Anyone interested in building business credit needs to understand all of their credit card options. As of today, Amex is offering 75K bonus points, and this has people talking. Plus, existing Chase cardholders are wondering if they should switch. So, here is a full and honest Marriot Bonvoy Business Amex credit card review led by a quick comparison with the Chase card.
First, What is a Marriott Bonvoy Business Credit Card?
The Marriott Bonvoy Business credit card is a revolving line of credit offered from Amex or Chase on behalf of Marriott hotels. The card is famous for its travel rewards, which include complimentary stays at the hotels and more. Currently, Amex is the only bank accepting Marriott Bonvoy credit card applications from businesses.
Next, a Marriott Bonvoy Business Credit Card Comparison
First of all, the Marriot Bonvoy Business card from Chase is no longer open to new applicants. So, if you’re new to the credit cards and rewards offered by Marriott, you can no longer apply for the Chase card. Still, let’s take a quick look at how these cards stack up against one another.
| 0% Intro APR | Cashback | Annual Fee | Points | Bonus | |
Marriott Bonvoy Business™American Express® Card | No | Points redeemable for cash | $125 | 6X per $1 spent at Marriott Bonvoy hotels 4X per $1 spent on dining 2X per $1 spent on all other purchases +More | 75K points for spending $3,000 Free night award after the first year anniversary Free night for $60K annual spending |
Marriott Bonvoy Business™ Visa®Credit Card | No | Points redeemable for cash | $95 | 3X per $1 spent at Marriott Bonvoy hotels 1X per $1 spent on all other purchases Elite credit for every $3,000 spent | N/A |
The annual fee on Chase’s Marriott credit card is significantly lower, which might make this card sound more appealing to many people. However, with the right amount of spending, your rewards for with the Amex credit card blow the Chase card out of the water. With Amex, you can earn double the rewards and more.
In the case that you have a preference for working with Chase, while the Marriott Bonvoy Business Visa credit card from Chase is no longer available, you can still apply for the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless (personal) card. But, as a business owner looking to build your business credit, you need to understand that this card will not impact your Paydex score through D&B.
| ⚠ Important Fine Print: You May Not Qualify for Amex’s Welcome Bonus Before you cut up or cancel your other rewards cards and apply for the Marriot Bonvoy Business credit card from Amex, you must read the fine print. While the benefits are indeed worthwhile for a traveler, there are instances when you won’t qualify for the welcome bonus. Have held one of the following cards in the last 30 days: Marriott Bonvoy™ Premier Plus Business Credit Card from ChaseMarriott Rewards® Premier Plus Business Credit Card from ChaseMarriott Bonvoy Business™ Credit Card from ChaseMarriott Rewards® Business Credit Card from Chase Have held one of the following cards in the last 90 days: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card from ChaseMarriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card from ChaseMarriott Bonvoy Bold™ Credit Card from ChaseMarriott Bonvoy™ Premier Credit Card from ChaseMarriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card from Chase Have received a new cardmember bonus offer from one of the following cards in the last 24 months:Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card from ChaseMarriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card from ChaseMarriott Bonvoy Bold™ Credit Card from ChaseMarriott Bonvoy™ Premier Plus Credit Card from ChaseMarriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card from Chase If you still think you might qualify for the welcome bonus, read on — it’s a great program. |
Then, Learn About the Marriott Bonvoy Amex Business Credit Card Rewards
Now, let’s take a closer look at the Marriott Bonvoy credit card business cardholder travel rewards (in addition to building business credit) that you can leverage when you use this card.
Hotel Rewards with the Marriott Bonvoy Business Credit Card
What type of hotel rewards can you earn with the Marriott Bonvoy Business credit card? Here’s what you can earn.
The Free Night Award + Statement & Property Credits
Each year, after your cardholder account opening anniversary (the date you’re approved for a Marriott Bonvoy Business credit card from Amex), you will receive a certificate for a free night stay at Marriott. And, for every $60K you spend in a year, you’ll receive an additional free night.
This perk alone is easily worth the $125 annual fee.
Complimentary Elite Status for 15 Nights
As a cardholder, you will enjoy Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite Status for 15 nights. But, what does this mean?
- Enjoy 10% bonus points on your hotel stays.
- Leverage priority late checkout at your hotel stays.
- Receive exclusive access to a dedicated reservation phone line.
- Use your phone to check in and out of your room (mobile key).
- Bypass blackout dates when you reserve your stay.
- +More
And, if you spend $35K in a calendar year, you’ll be bumped up to Gold Elite Status.
- Enjoy 25% bonus points on your hotel stays.
