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 worth up to 35,000 points — resort fees may apply. This card also offers 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 TPG recommends a good to excellent credit score, 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 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.
THE POINTS GUY
TPG’s March 2025 valuations peg Marriott points at 0.7 cents apiece, making the bonus worth $875. That’s a good value value considering this card’s annual fee, but we have seen higher offers in the past.
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).
Cardholders 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.
Earning points on the Bonvoy Business Amex
This card offers 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program.
You also receive 4 points per dollar spent on the following:
- Restaurants worldwide
- At U.S. gas stations
- On wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers
- On purchases made from merchants in the U.S. for shipping
You'll earn 2 Bonvoy points per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
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 (which isn't a great transfer ratio) — though you can get a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points you transfer. Plus, when you transfer points to United Airlines, you'll receive a 10,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points transferred.
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 give you the most value for 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 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. 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 spent 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 thousands of 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.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.