Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card
American Express · American Express
Marriott loyalists who want an annual free hotel night and faster Elite status.
VaultNerd estimate based on the card's tier and income requirements, not an official issuer cutoff. Approval also depends on income, debt, and credit history.
Our verdict
A keeper card for anyone who stays at Marriott properties even once or twice a year: the anniversary free night reliably beats the $120 fee, with status perks on top.
Reward rates
Marriott Bonvoy hotels | 5x |
Everything else | 2x |
VaultNerd values these points at ~0.9¢ each.
Welcome bonus
Up to 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy points (60,000 in year one plus 10,000 in month 13); first-year value reflects the 60,000 points
Requirement: Spend $3,000 in the first 3 months (60,000 pts), plus $500 in month 13 (10,000 pts)
Pros
- Annual free night (up to 35,000 points) alone outvalues the $120 fee
- Solid 2x base earn into the world's largest hotel program
- 15 Elite Night Credits fast-track Marriott status
Cons
- Bonvoy points are worth less per point than airline programs
- No travel emergency medical insurance
Perks
- Annual Free Night Award worth up to 35,000 points every year after your first anniversary
- 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year
- Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status; Gold Elite with $30,000 annual spend
- No annual fee on additional cards
- Redeem at 7,000+ hotels with no blackout dates
Insurance
- Travel accident insurance $500,000
- Flight delay, baggage delay and lost/stolen baggage ($500 each)
- Rental car theft and damage (vehicles up to $85,000, 48 days)
- Hotel/motel burglary $500
- Purchase protection (90 days) and extended warranty (+1 year)
Frequently asked questions
Is the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card worth it?
It charges a $120 annual fee, and we rate it 4.3 out of 5. It's best suited to marriott loyalists who want an annual free hotel night and faster Elite status. The welcome bonus is worth roughly $540, which covers the first year for many people. Whether it's worth it for you depends on your spending. Run your own numbers through our credit card finder to see the net rewards after the fee.
What does the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card earn?
It earns 5x on marriott bonvoy hotels and 2x on everything else. We value these points at about 0.9¢ each, so the top rate works out to roughly 4.5% back.
What credit score do you need for the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card?
We'd suggest a score of around 680 or higher, which puts approval in our "moderate" band. This is a VaultNerd estimate based on the card's tier and stated requirements. Approval also depends on your income, existing debt and credit history.
Researching and writing about Canadian personal finance since 2026.
Last reviewed June 2026 · How we research
“Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card Review.” VaultNerd, https://www.vaultnerd.com/ca/credit-cards/amex-marriott-bonvoy, updated June 2026.
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