- Leverage automatic enhanced room upgrade based on availability at check-in.
- Utilize a late checkout at 2:00 pm.
- Receive 250 or 500 bonus points when you arrive to spend on cocktails, meals, spa experiences, and more.
- +More
These perks will make your Marriott stay so much more enjoyable.
WiFi Benefit
When you use a Marriott Bonvoy business credit card at checkout when booking your stay, you can enjoy an upgrade to complimentary, premium, in-room WiFi at all participating hotels. So, if you need high-speed internet to work, you won’t have to worry about sharing your connection with other guests.
Airport Rewards with the Marriott Bonvoy Business Credit Card
And, as a Marriott Bonvoy Business cardholder, what perks can you leverage at airports? Read about the air travel benefits below.
Lounge Access + Priority Passes
As a cardholder, you can enroll in Priority Pass™ Select for priority boarding and access to 1,300 airport lounges around the world with up to two guests. Arrive early or spend your layovers in luxury.
Priority Pass Select lounges include the following benefits.
- Comfortable seating and resting areas.
- Complimentary drinks, refreshments, and pre-flight snacks.
- Charging stations for your phone and devices.
- Free WiFi.
- Conference rooms for business meetings.
- Pre-flight spa treatments and massage.
- Swimming pools.
- Family-friendly relaxation areas.
Check on each airport you’ll be traveling with to find out which amenities are available.
Global Access or TSA Precheck Credit Fee
As a Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex cardholder, if you apply for Global Access or TSA Precheck security clearance, you can receive a statement credit every four years. The credit covers the cost of each five-year program.
Global Entry has the following benefits.
- No processing lines
- No paperwork
- Access to expedited entry benefits in other countries
- Available at major U.S. airports
- Reduced wait times
- TSA Pre✓® Eligibility
Global Access statement credit: $100 after four years.
And, here are the benefits of applying for TSA Precheck.
- 5-minute or less wait-time at TSA.
TSA Precheck statement credit: $85 after four years.
Now, Here’s Everything Else You Should Know About Marriott Bonvoy Business Rewards
You’ve seen the benefits and rewards. Next, learn what else you need to know about the card before you apply.
What Credit Score is Needed for a Marriott Rewards Card?
According to users in the myFICO forum, it looks like the Marriott Rewards program requires a personal credit score of at least 650 for approval. This usually means you need a good or excellent Paydex score for approval of the business card. Although if someone has great personal credit, a business credit score may not be as heavy an approval factor.
Need help with your score? Join the Business Credit Workshop today to boost your business credit score.
How Do You Use Your Marriott Free Night?
Have you earned a free night stay at Marriott? They should have sent you a certificate, accessible from your account dashboard. You can find it in the activity section.
If you can find your Marriott Free Night Award certificate from your account dashboard, you should be able to use the “Use Points/ Certificates” option when checking out on Marriott.com. If not, contact support to redeem your award.
How Much is a Marriott Point Worth?
The Point Calculator has a helpful Marriott Points Value Calculator that you can use to find out how much your earned points are worth.
One Marriot Rewards point is worth an average of 0.7 to 1.5+ cents at Marriott hotels, ~0.4 cents toward airfare tickets and rental cars, and ~0.24 cents toward shopping and merchandise.
And, 75K Marriott points are worth about $525 – $1,125+ at Marriott hotels, $300 toward airfare tickets and rental cars, and $180 toward shopping and merchandise.
According to Statista the most recent average night cost for a stay at Marriott in North America is $198.66. If you use your Amex Marriott Bonvoy Business credit card, this would earn you about 1,188 points.
So, one night stay at Marriott is worth about $14 – $30+ at Marriott hotels, $8 toward airfare and rental cars, and $5 toward shopping and merchandise.
Can You Redeem Marriott Points for Cash?
You can use your Marriott points to buy gift certificates, but you do not have the option to sell them and they have “no cash value,” according to Marriott Bonvoy’s terms and conditions.
Do Marriott Rewards Points Expire?
Yes. Marriot rewards points expire six years after the date they are deposited into a member’s account, no matter what their account activity status is. After this time, cardholders and Bonvoy members forfeit their right to use their points and rewards.
Final Thoughts
In my opinion, Marriott probably has the best hotel rewards card program around. And, the most enticing aspect of leveraging the card is that it helps you establish business credit while you travel for work. So, the Marriott Bonvoy Business credit card is well worth applying for and utilizing if you can qualify. Apply now to start earning travel rewards with your next hotel stay.
And, if you want to learn more about skyrocketing your business credit score and building out your credit profile, check out our free secrets of how to get $100K in business credit in 30 days.