The Marriott Bonvoy Business® card from American Express is designed to enhance both your business and leisure travel experiences. This card is packed with benefits, including significant points on hotel stays, free night awards, and elite status perks.
Whether you’re a frequent traveler or a business owner looking to maximize your spending, this card offers valuable rewards and flexible terms, making it a strong contender in the travel rewards card space. One of the most attractive features of the Marriott Bonvoy Business® card is its current limited-time offer.
You can earn 5 Free Night Awards after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership, each free night valued up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. With no foreign transaction fees and a range of exclusive benefits for cardholders, this card is an excellent choice for those who travel frequently for business or leisure.
Key information about the Marriott Bonvoy Business® card
The Marriott Bonvoy Business® card offers a range of key features designed to benefit business owners and frequent travelers. Cardholders can earn up to 18.5X points per dollar spent at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, with 6X points from the card, up to 10X points as a Marriott Bonvoy member, and an additional 2.5X points from complimentary Gold Elite status.
The card also provides 4X points on U.S. gas station purchases, dining, wireless services, and shipping, along with 2X points on all other eligible purchases. Benefits include 5 Free Night Awards after spending $8,000 in the first six months, annual Free Night Awards, 15 Elite Night Credits towards higher Marriott Bonvoy status, and no foreign transaction fees, making it an excellent option for both business and leisure travel.
How does the annual fee work?
The Marriott Bonvoy Business® card comes with an annual fee of $125. While this fee may seem like a drawback, the card’s numerous benefits and rewards quickly offset the cost. For instance, cardholders receive one Free Night Award annually after their card renewal month, which can be redeemed at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. This single free night alone can often cover the value of the annual fee, depending on the hotel.
How is the credit limit determined?
The credit limit for the Marriott Bonvoy Business® card is determined based on various factors, including your personal credit score, business financials, and overall creditworthiness. American Express evaluates your ability to manage debt and assess other financial criteria, such as your income and existing liabilities. The card’s credit limit will reflect your capacity to repay based on these factors.
Credit card benefits
- 5 free night awards: After spending $8,000 within the first six months, you’ll receive five free night awards, each worth up to 50,000 points.
- 4X points on business expenses: Earn 4 points per dollar on purchases at restaurants, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services, and shipping.
- Up to 18.5X points at Marriott Bonvoy hotels: Earn up to 18.5X points on Marriott Bonvoy stays through a combination of cardholder points, Marriott membership points, and Gold Elite status bonuses.
- Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status: Enjoy perks like room upgrades, late checkout, and bonus points on eligible stays.
- Annual free night award: Receive one free night annually after card renewal, which can be redeemed for stays worth up to 35,000 points.
- 15 Elite night credits: Earn 15 Elite Night Credits each year, helping you qualify for higher levels of Marriott Bonvoy Elite status.
5 free night awards
The standout feature of the Marriott Bonvoy Business® card is the 5 Free Night Awards that cardholders can earn after spending $8,000 within the first six months of opening the card. Each of these nights can be redeemed at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, with a value of up to 50,000 points per night.
This means you could potentially enjoy five luxurious hotel stays at top-tier properties just by using your card for regular business expenses. The ability to redeem these awards at high-value properties makes this an especially lucrative offer for frequent travelers.
Disadvantages
- Annual fee: The card comes with a $125 annual fee, which may be a drawback for those who don’t travel often enough to take full advantage of the rewards.
- High spending requirement for free night awards: You must spend $8,000 in the first six months to earn the 5 Free Night Awards, which may be a high threshold for some business owners.
- Limited redemption value: While the free night awards are generous, certain high-end hotels may require more points, limiting the flexibility of your awards.
High spending requirement for free nights
The primary drawback of the Marriott Bonvoy Business® card is the high spending requirement to earn the 5 Free Night Awards. To unlock this benefit, you must spend $8,000 within the first six months, which may be challenging for smaller businesses or those with limited monthly expenses. However, for business owners who regularly spend on travel, dining, and other business-related expenses, this threshold may be easier to meet.
Who can apply for this card?
To apply for the Marriott Bonvoy Business® card, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Age: Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
- Business ownership: You must own a business or be an authorized representative of a business to apply for the card.
- Creditworthiness: A good to excellent credit score is generally required to be approved for the card.
- U.S. resident: Applicants must be U.S. residents with a valid Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number.
How to apply for the Marriott Bonvoy Business® card
Applying online
Applying for the Marriott Bonvoy Business® card is a simple and straightforward process, especially when done online. To begin, visit the American Express website and navigate to the Marriott Bonvoy Business® card page. Once there, click on the “Apply Now” button to initiate the application process.
You will be asked to provide essential information, such as your personal details, including your name, Social Security Number, and business-related information, such as your business name, address, and annual income.
Be sure to review all the terms and conditions before submitting your application. After you’ve completed the form, submit it for review. In many cases, American Express provides an instant decision, although some applications may take longer if additional verification is required.
Once approved, your card will be mailed to your address within a few business days. Upon receiving the card, you can start using it immediately to earn points on business purchases and travel expenses. The application process is designed to be quick and efficient, with approval often provided within minutes of submission, allowing business owners to get started on earning rewards right away.
If you encounter any issues or have questions, American Express customer service is available to provide assistance throughout the application process.