Through May 12, 2021, people that are eligible for a new American Express Bonvoy credit card can get pretty sizable bonuses. The major catch is eligibility…
In this article
Bonvoy Brilliant Welcome Bonus
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card, by Amex, is the super luxury version of the consumer cards, offering a $300 annual credit towards stays at Marriott hotels, Gold status, and a free night certificate valid at hotels priced at up to 50,000 points rather than 35,000 as you would get with the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card or the legacy $95 annual fee American Express Bonvoy card (no longer available to new applicants, though new Brilliant cardholders do have the option to downgrade after one year). It has a $450 annual fee to match. (Rates and Fees)
Limited Time Welcome Bonus: Get 125,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points when you spend $5,000 in your first three months plus up to $200 in statement credits for purchases at US restaurants in your first 6 months.
Eligibility: Notably, having the Bonvoy Business does NOT disqualify you from the Brilliant. But beyond that, read carefully.
Welcome offer not available to applicants who have or have had this product or the Starwood Preferred Guest® American Express® Luxury Card. We may also consider the number of American Express Cards you have opened and closed as well as other factors in making a decision on your welcome offer eligibility.
Welcome offer not available to applicants who (i) have or have had The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card from JPMorgan or the J.P. Morgan Ritz-Carlton Rewards® Credit Card in the last 30 days, (ii) have acquired the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy™ Premier Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy™ Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase or the Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase in the last 90 days, or (iii) received a new Card Member bonus or upgrade offer for the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™Credit Card from Chase, Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy™ Premier Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy™ Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase or the Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase in the last 24 months.
Bonvoy Business Welcome Bonus
The Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card is very similar to the Chase Bonvoy Boundless card (6x at Marriott, 2x everywhere else), however this small business credit card has the added bonus of earning 4x Bonvoy points at US restaurants, gas stations, shipping, and wireless telephone service. If you have a small business (or even a side hustle – read about eligibility here), this may be the best choice for you. This card has a $125 annual fee and comes with an annual free night valid for a hotel night up to 35,000 Bonvoy points. (Rates and Fees)
Limited Time Welcome Bonus: Get 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points when you spend $5,000 in your first 3 months plus up to $150 in statement credits.
Eligibility: Welcome offer not available to applicants who have or have had this product or the Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express. We may also consider the number of American Express Cards you have opened and closed as well as other factors in making a decision on your welcome offer eligibility.
Welcome offer not available to applicants who (i) have or have had the Marriott Bonvoy™ Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy Business™ Credit Card from Chase, or the Marriott Rewards® Business Credit Card from Chase in the last 30 days, (ii) have acquired the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy™ Premier Credit Card from Chase or the Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card from Chase in the last 90 days, or (iii) received a new Card Member bonus offer in the last 24 months on the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy™ Premier Plus Credit Card from Chase or the Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card from Chase.
Overall, the eligibility is super confusing and if you aren’t clear on if you are eligible for one of these based on what you have, please ask me!
Up to 30 Elite Night Credits Per Year!
Recall that as of last year, you can earn 15 elite nights annually on up to one personal card and up to one business card, for a total of 30 nights. That’s pretty amazing as it’s more than halfway to the 50 night Platinum status requirement, which gives you upgrades, including standard suites, guaranteed 4pm checkout (except at resort and convention hotels) and lounge access or complimentary breakfast.
A maximum of 15 Elite Night Credits will be provided per Marriott Bonvoy Member Account, unless you have both a small business Marriott Bonvoy Card account and a consumer Marriott Bonvoy Card account; then, you may receive a combined maximum of 30 Elite Night Credits (15 per Card account). This benefit is not exclusive to Credit Cards offered by American Express.
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Earn 75,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms apply. | How to apply for this offer.
Questions?
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You can find credit cards that best match your spending habits and bonus categories at Your Best Credit Cards.
New to all of this? My “introduction to miles and points” book, MilesTalk: Live Your Wildest Travel Dreams Using Miles and Points is available on Amazon and at major booksellers.
The following American Express cards were discussed in this article: Rates and Fees for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card | Rates and Fees for the Marriot Bonvoy(TM) Business Card from American Express
