Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex review: Valuable perks for the Bonvoy loyalist
Editor's Note
Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card overview
The Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card is a solid small-business card for Marriott Bonvoy fans. It comes with useful perks, such as an annual free night at hotels (up to 35,000 points; resort fees may apply) and the ability to boost your Marriott elite status by offering 15 elite night credits every year. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
This Marriott Bonvoy Business Card comes with most of the same features and benefits as the Marriott Bonvoy consumer cards, but it happens to include generous bonus reward categories that are well suited to small-business owners.
With a reasonable annual fee of $125 (see rates and fees) and a recommended credit score of at least 670, this card also offers plenty of extra benefits that make it a solid hotel business card option.
Here's everything you need to know about the only Marriott business credit card still open to new applicants.
Bonvoy Business Amex pros and cons
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Bonvoy Business Amex welcome offer
Right now, with the Bonvoy Business Amex, new cardmembers can earn three free night awards after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of cardmembership.
Each free night award has a redemption level of up to 50,000 points at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Resort fees and terms apply.
TPG's September 2024 valuations peg Marriott points at 0.85 cents apiece, making the three free night rewards (up to 50,000 for each night) worth up to $1,275. That's a fantastic value, considering this card's annual fee.
Bonvoy Business Amex benefits
One primary reason to consider this card is the extra perks. Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.
First, it offers automatic Marriott Gold Elite status, which includes 25% bonus points on paid stays, late checkout, premium internet, a welcome gift of points on each stay and room upgrades (based on availability at check-in).
You also receive 15 elite night credits toward the next level of elite status (which can be stacked with a Marriott Bonvoy consumer card) and a free night award each card anniversary year. Resort fees may apply.
The free night can be spent at properties at or under 35,000 points per night. You can top off your 35,000-point certificates with up to 15,000 points from your Bonvoy account. You can also earn a second free night award (up to 35,000 points per night) after spending $60,000 in a calendar year. Resort fees may apply.
Other benefits include access to Amex Offers and no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees).
Plus, you can enjoy an automatic 7% discount on standard room rates when you book an eligible room directly through Marriott at participating properties under the Amex Business Card Rate. However, the 7% discount may appear more rewarding on the surface than in reality.
Earning points on the Bonvoy Business Amex
This card offers 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program.
You also receive 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide and U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on purchases made from merchants in the U.S. for shipping.
On all other eligible purchases, you'll earn 2 Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card points per dollar.
Marriott Gold Elite members and above can earn even more Marriott points on every purchase made at eligible Marriott Bonvoy properties; these points can be stacked with what you earn on the Bonvoy Business Amex.
Redeeming points on the Bonvoy Business Amex
Of course, the most obvious way to redeem Marriott Bonvoy points is for hotel stays. Bonvoy uses dynamic pricing, meaning the required points for a stay are lower outside peak travel periods.
Take advantage of the fifth night free on award stays whenever possible. The fifth-night benefit is an easy way to get up to a 20% discount on your redemption and stretch your points further.
TPG credit cards writer Chris Nelson's sweet spot for redeeming free night certificates is at luxury properties in Eastern Europe, such as The Ritz-Carlton in Budapest and Vienna, as these properties can routinely be redeemed for 45,000 points a night.
Transferring points on the Bonvoy Business Amex
You can convert your Marriott Bonvoy points into airline miles, typically at a 3:1 ratio — plus a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points you transfer.
Bonvoy points can be especially useful for certain award flights because they transfer to airlines that don't partner with other transferable points programs, such as Alaska Airlines, Japan Airlines and Asiana. This opens up all sorts of options for booking sweet spots with difficult-to-earn miles.
Marriott also has some of the most liberal policies for points transfers between accounts while also being free and easy to do online. With all that said, redeeming your points for stays with Marriott is still going to be the best use of your points.
Which cards compete with the Bonvoy Business Amex?
While this is Marriott's only small-business card available to new applicants, there are personal Marriott Bonvoy cards that offer similar (or better) perks.
- If you want automatic Platinum Elite status: The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card comes with it, plus an annual free night at Marriott hotels costing up to 85,000 points per night (certain hotels have resort fees) and up to $300 in statement credits every calendar year (up to $25 per month) when you use your card at eligible restaurants worldwide. Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply. These benefits can help offset the card's hefty $650 annual fee (see rates and fees). To learn more, read our full review of the Bonvoy Brilliant.
- If you want a different hotel brand: Try the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card. This card offers Hilton Gold status and 12 points per dollar at eligible Hilton portfolio properties; terms apply. To learn more, read our full review of the Hilton Honors Amex Business.
- If you want more general rewards: Go for The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. It offers 5 points per dollar spent on flights and prepaid hotels booked on Amex Travel. Among its numerous other benefits and fee credits, you also receive Gold status with both Marriott and Hilton. Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply. To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Business Platinum.
For additional options, check out our full list of the best hotel cards.
Read more: Is the Hilton Business Amex worth it?
Bottom line
The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a solid small-business card offering valuable benefits at more than 8,000 properties worldwide. With a free night award and decent earning categories and perks, it's one of the better hotel credit cards suited for small-business owners and could be well worth it if you stay with Marriott frequently enough to take advantage of its benefits.
The card is also a great option for anyone interested in opening valuable Chase credit cards because, as an Amex business card, it won't add to your Chase 5/24 count.
Apply here: Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Amex Business Card, click here.