Want more travel hacks and credit card perks? For our entire collection of reviews and guides, click here. Want to play hotel royalty without spending like one? The Marriott Bonvoy American Express is your golden (lobby key) ticket if, and only if, you’re loyal to the Marriott house. Here’s the lowdown, stripped of the fluff, padded with points.
For the loyal Marriott Bonvoy fan, this card is all about fast-tracking your journey to elite status and might be just the ticket if Marriott is your go-to. With a £95 annual fee, it’s built for people who actually use the brand, not the once-a-year holiday crowd. It’s generous where it matters, but is it worth the annual sting? Let’s find out.
In This Post
The Hook: Sign-Up Bonus
Spend £3,000 in 3 months and you’ll usually bag 20,000 Marriott Bonvoy points worth roughly £100 off a stay or 6,667 Avios for your next skyward escape. There are often boosted welcome offers; check WingTips Wallet Watch for the latest.
Eligibility remains the same: no personal Amex in the past 24 months? You’re in. Corporate or supplementary cardholder? Still counts. Handy, that.
Fast Track to Elite Status
Each year, you’ll receive 15 elite night credits, automatically qualifying you for Silver Elite, which includes late checkout, priority for upgrades, and a 10% bonus on your points.
Rack up 35 nights total, and it’s hello Platinum: complimentary breakfast, lounge access, and room upgrades that don’t resemble a parking space with curtains.
The credits usually land within about 60 days of card approval and count towards the current calendar year.
Spend More, Get More
- £15,000 annual spend = automatic Gold Elite status (extra upgrades, late checkout, and a 25% points bonus).
- £25,000 annual spend = one Free Night Award worth up to 25,000 points at participating hotels.
- You can top it up with up to 15,000 extra points for pricier stays, ideal if you’ve had your eye on something more glamorous than a Courtyard on the A40.
Just remember: if you’re chasing that free night, do it with the spending you were making anyway. Forced loyalty rarely ends well.
Earning Rates (aka Should I Bother?)
- 6 points per £1 at Marriott properties
- 2 points per £1 on everything else
That’s about a 3% return on hotel spend and roughly 1% on daily spend, given that each point is worth around 0.5p.
You can also transfer Bonvoy points to over 40 airline programmes, including Avios, with most converting 3 points = 1 mile (plus a 5k bonus for every 60k transferred).
Marriott Bonvoy Moments: Points with a Pulse
This is where Bonvoy gets spicy. Think backstage gigs, Michelin-chef cook-offs, tennis finals, or hospitality at Wimbledon. It’s the side of Marriott that spreadsheets can’t measure and where the right redemption can feel priceless.
How It Compares: Other Travel Cards in the Aisle
| Feature | Marriott Bonvoy Amex | Amex Gold Credit Card | Barclaycard Avios |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | £95 | Free 1st year (£195 after) | Free (Avios); £240 (Plus version) |
| Sign-Up Bonus | 20,000 Bonvoy points (base) | 20,000 MR points | 5,000 – 25,000 Avios |
| Best For | Marriott loyalists + status | General travel rewards & dining | Avios collectors + BA flyers |
| Spending Perks | 6× points at Marriott | 2× on dining & travel | Cabin upgrades + 2-4-1 vouchers |
| Foreign Spend Fee | ≈ 2.99% | ≈ 2.99% | 0% (Avios Plus only) |
But Wait, Foreign Transaction Fees
Yes, there’s a ~ 2.99% foreign-exchange fee on overseas purchases.
Take a Currensea card for holidays instead; it charges just 0.5% and won’t judge your sunburn.
Just note: it’s a debit card, so no credit-building or Section 75 protection.
APR & Small Print
- Annual Fee: £95 (paid on opening and each anniversary)
- Representative APR: ~ 53.3% variable (includes the anyearlyee)
- Purchase Rate: ~ 31% variable
As with all Amex cards, pay in full each month, or the interest will make your Bonvoy dreams evaporate faster than minibar gin.
Final Call
Get this card if:
- You stay at Marriott often (or even semi-regularly).
- You value elite status and late checkouts.
- You like points that can flex for flights or VIP events.
Skip this card if:
- You prefer straightforward cashback.
- You rarely sleep in Marriott beds.
- You’re allergic to foreign fees.
At £95 a year, it’s not cheap, but one solid redemption or status-boosted stay can easily offset the cost.
Always check WingTips Wallet Watch for the latest offers before you apply.
Still Taxiing? Read On.
- What Does Marriott Bonvoy Get You with the Amex Platinum?
- How to Max Out Marriott Bonvoy in the UK
- The Ultimate Guide to Marriott Bonvoy: Rewards, Status & Tips
