What Marriott Credit Cards Offer Right Now
Marriott credit cards come with sign-up bonuses, ongoing rewards on hotel stays and everyday purchases, and perks like room upgrades and late checkout. The specific offer changes by card and by month — Marriott runs different promotions depending on the card type and your credit history. The cards are issued by Chase, so you explore through Chase's website or by visiting a Chase branch.
The main Marriott cards are the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card, the Marriott Bonvoy Premier Plus Credit Card, and the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card. Each has a different annual fee, different earning rates, and different perks. The offer you see depends on which card you're looking at and when you check.
Key Takeaways
- Marriott credit cards are issued by Chase and come with sign-up bonuses that vary by card and month — check the Chase website for the current offer on the specific card you want.
- You earn points on hotel stays through Marriott Bonvoy, the hotel chain's loyalty program, plus points on everyday purchases depending on the card.
- Annual fees range from $0 to several hundred dollars depending on the card tier, and higher-tier cards include perks like free night certificates and elite status.
- You can redeem points for hotel stays, flights, or other travel, though the value per point varies by how you book.
- The cards require a credit check, so your approval depends on your credit score and credit history, not on the offer itself.
How Sign-Up Bonuses Work on Marriott Cards
When you open a Marriott credit card, you receive a sign-up bonus if you meet the spending requirement within a set timeframe — usually three to six months. The bonus is stated in Marriott Bonvoy points, not dollars. For example, a card might offer 75,000 points after you spend $5,000 in the first three months.
The bonus posts to your Marriott Bonvoy account once Chase confirms you've met the spending requirement. You can then use those points to book hotel nights, flights, or other rewards through the Marriott Bonvoy program. The sign-up bonus is the largest chunk of points most cardholders earn in the first year, so it's worth comparing what each card offers before you explore.
Sign-up bonuses change regularly. If you see an offer online, check the date it was posted — offers from three months ago may no longer be current. The Chase website shows the active offer for each card right now.
Annual Fees and What They Include
Marriott credit cards have annual fees that range from $0 to $550 or more, depending on the card. The Marriott Bonvoy Bold has no annual fee. The Marriott Bonvoy Premier Plus has an annual fee of around $95. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant has a higher annual fee but includes perks that offset it for frequent travelers.
Higher-tier cards typically include a free night certificate each year, which lets you book one night at a Marriott property up to a certain point value. They also offer elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy program, which gives you room upgrades, late checkout, and other benefits. If you stay at Marriott hotels regularly, the perks may be worth more than the fee. If you don't, a no-fee card or a lower-fee card makes more sense.
The annual fee posts on your card anniversary each year. You can cancel the card before that date if you decide it's not worth it, though you'll lose access to any remaining benefits.
Earning Points on Purchases and Hotel Stays
You earn Marriott Bonvoy points in two ways: on hotel stays booked through Marriott, and on everyday purchases made with the card. The earning rate depends on which card you have. Most Marriott cards earn 2 to 6 points per dollar spent on hotel stays charged to the card, and 1 to 2 points per dollar on other purchases.
When you book a hotel stay, you earn points both from the Marriott Bonvoy program (based on the room rate) and from the credit card (based on the amount you charge). You must use the card to charge the stay in order to earn the card's points. If you book through a third-party site like Expedia, you may not earn Marriott points, so booking directly through Marriott's website or app is usually better for point accumulation.
Points accumulate in your Marriott Bonvoy account and don't expire as long as you have account activity at least once every 24 months. Account activity includes earning or redeeming points, so regular card use keeps your account active.
How to Redeem Points for Hotels and Travel
You redeem Marriott Bonvoy points through the Marriott Bonvoy website or app. You can book a hotel night, a flight, or other travel rewards. The number of points required varies by hotel property, location, and season — 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 if you prefer to use them for flights instead of hotels. The transfer rate is usually 1 Marriott point to 1 airline mile, though some promotions offer better rates. Transfers are permanent, so make sure you understand the value before you move points out of your Marriott account.
The value you get from points depends on how you book. If you redeem points for a night that would cost $200 in cash, you're getting good value. If you redeem for a night that costs $80, the value is lower. Comparing the cash price to the point price before you book helps you decide whether to use points or pay with the card.
Comparing Marriott Cards to Other Hotel Cards
Marriott cards are one option among several hotel credit cards. Hilton, Hyatt, and IHG also issue cards with their own sign-up bonuses and earning rates. The best card for you depends on which hotel chain you stay at most often and how much you travel.
If you stay at Marriott properties regularly, a Marriott card makes sense because you'll earn points faster and get perks like elite status. If you split your stays between chains, you might earn points faster with a general travel card that earns points with multiple hotel brands, though you won't get the same elite perks.
Compare the annual fee, the sign-up bonus, the earning rate on hotel stays, and the perks included. A card with a higher annual fee but a larger sign-up bonus and better perks may be worth more than a no-fee card if you travel frequently.
What Happens After You explore
When you explore for a Marriott credit card through Chase, you receive a decision within minutes to a few days. If you're approved, Chase mails the card to you, usually within 7 to 10 business days. You can set up the card online or by phone once it arrives.
Once the card is active, you can start earning points on purchases right away. The sign-up bonus posts after you meet the spending requirement and Chase verifies it. You should also set up your Marriott Bonvoy account if you don't have one, so the points post to the right place. You can link your card to your Marriott account through the Marriott Bonvoy website.
If you're denied, Chase will tell you why. Common reasons include a low credit score, recent late payments, or too many recent credit inquiries. You can reapply after addressing those issues, though waiting a few months usually improves your chances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get the sign-up bonus if I already have a Marriott card?
Most Marriott cards have a rule that you can't earn the sign-up bonus if you've had the same card in the past 24 months. You may be able to earn a bonus on a different Marriott card if you don't currently hold it. Check the terms on the specific card you're interested in before you explore.
What's the difference between Marriott Bonvoy points and credit card points?
Marriott Bonvoy points are the loyalty program currency. You earn them by staying at Marriott hotels and by using a Marriott credit card. The credit card earns points faster on hotel stays and everyday purchases, but the points go into the same Marriott Bonvoy account. There's only one type of point.
Do I have to stay at Marriott hotels to make the card worth it?
No. Even if you don't stay at hotels often, you can earn points on everyday purchases like groceries and gas. However, the earning rate on non-hotel purchases is lower than on hotel stays, so the card is most valuable if you use it for both hotel bookings and regular spending.
Can I use my points if I cancel the card?
Yes. Your Marriott Bonvoy points belong to your Marriott account, not to the card. Canceling the card doesn't affect your points balance. You can still redeem them for hotel stays or transfers. However, you'll stop earning points on new purchases once the card is closed.
How do I know if the current offer is good?
Compare the sign-up bonus to past offers on the same card — websites that track credit card offers show historical bonuses. Also compare the bonus to other hotel cards. A 75,000-point bonus is stronger on some cards than others depending on the annual fee and earning rates. The Chase website shows the current offer, and you can research past offers to see if this one is above or below average.