The best Marriott credit cards of December 2023

More details on our best Marriott credit cards

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

Why we love it: The Bonvoy Boundless is a great pick for travel credit card beginners. The card offers an annual free night certificate (worth up to 35,000 points), Silver Elite status and 15 elite night credits annually to help you jump-start your journey into the Bonvoy program. Even the most casual Marriott user could benefit from this entry-level card.

Who should use it: Travelers who book at least one Marriott hotel a year would benefit from having the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless in their wallet. With its many perks, including the annual free night certificate, the card basically pays for itself.

Why it’s in my wallet: “This card is worth keeping in my wallet every year due to the fact that I can get outsized value from the free night certificate for a low $95 annual fee. Combining the 15 elite night credits I receive with this card with the ones I get by holding another Marriott business card means it is attainable for me to requalify for Platinum Elite status every year.” — Matt Moffitt, senior credit cards editor

Alternative card option(s): For travelers who are looking for more flexible reward earning and redemption options, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card can be a better option. The Sapphire Preferred earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which can be transferred to any of Chase’s 13 travel partners (including Marriott) or used directly through Chase Travel.

Unlocking status: The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless grants cardmembers Silver Elite status, as well as 15 elite night credits to help accelerate their progress to higher tiers of status.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Why we love it: There is no premium travel card like the Amex Platinum, as it offers a slew of benefits, credits and perks. For travelers looking to get the most out of a travel card, the Amex Platinum can be the perfect addition to their wallets thanks to the unparalleled lounge access, assorted annual statement credits and extensive travel perks that come with it. It even includes automatic Gold Elite status in the Bonvoy program (enrollment required).

Who should use it: Frequent travelers can find a lot of use for the Amex Platinum’s lounge access and annual statement credits, but casual travelers would be hard-pressed to justify the card’s hefty $695 annual fee (see rates and fees).

Why it’s in my wallet: “As a frequent traveler, the Platinum Card’s extensive lounge access makes the card a must-have on the road. I can access Delta Sky Clubs, Centurion Lounges, Plaza Premium lounges, Priority Pass lounges and others. More often than not, this means I have a place to relax before my flight. This has saved me thousands of dollars in airport food over the years and keeps me productive at the airport. On top of this, the up to $200 airline fee credit and up to $200 Uber Cash offset most of the card’s high annual fee.” — Andrew Kunesh, senior points and miles editor

Alternative card option(s): If you are looking for a premium travel card with a more flexible travel credit and a greater variety of bonus categories, the Chase Sapphire Reserve may be a better fit for your wallet. The Sapphire Reserve still comes with many travel perks and benefits, plus 3 points per dollar spent on travel and dining, all with a slightly more affordable $550 annual fee.

Unlocking status: The Amex Platinum grants cardmembers Gold status with both Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy (enrollment required).

Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card

Why we love it: The Marriott Bonvoy Bold is a great starter option for any traveler interested in the Bonvoy program. The card provides travel protections, 15 elite night credits to help you jump-start your elite status journey and automatic Silver Elite status, all for no annual fee.

Who should use it: New travel credit card users who are looking for a solid no-annual-fee pick can find great value in the Marriott Bonvoy Bold’s earning rates and perks.

Why it should be in your wallet: The Marriott Bonvoy Bold is a great way to enter the Bonvoy program since it has no annual fee but still features automatic status and a solid welcome offer.

Alternative card option(s): If you want to earn transferable points but are looking for a card without an annual fee, consider the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees) instead. It earns a flat 1.25 miles per dollar spent on all purchases and can be transferred to any of Capital One’s 15+ travel partners.

Unlocking status: Cardholders are automatically given Silver Elite status. Additionally, they receive 15 elite night credits, which can be used to attain a higher Marriott elite status.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

Why we love it: The Bonvoy Brilliant Amex is Marriott’s most premium card and comes loaded with perks, including up to $25 in monthly dining credits (up to $300 per year in statement credits), automatic Platinum Elite status, a free night award (worth up to 85,000 points) and a Priority Pass Select membership. The card’s benefits come at a premium annual fee of $650 (see rates and fees), but this can still be a great addition to a Marriott enthusiast’s wallet.

Who should use it: Marriott loyalists would get the most value out of having the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant. The annual free night award, worth up to 85,000 points, can be a great way to score a free night at any of these Marriott hotels.

Why it’s in my wallet: “This card is an absolute no-brainer for those who stay at full-service Marriott brands multiple times a year but not quite enough to naturally earn the Marriott Platinum Elite status that unlocks perks like free breakfast, club access and suite upgrades. I’ve got the card so that I can enjoy hundreds of dollars in annual status perks, plus the annual 85,000-point award certificate that saves me hundreds of dollars on a night at higher-end Marriott hotels and resorts.” — Summer Hull, director of content

Alternative card option(s): If you are looking for a premium hotel card at a lower cost but with similar perks, consider the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, which carries an annual fee of $450 and offers many premium benefits — just at participating Hilton Honors properties.

Unlocking status: Primary cardholders automatically receive Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, which comes with great perks like free upgrades, free breakfast and lounge access (where applicable).

The information for the Hilton Amex Aspire has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Credit Card

Why we love it: The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy is a mid-tier Marriott products that offers a great welcome offer, complimentary Gold Elite status and bonus points on each paid stay. For the right Marriott customers, the Bevy could be a great way to earn more on their Marriott stays. 

Who should use it: Marriott customers who don’t have a Marriott card yet should consider adding the Bevy to their wallet. The Bevy’s automatic elite status, welcome offer and bonus points on paid stay can help them maximize returns on their stays. 

