A couple of months ago, we updated this post to account for new rules limiting eligibility for Amex Bonvoy Brilliant and Bevy card bonuses. Previously, having the Chase Ritz-Carlton card was the primary barrier to entry, but that barrier suddenly applied to all Chase Bonvoy cards.
However, Amex seems to have reversed those changes for the Brilliant, and it’s now relatively open for Chase cardholders, according to the terms. The draconian limits on the Bevy remain. Hopefully, this won’t continue to happen frequently; Greg just recovered from his headache after editing the chart last time.
Marriott offers several credit cards from two issuers, some of which can be very attractive. You might be considering signing up for a new card, but if you’ve ever signed up for any other Marriott card, you might not qualify. Chances are very good that you are blisteringly baffled by Bonvoy’s byzantine card bonus rules. Are you eligible for a new card bonus? The answer depends upon which cards you have now, which you’ve had before, when you signed up, when you canceled, and the color of the moon.
What follows is my best attempt to simplify the rules…
Eligibility Matrix
This display visually shows the rules as I understand them:
| Card You Want | |||||||
| Cards You've Had (Or Recently Applied For) | Chase Bonvoy Bold | Chase Bonvoy Boundless | Chase Bonvoy Bountiful | Amex Bonvoy Business | Amex Bonvoy Brilliant | Amex Bonvoy Bevy | |
| Chase | Ritz Carlton | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠30 | ⚠30 |
| Bonvoy ($45 card) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ||
| Bonvoy Premier | ⚠24 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | |||
| Bonvoy Bold | ✅ | ⚠90 ⚠24 | ⚠90 ⚠24 | ⚠30 ⚠90 ⚠24 | |||
| Bonvoy Boundless | ✅ | ||||||
| Bonvoy Bountiful | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠24 | ||||
| Bonvoy Business ($45 card) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠30 | ✅ | ⚠30 | |
| Bonvoy Premier Plus Business | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | |||
| Amex | Bonvoy | ⚠30 | ⚠30 ⚠90 ⚠24 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | |
| Bonvoy Business | ⚠90 ⚠24 | ⛔ | ✅ | ✅ | |||
| Bonvoy Bevy | ✅ | ✅ | ⛔ | ||||
| Bonvoy Brilliant | ✅ | ⛔ | ⛔ | ||||
| Eligibility Key | |
| ✅ | You are eligible for this card and a welcome bonus |
| ⚠30 | You are not eligible for a welcome bonus if you have had the card on the left within the past 30 days |
| ⚠24 | You will not be approved if you currently have or if you've received a welcome bonus in the past 24 months for the card on the left |
| ⚠90 ⚠24 | You are not eligible for a welcome bonus if you were approved for the card on the left within the past 90 days, or if you've received a welcome or upgrade bonus in the past 24 months. |
| ⚠30 ⚠90 ⚠24 | You are not eligible for a welcome bonus if you've had the card on the left within the past 30 days, or if you were approved for it within the past 90 days, or if you've received a welcome bonus or upgrade bonus for it in the past 24 months. |
| ⛔ | You are not eligible for a welcome bonus if you've ever had this card before (but the system seems to "forget" that you've had the card about 5 to 7 years after you cancel) |
Hoping to get a Chase Marriott card?
