Top Strategies for Accumulating Marriott Reward Points

In the world of travel rewards, Marriott Bonvoy has partnered with both Chase and American Express to offer a range of credit cards that cater to different spending habits and travel preferences. Here's a breakdown of the key features, annual fees, and reward structures of the Marriott Bonvoy cards from both providers.

Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards from Chase

Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™

Annual Fee: $250
Welcome Offer: 85,000 points after $4,000 spend in 3 months from account opening
Earning Rates: 6X points at Marriott hotels, 4X on groceries and dining (up to $15,000 per year), 2X other purchases
Elite Night Credits/Status: 15 Elite Night Credits, automatic Gold Elite status yearly
Additional Benefits: Auto rental insurance, baggage delay, extended warranty, lost luggage, purchase protection, roadside dispatch, trip delay reimbursement, travel accident insurance

Marriott Bonvoy Bold®

Annual Fee: $0
Welcome Offer: 30,000 Bonus Points after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months of account opening
Earning Rates: 3X points at Marriott hotels, 2X other purchases
Elite Night Credits/Status: None

Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards from American Express

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy®

Annual Fee: $250
Welcome Offer: Not explicitly detailed, but likely similar to Chase Bountiful
Earning Rates: Generally 6X at Marriott hotels, details similar but can vary
Elite Night Credits/Status: 15 Elite Night Credits, automatic Gold Elite status

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant®

Annual Fee: $650
Welcome Offer: 155,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership
Earning Rates: 6X at Marriott hotels, 3X on dining worldwide, 3X airfare direct, 2X others
Elite Night Credits/Status: 25 Elite Night Credits, automatic Platinum Elite status yearly

Comparison

Both the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful and Amex Marriott Bonvoy Bevy cards are mid-tier offerings with $250 annual fees, comparable earning rates especially at Marriott hotels (6X points), and similar elite night credits and Gold Elite status benefits. Both offer valuable welcome bonuses and complementary travel protections and perks focused on hotel stays.
The Amex Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card is a premium offering with a much higher annual fee ($650) but substantially greater rewards: a 185k point welcome bonus, 25 elite night credits, automatic Platinum Elite status, an 85,000 point annual free night certificate, and luxury travel perks including a $300 dining credit, airport lounge access via Priority Pass, and Global Entry/TSA fee credit.

For Marriott-focused travelers who want strong hotel points earning and elite benefits with a moderate fee, Chase Bountiful or Amex Bevy are comparable. For those seeking top-tier Marriott benefits and additional luxury travel perks willing to pay a higher fee, the Amex Brilliant card is recommended.

Transferring Points and Earning Rates

Sending a referral link to a friend who is looking to get a Marriott, Chase, or American Express card can earn extra points.
Marriott is a 1:1 transfer partner of both American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Earning 10 points per $1 spent on qualifying purchases at most Marriott hotels is possible.
Elite status with Marriott increases earnings rate. Silver elites earn a 10% points bonus, Gold elites earn a 25% points bonus, Platinum elites earn a 50% points bonus, Titanium and Ambassador elites earn a 75% points bonus.

Important Notes

Once you transfer points from Chase to Marriott, the transfer cannot be reversed.
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card has an annual fee of $650.
The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card has an annual fee of $250.
The following Chase credit cards earn Ultimate Rewards® points: Chase Sapphire Reserve®, Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card.
Marriott points are worth 0.9 cent each, and Chase points are valued at 2.1 cents.

[1] Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card [2] Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card [3] Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card [4] Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card [5] Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

To maximize personal finance and earning opportunities, Marriott-focused travelers can consider saving by using a Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card to earn rewards and gain travel benefits, as it has no annual fee.
Those looking to invest in Marriott Bonvoy credit cards with moderate fees for stronger hotel points earning and elite benefits can consider both the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful and Amex Marriott Bonvoy Bevy cards, as they offer comparable features.
For high-end business travelers seeking top-tier Marriott benefits, luxury travel perks, and premium rewards, the Amex Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card might be the better choice, despite its high annual fee.
To boost personal-finance efforts, Marriott loyalists can leverage the opportunity to earn extra points by sending referral links to friends looking to obtain a Marriott, Chase, or American Express card.
To optimize spending habits and lifestyle preferences, consider using credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, as they earn Ultimate Rewards® points; then, transfer these points at a valuable 1:1 ratio to Marriott as part of your saving and investing strategies.