The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Advertiser disclosure
The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
Which credit card should you use for Marriott stays?
Ryan is a former TPG credit cards writer who has been around points and miles for several years and has published content at Miles to Memories, AwardWallet and The Points Guy. His wife joins him on many of his trips, and they enjoy snowboarding, diving, and seeing animals in the wild. When not traveling, Ryan is probably answering questions from his family about how he travels so much and whether this points & miles stuff is illegal.
August 16, 2024 • 7 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
Related stories
Quick summary
The article compares various credit cards for maximizing rewards and benefits during Marriott hotel stays.
Cards that earn transferable points may offer higher value than those earning only hotel-specific points, providing more flexible redemption options.
Elite status perks at Marriott hotels apply regardless of the card used for payment, so card choice does not affect these benefits.
Some cards may be necessary if you are working toward specific spending thresholds for elite status or annual benefits.
What to consider
Transferable points can be redeemed for a wider range of rewards, not just hotel stays, potentially increasing their value.
Meeting certain spending requirements on specific cards may be essential for achieving higher elite status or annual choice benefits within the hotel loyalty program.
TPG's August 2024 valuations are used to estimate the value of points earned at Marriott properties.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of reward values, elite status perks and redemption flexibility among different card options for Marriott stays.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Here’s a look at some popular credit cards you might use to pay for your next stay at a Marriott hotel and what these cards can offer you in terms of return on spending and perks during your stay.
Comparing credit cards for a Marriott hotel stay
Aside from using a Marriott cobranded credit card, you might also consider using a good travel rewards card that earns transferable points. Let’s look at some common options and what you could get when using these cards.
Card name
Earning rate at Marriott hotels
Value of the rewards earned*
Marriott-related benefits from the card
Annual fee
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
6 points per dollar
5.1 cents
Automatic Platinum Elite status, which offers complimentary breakfast, late checkout and upgrades to suites when available at check-in, as well as 50% bonus points on paid stays
Automatic Gold Elite status (which includes upgrades to preferred rooms and 25% bonus points, available for Qualifying Rates), plus 1,000 bonus points on each paid stay with Marriott Bonvoy at participating properties
Automatic Gold Elite status (which includes upgrades to preferred rooms and 25% bonus points), plus 1,000 bonus points on each paid stay with Marriott Bonvoy
$250
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
6 points per dollar
5.1 cents
Automatic Gold Elite status (which includes upgrades to preferred rooms and 25% bonus points), plus cardholders receive up to a 7% discount on room rates when booking directly
$125 (see rates and fees)
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (see rates and fees)
6 points per dollar
4.2 cents
Automatic Silver Elite status provides 10% bonus points on paid rates (though you can achieve Gold Elite status if you also have a small-business credit card from Marriott)
$95
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card (see rates and fees)
3 points per dollar
2.1 cents
Automatic Silver Elite status
$0
American Express® Green Card
3 points per dollar
6 cents
None
$150
Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees)
4 points per dollar (or 8 points per dollar spent if booked through Chase Travel℠
8.2 cents (or 16.4 cents)
None
$795
* Bonus value is estimated based on TPG's August 2024 valuations and not the card issuer.
The information for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful and American Express Green cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Which credit card should you use to pay for Marriott hotel stays?
Your decision is influenced by two factors: the benefits you enjoy during your stay and the points you earn on the card when paying for your stay.
For the first part, it’s relatively simple. Your elite status perks will apply regardless of whether you use a specific card for your stay. For example, you don’t need to pay with the Bonvoy Brilliant card to enjoy your Platinum Elite status benefits during your next Marriott stay.
Using your Marriott cobranded credit card may not be your best bet for earning points from spending money at Marriott Bonvoy properties. That’s because some cards that earn transferable points can provide a better rate of return on spending for your hotel stays. Additionally, you can use these points for more than just upcoming hotel stays.
The one caveat to this is if you’re working on spending your way toward higher levels of Marriott Bonvoy status or working on an annual choice benefit. You will need to pay with your Bonvoy Brilliant card to meet the spending requirements for an annual choice benefit and will need to pay with your Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card if you want to achieve Gold Elite status through spending. That requires $35,000 of purchases on your card each year.
The credit card you should use for an upcoming trip might not initially have the answer you expect. Often, using a credit card bearing the hotel's or airline's name isn’t your best card for that purchase. Rather, you may earn more valuable (or a greater number of) rewards using a different card. That’s because transferable points are more valuable than points that belong to just one rewards program.
Luckily, paying with a credit card not attached to the Marriott Bonvoy program doesn’t mean you’ll sacrifice your Marriott elite status benefits (if you have them.) Because of that, you should pay with whichever card in your wallet will earn the most valuable rewards.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card, click here. For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business card, click here.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
