What the Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card offers

The Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card is a co-branded card issued by Chase in partnership with Marriott International. It earns points on every purchase you make, and those points convert into free nights, room upgrades, and other rewards at Marriott properties worldwide. You do not need to be a Marriott member already — the card itself enrolls you in the Bonvoy program when you open the account.

The card comes in two versions: the standard Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Premiere Credit Card. The Premiere version carries a higher annual fee but includes additional perks like an annual free night certificate and higher earning rates. Both cards charge an annual fee, which is deducted from your account each year on your card anniversary.

Earning happens automatically. You accumulate points on every dollar spent, with bonus earning on Marriott stays and dining purchases. Points never expire as long as your account remains active, though your account can close if you do not use the card or your Bonvoy membership for a period of time (typically 24 months of inactivity).

Key Takeaways

  • The Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card earns points on all purchases and offers a sign-up bonus after you meet a spending requirement in the first few months.
  • You pay an annual fee each year, and the Premiere version costs more but includes a free night certificate and higher earning rates.
  • Points can be redeemed for free hotel nights, room upgrades, airline miles, or other travel rewards through the Bonvoy program.
  • The card automatically enrolls you in Marriott Bonvoy membership, and points never expire as long as your account stays active.
  • You can use the card at any merchant that accepts Visa, not just at Marriott properties.

How to open a Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card account

You can open an account online through Chase's website or by calling Chase directly. Go to the Chase credit cards section, search for "Marriott Bonvoy," and select the version you want. The process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment information.

Chase will run a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points. You typically receive a decision within minutes, though some applications are flagged for manual review and take one to two business days. If you are approved, your card ships within 7 to 10 business days.

Once your card arrives, set up it through the Chase mobile app or website before using it. set up is when ready and takes less than a minute. You can then start earning points right away, including toward any sign-up bonus the card is currently offering.

Sign-up bonuses and how to earn them

The sign-up bonus varies by card version and changes periodically. Typically, the standard card offers a bonus after you spend a certain amount in the first three months, and the Premiere card offers a higher bonus with a higher spending requirement. The bonus is usually stated as a number of points — for example, "75,000 points after you spend $5,000 in the first three months."

To earn the bonus, you must meet the spending requirement within the stated timeframe. Only purchases count toward the requirement; balance transfers, cash advances, and fees do not. The bonus posts to your account within one to two billing cycles after you meet the requirement.

The spending requirement is designed to be reachable through normal spending. If you cannot meet it naturally, do not manufacture spending just to earn the bonus — the interest and fees you pay will exceed the value of the points. Some people use the card for a planned large purchase (a flight, a car repair, or a home improvement project) to reach the threshold.

Earning rates and bonus categories

The standard Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card earns 2 points per dollar on Marriott stays and dining, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. The Premiere version earns 3 points per dollar on Marriott stays and dining, and 1 point per dollar on everything else. Both versions earn points on every purchase, so there are no categories that earn zero.

Marriott stays include reservations made directly through Marriott.com or by calling Marriott, as well as stays booked through third-party sites if you are logged into your Bonvoy account. Dining points are earned when you use the card at restaurants, bars, and food delivery services. Gas, groceries, and other everyday purchases earn at the base rate.

Points accumulate in your Bonvoy account, not on the card itself. You can check your balance anytime through the Marriott Bonvoy website or mobile app. Your balance is tied to your Bonvoy membership number, not to the card, so if you close the card, your points remain in your account.

Annual fees and what they cover

The standard Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card charges an annual fee, typically in the $95 to $150 range depending on current offers. The Premiere version charges a higher annual fee, usually $450 or more. Both fees are charged to your account on your card anniversary each year.

The Premiere card includes a free night certificate as part of its benefits. This certificate covers one free night at a Marriott property up to a certain point value (the value changes year to year). If you use the certificate, it can offset a significant portion of the annual fee. The standard card does not include a free night certificate.

Both versions include other perks such as elite status benefits in the Bonvoy program, room upgrades, late checkout, and travel credits. Read the full benefits list on Chase's website before you open an account to understand what you are paying for. If the annual fee does not align with how you travel, the card may not be worth keeping.

How to redeem points for hotel stays

Log into your Marriott Bonvoy account on Marriott.com or through the mobile app. Search for your destination, dates, and hotel. The search results show the nightly point cost for each property. Point costs vary by location, season, and demand — a beachfront resort in peak season costs more points than an urban hotel in the off-season.

Select your hotel and room type, then choose "Book with Points" instead of paying with cash. The system will deduct the points from your account when ready and send you a confirmation. You receive a booking reference number just as you would with a cash reservation. Check in and stay as normal — you do not need to show your credit card or do anything special at the hotel.

Points can also be transferred to airline partners, used for room upgrades, or redeemed for other travel rewards. The point-to-dollar value varies depending on how you redeem, so compare options before you commit. Some redemptions offer better value than others.

When to close the card or keep it open

Keep the card open if you travel to Marriott properties regularly and the annual fee is offset by the value of points you earn and perks you use. If you stay at Marriott hotels at least once or twice a year, the points you earn on those stays plus the points from everyday spending often justify the fee.

Close the card if you do not travel to Marriott properties, do not use the free night certificate (Premiere only), and do not value the elite status benefits. Closing the card does not erase your points — they remain in your Bonvoy account as long as your membership stays active. You can redeem them anytime, even after the card is closed.

If you decide to close the card, do so after your annual fee posts but before you would be charged again the following year. Call Chase or request closure through the mobile app. Your points are safe and will not disappear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be a Marriott member to open this card?

No. Opening the card automatically enrolls you in Marriott Bonvoy membership. Your membership number is created when your account is approved, and you can start earning points when ready.

What happens to my points if I close the card?

Your points stay in your Bonvoy account. They do not disappear when you close the card. You can redeem them anytime as long as your Bonvoy membership remains active. Membership stays active as long as you have account activity (earning or redeeming points) at least once every 24 months.

Can I use points to pay for part of a stay and cash for the rest?

Yes. Marriott allows you to pay for a stay using a combination of points and cash. Search for the hotel, select your room, and you will see an option to pay with points, cash, or both. This is useful if you do not have enough points for the full stay but want to use some of them.

How long does it take to earn enough points for a free night?

It depends on how much you spend and where you stay. A free night at a budget property might cost 10,000 to 25,000 points, while a luxury resort could cost 50,000 points or more. If you earn 2 points per dollar on dining and 1 point per dollar on other purchases, you would need to spend $5,000 to $25,000 to earn a free night, depending on the property.

Does the card offer travel insurance or other protections?

Yes. The card includes trip cancellation insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, emergency medical and dental coverage abroad, and other travel protections. Review the full benefits guide on Chase's website or call the number on the back of your card to understand what is covered and what the limits are.