Perhaps you’ve joined the Marriott Bonvoy hotel loyalty program and have a few Marriott stays booked on the calendar — or maybe this is the first time you’ve considered Marriott loyalty. Show
Getting a dedicated credit card can help you ramp up your rewards earning rates so you can earn free stays more quickly. But the road to getting a Marriott credit card isn’t all sparkles, upgrades and points. Here’s what you need to know to add a Marriott credit card to your lineup. Marriott credit cards that are available to new applicantsWhen it comes to co-branded credit cards, Marriott partners with two issuers: American Express and Chase. Each bank offers two Marriott credit cards to Bonvoy members, for a total of four credit cards available to consumers and small-business owners. Here are some key differences: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
Other benefits: Up to $300 statement credit for eligible spending at restaurants worldwide, 25 elite night credits, Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), Global Entry or TSA PreCheck enrollment fee credit, and a $100 Marriott Bonvoy property credit for a two-night minimum stay at The Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis. Terms apply. Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
Terms apply. Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
🤓Nerdy Tip Casual Marriott guests will likely be fine with either the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card or the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. Small-business owners will find value in the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, and frequent Marriott guests will benefit from holding the premium Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card. Learn more about how to choose between the Marriott credit cards. Things to ask before you apply for a Marriott rewards cardGetting a brand-specific travel credit card can be a significant step towards determining your hotel rewards program loyalty. Before you make that decision and select a hotel credit card, ask yourself the following questions. Which issuer meets your needs?Before you apply for a Marriott rewards card, figure out which issuer suits your needs best — American Express or Chase — and whether you qualify for one of its credit cards. Keep in mind the unwritten 5/24 rule from Chase that limits the number of credit cards you can be approved for in any 24-month span (max five). Also, consider which cards you’ve had in the past. For instance, American Express cardholders are only allowed to earn a welcome bonus on a specific card once in a lifetime. If you’ve already had the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card or the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card in the past, you might consider one of the Chase-issued options instead. Do you want to pay an annual fee? How much?Examine your recent travels to decide which card has an annual fee you can justify. We recommend thinking through which cards have a fee you’re comfortable paying (if any) that offer benefits you expect to use. The goal is to extract enough benefits from card membership to offset the fees. Which card has bonus categories that overlap with your frequent expenses?Consider each card’s bonus categories and whether your existing (or anticipated) spending patterns will result in a lot of Bonvoy points. If you rarely eat out, a card that offers extensive bonus points on dining might not be of use to you. Is brand loyalty the right decision or should you opt for a more generic travel credit card?While the ability to earn Bonvoy points at an accelerated rate can be attractive to some, it’s worth doing a gut-check about whether going “all-in” on a single hotel brand is the right choice for you. A more generic travel credit card that isn’t tied to a specific brand, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card, could give you more flexibility in booking not just accommodations with points, but flights, too. If you anticipate traveling to destinations where Marriott properties are harder to come by, a card like this can come in handy.
How hard is it to get a Marriott credit card?If you currently don’t hold a Marriott card and haven’t applied for too many credit cards in the last 24 months, getting a Marriott credit card shouldn’t be too difficult. However, you need to be aware of some restrictions that can preclude you from obtaining a Marriott Bonvoy card. Potential barriers include:
Marriott Bonvoy credit card credit score requirementsThere is not much variation in the recommended Marriott Bonvoy credit card credit score. A credit score in or above the recommended range means you have a higher chance of approval, but doesn’t guarantee it.
How to apply for a Marriott Rewards credit cardYou can easily apply for the Marriott credit card of your choice by clicking the Apply Now button on each card's review page: The application process is fairly straightforward, and the application questions will differ depending on if you're applying for a personal card or a business credit card. For instance, American Express asks Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card applicants to provide the legal business name, the company Doing Business As name and the business’s physical address. Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card applicants on the Chase website will need to provide information like name, mailing address, gross annual income and primary source of income. If you’re looking to apply for a Marriott credit card …Co-branded Marriott cards help accelerate the speed with which you earn rewards in the Marriott Bonvoy program. However, the ongoing perks, such as elite status, elite night credits and free night certificates are also worth considering. Based on how often you stay at Marriott properties, pick a card that suits your needs best, and use it to keep earning rewards in between hotel stays. To view rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card, see this page. To view rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, see this page. How to maximize your rewardsYou want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2022, including those best for: How do I check the status of my Chase credit card application?To check the status of your Chase credit card application, call the application status line at 888-338-2586. You can check your status online if you are a current Chase customer. After you log in to your account, click on the menu icon in the upper left corner, then scroll down to Application Status.
How long does it take to get approved for Chase Marriott Bonvoy card?Credit card issuers are required by law to respond within 30 days, but online applications may be approved in a few minutes.
Does Chase approve instantly?Chase approves most credit card applications instantly. As soon as you click submit, you should receive a decision within 60 seconds. However, some applications require further review.
What credit score do you need to get approved for Marriott Bonvoy?Although card approvals are based on multiple factors and not a credit score alone, the recommended credit score needed for Marriott Bonvoy is in the good to excellent range (690 to 850). The higher the score, the better your approval odds will be.
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