Why it should be in your wallet: Earning elite status typically requires many hotel nights but with the Bevy card, cardholders receive automatic Gold status and 15 elite night credits every year.

Alternative card option(s): If you want a Marriott card but are looking for one that comes with a free night every year, consider the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card instead. You’ll receive a free-night certificate (valid up to 35,000 points) each year when you renew your card, and it also features a lower annual fee of $95.

Unlocking status: The Marriott Bevy comes with automatic Gold Elite status at Marriott properties. In addition, the card comes with 15 elite night credits every year to make earning status easier. 

Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card

Why we love it: The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is the perfect mid tier business card for a small-business owner loyal to Marriott. It features elevated earning rates for business categories like gas stations and wireless telephone service. Plus, it comes with complimentary Gold Elite status, 15 elite night credits (which can be stacked with those from a personal Marriott card) and an annual free night certificate.

Who should use it: Small-business owners who prioritize Marriott properties for stays should consider adding this card to their business wallet. The $125 annual fee (see rates and fees) can easily pay for itself with the annual free night certificate. Not to mention, the additional perks of elite status and elevated earning rates add to its value.

Why it’s in my wallet: “If I had to name one credit card I’ll never cancel, I’d choose this one. I love that its elite night credits stack with those from my personal Marriott credit card, and I can get far more value from the free night award than I pay for the card’s annual fee each year. This card has a permanent place in my wallet.” — Ryan Smith, credit cards writer

Alternative card option(s): If you are looking for a business hotel credit card but find your company frequents Hilton properties, consider The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card instead. The card offers many of the same perks as the Marriott Bonvoy Business but at a slightly more affordable annual fee of $95 (see rates and fees).

Unlocking status: The Bonvoy Business Amex grants cardholders complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, as well as 15 elite night credits that can be used to jump-start their elite status progress.

What is Marriott?

Marriott International is an American company that specializes in domestic and international hotels and resorts. It currently has over 8,000 properties in 30-plus brands across more than 130 countries and territories.

The Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program was created in 2018 with the integration of Marriott Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards. It offers members various ways to earn points, including through the use of credit cards from both Chase and American Express, and then redeem those points for free nights around the world.

How to choose a Marriott credit card

Choosing a Marriott credit card can be overwhelming, so start small. Think about your spending habits to identify which Marriott card aligns with the purchases you’ll be making. You should also consider how many nights you typically spend in Marriott properties in a given year since that can help you identify whether perks like elite status will be valuable. Finally, consider whether you even want to focus your attention on Marriott (rather than transferable rewards programs).

Ultimately, credit cards are incredibly personal decisions. This list highlights the best perks and benefits of each credit card to help make your decision easier, but the choice for the best card for your wallet is ultimately up to you.

Marriott credit card benefits

Marriott credit cards come with many perks and benefits. We have outlined some notable ones below.

Marriott Bonvoy points earning

Marriott’s reward currency is known as Marriott Bonvoy points. The cobranded cards listed above have elevated reward rates on eligible Marriott spending, which can help you get the best return on your spending with Marriott. These points can then be redeemed for future Marriott stays.

Complimentary elite status

Many of the cards listed above provide complimentary elite status with Marriott. Depending on the tier, this can include perks like bonus points, room upgrades or even complimentary breakfast. You can read more about Marriott Bonvoy elite status (including how to earn it) by perusing our full guide.

Free night awards

Free night awards are certificates given out by Marriott as annual perks on many credit cards. These awards can be redeemed for a free night at an eligible Marriott hotel (though you’ll still need to pay any resort fees the property charges). On the lower end, these certificates are worth up to 35,000 points, but the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant has a free night award that will cover a hotel night worth up to 85,000 points.

Additionally, you can add up to 15,000 of your own Marriott Bonvoy points to these certificates if you want to unlock even higher-priced properties.

Related: How to use a Marriott Bonvoy 35,000-point certificate

How to maximize Marriott credit card rewards

Marriott Bonvoy is Marriott’s loyalty program. The primary way to maximize your Marriott credit card rewards is to take advantage of the card’s perks, elite status and free night award. Once you’ve earned enough points, aim to use them at higher-priced properties, as that tends to offer the best bang for your buck.

Check out our full guide to learn how to best maximize your Marriott Bonvoy points.

Methodology

We know how hard it can be to choose the best card for your wallet. At TPG, we have done the heavy lifting for you, and through our lengthy research process, we have curated a list of what we think are the best Marriott cards for our readers. Some factors we considered in our search are:

Welcome bonus: One of the most important aspects of a card is its welcome bonus. These initial offers are typically much larger than the points that can be earned through regular spending.

Annual fee: Some people prefer cards with no annual fee, while others don’t mind them — as long as the accompanying benefits and perks are worth it. We’ve included cards with and without annual fees so you can decide which one is the right fit for you.

Free night certificate: Many cobranded hotel cards offer a free night certificate, and Marriott’s are no exception. Several of the cards listed above come with a free night every year upon account renewal, which can easily offset a card’s annual fee.

Reward rates: Most Marriott cobranded cards award bonus points at Marriott properties, but some extend this to other spending categories. As a result, we considered these earning rates when identifying the best Marriott cards out there.

RELATED GUIDES:

• The award traveler’s guide to Marriott Bonvoy
• Best ways to earn points with the Marriott Bonvoy program
• How to redeem points with the Marriott Bonvoy program
• Best ways to redeem 100,000 Marriott points

For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex, please click here.

For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card, please click here.

For rates and fees of the Platinum Card, please click here.

For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, please click here.