Every credit card in your wallet should have an annual fee: Is the annual fee worth it to keep the card for another year?
of Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card The $125 annual fee (see Pricing and Fees) includes some nice perks, but that doesn’t mean this card is for everyone. In fact, it may not have some of the perks you’re looking for in a hotel credit card. But to be fair, hotel credit cards aren’t the best card in your wallet for maxing out your spending on purchases at a hotel chain.
So can the Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex find a happy middle ground between ultra-luxury perks and no perks — and can it do so in a way that justifies its $125 annual fee? Let’s see.
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Welcome bonus
New applicants can earn 100,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $4,000 in purchases on their new card within the first three months of card membership. This offer ends on November 2nd.
You may wonder if you qualify for a business credit card. If you’ve read our guide and decided you should get a business credit card, you’re probably thinking about it. TPG Marriott rates it at 0.84 cents each, meaning this welcome bonus is worth $840.
Related: How to Apply for an Amex Business Card
Some of the best uses of Marriott Bonvoy points include award stays at places like the Ritz Carlton, Turks & Caicos, St. Regis Bora Bora Resort, The West Hollywood Edition and the London Marriott Hotel Park Lane. Those who enjoy skiing or snowboarding can enjoy properties such as St. Regis Aspen Resort, St. Regis Deer Valley or Ritz Carlton, Bachelor Gulch.
Marriott eliminated its award charts in March 2022 and is keeping 97% of hotels with higher price bands in favor of a flexible pricing system by the end of 2022 – so knowing how many points you need for a hotel in advance can sometimes be confusing.
RELATED: Why It’s a Good Time to Apply for the Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex
Keep in mind that American Express has restrictions that limit your ability to collect new membership bonuses if you get Marriott credit cards from Chase. Luckily, there’s a pop-up that tells you if you’re not eligible for the scholarship before Amex completes your credit — and our chart helps clarify things, too.
Annual free night award
You’ll earn up to 35,000 free night rewards every year after the card renewal month. Cardmembers can earn a second reward night by spending $60,000 on the Card in a calendar year.
These awards are presented as The St. Regis Bangkok, The St. Regis Doha, W Atlanta — You can redeem at several hotels near downtown and national parks.
Related: 11 Best Marriott 35,000-Point Certificates for Family Vacations
That said, because of the variable pricing mentioned earlier, you’ll want to search the calendar for variable dates to find nights that cost 35,000 points or less. It can be especially difficult to redeem free night awards on or around the holidays because award prices are higher on those days.
Related: How to use the Marriott Bonvoy 35,000 point certificate
With a little effort, you should be able to redeem this free night award for a value of $125 – but maybe double that. Therefore, this benefit alone may be worth the card’s annual fee.
Superior status and related benefits
In previous years, Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex holders received automatic Silver Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy. From July 2022, however, cardholders will now receive automatic Gold Elite status.
TPG pays $800 a year for Gold Elite status. At this level, you can expect welcome benefits such as upgrades to preferred rooms (but not suites), late check-out and bonus points upon check-in.
Cardholders receive 15 advanced night credits each year in their Marriott Bonvoy account. Here’s what you need to get to the top and you can get it sorted if you have a personal credit card from Marriott. For example, if you have Marriott Bonvoy Unlimited Credit Card From Chase, this card gives you another 15 elite night credits — meaning you automatically start the year with 30 night credits. For reference, the Borderless card has an annual fee of $95.
Related: Why You Need Both the Personal and Business Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card
To earn Platinum Elite status — which includes perks like suite upgrades and free breakfast — you need 50 nights a year with Marriott Bonvoy, and holding these two credit cards will get you more than half that.
Related: What Kind of Credit Score Do You Need for Business Credit Cards?
Other benefits
Starting July 2022, cardholders can earn up to 7% off cash on hotel stays at Marriott Bonvoy properties. However, we tested this benefit and it’s not as good as it sounds. You typically receive 2%-5% of the membership fee, but you can often do better by using other offers – rather than what is offered with this cardmember benefit.
Related: Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex Credit Card Review
In terms of earning points, cardmembers earn 6 Marriott points per dollar spent at Marriott Bonvoy properties. 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide; 4 points per dollar at US gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from US carriers and US shipping purchases; and 2 points per dollar on other purchases.
Based on TPG reviews, that’s essentially a 5.04% return on Marriott purchases. 3.36% on select restaurants, US gas stations, and phone and shipping purchases. and 1.68% on daily expenses. Those prices aren’t jaw-dropping, but they’re not bad for a cobranded card.
Related: 10 Considerations for Your Small Business Credit Card
Cardmembers also get access to Amex Offers, which offer targeted discounts or bonus points on eligible purchases, as well as extended warranties* and purchase protection*.
* Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and restrictions apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are written by AMEX Assurance Company.
Related: Your Complete Guide to Purchase Protections on American Express Cards
at last
The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex isn’t a flashy card that offers perks like lounge access or top-tier status. However, it offers value for money mid-level status – without the effort – in a hotel program with a large footprint around the world.
Plus, thanks to the advanced night credit you’ll receive in your account, you’ll be able to earn higher points when you combine your business card with a Marriott personal credit card.
That, and an annual free night you can redeem for over $200 with little effort should justify the annual fee. However, that depends on you making sure you avail the benefits every year.
Official Application Link:- Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card A 100,000-point welcome bonus after spending $4,000 in purchases on your new card within the first three months of card membership. This offer ends on November 2nd.
For Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex rates and fees, click here.
