Marriott Amex Card Welcome Offers
Lately, many points and travel hobbyists have occupied themselves with the variety of elevated Hilton Amex card offers. In my view, a few are definitely better than another. But we now have reason to look elsewhere, as the Marriott Amex card welcome offers ballooned last week. Two cards are now at best-ever levels, and the third ain’t too shabby, either. With greatness across the three offers, it can be overwhelming for some to prioritize and choose. Today, I’m considering each offer and sharing who can do best with which.
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy
First up is (still) the youngest Marriott Amex card – the Bevy. Right now, a new cardholder can earn a best-ever 175k Bonvoy bonus points by spending $5k within six months. And reaching that minimum spend requirement can be an enjoyable process. Let’s take a look at the card’s spend categories and levels:
- 4x at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (up to $15k spend per calendar year)
- 6x at Marriott Bonvoy-participating hotels
- 2x everywhere else
The 4x options on dining and domestic grocery stores are attractive for many who spend at scale in these generous bonus categories. Even better, that spend goes toward another enticing option, the Bevy’s $15k big spend bonus. A cardholder obtains a 50k free night award once reaching that threshold each calendar year, which can now be topped off with up to 25k points. Attentive cardholders can take advantage of this big spend bonus twice on one annual fee.
While capped, the 4x earning compatibly works with the big spend bonus threshold at $15k spend. New cardholders can work on three substantial positives simultaneously – earning 4x points while closing in on the welcome offer MSR, which also contributes to the $15k big spend bonus requirement. The $250 annual fee isn’t cheap, but it’s one I consider reasonable with the triple I just mentioned.
The Bevy is a solid choice for cardholders who can efficiently spend at scale in the 4x categories.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
The most expensive Marriott Amex card has a welcome offer peaking right now. A new Brilliant cardholder picks up 200k Bonvoy bonus points by spending $6k within six months. Here’s how card earning breaks down:
- 3x at restaurants and on flights
- 6x at Marriott Bonvoy-participating hotels
- 2x everywhere else
Brilliant spending isn’t particularly rewarding, but that’s not the point with this card. Benefits are. The Brilliant comes with automatic Bonvoy Platinum status, which unlocks the program’s convoluted-but-still-considerable breakfast benefit among other perks. Also, a cardholder obtains a Priority Pass membership and Global Entry credit. But beyond status, perhaps the most attractive benefit is the $25 monthly dining credit. In my experience, it’s one of the easiest-to-trigger Amex credits out there. All restaurants I’ve visited and a plethora of other entertainment outlets which also sell food easily consume this credit. Get creative! For the wide group who naturally spends $25 monthly on dining out, this effectively makes the $650 annual fee a $350 one. For cardmember year two and onward, the 85k cert at card anniversary can easily cover the entire annual fee without taking into account any other perks.
The Brilliant is the optimal Marriott Amex card choice for those looking to simply achieve Bonvoy Platinum elite status, and the 85k cert makes it’s especially rewarding for long-term cardholders.
Marriott Bonvoy Business
The business card is back with the noteworthy 5x 50k free night award welcome offer, albeit at a bit higher MSR than the previous version of this offer. A new cardholder picks up three certs at $6k spend within the first six months and an additional two with $3k more spend in that same timeframe. The past elevated cert offer provided 5 certs at $8k spend. On the bright side, three now come earlier, but fully realizing this welcome offer requires $1k more spend. Let’s take a look at earning:
- 4x at restaurants and U.S. gas stations, wireless, and shipping providers
- 6x at Marriott Bonvoy-participating hotels
- 2x everywhere else
The card’s benefits aren’t huge but may provide a bit of value to some. Cardholders automatically receive Bonvoy Gold status and obtain a 35k cert each card anniversary. The latter may be a bit more useful now that it can be topped off to 60k, but in my opinion, it’s not a reason to stick with the card long-term.
Individuals with near-term stay requirements at Bonvoy mid-tier (and possibly more luxurious) properties will be able to take most advantage of this elevated welcome offer.
Marriott Amex Card Welcome Offers – Conclusion
I certainly didn’t get into the weeds on all card benefits in this article, rather focusing on the primary perks which matter most. I’m confident you will be able to discern where to focus your efforts based on above. And, of course, working around Amex’s card rules can allow you to obtain two or all three of the above offers. Prioritize accordingly. Which Marriott Amex card welcome offer are you most interested in pursuing?
