Which Marriott Bonvoy credit card is right for you? A comprehensive guide

Updated Jul 31, 2025
Marriott Bonvoy credit card

Marriott Bonvoy offers members plenty of opportunities to earn and redeem points across more than 9,000 properties in around 140 countries and territories. The program caters to nearly every type of traveler with accommodations ranging from iconic luxury brands like The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis to budget-friendly options like Fairfield Inn & Suites and Courtyard by Marriott.

With such an established loyalty program, it’s no wonder that Marriott Bonvoy has a lineup of cobranded credit cards, which allow members to maximize their earning potential. These cards, offered through partnerships with American Express and Chase, provide various benefits tailored to different types of travelers.

Today, we’ll examine some of the best Marriott Bonvoy cobranded credit cards so you can decide which is best for you.

Marriott Bonvoy

What to look for in a Marriott Bonvoy credit card

With four personal Marriott Bonvoy credit cards available, there are several key factors to consider:

  • Annual fees: Ranging from $0 to $650 — make sure the card’s benefits justify the cost.
  • Credit score: Most Marriott cards require a good to excellent score (690–850).
  • Welcome offer: Ideally, your welcome offer is worth several nights at Marriott properties.
  • Earning potential: Compare points multipliers for Marriott stays, dining, travel and other purchases. Some cards offer up to 17 points per dollar at Marriott properties, plus bonuses in categories like groceries and gas.
  • Elite status benefits and Marriott Choice Benefits: Look for perks like automatic Silver, Gold or Platinum status and annual elite night credits.
  • Free night awards: Many cards provide annual certificates worth up to 35,000, 50,000 or 85,000 points.
  • Travel perks: Consider no foreign transaction fees, statement credits and extras like Priority Pass membership.
  • Issuer restrictions: Before you apply, Review Chase (especially Chase’s 5/24) and Amex’s eligibility rules and sign-up bonus policies.

Best Marriott card with no annual fee

The Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card is the best option if you’re looking for a Marriott-branded card without an annual fee.

Who should get the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card is best for:

  • Occasional Marriott guests who want to earn points without paying an annual fee.
  • Travelers seeking basic Marriott Bonvoy elite status benefits.
  • Those new to hotel rewards programs who want to test the waters.

Best mid-tier Marriott card for free nights

Our experts agree the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card offers the best value if you’re looking for free night awards and enhanced benefits with a modest annual fee.

Who should get the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card is best for:

  • Marriott guests who can take advantage of the annual Free Night Award, which effectively justifies the annual fee alone.
  • Those who spend in the bonus categories (grocery, gas and dining).
  • Travelers seeking a faster path to higher elite status.

Best Marriott card for luxury experiences and maximum rewards

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card offers premium benefits for luxury travelers.

Who should get the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card

With its high annual fee, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card is best for:

  • Luxury travelers who stay at high-end Marriott properties.
  • Those who can maximize the $300 annual dining credit and annual 85,000-point free night award.
  • Travelers seeking top-tier elite status and premium perks.
  • Those who value airport lounge access and other luxury travel benefits.

Best Marriott business card

The Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card is made for small business owners who frequently stay at Marriott properties.

Who should get the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card is best for:

  • Small business owners who frequently stay at Marriott properties.
  • Those who can maximize the bonus categories for business expenses.
  • Entrepreneurs seeking automatic Gold Elite status or elite nights to get them to a higher Marriott status tier.
  • Business travelers who value the annual Free Night Award.

Earning elite nights with multiple Marriott Bonvoy credit cards

If you have multiple Marriott Bonvoy credit cards, you can earn up to 40 elite nights per year. You’ll earn 15 nights with the Business card and can stack this with the 15 nights from the Boundless card or 25 nights from the Brilliant card. However, you cannot stack elite night credits from two personal Marriott cards.

Bottom line

Marriott Bonvoy credit cards offer a range of options to suit different travel needs and budgets. From the no-annual-fee Marriott Bonvoy Bold for casual travelers to the premium Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant for luxury travelers, there’s a card for every type of Marriott guest. 

Consider your travel patterns, spending habits and desired perks to choose the card that best aligns with your goals. Whether you want to earn free nights, enjoy elite status benefits or maximize your points earning, a Marriott Bonvoy credit card can enhance your travel experiences and provide valuable rewards for your loyalty to the Marriott brand.

FAQs about Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards

Marc Delaney
Marc Delaney
Marc Delaney is a bilingual (English/French) travel rewards strategist and credit card expert at Milesopedia USA. Born in the U.S. to a French-American family, Marc combines North American know-how with a deep understanding of international loyalty programs. With over a decade of experience in personal finance, he specializes in helping high-income individuals, digital nomads, and frequent flyers optimize their credit card points and travel benefits. His insights focus on maximizing value from programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards®, Amex Membership Rewards®, Aeroplan® and Flying Blue®. Marc started his career advising startups on business credit strategies and later transitioned into rewards consulting for cross-border entrepreneurs. He holds a degree in economics from the University of Vermont and has contributed to financial newsletters, webinars, and loyalty-focused communities across North America and Europe. A passionate traveler, Marc has explored more than 40 countries using points and miles to fly in premium cabins and stay in luxury hotels. When he's not analyzing credit card ecosystems, you'll find him hiking remote trails or reviewing airport lounges for Milesopedia readers.
All posts by Marc Delaney

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