What a Marriott Bonvoy credit card does
A Marriott Bonvoy credit card lets you earn points on purchases you make with the card, then redeem those points for hotel nights, flights, or other travel rewards through the Marriott Bonvoy program. You pay an annual fee — usually between $95 and $450 depending on which card you choose — and in return you get a sign-up bonus of points, ongoing earning rates, and perks like free night certificates or elite status benefits.
The card itself is a regular credit card you use for everyday spending. The rewards are separate from the credit line. If you carry a balance, you pay interest on that balance just like any other credit card. The points you earn do not reduce what you owe; they sit in your Marriott Bonvoy account until you use them.
These cards are issued by Chase, and the terms change periodically. The information here reflects current offerings, but you should check Chase's website or the card issuer's terms before you decide, because sign-up bonuses, annual fees, and earning rates shift.
Key Takeaways
- Marriott Bonvoy cards charge an annual fee ranging from $95 to $450, and that fee is charged whether or not you use the card.
- You earn points on every dollar you spend, at rates that vary by card and by category (dining, travel, other purchases).
- Sign-up bonuses typically range from 50,000 to 100,000 points, but you must meet a spending requirement within a set timeframe to receive them.
- Free night certificates and elite status are common perks, but they have restrictions — free nights usually cap at a certain point value, and elite status expires if you stop using the card.
- Redeeming points for hotel stays costs fewer points during off-peak seasons and more during peak travel times.
The annual fee and what it covers
Every Marriott Bonvoy card charges an annual fee, and Chase bills it to your account once per year whether you use the card or not. The fee ranges from $95 on the entry-level card to $450 on the premium card. Some cards waive the first year's fee, but you should assume you will pay it in year two and beyond.
The annual fee is separate from any interest you pay if you carry a balance. It is not a one-time cost — it recurs every year on your card anniversary. If you close the card, you stop paying the fee, but you also lose the perks and stop earning points on new purchases.
To decide whether the fee is worth it, compare what you would spend on hotel stays anyway against the value of the points and perks the card offers. If you stay at Marriott properties several times a year or spend enough on the card to earn a valuable sign-up bonus, the fee may pay for itself. If you rarely travel or stay at other hotel chains, the fee is likely a net cost.
Sign-up bonuses and spending requirements
When you open a Marriott Bonvoy card, Chase offers a sign-up bonus — typically 50,000 to 100,000 points — but you must spend a certain amount on the card within a set timeframe to receive it. A common offer is 100,000 points after you spend $5,000 in the first three months. If you spend only $4,999, you do not receive the bonus.
The spending requirement counts most purchases you make with the card, but not balance transfers, cash advances, or fees. If you are not sure whether a specific purchase counts, contact Chase before you make it.
The sign-up bonus is usually the largest chunk of points you will earn in the first year, so it matters whether you can meet the spending requirement without overspending or putting purchases on the card that you would normally pay for differently. If you cannot naturally spend that amount in three months, the bonus may not be worth the effort.
Earning rates and point categories
Once you have the card, you earn points on every purchase. The earning rate depends on the card and the category. Most Marriott Bonvoy cards earn 2 points per dollar on dining and travel purchases, and 1 point per dollar on everything else. Some premium cards earn higher rates in certain categories.
Points accumulate in your Marriott Bonvoy account, which is separate from your credit card account. You can see your point balance on the Marriott website or app. Points do not expire as long as your account remains active — but your account closes if you do not earn or redeem points for 24 months, and your points are forfeited when the account closes.
The earning rate is fixed; it does not change based on how much you spend or how long you hold the card. If you earn 2 points per dollar on dining, you earn 2 points per dollar whether you spend $50 or $500 at a restaurant.
Free night certificates and elite status
Most Marriott Bonvoy cards come with a free night certificate as an annual benefit. This certificate lets you book one free night at a Marriott property, but it has limits. The free night usually caps at a certain point value — for example, 50,000 points — which means you can use it at properties that cost 50,000 points or fewer per night. If you want to stay at a property that costs 75,000 points, you pay the difference out of pocket or with additional points.
The free night certificate typically resets on your card anniversary, so you get a new one each year as long as you keep the card active. If you do not use it before the next anniversary, it expires.
