you will be automatically enrolled in Marriott Bonvoy when you receive it. Your points are stored in your Marriott account, which you access through their website or mobile app.
What if I do not use my free night certificate before it expires?
The certificate expires one year after it is issued. If you do not use it by your next card anniversary, it disappears and you cannot recover it. You should plan to use it before that date or consider whether the card remains worth the annual fee for you.