Here are the currently available Chase Marriott cards:
| Card Offer and Details |
|---|
 ⓘ $1075 1st Yr Value Estimate3 Marriott 50K Free Nights valued at $924, Marriott 50K Free Night valued at $308 Click to learn about first year value estimates Up to Four 50K Free Night Certificates + $100 airfare credit ⓘAffiliateThis is an affiliate offer. Frequent Miler may earn a commission if you are approved for this offer Earn 3 Free Night Awards after spending $3k on eligible purchases within 3 months of account opening, and earn 1 additional Free Night Award after spending $4k total on eligible purchases within 4 months of account opening. Plus, get up to $100 in statement credits after spending $500 on eligible airline purchases. $95 Annual Fee This card is subject to Chase's 5/24 rule (click here for details). Recent better offer: Five 50K free night certificates after spending $3k on eligible purchases within the first 3 months + get up to $100 in statement credits after spending $500 on eligible airline purchases. (Expired 3/13/26) Earning rate: 6X Marriott Bonvoy ✦ 3X gas stations, grocery stores, and dining on up to $6K in combined purchases each year ✦ 2X everywhere else Card Info: Visa Signature issued by Chase. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Earn Gold status when you spend $35K each calendar year ✦ 1 Elite Night Credit towards elite status for every $5K spent Noteworthy perks: Annual free night certificate for 1 night at a hotel redemption level up to 35K ✦ Automatic Silver status ✦ 15 nights of elite credit each year ✦ 1 Elite Night Credit for every $5K spent ✦ Complimentary Instacart+ for 3 months (must activate by 12/31/27) ✦ $10 monthly Instacart credit See also: Marriott Bonvoy Complete Guide |
 ⓘ $342 1st Yr Value EstimateClick to learn about first year value estimates 85K points ⓘFriend-ReferralThis is a friend-referral offer. A member of the Frequent Miler community may earn a referral bonus if you are approved for this offer 85K points after $4K total spend in first 3 months$250 Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. Earning rate: 6X Marriott ✦ 4X restaurants & grocery on up to $15K spend per year ✦ 2X everywhere else Card Info: Visa Signature issued by Chase. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: One 50K Free Night Award after $15K calendar year spend Noteworthy perks: 15 night credit towards elite status every year upon account anniversary ✦ 1,000 bonus points with each qualifying stay ✦ Gold elite status ✦ Complimentary Instacart+ for 3 months (must activate by 12/31/27) ✦ $10 monthly Instacart credit See also: Marriott Bonvoy Complete Guide |
 ⓘ $208 1st Yr Value EstimateClick to learn about first year value estimates 30k Points ⓘAffiliateThis is an affiliate offer. Frequent Miler may earn a commission if you are approved for this offer 30K points after spending $1k on eligible purchases within the first 3 monthsNo Annual Fee This card is subject to Chase's 5/24 rule. Click here for details. Recent better offer: 60K points + Free Night Certificate after $2K spend (Expired 7/17/25) FM Mini Review: The best use for this card is probably to downgrade from the Ritz or Boundless card to avoid the annual fee. That way, you can always upgrade again when you need the annual free night or other perks Earning rate: 3X Marriott Bonvoy ✦ 2X grocery stores, rideshare, select food delivery, select streaming, and internet, cable and phone services ✦ 1X everywhere else Card Info: Visa Signature issued by Chase. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Noteworthy perks: Automatic Silver status ✦ 5 nights of elite credit each year ✦ Complimentary Instacart+ for 3 months (must activate by 12/31/27) ✦ $10 monthly Instacart credit See also: Marriott Bonvoy Complete Guide |
In order to get accepted to any of the Chase cards, you must not only satisfy the Marriott-specific rules shown in the chart near the top of this post, but you must also be under 5/24:
Chase's 5/24 Rule: With most Chase credit cards, Chase will not approve your application if you have opened 5 or more cards with any bank in the past 24 months.
To determine your 5/24 status, see: Easy Ways to Count Your 5/24 Status. The easiest option is to track all of your cards for free with Travel Freely.
To determine your 5/24 status, see: Easy Ways to Count Your 5/24 Status. The easiest option is to track all of your cards for free with Travel Freely.
Hoping to get an Amex Marriott card?
