The American Express Marriott Business Card has brought back an old offer: instead of points, the card awards three free night certificates after spending $6,000 in 6 months. This new offer replaces one that gave 125K Bonvoy Points for $8K spend.
It’s worth noting that the Chase Bonvoy Boundless card is currently offering five 50K free night certs, so that’s undoubtedly the way to go if you’re just hunting for Marriott nights and don’t mind picking up a personal card.
The Offer & Key Card Details
| Card Offer and Details |
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![](http://cdn.nextinsure.com/imaging/opt/45fd06a5-f3dc-4293-b002-7e483be16a7b.png?w=300" alt="Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card" />) ⓘ $692 1st Yr Value Estimate3 Marriott 50K Free Nights valued at $912 Click to learn about first year value estimates 3 x 50K Free Night Certificates ⓘAffiliateThis is an affiliate offer. Frequent Miler may earn a commission if you are approved for this offer Earn 3 Free Night Awards after making $6K in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Each award has a redemption level up to 50K Marriott Bonvoy® points. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees)$125 Annual Fee Recent better offer: 5x50K free night certificates after $8K in spend (expired 10/16/24) Earning rate: 6x at Marriott Bonvoy® properties ✦ 4x at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased from U.S. suppliers and on U.S. purchases for shipping ✦ 2x on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply. (Rates & Fees) Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Earn an additional 35k free night certificate (can be topped-up with up to 15k additional points, subject to resort fees) after you spend $60K on eligible purchases in a calendar year Noteworthy perks: Complimentary Marriott Gold elite status ✦ 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year ✦ 35k Free Night Award every year after card renewal (subject to resort fees) ✦ Complimentary premium Internet access at Marriott properties ✦ Terms Apply (Rates & Fees) See also: Marriott Bonvoy Complete Guide |
Quick Thoughts
We typically prefer points over free night certificates, as points are more flexible and don’t have to be used within a year. That said, there’s a lot of potential value in these 50K certificates, especially since they can be used at properties costing up to 65,000 points with Marriott’s top-up feature.
We estimate the value of many hotel programs’ free night certificates by multiplying the points value by a somewhat subjective “fudge factor” that accounts for the certificates’ inflexibility and one-year expiration dates. The Marriott 50K certs came out to just over $300, so the three certs are “worth” ~$900. In practice, it will probably be easy to get more value than that if you put even a bit of effort into maximizing the certs.
Keep in mind that there’s currently a much better offer on the Chase Marriott Boundless personal card, which gives 50K certs with only $3k spend (though you only get 3 months to complete that spend instead of 6). If you’re eligible for that and are interested in the certs, that’s the way to go.
Even so, the business card is appealing to some because it offers 15 annual elite night credits that stack with elite nights earned via Marriott consumer cards. If you have at least one of each, you’ll begin the year with 30 elite night credits — just 20 nights short of Marriott Platinum status – otherwise known as “the ridiculously confusing free breakfast status” (note that the ultra premium Bonvoy Brilliant card gives you 25 nights and automatic Platinum status).
Personally, I wouldn’t apply without a definite plan of how to use the certificates. If you know where you’ll use them to good value, this could be a reasonable deal.
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lifetime language on this card?