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Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card Review
The Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card allows you to earn big rewards with Bonvoy points. These points can be spent on top redemption categories that cater to frequent travellers, especially those who like to stay at participating Marriott hotels.
Mar 19, 2026 3:32 PM
Written By
Lead Writer
The Bottom Line
If you’re a frequent guest at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, and your looking to accumulate points towards other eligible hotel stays or partner flights, plus earn a couple of status lifts and free extra hotel nights, then the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card is a great option for you. To obtain the card's full value, you'll want to stay loyal to participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels. Otherwise, there are other hotel-friendly credit card options with more flexibility, coverage, earning categories, and perks.
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Our choice for: Frequent Marriott Bonvoy Hotel Chain Visitors
Welcome Bonus
Earn up to 70,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy® points
Annual Fee
$120
Interest Rates
21.99%* / 21.99%*
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE
300Poor
693Fair
743⁎Good
790⁎Very Good
833⁎Excellent
Rewards
- 5 points per $1 on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
- 2 points per $1 on all other purchases (i.e. dining, groceries, online shopping, etc.)
Insurance
Coverage
Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance
$500,000
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500
Baggage Delay
$500Flight Delay
$500
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$500
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
1 year.svg)
Car Rental Damage & Theft
yes
Benefits
Details
Free Extra Night at Hotels
Enjoy an Annual Free Night Award after your Card anniversary each yearFree Extra Night at Hotels
Enjoy 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year to use towards attaining the next level of Elite status with your Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card.svg)
Status lift
Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite StatusStatus lift
Upgrade to Gold Elite status when you combine 10 qualifying paid nights within one calendar year with the 15 Elite Night Credits from your card
American Express® Experiences
Eligibility
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
N/A
Welcome Bonus Details
- Earn up to 70,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy® points
- New Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Cardmembers can earn up to 60,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy® Points after you spend $3,000 on your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership
- Plus, earn 10,000 points after you spend $500 on your Card in your 13th month of Cardmembership
- Apply with confidence!
- See if you’ll be approved before you apply – with no impact to your credit score.*
*Instant decisions are only available for Consumer (also known as Personal) Card applications.
Card Details
Interest Rates
Purchase APR
21.99%*
Cash Advance APR
21.99%*
* If you have 2 separate missed Payments, the applicable rates for your account will be 25.99%. If you have 3 or more separate missed payments, the applicable rates will be 29.99%.
Fees
Annual Fee
$120
Additional Cards
$0
Eligibility
Minimum Individual Income
N/A
Minimum Household Income
N/A
Credit Score Estimate
Good
Type
Pros & Cons
Pros
- High hotel optimization
- Annual free night certificate
- Automatic Silver Elite status
- Generous welcome bonus
- Instant decision. No credit impact.
Cons
- Low acceptance
- Relatively weaker insurance
Our Detailed Review
How You Earn Rewards with the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card
Let’s start with the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card’s rewards program, which naturally allows cardholders to collect Bonvoy points.
Here are the point rates you can expect:
- 5 points per $1 spent on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
- 2 points per $1 spent on all other purchases (like dining, groceries, online shopping, etc.)
Clearly, those who insert, swipe, or tap their cards at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels take home the most points, creating a very competitive yet exclusive rewards program.
Nevertheless, the base rate on all other purchases is above average, and helpful when applied to expensive categories like dining, or popular everyday expenses like groceries.
Redeeming your Rewards with the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card
Now that you’ve got a better idea of how you can accumulate points, here’s how you can redeem those points towards specific categories.
Below, you'll find a list of all the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card’s redemption options, ranked from most valuable to least valuable:
- Transfers to Hotel Partners: unsurprisingly, you’ll get the most value out of redeeming your points toward partnered hotel bookings, specifically those under the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program.
- Transfers to Airline Partners: next up, you can transfer your points to partnered airlines to buy plane tickets.
- Gift Cards: not travel-oriented but still beneficial, use your points to purchase eligible gift cards.
- Merchandise: for when you use your points to buy eligible everyday items.
While it’s nice to have some basic redemption options through gift cards and merchandise, the best way for cardholders to spend their Bonvoy points is through travel, particularly when transferring to hotel and airline partners.
How to apply for the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card
If you're still leaning towards the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card, here's a step-by-step guide on how to apply for this credit card:
- Navigate to the official American Express Canadian website.
