Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card

At a Glance

A business and hotel credit card that leans heavily on earning points, the Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card takes care of your company costs while rewarding you at the same time.

The card earns 6 points for every dollar spent with Marriott brands, 4 points on gas and restaurant purchases within the U.S., as well as U.S.-based wireless service providers, when paying for shipping on U.S. purchases, or when booking flights directly with airlines, and 2 points for every other dollar spent. New accounts also receive 75,000 bonus Bonvoy points when they use their authorized cards to make just $3,000 in purchases within the first three months – worth up to 10 free nights.

Ideal for Those Who:

• Own a small or mid-size business
• Want one of the more versatile business hotel credit card offers
• Frequently book stays at Marriott hotels worldwide
• Are looking for a hotel credit card and a business credit card that brings the best of both worlds together
• Make frequent business expenses with a credit card or use one for travel costs

Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card Review:

The Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card kicks off your cardmember account with a monster welcome bonus: 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after spending at least $3,000 within the first three months. That’s enough to redeem for at least a few free night stays at participating Marriott hotels. And while $3,000 is a lofty goal to reach, it can bet met easily if you use your card for everyday business expenses, big and small.

How to Earn Rewards

Aside from the signup offer, the Bonvoy Business card earns you Bonvoy points in a hurry practically anywhere you shop. Direct Marriott Bonvoy purchases on your card earn points at participating hotels earn 6 points per $1, so booking stays frequently – bet it for domestic or international business purposes – will maximize your gains. If you’re meeting a client for lunch or drive a company car, you’ll earn 4 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants and gas stations.

Wireless phone provider services and shipping expenses are also tiered at the 4 points per $1 rate. All other eligible purchases earn 2 points, which already puts this card ahead of other competitors, which normally earn 1 point or mile per $1 on most other purchases.

Marriott Perks

Other incentives included with the Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card range from 1 Free Night Award every year you reach your cardmember anniversary to complimentary Silver Elite status in the Bonvoy rewards program, which allows you to earn points in addition to those that come in as a result of your card’s transactions. You can also enjoy free Internet access at participating Marriott hotels and access.

How to Redeem

If you prefer not to redeem your points towards Marriott hotel stays, the Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card gives you the option to use them towards flights or car rentals via the Air+Car program. Your Bonvoy points can also be transferred to any of over three dozen partner frequent flyer programs, so if you have points accrued through a particular partner airline that you’re devoted to, it may be worthwhile to migrate your Bonvoy points to its loyalty program.

Fees

In regards to fees, the card predictably charges none for shopping outside the United States. For a hotel card with thousands of properties around the world, this waiver is expected. It does, however, charge an annual fee of $125. It may not be welcome, but it is a modest charge that can easily be offset by taking advantage of all the perks the Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card offers.

Just using your anniversary Free Night Award can compensate for the annual fee if you stay at a hotel whose nightly rate is over $125. This more than makes up for the $125 charge on the card in a calendar year.

Should You Apply for the Marriott Bonvoy Business Card?

The Marriott Bonvoy Business Card is a solid business hotel card that provides exceptional earning potential to U.S.-based companies. Cardholders earn 6 points per dollar spent when they use their card to book stays at Marriott Bonvoy Hotels, 4 points with purchases at U.S. restaurants, gas stations, wireless providers, and shipping, and 2 points per dollar for all other purchases.

The points earning potential is boosted further by the 75,000 intro bonus points offer with just $3,000 in purchases needed with the Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card in the first three months. For businesses that provide employee cards, this is a very achievable goal. 75,000 points are enough to earn an additional free 10 off-peak nights at Category 1 Bonvoy properties, making the Business Bonvoy a potent travel tool, indeed.