Benefits of Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards

Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit cards for consumers come with benefits worth considering if you’re a frequent — or even infrequent — guest at hotels owned by Marriott.

Benefits range from core perks and rewards you expect from any hotel credit cards to features and protections that are simply nice to have. As you would expect, a higher annual fee gets you more benefits and rewards.

» MORE: Which Marriott Bonvoy credit card should you get?

Rewards on spending

Credit card spending rewards are earned in Marriott Bonvoy points, where Bonvoy is the name of the loyalty program. The goal is to accumulate enough points to stay one night or more at a Marriott property for free. Three cards are issued by Chase; two by American Express.

» MORE: Marriott Bonvoy program: The complete guide

1. Bonus offers for new cardholders

Higher-tier cards earn better welcome offers for new cardholders.

2. Ongoing rewards

Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card

• 3 points per $1 spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.

• 2 points per $1 spent on other travel (from airfare to taxis and trains).

• 1 point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

• 6 points per $1 spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.

• 3 points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations and dining.

• 2 points per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card

• 6X points per $1 spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.

• 4X points per $1 on the first $15,000 spent in combined purchases each year at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets.

• 2X points per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.

Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card

• 6 points per $1 spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.

• 4 points per $1 on the first $15,000 spent in combined purchases each year at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets.

• 2 points per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

• 6X points per $1 spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.

• 3X points per $1 spent at U.S. restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines.

• 2X points per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.

This is in addition to the points you earn from being a Bonvoy program member. Terms apply.

NerdWallet values Marriott Bonvoy rewards at 0.8 cent per point.

» MORE: NerdWallet review of the Marriott Bonvoy Bold

» MORE: NerdWallet review of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless

Hotel perks

3. Anniversary nights

Cashing in these complimentary nights is a valuable benefit, potentially worth hundreds of dollars. The $95-annual-fee Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card comes with a complimentary anniversary night, valued at up to 35,000 points, while the hotel's $650 Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card anniversary night can be used for any redemption level at or under 85,000 points. Terms apply.

However not all Marriott Bonvoy cards come with this benefit. The lowest-tier card, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card, doesn’t offer this perk, which is typical for a no-annual-fee card. Meanwhile with the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card and Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card, you can get a free night at any redemption level 50,000 or lower, but only after you spend $15,000 in a calendar year. Terms apply.

4. Credits

These are only for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card:

• Up to $300 in statement credits each year (up to $25 back per month) for eligible purchases at restaurant worldwide.

• $100 in property credit for qualifying charges, including room service and spa treatments, when you book with your card directly at The Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay.

• Terms apply.

» MORE: How to choose a travel rewards credit card

Travel and status perks

These travel perks are limited to the luxury card, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.

5. Global Entry/TSA Precheck application reimbursement

Receive a statement credit reimbursing you for the application fee when applying for either Global Entry or TSA Precheck. For Global Entry (which costs $100), you get the perk every four years. For TSA Precheck (which costs $78), it's every 4.5 years. Terms apply.

6. Priority Pass Select

This membership gives you access to more than 1,200 airport lounges worldwide when you enroll. In lounges that allow guests, you can bring up to two for no additional charge. Terms apply.

» MORE: How to maximize your Priority Pass Select membership

7. Elite status

All five cards give you an elite status, which come with a few extras.

Silver Elite. Typically for loyalty customers who stay at least 10 nights per year, you automatically get this status level with both the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. Status includes a 10% point bonus for bookings, plus late checkout and other perks. Terms apply.

Gold Elite. The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card and Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card gives you this level, equal to loyalty members who stay 25 nights per year. It gives you a 25% point bonus for bookings, as well as room upgrades and even later checkout when these are available. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card also gives you Gold Elite status when you spend $35,000 on purchases with the card each account year. Terms apply.

Platinum Elite. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card automatically comes with Platinum Elite status. Normally, you'd have to stay with the brand 50 nights per year. It gives you a 50% bonus on bookings and comes with room upgrades (including select suites), plus complimentary breakfast when available. Terms apply.

8. Travel protections

Travel protections are more typically offered by the issuer or card network than by the hotel company, but they are relevant for those considering a travel credit card, like these Marriott hotel cards.

None of these cards charges foreign transaction fees, making them good choices to use abroad — although the American Express card isn’t as widely accepted overseas.

Protections offered by the Chase cards include:

• Baggage delay insurance.

• Lost luggage reimbursement.

• Trip delay reimbursement.

The American Express cards offers:

• Car rental loss and damage insurance.

• Baggage insurance plan.

• Trip delay reimbursement.

• Terms apply.

More about the cards

• NerdWallet review of the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card

• NerdWallet review of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

• NerdWallet review of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card

• NerdWallet review of the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card

• NerdWallet review of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card