What the Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card does
The Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card is a co-branded card issued by Chase in partnership with Marriott International. When you use it for purchases, you earn points in the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program instead of cash back. Those points can be redeemed for hotel nights, room upgrades, airline miles, or other travel rewards at Marriott properties worldwide.
The card comes with a sign-up bonus — typically a large number of points awarded after you spend a certain amount in the first few months. It also includes perks tied to Marriott Bonvoy membership, such as elite night credits (which move you up in the loyalty tier system), room upgrades, and late checkout at participating hotels.
There are several versions of this card. The standard Marriott Bonvoy card has an annual fee. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card has a higher annual fee but includes additional benefits like annual free night certificates and higher earning rates. A third version, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold card, targets newer cardholders with a lower annual fee.
Key Takeaways
- You earn Marriott Bonvoy points on every purchase, and points can be redeemed for hotel stays, room upgrades, or airline miles through Marriott's transfer partners.
- The card charges an annual fee that varies by version; the standard card and Brilliant card both waive the first year, but the Bold card has a lower ongoing fee.
- New cardholders receive a sign-up bonus of points after meeting a spending threshold, usually between 3,000 and 6,000 points depending on the card version and current promotion.
- Cardholders earn elite night credits that count toward Marriott Bonvoy status, which unlocks benefits like room upgrades and late checkout at hotels.
- The card earns different point rates depending on where you spend: more points at Marriott properties and on travel purchases, fewer on everyday purchases.
How earning rates and annual fees work
The earning structure depends on which version of the card you hold. On the standard Marriott Bonvoy card, you earn 6 points per dollar spent at Marriott properties and on Marriott Bonvoy reservations, 2 points per dollar on other travel and dining purchases, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. The Brilliant card earns at the same rates but includes additional perks that justify its higher annual fee. The Bold card has a lower earning rate of 3 points per dollar at Marriott properties and 1 point per dollar everywhere else.
Annual fees range from $95 to $550 depending on the card version. The standard card and Brilliant card both waive the annual fee in your first year, then charge it starting in year two. The Bold card charges its annual fee from the start but at a lower amount. Some versions include an annual free night certificate that can offset part of the fee if you use it at a participating hotel.
Points do not expire as long as your Marriott Bonvoy account remains active, which means you can accumulate them over time. However, if your account goes inactive for a long period, Marriott may close it and you could lose your points.
Sign-up bonuses and how to meet them
When you open a new card, you receive a sign-up bonus after you spend a set amount within a set timeframe — usually three to six months. The bonus typically ranges from 50,000 to 100,000 points depending on the card version and the current promotion. This bonus is the largest single earning opportunity most cardholders will have.
To receive the bonus, you must meet the spending requirement. This means charging that amount to the card itself, not to other cards or accounts. If you do not meet the threshold by the important date, you do not receive the bonus. Some people time large planned purchases — like flights or car rentals — to coincide with opening a new card to reach the spending requirement more easily.
You can only receive a sign-up bonus once per card version, and Chase typically has rules about how long you must wait between bonuses on the same card. These rules change, so check Chase's current terms before opening a new account if you have held one of these cards before.
Elite night credits and status benefits
Each Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card comes with elite night credits that count toward your Marriott Bonvoy status tier. The standard card typically awards 10 elite night credits per year, while the Brilliant card awards 15. These credits count as if you had stayed that many nights at a Marriott property, which helps you reach higher status levels like Silver Elite, Gold Elite, or Platinum Elite.
Higher status tiers unlock tangible benefits: room upgrades when available, late checkout (usually until 4 p.m. instead of the standard 11 a.m. or noon), complimentary breakfast at some properties, and bonus points on stays. The elite night credits from your card can be the difference between reaching a new tier and staying at your current level, which means the card can pay for itself through these benefits alone if you travel regularly.
These credits are awarded once per year, usually on your card anniversary. You do not earn them on every purchase — they come as a fixed annual benefit tied to holding the card.
Redeeming points for hotel stays and other rewards
Points are redeemed through the Marriott Bonvoy website or mobile app. You search for available dates at a hotel you want to visit, and the app shows you the point cost for each night. Costs vary widely depending on the property, the season, and demand — a night at a budget property might cost 10,000 points, while a luxury resort could cost 50,000 or more.
You can also transfer points to airline partners at a fixed rate, typically 1 Marriott point equals 1 airline mile. This is useful if you want to book flights instead of hotel stays, though the conversion rate means you usually get more value by redeeming points directly for hotel nights.
Some cardholders use points to book "free night certificates" that come with certain card versions, which may provide a free night at a specific category of hotel regardless of the nightly point cost. These certificates have expiration dates and category limits, so read the terms carefully.
Who this card makes sense for
This card is most valuable if you stay at Marriott properties regularly — at least a few times per year — or if you travel frequently enough that the elite night credits and status benefits will be used. The annual fee only makes financial sense if the perks and points you earn outweigh the cost.
If you rarely stay at hotels or prefer other chains, a different travel card might offer better value. If you stay at Marriott properties but only once or twice a year, the standard card's lower annual fee is usually better than the Brilliant card's higher fee, since you may not use all the premium benefits.
Business travelers and people who book multiple rooms per year often find the card worthwhile because they accumulate points faster and can reach higher status tiers more easily. Leisure travelers should calculate whether the annual fee and earning rates align with their actual travel patterns before opening an account.
Comparing versions and deciding which card to open
| Feature | Standard Card | Brilliant Card | Bold Card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $95 (waived year 1) | $550 (waived year 1) | $99 |
| Elite Night Credits | 10 per year | 15 per year | 5 per year |
| Points at Marriott | 6 per dollar | 6 per dollar | 3 per dollar |
| Free Night Certificate | No | Yes (annual) | No |
| Best For | Regular Marriott guests | Frequent travelers | New cardholders |
The standard card is the middle ground — it has a reasonable annual fee and solid earning rates. The Brilliant card justifies its higher fee only if you use the free night certificate and other premium perks regularly. The Bold card is designed for people new to the Marriott Bonvoy program or those who want to test whether the card fits their travel habits before committing to a higher annual fee.
Before opening any version, check Chase's website for current sign-up bonuses and terms, as these change frequently. Also review your own travel patterns over the past year to see whether the earning rates and benefits match how you actually spend money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this card at non-Marriott hotels?
Yes. You earn points on every purchase you make with the card, regardless of where you spend. However, you earn more points when you use it at Marriott properties or for travel-related purchases like flights and rental cars. Everyday purchases at grocery stores or gas stations earn fewer points per dollar.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points stay in your Marriott Bonvoy account as long as the account itself remains active. Closing the credit card does not close your loyalty account. However, if your Marriott Bonvoy account goes inactive for an extended period with no activity, Marriott may close it and you could lose your points. Keep your loyalty account active by earning or redeeming points periodically.
Do I have to pay the annual fee every year?
Yes, unless you close the card. The first year is waived on the standard and Brilliant cards, but the fee posts on your anniversary date each year after that. You can close the card before the anniversary to avoid paying the fee, though you will lose access to future benefits and elite night credits.
How long does it take to receive my sign-up bonus?
After you meet the spending requirement, the bonus points usually post to your Marriott Bonvoy account within one to two billing cycles. This is not when ready, so do not expect the points to appear the same day you complete your spending threshold.
Can I transfer points to someone else?
Marriott allows you to transfer points to another Marriott Bonvoy member's account, though there may be a fee depending on the amount. You cannot transfer points to a spouse or family member's account unless they are a separate Marriott Bonvoy member. Points are tied to the individual account holder, not to the credit card itself.