Marriott Co-Branded Credit Cards (Updated October 2023)
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Current Offer: Earn 30,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Annual Fee: $0
Why it’s great: This is Marriott’s entry-level personal co-branded card, and for no annual fee, it's a decent deal. Just by holding this card, you’ll receive 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year and automatic Silver Elite status which comes with perks like late check-out and 10% bonus points earned on eligible hotel purchases. You do lose out on some of the travel perks and higher spend categories that their premium cards offer, but if you’re just getting into the travel game and want to test the waters without having to pay an annual fee (but still earn some points along the way), this is a great option.
Other Benefits:
- Earn up to 14x total points at Marriott (3x points for every $1 spent at participating Marriott properties, plus 10x points for being a member, and 1x point for having Marriott Silver Elite status)
- 2x points for every $1 spent on other travel
- 1x points for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
Current Offer: Earn 3 Free Night Awards (each valued up to 50,000 points) after qualifying purchases.
Annual Fee: $95
Why it’s great: The Boundless is the next level up from the no-annual-fee Bold, and it also comes with some next-level perks despite being a card that costs under $100 a year. You’ll receive an additional Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) each year on your account anniversary, and don’t forget you can “top off” your free night with up to 15,000 additional points making it worth 50,000.
This card also gives you the ability to work towards Gold Elite status by spending $35,000 in a calendar year, but you’re better off earning this status by utilizing the complimentary 15 elite night credits you’ll get and by booking stays with Marriott. Additionally, you can earn an additional elite night credit for every $5,000 you spend, offering another means of getting closer to Gold.
Other Benefits:
- Earn up to 17x total points at Marriott (6x points for every $1 spent at participating Marriott properties, plus 10x points for being a member, and 1x points for having automatic Marriott Silver Elite status)
- 3x points for every $1 spent on combined gas station, grocery stores, and dining purchases (for the first $6,000)
- 2x points for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
Current Offer: Limited time offer: Earn 125,000 Bonu Marriott Bonvoy Points after spending $8,000 in purchases within the first six months of Card Membership. Offer ends 11/1/23.
Annual Fee: $125
Why it’s great: If you’re a Marriott loyalist and have a small business or side hustle (e.g. freelancing, Etsy, etc.), this is an excellent card. It has a super reasonable annual fee for the benefits you get. For instance, you’ll be gifted Gold Elite status which comes with 25% bonus points on paid stays, late checkout, a welcome gift via points, and room upgrades when available.
You’ll also receive 15 elite night credits to help you work towards the next level of status, plus a free night award on your card’s anniversary. And because this is a business card, you’ll also get an automatic 7% discount on standard room rates when you search for the “Amex Biz Card Member Rate” on Marriott’s site.
Other Benefits:
- Earn up to 18.5x total points at Marriott (6x points for every $1 spent at participating Marriott properties, plus 10x points for being a member, and 2.5x points for having Gold Elite status)
- 4x points on restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless phone services, and shipping merchants
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases
Current Offer: Earn 85,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Annual Fee: $250
Why it’s great: This is one of Marriott’s newer mid-tiered cards and comes with the coveted Gold Elite status. However, it’s missing a very typical feature for hotel cards of this caliber: a complimentary free night award. You can earn a free night award after spending $15,000 on the card in a calendar year. It’s valued more at up to 50,000 points (compared to other lower-tiered cards), but… their free night award comes without a spending requirement. However, if getting the perks of Gold status is important to you, then this is a great option if you don’t want to pay the higher price for a more premium card, like this one. You’ll still get 15 elite night credits which get you that much closer to Platinum Elite status and unlocks a ton of additional benefits.
Other Benefits:
- Earn up to 18.5x total points at Marriott (6x points for every $1 spent at participating Marriott properties, plus 10x points for being a member, and 2.5x points for having Gold Elite status)
- 4x points on combined purchases each year at grocery stores and dining (for first $15,000)
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases
Current Offer: Earn 125,000 points after you spend $5,000 in purchases within the first six months of account opening.
Annual Fee: $250
Why it’s great: This is essentially the identical Amex sibling to Chase’s Bountiful card. Plus, if you’re over your 5/24 limit for Chase, you likely wouldn’t be approved for the Bountiful, so going for the Amex version could be your way in.
Not to worry because you’ll also be gifted automatic Gold Elite status with this card, but it’s also missing a complimentary free night award on account anniversary—honestly, something you’d expect for a $250 card. But you can earn this after spending $15,000 in a year, and it’ll be valued at a higher 50,000-point redemption. Like the Bountiful, you’re given 15 elite night credits which will expedite you towards earning Platinum Elite status and all of its additional snazzy benefits.
Other Benefits:
- Earn up to 18.5x total points at Marriott (6x points for every $1 spent at participating Marriott properties, plus 10x points for being a member, and 2.5x points for having Gold Elite status)
- 4x points at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $15,000, then 2x points)
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases
Current Offer: Earn two 85k Free Night Awards after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card in the first six months. Each award can be used for one night (redemption level at or less than 85k Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Certain hotels have resort fees. Offer ends 11/1/2023.
Annual Fee: $650
Why it’s great: If you couldn’t tell by the high welcome offer and the high price tag… this is Marriott’s premium card, and it’s got some premium perks. If you’re a Marriott loyalist and want the best they have to offer, then this is your card.
For starters, you’ll get automatic Platinum Elite status! It comes with all sorts of other credits and perks, like an Earned Choice Award after reaching a spending requirement, 25 Elite Night Credits, and additional spending categories with solid earning rates.
Other Benefits:
- Earn up to 21x total points at Marriott (6x points for every $1 spent at participating Marriott properties, plus 10x points for being a member, and 5x points for having Platinum Elite status)
- 3x points at restaurants and flights booked directly with airlines
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases
- Up to $300 (up to $25 a month) in statement credits for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide
- Up to $100 property credit for qualifying charges at select properties with a two-night minimum stay
- Up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® statement credit
- Enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select for access to over 1,200 lounges in 130 countries
If you want additional information, creditcards.com has a tool that can help give a recommendation based on your personal credit and situation:
Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.