Premium cards also grant elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy program — usually Silver Elite or Gold Elite — which gives you perks like room upgrades, late checkout, and bonus points on stays. This status is tied to the card; if you close the card or let it become inactive, you lose the status. Elite status earned through the card does not count toward the higher tiers (Platinum, Diamond) that require a certain number of paid nights.
How to redeem points for hotel stays
To book a hotel night with points, log into your Marriott Bonvoy account on the Marriott website or app, search for your dates and property, and select the points redemption option instead of paying with cash. The number of points required varies by property, season, and demand. The same room might cost 30,000 points during a slow week and 50,000 points during peak travel season.
Points redemptions are not refundable. If you book a night with points and then cancel, you get your points back, but if you stay and then want to cancel, you lose the points. Read the cancellation policy before you book.
You can also transfer points to airline partners or use them for other travel purchases like flights or car rentals, but the point-to-dollar value is usually lower than booking hotel stays directly. For most people, redeeming for hotel nights offers the best return on the points you have earned.
Comparing the different Marriott Bonvoy cards
Chase offers several Marriott Bonvoy cards at different fee levels. The entry-level card has a $95 annual fee and basic earning rates. Mid-tier cards charge $150 to $250 and offer higher earning rates or better perks. The premium card costs $450 and includes a free night certificate with a higher point cap, more elite status benefits, and higher earning rates.
The right card depends on how much you travel and where you stay. If you stay at Marriott properties multiple times a year and spend heavily on dining and travel, a premium card might pay for itself through points and perks. If you stay only occasionally or split your stays between Marriott and other chains, an entry-level card or no card at all might be the better choice.
Before you open any card, compare the annual fee against the value of the sign-up bonus and the perks. A $450 annual fee is only worth it if you will use the free night certificate and earn enough points to offset the cost. If you are unsure, start with the entry-level card and upgrade later if you find you travel more than expected.
Interest rates and how to avoid paying interest
Marriott Bonvoy credit cards charge interest on balances you carry from month to month. The interest rate (called the APR) varies based on your credit score and creditworthiness, but it typically ranges from 16% to 24%. This rate applies to any balance you do not pay in full by the due date.
To avoid interest, pay your full statement balance by the due date each month. The due date appears on your statement and is usually 21 to 25 days after the statement closes. If you pay only the minimum, you will owe interest on the remaining balance, and that interest compounds — meaning you pay interest on top of interest.
The points you earn do not offset interest charges. If you earn 2 points per dollar on a $1,000 purchase but carry a balance and pay $150 in interest, you have lost money overall. Use the card only if you can pay the full balance each month.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points stay in your Marriott Bonvoy account and do not disappear when you close the card. However, your account will close if you do not earn or redeem points for 24 months, and your points will be forfeited at that time. If you close the card but want to keep your points, you must earn or redeem points through another method (like staying at a Marriott property) at least once every two years.
Can I use points from multiple cards in the same account?
Yes. All Marriott Bonvoy credit cards feed points into the same Marriott Bonvoy account, so if you hold multiple cards, the points combine. You can redeem them together for a single stay or split them across multiple bookings. However, each card charges its own annual fee, so holding multiple cards means paying multiple fees.
Do I have to stay at Marriott properties to make the annual fee worth it?
Not entirely. You earn points on every purchase you make with the card, regardless of whether you stay at hotels. If you spend enough on dining, travel, and other purchases to earn a valuable sign-up bonus and ongoing points, you might redeem those points for stays even if you do not book them frequently. However, if you never travel or stay at hotels, the annual fee is unlikely to pay for itself.
What if I miss the spending requirement for the sign-up bonus?
If you do not meet the spending requirement within the timeframe, you do not receive the bonus. There is no partial bonus or extension. You will still have the card and can earn points on future purchases, but you will have paid the annual fee without receiving the sign-up bonus, which is usually a net loss in year one.
Can I use the free night certificate at any Marriott property?
The free night certificate works at most Marriott properties, but it has a point cap. You can use it only at properties that cost the certificate's point value or less. Some properties are excluded from the program, and luxury properties often cost more points than the certificate covers. Check the property's point cost before you assume you can use the certificate there.