- Once you're there, select "cards" from the drop-down menu on the main page. For the quickest path, click "travel cards" from the options that unfold.
- On the following page, hit the travel filter again and scroll down until you find the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card. Click on the card and review its information.
- Once you're satisfied with its offers, hit the blue "apply now" button.
- First, you'll have to read over some product information, plus requirements and privacy polices. When you're done, select "agree & continue."
- The next section will ask for personal information like your name, email, and birthdate.
- After this, you'll need to fill in some financial details, including your annual income and employment information.
- Once that's finished, you'll be asked to select a four-digit PIN.
- Finally, make sure you review all your information before pressing submit.
To fast-track the path to your application, you can select the "apply now" button beneath the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card at the top of this page.
Benefits and Perks
5 Benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card
Below, you'll find the benefits that make the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card one of the best American Express credit cards in Canada:
With American Express' personal cards, you can see if you will be approved before you apply, without impacting your credit score. To make this decision, Amex runs a soft credit check instead of a hard credit check.
Most lenders perform a hard credit check when you apply for a new card, which can temporarily impact your credit score. A soft credit check, however, does not affect your credit score.
Instant decisions are only available for personal card applications and the soft credit check process is not available for applications done by phone.
If the leading Marriott Bonvoy hotels earn category wasn’t enough, this credit card also comes with a fantastic welcome bonus. This intro offer contributes to a very nice first year value.
As mentioned, the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card’s reward program is one of its best features, offering substantial points per dollar spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels. The competitive 2 points per dollar spent on all other purchases is also a plus, especially if you’re planning to take advantage of the top earning category for the most annual value overall.
As a cardmember, you’ll automatically receive Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite Status, which can be upgraded to Gold Elite status when you combine 10 qualifying paid nights within one calendar year with the 15 Elite Night Credits from your Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card.
The Silver Elite status includes extra points on eligible hotel purchases (such as overall room rates and service charges to the room), priority late checkout, and free Wi-Fi.
The Gold Elite status gives you even more points on eligible hotel purchases, checkouts as late as 2 p.m. (when available), and enhanced room upgrades upon arrival (subject to availability).
After your card anniversary each year, you can also expect an annual Free Night Award, plus 15 Elite Night Credits every calendar year, applicable towards upgrading to the next level of Elite status (Silver to Gold, as mentioned above). Just make sure your card account is in good standing when the 15 Elite Night Credit deposit comes around, and that you have an active Marriott Bonvoy program account in your name that’s also linked to your card.
Drawbacks and Considerations
3 Downsides of the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card
There are also a few drawbacks to the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card that you may want to consider in order to make an educated decision on whether or not you should apply for this card.
While the American Express network creates some great cards with tons of travel benefits, there are still some places where the card isn’t widely accepted, particularly in Europe.
The Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card features some decent insurance coverage, especially in the travel accident category. However, while the categories may be comprehensive, the coverage list isn’t as extensive as competing premium credit cards.
If you’re someone who’s constantly booking a room at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, then the points program is top-tier. But, if you don’t expect to stay at one of these participating hotels every time you travel, then the points program won’t really be beneficial. Ultimately, you need to be loyal to one hotel loyalty program to optimize your points.
Compare to Similar Cards
Comparison to Other Hotel-Friendly Points Credit Cards
It’s no secret that the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card is an extremely hotel-oriented credit card. That’s why we’re going to compare it to other premium credit cards that are travel compatible and hotel-friendly.
Take a look at this comparison table to see how the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card stacks up against its competitors:
American Express
4.3
Frequent Marriott Bonvoy Hotel Chain Visitors
American Express
4.6
Travel Perks, Luxurious Travel, and Unlimited Lounge Access
Annual Fee
$120
$191.88
$120
$799
$139
First year rebated
Welcome Bonus
Earn up to 70,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy® points
Up to 15,000 Membership Rewards® points
Earn up to $850 in welcome offers
Earn up to 100,000 Membership Rewards® points
Earn up to $1,400 in value†, including up to 165,000 TD Rewards Points† and receive an annual fee rebate for the first year†. Conditions Apply.