Here are the currently available Amex Marriott cards:
| Card Offer and Details |
|---|
![](http://cdn.nextinsure.com/imaging/opt/45fd06a5-f3dc-4293-b002-7e483be16a7b.png?w=300" alt="Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card" />) ⓘ $1030 1st Yr Value Estimate$125 statement credit valued at $125 Click to learn about first year value estimates 150K Points + $125 statement credit ⓘAffiliateThis is an affiliate offer. Frequent Miler may earn a commission if you are approved for this offer Earn 150,000 bonus points and a $125 statement credit after you spend $8k in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees) (Offer Expires 7/15/2026)$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 25k additional points, subject to resort fees) after you spend $60K on eligible purchases in a calendar year Noteworthy perks: Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy® 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 |
 ⓘ $680 1st Yr Value EstimateClick to learn about first year value estimates Up to 135K Points ⓘAffiliateThis is an affiliate offer. Frequent Miler may earn a commission if you are approved for this offer Earn 85K bonus points after $5K in eligible purchases within the first 6 months and an extra 50K bonus points after you make an additional $2K in eligible purchases within the first 6 months Terms apply. Rates & Fees $250 Annual Fee Recent better offer: Earn 175K points after $5k in eligible purchases within your first 6 months of card membership. (Expired 5/13/26) Earning rate: 6X Marriott ✦ 4X restaurants & U.S. Supermarkets on up to $15K in eligible purchases per year ✦ 2X on all other eligible purchases Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: One 50K Free Night Award after $15K calendar year spend on eligible purchases. Noteworthy perks: 15 night credit towards elite status every year upon account anniversary ✦ 1,000 bonus points with each qualifying stay ✦ Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite Status See also: Marriott Bonvoy Complete Guide |
 ⓘ $650 1st Yr Value Estimate$300 dining credit ($25 per month) valued at $270 Click to learn about first year value estimates Up to 150K Points ⓘAffiliateThis is an affiliate offer. Frequent Miler may earn a commission if you are approved for this offer Earn 100K bonus points after $6K in eligible purchases within the first 6 months and an extra 50K bonus points after you make an additional $2K in purchases within the first 6 months. Terms apply. Rates & Fees $650 Annual Fee Recent better offer: Earn 200K points after $6k in eligible purchases within your first 6 months of card membership. (Expired 5/13/26) FM Mini Review: Decent ultra-premium option for Marriott fans, especially those aiming for lifetime status tiers Earning rate: 6X Marriott ✦ 3X airfare on flights booked directly with airlines ✦ 3X restaurants worldwide ✦ 2X on all other eligible purchases Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Annual Choice Award with $60K calendar year eligible spend, choose one of: 50k points, 5 Nightly Upgrade Awards, 85k free night certificate, or $1K off a Marriott Bonvoy brand bed Noteworthy perks: 85K Free Night Award each year upon renewal ✦ $300 dining credit per calendar year ($25/mo) ✦ Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite Status ✦ 25 elite nights credit ✦ Priority Pass™ membership (Lounges only) with 2 guests ✦ Global Entry fee credit ✦ Free premium internet at Marriott properties ✦ Note: Enrollment required for some benefits. See also: Marriott Bonvoy Complete Guide |
In order to get accepted to any of the Amex cards, you must not only satisfy the Marriott-specific rules shown in the chart near the top of this post, but you must also have fewer than 5 or 6 Amex credit cards:
Amex card limits: If you apply for a new Amex credit card, you may get turned down if you already have 5 or more Amex credit cards; or 10 or more "Pay over Time" (AKA charge) cards. Both personal and business cards are counted together towards these limits. Authorized user cards are not counted. The Amex Green Card is weird. It is technically a Pay over Time card, and it is treated that way when applying for the Green Card, but if you already have the Green Card, it is treated as a credit card towards your credit card limit. See also: Which Amex Cards are Charge Cards vs. Credit Cards?
More Info
Please see these posts for more information about Marriott credit cards:
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Does anyone know what this means: “You are not eligible for a welcome bonus if you were approved for the card on the left within the past 90 days.” Specifically, if I product changed a Ritz Carlton card to a Boundless card, does that mean I was approved for the Boundless card?
Next month marks my one-year anniversary with the Chase Boundless. At some point, I hope to obtain the Amex Marriott Bonvoy Business Credit Card in addition to upgrading Boundless to the Ritz card. I’m wondering what would be the best way for me after reading from various sources that once the Boundless PC is updated to the Ritz credit card, it is impossible to obtain other Marriott cards (with subs?).
What would be the best way to carry out this plan successfully would be greatly appreciated.
Regarding the Amex Bevy, it still has the new and restrictive language and you’re dead. Lifetime block.
Regarding the Amex Brilliant and Business, you must wait another year to be eligible for a SUB. Both cards have this restriction:
received a new Card Member bonus offer in the last 24 months on the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card from Chase, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card from Chase, or the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card from Chase.
Regarding the Amex Brilliant, if you convert your Chase card to the Ritz Carlton Card, you’ll also be locked out.
So, if the SUBs are more important, you’d want to wait a year, apply for the Brilliant and Business, secure those SUBs, then upgrade to the Ritz Carlton Card.
