The Marriott Bonvoy American Express card replaced the Starwood Preferred Guest American Express personal card. All cardholders were transferred to the new card, which has a unique design for an orphan card. The SPG Amex used to be one of the best cards out there, but there’s no need to relive the past. Those days are gone, and the Marriott Bonvoy AMEX is what’s left. The question is now, what benefits does the card provide, and is it worthwhile keeping?
NOTE: This card is no longer available to new applicants. The only way to get this card is to downgrade from the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant or Bevy cards.
If you’re looking to sign up for a new card, please check out our reviews of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express and the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Visa by Chase
Signup Bonus
Since no one can sign up for this card, there’s no signup bonus.
Annual Fee
$95 Annual Fee
Spending Categories
When spending on the card, you earn points in the Marriott Bonvoy program as follows:
- Earn 6 points for every dollar of eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy properties
- Earn 2 points for all other eligible purchases
Now, I’ll admit that’s not a very exciting list of bonus categories. Even at Marriott hotels, you’ll earn 6X points, but you can earn 3x points on all hotel spending with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. You have to decide if you value Ultimate Rewards 2X more than Marriott Bonvoy points.
Card Benefits
Let’s look at what benefits you get with Marriott for having the card:
- Free in-room premium internet. There are some exclusions which can be found here. Currently listed under category 1.3.c
- Complimentary Silver Elite Status. The ability to earn Gold Elite status if you spend $35,000 or more on eligible purchases in a calendar year
- Receive 15 Elite Night Credits to be used to reach the next level of status.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card account anniversary. The award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 points) at a participating hotel. Select hotels have resort fees.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
Ways to Use Bonvoy Points
Points earned with the Marriott Bonvoy AMEX card can be used to stay at Marriott properties. In addition, you’re able to transfer points to many different Airline Frequent Flyer programs (possibly with a bonus, depending on how many points you transfer). That’s not counting the additional options of Marriott Bonvoy Moments (which I explain later in this post).
Hotel Stays
Points can be used for award stays at any of the Marriott Bonvoy hotels. This covers 30 chains worldwide:
Flights
You can transfer points to the frequent flyer programs of over 30 different airlines. The transfer ratio is 3 points to 1 mile for most airlines, and you get a bonus of 5,000 extra miles when you transfer 60,000 points, with a few exceptions. That means it’s best to transfer only in 60,000-point increments when your 60,000 points will give you 25,000 miles. You’ll also get 10,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points you transfer to United MileagePlus® award miles.
| Frequent Flyer Programs | Points to Miles |
|---|---|
| AEGEAN Miles+Bonus | 3:1 |
| Aer Lingus AerClub | 3:1 |
| Aeromexico ClubPremier | 3:1 |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | 3:1 |
| Air China PhoenixMiles | 3:1 |
| Air France-KLM Flying Blue | 3:1 |
| Air New Zealand AirPoint | 200:1 |
| Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan™ | 3:1 |
| American Airlines AAdvantage®** | 3:1 |
| ANA Mileage Club | 3:1 |
| Asiana Airlines Asiana Club | 3:1 |
| Avianca LifeMiles** | 3:1 |
| British Airways Executive Club | 3:1 |
| Cathay Pacific Cathay | 3:1 |
| China Southern Airlines Sky Pearl Club | 3:1 |
| Copa Airlines ConnectMiles | 3:1 |
| Delta SkyMiles®** | 3:1 |
| Emirates Skywards® | 3:1 |
| Etihad Guest | 3:1 |
| FRONTIER Miles | 3:1 |
| Hainan Airlines Fortune Wings Club | 3:1 |
| Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles® | 3:1 |
| Iberia Plus | 3:1 |
| InterMiles | 3:1 |
| Japan Airlines JAL Mileage Bank | 3:1 |
| Korean Air SKYPASS** | 3:1 |
| LATAM Airlines LATAM Pass | 3:1 |
| Multiplus Fidelidade LATAM Pass | 3:1 |
| Qantas Frequent Flyer | 3:1 |
| Qatar Airways Privilege Club | 3:1 |
| Saudia Alfursan | 3:1 |
| Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer® | 3:1 |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards® | 3:1 |
| TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go | 3:1 |
| Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus | 3:1 |
| Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles | 3:1 |
| United MileagePlus® | 3:1 |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | 3:1 |
| Virgin Australia Velocity Frequent Flyer | 3:1 |
| Vueling Club | 3:1 |
Other uses for Marriott Bonvoy points
There are also other interesting ways for you to spend your points. One of those is the Marriott Bonvoy Moments program. Some of the events they offer a set price are:
- Access Marriott Bonvoy Luxury Suite for Billy Joel, Justin Timberlake or Nial Horan at Madison Square Garden
- Watch a Cubs game at Wrigley Field from the Marriott Bonvoy Luxury Suite
Besides the fixed-price tickets, they also have auctions for more “once in a lifetime” events.
Final Thoughts
I’ve held onto this card for a long time because I found Starpoints to be really useful due to their value and flexibility. The ability to transfer points to airlines is a huge bonus, but the earnings on everyday spending on this card were cut by 33% when the merger between SPG and Marriott’s rewards programs was completed. This is no longer a great card to use for everyday spending like it once was. So why keep it?
The free night certificate for a room costing 35,000 points or less more than pays for the $95 annual fee. Honestly, it will be easy to find a room costing over $100 where I can use the free night each year. I put enough spending on the card each year to keep it active. I’ll use it to pay for parking at a Marriott hotel, as it earns as many points at Marriott Hotels as the Ritz-Carlton Card.
Do you have a Marriott Bonvoy AMEX card, either from when it was the Starwood AMEX or by downgrading from one of the other Marriott Bonvoy AMEX cards? Are you planning on keeping it for the long term?
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
1 comment
I keep the card for the same reason. Find a great redemption every year.