Why now is a great time to apply for the Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.

When you own a small business like my husband and I do — whether it's a sole proprietorship or an LLC — being able to earn bonus points for business expenses can be a total game changer. However, it's often the other perks on business credit cards that can convince you to apply for a new one.

In my case, I'm strongly considering adding the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card to my wallet, thanks to the opportunity to get closer to Platinum status with the hotel chain I most frequently use. And of course, the increased welcome bonus would be a nice boost to my dwindling stash of Bonvoy points.

Here’s why I’m seriously considering the Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex — and why now could be a great time for you to apply as well.

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The current welcome bonus

The current welcome offer on the Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a generous 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $5,000 on the card in the first three months of account opening. TPG currently values Marriott Bonvoy points at 0.84 cents each — meaning that you could get $1,050 from this welcome bonus after meeting the minimum spending requirement.

However, there are always ways to get more value from your points — like when you get the fifth night free when redeeming for five or more nights.

There are a number of participating properties I’ve been eyeing for a while that are way outside of my budget at the cash rate. However, this welcome offer puts many of them within reach using points — including The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay and The St. Regis Punta Mita.

My husband and I enjoy a couple of nights away every now and then, and both of those locations are close enough to my home in the San Francisco Bay Area — and definitely worth the splurge.

Related: The award travelers guide to Marriott Bonvoy

15 additional elite nights

Platinum status has always eluded me, and even though some think hotel status isn’t worth it anymore — or at the very least not as valuable as it once was — I think that some status is better than none at all. And the benefits of Platinum are definitely worth it to me. The Bonvoy Business Amex would get me even closer to this goal thanks to the card’s annual 15 elite nights.

I currently have automatic Gold status thanks to my Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, and that card already gives me 15 elite night credits each year. However, thanks to a policy change that took effect in 2020, opening this business card would allow me to stack these two sets of credits, putting me at 30 elite nights before I complete a single Marriott stay.

This alone puts me just 20 nights away from Platinum each year. And since award stays also count toward the qualification requirements, I'd be able to use the points from my welcome bonus along with some paid stays to reach Platinum.

The perks of Gold status aren’t bad: room upgrades when available, a welcome gift of bonus points at check-in and 2 p.m. late checkout. But there are many perks that I'm especially excited about once I reach Platinum status:

• Complimentary room upgrades, including standard suites.
• Complimentary breakfast.
• An annual Choice Benefit (I'd choose the five Suite Night Awards).

All of these would be within reach by adding the Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex to my wallet.

Related: 3 reasons I continue to chase Marriott Platinum status year after year

The new benefits

Beyond the current welcome offer, it's worth noting the new benefits on the card that just launched last month. Cardmembers now enjoy 4 points per dollar spent on restaurants worldwide (previously limited to U.S. establishments), and the card also now confers automatic Gold Elite status (previously Silver). Finally, cardmembers are eligible for a 7% discount off standard room rates.

The best part? These changes took effect with no impact on the card's $125 annual fee (see rates and fees).

I (personally) won't benefit from the Gold status, as I already have that from my Bonvoy Brilliant card. And there are many other cards that offer bonus points on dining. Nevertheless, if you've been looking for a reason to add the Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex to your arsenal, these new perks could tip the scales in its favor.

The annual free night

Another perk of the Bonvoy Business Amex is a free-night award at each cardmember anniversary — worth up to 35,000 points (though you can now add 15,000 Bonvoy points when redeeming). I usually use these free nights for stays with my family at brands like SpringHill Suites or Courtyard, and even at these less-luxurious spots, a single free night by itself can easily cover the card's annual fee.

Just be aware that this perk isn't available until your first card renewal — but it can go a long way toward justifying keeping the card open.

In addition, it's worth noting that Marriott did away with published award charts earlier this year, leaving the cost of an award night up to the discretion of individual properties. And while TPG's data shows some recent drop-off in redemption value, there are still many ways to use this certificate to cover a night that could otherwise cost $200 or even more.

Related: The property that received the most Marriott redemptions may surprise you

Bottom line

Now could be a great time to apply for the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card, thanks to the 125,000-point welcome bonus and new perks that just launched last month. I am strongly considering adding the card to my own wallet. The 15 elite night credits stack with those from a personal card and will get me that much closer to the ever-elusive Bonvoy Platinum status, and the free award night (worth 35,000 Bonvoy points) could get me some great value — especially when I add an additional 15,000 points to my redemption.

However, the current welcome offer is slated to end Aug. 31, so if you've been eyeing this card, don't wait.

For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex, click here.