Financial Opportunity: Maximize Earnings of Up to $1,295 with Marriott Bonvoy Cards from American Express
In the world of travel rewards, Marriott Bonvoy offers a variety of credit cards to suit different needs and levels of loyalty. Here's a breakdown of three key cards: the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express® Card, and the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card from Chase.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a premium offering, with an annual fee of $650. This card provides a host of luxury perks, including an annual free night award, Platinum Elite status, Priority Pass Select lounge access, and a high welcome bonus of up to 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
However, the Brilliant Card comes with a hefty fee, making it suitable for frequent Marriott travelers who can fully utilise these perks. It also offers a solid rewards rate of 6X points for each dollar of eligible purchases at participating hotels.
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express® Card
The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express® Card is a mid-tier card with a $250 annual fee, providing complimentary Marriott Gold Elite status, strong earning rates (6X points at Marriott hotels, 4X at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets), and no foreign transaction fees.
The Bevy Card offers a welcome offer of up to 155,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. It also provides benefits such as the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® Free Night Award, 15 Elite Night Credits, Marriott Bonvoy 1K Bonus Points Per Stay, and complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elites status.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card from Chase
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card from Chase is a more affordable option, with a much lower $95 annual fee. This card includes an annual free night certificate worth up to 35,000 points, Silver Elite status, and 15 elite night credits, which help with status qualification. It is considered an excellent starter Marriott card or a low-cost option for more casual Marriott guests.
Choosing the Right Card
Choosing among these cards depends on your Marriott loyalty level, travel frequency, willingness to pay annual fees, and desire for elite status benefits. The Brilliant® Amex Card offers more luxury perks, higher elite status (Platinum), airport lounge access, and a larger welcome bonus, but at a much higher annual fee. The Bevy® Amex Card delivers mid-level elite status (Gold), better earning rates at hotels and dining, and no foreign transaction fees, sitting between Brilliant and Boundless in cost and benefits. The Boundless® Chase Card is the best value for casual Marriott users or beginners, with a modest fee and useful elite nights and free night certificate but fewer elite benefits and perks overall.
It's essential to consider your travel habits and loyalty to Marriott Bonvoy when choosing a card. The interest rates for both the Brilliant and Bevy cards range from 20.24% to 29.24% variable, so it's crucial to pay off your balance in full each month to avoid high interest charges.
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, with its annual free night award and luxurious perks, is a suitable choice for individuals in the banking-and-insurance sector who frequently travel and can justify the high annual fee, given their finance resources.
On the other hand, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card from Chase, with its lower annual fee and annual free night certificate, is a more affordable and accessible option for people in various industries, including finance, offering value to both casual Marriott guests and newcomers to the Marriott Bonvoy program.
