Best time to apply for Marriott cards based on offer history

Marriott is the world's largest hotel chain, with over 9,000 properties in 144 countries spread across 35-plus brands. Like most hotel chains, Marriott offers an extensive family of cobranded credit cards.

Two issuers offer these credit cards: American Express and Chase. Options range from no-annual-fee, entry-level cards to premium cards and a business card.

Here are some of the most popular Marriott credit cards available to new applicants, a snapshot of each one's welcome offer range and some guidance on the best time to apply.

We'll only discuss publicly available welcome offers. However, you might receive targeted offers that feature better deals than those outlined below. Keep in mind that offers may change at any time, and some of the offers mentioned below may not be available at this time.

Best Marriott welcome offers

Related: Best welcome offers of the month

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card

Marriott's most premium card, the Bonvoy Brilliant, has a $650 annual fee (see rates and fees) and earns 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, 3 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly and 2 points per dollar spent on all other purchases.

The Brilliant offers benefits like automatic Platinum Elite status, an annual 85,000-point free night award each year after renewal (certain hotels have resort fees; terms apply) and various travel protections in case something goes awry during your travels.

Here are the offers we have seen on the Bonvoy Brilliant:

*Bonus offer value is based on TPG's October 2025 valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.

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Currently, new cardmembers can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership.

Highest welcome offer

The highest welcome offer we've seen on the Bonvoy Brilliant allowed new cardmembers to earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in the first three months of card membership, plus 50,000 bonus points after staying six eligible paid nights at Marriott hotels.

When to apply

If the offer is over 100,000 bonus points, it's a good time to consider applying.

To learn more, read our full Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant review.

Learn more: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card

The Bonvoy Bevy is a mid-tier credit card that earns 6 points per dollar spent on Marriott hotels. It has a bevy of benefits and a $250 annual fee (see rates and fees).

The Bevy comes with perks like automatic Gold Elite status (terms apply), elite night credits and modest travel protections.

Here are the offers we have seen on the Bonvoy Bevy:

*Bonus offer value is based on TPG's October 2025 valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.

Currently, new applicants can earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership.

Highest welcome offer

The highest welcome offer we've seen on the Bonvoy Bevy allowed new cardmembers to earn 125,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first three months of card membership, plus 50,000 bonus points after staying six eligible paid nights at Marriott hotels.

When to apply

If the offer is over 85,000 points, it's a good time to submit an application.

To learn more, read our full review of the Bonvoy Bevy.

Learn more: Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card

Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card

Small-business owners who frequently stay at Marriott's properties will find plenty to like about the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express. The card comes with a $125 annual fee (see rates and fees), but has many perks that can help justify this fee.

This card offers a free night award of up to 35,000 points (resort fees may apply), elite night credits and solid earnings on Marriott stays.

Here are the offers we have seen on the Bonvoy Business:

*Bonus offer value is based on TPG's October 2025 valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.

Currently, new applicants can earn up to 125,000 bonus points. Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership and an additional 50,000 bonus points after spending an additional $3,000 in the first six months of card membership.

Highest welcome offer

The highest welcome offer we've seen on the Bonvoy Business allowed new cardmembers to earn five free night awards, worth up to 50,000 points apiece, after spending $8,000 in the first six months of card membership.

When to apply

If the offer is over 100,000 points or three or more free nights, it's a good time to fill out an application.

To learn more, read our full review of the Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex.

Learn more: Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless is a mid-tier option from Chase with a $95 annual fee. It earns 6 points per dollar spent at Marriott properties.

The Boundless card also comes with many premium-like benefits, including an up to 35,000-point anniversary free night award, automatic Silver Elite status and elite night credits.

Here are the offers we've seen over the past few years:

*Bonus offer value is based on TPG's October 2025 valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.

Currently, new cardholders can earn three free night awards (valued at up to 50,000 points each) after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Certain hotels may have resort fees.

Highest welcome offer

The highest welcome offer we've seen on the Bonvoy Boundless allowed new cardholders to earn five free night awards (each night is valued at up to 50,000 points) after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Certain hotels may have resort fees.

When to apply

If the offer is more than three free night awards or at least 125,000 bonus points, you should consider applying.

To learn more, read our full review of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless.

Learn more: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card

Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card

The no-annual-fee Marriott Bonvoy Bold from Chase is an entry-level Marriott credit card. It offers modest benefits and elitelike perks for those who don't stay at Marriott properties frequently.

The Bold offers automatic Silver Elite status, elite night credits and modest travel protections.

Here are the offers we have seen on the Bold card:

*Bonus offer value is based on TPG's October 2025 valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.

Currently, new cardholders can earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Highest welcome offer

The highest welcome offer we've seen on the Bonvoy Bold allowed new cardmembers to earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in the first three months of card membership, plus 50,000 bonus points after staying six eligible paid nights at Marriott hotels.

When to apply

If the offer is over 60,000 bonus points, it's a good time to consider applying.

To learn more, read our full review of the Marriott Bonvoy Bold.

Learn more: Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card

Application restrictions

Before applying for one of these Marriott credit cards, it's imperative to make sure you're eligible for the welcome offer.

The Marriott American Express cards only allow you to earn one bonus for each of their cards once in a lifetime, and they have strict rules, so you may not be eligible for some cards' welcome bonuses.

Additionally, Marriott has extra rules on welcome bonus eligibility if you have previously held other Marriott or former Starwood Preferred Guest credit cards. You can use this eligibility table to see if you are eligible for a welcome bonus.

On the Marriott Chase cobranded cards side, you are subject to the 5/24 rule, which means you can't have opened five or more personal credit cards across all banks in the past 24 months. This rule is in addition to the Marriott application rules if you have previously held another Marriott or former SPG credit card.

Related: Want to open a new Chase card? Here's how to calculate your 5/24 standing

Bottom line

Using the data and offer history above can help you time applications and potentially net you many more Bonvoy points. The historical data shows that during certain months, welcome offers tend to be higher than in other months year over year.

Lastly, with this offer history, you have a baseline and threshold on the bare minimum welcome offer you should apply for. If it is higher than that threshold, that would be considered a good time to apply for a Marriott card.

Related: Best Marriott credit cards

For rates and fees for the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy, click here.
For rates and fees for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant, click here.
For rates and fees for the Marriott Bonvoy Business, click here.