Rewards
2x - 5x
1x - 5x
1x - 6x
1x - 2x
2x - 8x
Welcome Bonus Details
Earn Rates
Insurance Coverage
Extra Benefits
Requirements
Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card vs American Express Cobalt Card
The American Express Cobalt Card, while not strictly a travel card, offers strong travel-related value alongside everyday earning potential, making it one of the top credit cards in Canada. It excels in earning points on food, groceries, and streaming subscriptions in Canada, with additional bonuses on gas, transit, and rideshares. Its Membership Rewards points can be transferred to both airline and hotel partners, including Marriott Bonvoy. Compared to the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card, the Cobalt provides better value for airline and hotel transfers and more flexible redemption options overall. The Cobalt also offers broader insurance coverage, including mobile device protection and travel medical coverage, though the Bonvoy card has higher travel accident insurance. While the Cobalt carries a higher annual cost, it delivers greater overall value, especially for users with diverse spending habits and a preference for flexibility over brand-specific rewards.
Verdict: Choose the American Express Cobalt Card if you want higher everyday earning, flexible redemptions, and stronger overall value; choose the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card if you primarily stay at Marriott hotels and want to maximize hotel-specific rewards.
Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card vs Scotiabank Gold American Express Card
The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card is considered one of the best travel credit cards in Canada, offering strong all-around value through comprehensive travel insurance coverage and the rare benefit of no foreign transaction fees. While it requires a minimum income to qualify, the threshold is relatively modest. Where it really stands out is in its rewards structure, with multiple high-earning categories for everyday spending, especially at partnered grocers, dining, entertainment, transportation, and streaming, making it a better fit for users who want to maximize points on daily purchases rather than hotel stays. Although it earns Scene+ points, which are generally slightly less valuable than Marriott Bonvoy points, except in travel, it offers broader redemption flexibility, including categories like groceries and entertainment. Additionally, its insurance package is more robust than the Marriott Bonvoy card, including mobile device insurance and expanded medical and trip coverage. However, it lacks the hotel-specific perks and benefits that come with the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card.
Verdict: Choose the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card if you want stronger everyday earning, better insurance coverage, and no foreign transaction fees; stick with the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card if you prioritize hotel rewards and Marriott-specific perks.
Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card vs American Express Platinum Card
The American Express Platinum Card, one of the best perks credit cards in Canada, is a premium alternative to the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card, offering significantly broader perks and stronger insurance coverage, including emergency medical and trip interruption/cancellation benefits. It stands out for its extensive travel advantages, such as an annual travel credit, unlimited airport lounge access, and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, making it more benefit-rich overall. While it doesn't earn as many points on hotel stays, its American Express Membership Rewards points can be transferred to Marriott Bonvoy, and yield a higher cent-per-point value. That said, the card comes with a hefty annual fee.
Verdict: If you can afford it, choose the Platinum Card if you want premium travel perks, superior insurance, and can fully utilize its benefits to justify the high annual fee.
Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card vs TD First Class Visa Infinite Card
The TD First Class Visa Infinite Card is a strong non-Amex alternative to the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card, especially for those concerned about acceptance. While it has a slightly higher annual fee, the first-year waiver offsets this, though its higher income requirements may limit accessibility. The card offers solid rewards, particularly for travel booked through Expedia for TD, as well as groceries, dining, and recurring bills, with a competitive base rate on other purchases, though its overall reward value still trails the Marriott Bonvoy card. Redemption is more flexible but less specialized. The card also lacks hotel-specific perks, while its insurance coverage is broader and more comprehensive, including mobile device and extended medical protections. Additional perks like a travel credit, car rental discount, and birthday bonus further enhance its appeal.
Verdict: Choose the TD First Class Visa Infinite Card if you want broader acceptance, better insurance, and strong everyday rewards; stick with the Marriott Bonvoy Amex if you value higher overall reward value and hotel-specific benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you plan on staying at a participating Marriott Bonvoy hotel every time you're out of town, want benefits to optimize your stay at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, and the opportunity to redeem high-value points for future stays, then the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card is the ideal credit card for you.
As with any card, you'll just want to make sure you're taking advantage of all the perks and earn categories to offset the cost of the annual fee.
Without any annual income requirements, as long as you can pay the annual fee, and you're responsible with your credit, you'll have a good chance at applying for the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card.
Unfortunately, the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card does come with foreign transaction fees. If you're looking for an alternative with no foreign transaction fees, consider the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card that we touched upon in our comparison section.
About the author
Sara Skodak
Lead Writer
Since graduating from the University of Western Ontario, Sara has built a diverse writing portfolio, covering topics in the travel, business, and wellness sectors. As a self-started freelance content ...
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