Blog >> Marriott Bonvoy Business Card: A Complete Guide To Benefits

Marriott Bonvoy Business Card: A Complete Guide To Benefits

By Kevin Zanes / October 15, 2024
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For business owners who prefer Marriott properties, the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card is an excellent tool for unlocking free nights, earning valuable points, and enjoying premium perks. With an annual fee of just $125, this card offers substantial value through automatic elite status, an annual free night award, and bonus points on both business expenses and Marriott stays. It is designed to help you earn rewards quickly, whether you are booking work travel or simply covering everyday purchases.

It does not matter if you are planning to redeem points for luxury stays or seeking to stretch your travel budget, this card provides access to exclusive Marriott perks, valuable travel protections, and the opportunity to elevate your stay experience — all while earning rewards that can be redeemed across the vast Marriott portfolio of hotels worldwide.

Marriott Bonvoy Business Card Welcome Offer

St. Regis Langkawi (Malaysia)

Credit. Marriott. St. Regis Langkawi (Malaysia).

The Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card currently offers a strong welcome bonus: 5 Free Night Awards after you spend $8,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership. Each Free Night Award is redeemable at Marriott properties with a redemption value of up to 50,000 points per night. This gives you the potential to earn up to 250,000 points worth of free nights, which can be redeemed at Marriott hotels worldwide.

With the Marriott Bonvoy rewards program, you can “top up” your Free Night Awards by adding up to 15,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to cover the cost of a stay. This allows you to book higher-category properties or during peak times when a room costs more than the value of the Free Night Award.

Related: 10 Ways To Redeem A Marriott 50K Free Night Award

Potential Restrictions

Before jumping on this incredible offer, it is important to note a few potential restrictions that could affect your eligibility:

  • American Express Lifetime Language. You are not eligible for the welcome offer if you have received a welcome offer on the Marriott Bonvoy Business Card in the past.
  • Limited Eligibility From Other Marriott Bonvoy Cards. If you currently have or have had certain other Marriott Bonvoy cards, your eligibility for this offer may be limited. Be sure to review the terms and conditions carefully before applying.

Related: A Guide To The Unusual American Express Application Rules

How To Earn Points With The Marriott Bonvoy Business Card

JW Marriott Masai Mara

Credit. Vogue. JW Marriott Masai Mara (Kenya).

The Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card offers a solid earning structure, making it easy to accumulate points for free nights and upgrades:

  • 16X total points at Marriott hotels:
    • 6X points with the Marriott Bonvoy Business Card; plus
    • 10X points as a Marriott Bonvoy member
  • 4X points on Dining
  • 4X points on Gas (United States only)
  • 4X points on Wireless Telephone Service (United States only)
  • 4X points on Shipping (United States only)
  • 2X points on All Other purchases

This makes the card particularly valuable for frequent Marriott guests, as 16X points on Marriott stays is one of the best rates available for hotel purchases. Additionally, earning 4X points on key categories like Dining and Gas ensures you can build up your points balance even when you are not staying at a Marriott property.

Why This Matters

Maximizing how you earn points is key to unlocking more value from the Marriott Bonvoy Business Card. With generous earning rates on both Marriott stays and everyday categories like Dining and Gas, you can quickly accumulate points that lead to free nights and valuable perks. By using the card strategically for your regular spending, you are essentially fast-tracking your way to free hotel stays and elite status, all without needing to drastically change your spending habits.

Additional Benefits And Perks Of The Marriott Bonvoy Business Card

Al Maha, A Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa

Credit. Marriott. Al Maha, A Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa (United Arab Emirates).

The Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card comes with a host of valuable perks that enhance your travel experience and make the card well worth the $125 annual fee.

Benefits And Perks

Here are some of the additional benefits and perks of the Marriott Bonvoy Business Card:

  • Annual Free Night Award. Receive a free night certificate (worth up to 35,000 points) every year after your card anniversary, with the option to “top up” with points (up to 15,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) for higher-value stays.
  • Additional Free Night Award. You can earn a second free night award (up to 35,000 points per night) after spending $60,000 in a calendar year.
  • Bonvoy Gold Elite Status. Enjoy benefits like room upgrades, late checkout, and 25% bonus points on stays with automatic Gold Elite status. The late checkout can be a lifesaver, especially if you have a late flight and want to relax before heading to the airport.
  • Elite Night Credits. Automatically receive 15 elite night credits annually. This can help you climb toward higher-tier elite status, such as Platinum Elite or Titanium, where the rewards become even more valuable.
  • Discounted Room Rates. Enjoy an automatic 7% discount on standard room rates when you book an eligible room directly through Marriott at participating properties.

Related: 10 Ways To Redeem A Marriott 35K Free Night Award

Travel And Purchase Protection

The Marriott Bonvoy Business Card also comes with a range of protections that can save you money and offer peace of mind while traveling or making purchases:

  • Baggage Insurance. Coverage for lost or damaged baggage, up to $1,250 for carry-on and $500 for checked luggage.
  • Trip Delay Insurance. Reimbursement of up to $300 per trip for delays of more than 12 hours.
  • Car Rental Loss And Damage Insurance. Provides coverage for theft or damage to rental cars.
  • Purchase Protection. Covers eligible purchases against damage or theft for 90 days, up to $1,000 per occurrence.

These protections, combined with the ability to earn free nights and points, make this card a powerful tool for travelers who want a little extra coverage without a premium annual fee.

How To Redeem Points With The Marriott Bonvoy Business Card

St. Regis Punta Mita Resort (Mexico)

Credit. Marriott. St. Regis Punta Mita Resort (Mexico).

The best way to redeem points earned with the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card is for free nights at Marriott properties, which range from budget to luxury hotels. Marriott Bonvoy point redemptions start at 5,000 points per night at off-peak rates and go up to over 100,000 points per night at top-tier properties.

Other redemption options include:

  • Room Upgrades. Use points to upgrade to a better room or suite.
  • Marriott Bonvoy Moments. Redeem points for exclusive experiences like concerts or VIP events.
  • Airline Transfers. Transfer points to over 40 airline partners, typically at a 3:1 ratio, with a 5,000-point bonus for every 60,000 points transferred.

Alternative Credit Card Options

Alternatives To The Marriott Bonvoy Business Card

Credit. Reward Expert. Alternatives To The Marriott Bonvoy Business Card.

While the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card is an excellent choice for Marriott loyalists, there are alternatives worth considering. Here are some alternatives that may better align with your spending habits or hotel loyalty requirements:

  • Business Platinum Card® from American Express
  • Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
  • IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
  • World of Hyatt Business Credit Card
  • Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card

Related: The Best Credit Cards For Hotel Status

Final Thoughts

The Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card is an excellent choice for business owners who frequently stay at Marriott properties. With a generous welcome offer, strong earning potential on business expenses, and valuable perks like an annual free night and 15 elite night credits, this card can help you maximize your Marriott Bonvoy points and elevate your travel experience. The added travel protections and purchase insurance provide peace of mind, making it a well-rounded card for business and use. For Marriott loyalists, this card offers solid value year after year.