I’m never going to be able to understand even that ‘simplified’ matrix. For someone who has never had any of those cards above, if I want to get a ton of points in about 4 or 5 sign-ups, what order should I get them in?
https://m16p-churning.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/Card+Recommendation+Flowchart+Latest.html
See the Notes for Marriott Cards section at the bottom
That’s a really nice chart, where did you get it?
The churning subreddit on Reddit
Business, Bevy, Brilliant, Bold, Boundless, Bountiful
Please could you help me to understand that interesting and “very easy” rules for getting a Marriott Brilliant card with welcome bonus? I applied and got approved for a Chase Boundless card in August 2024. In 2025 the same time upgraded it to Ritz Carlton one and have that only Marriott card right now. Please tell what are my options?
You cannot get a Brilliant bonus as long as you hold a Ritz-Carlton card
What about other bonus? Amex Bonvoy Business? Or even another Boundless in 2 years time??
It is in the chart above…….
After two years since receiving the Boundless bonus, you are eligible to receive a SUB from the Amex Business and the Chase Boundless (again). As long as you hold the Ritz Carlton Card, the Amex Brilliant is off the table. You are lifetime excluded from the Amex Bevy.
So like best to go amex bonvoy Business and brilliant still can’t get boundless if you want those two so annoying. What choice is there for hotel loyalty now that Hyatt is about to become crap.
Just say no to Marriott
So, I just tried applying to the AmEx Bevy card for my wife. Got the popup, “no bonuse for you!” Checked the chart matrix and see that it appears that one cannot qualify for ANY AmEx personal card if they have ANY Chase personal card open. Is that correct? That seems to be a relatively recent addition if so (that wasn’t the case a couple of years ago when I mapped out my roadmap). I’d like to get the AmEx Cards and then Product change the Chase Boundless to a Ritz.
Yeah, sadly, that’s correct
My wife is just an authorized user on my ritz card and they are stopping her from getting the bonus on the bevy which is strange
[…] when a person is eligible for a sign-up bonus with these cards, though. We recommend studying this chart from The Frequent Miler until you go cross-eyed. There are many confusing details about maximizing points and miles, but […]
[…] Are you eligible for a new Marriott card? […]
Maybe the “90 24” could be in another color or have another icon.
It’s much different from the rules of the other 3 with warning signs, since it doesn’t matter whether you currently hold the card on the left.
[…] 這個互斥規則是真得很複雜QQ，關於其分析可以參考其他的來源：Frequent Miler、悠酒世界、美国信用卡指南、AillyNotes、Trip+ […]
I love you guys; you provide so much information for travelers. Sadly, though, at the same time, I get so depressed about the average traveler and even the frequent traveler that I used to be. Between the airlines and hotels, most of us walk around like a duck, with that feeling that not so much is ok with what we just got charged, ever. They all seem to prey upon people, both airlines and hotels. I now have a 6-hour rule; if I can drive close to 6-7 hours, I do, rather than fly. Hotels, I’ve lost all respect for.
Do product changes fall under the 90 day rule? I’d like to apply for the Brilliant but previously had a Boundless card and product changed it to a Bold last month.
I’m wondering myself. I product charged from a Ritz card to a Boundless card a month ago, and I still can’t get the Brilliant AMEX card, even though I used a referral link, which does not have the new restrictive language. I am wondering if I should wait another 2 months, or is my hope for the Brilliant card lost?
Greg, I love your stuff and have been a fan for years. I’m hoping you and your readers can help crack the case of why I’ve been ineligible for the AMEX Bevy and Brilliant SUBs despite no apparent “offending” activity per the terms and articles like these. I do realize there is a blanket “get bent” clause for any AMEX card bonus offer, but I’d like to think there’s something more sophisticated and hopefully fixable going on.
Timeline of Bonvoy co-branded card events:
March 2019 opened Chase Boundless (still open)
November 2021 opened AMEX Bonvoy Business (still open)
April 2022 received $50 statement credit as a retention offer for my Chase Boundless
April 2023 received $50 statement credit as a retention offer for my Chase Boundless
February 2024 received 10,000 Marriott pts for a spend $2,000 in 3 months retention offer for my AMEX Bonvoy Business
I’ve been ineligible for the Bevy and Brilliant SUBs since at least the summer of 2023. At that time, an AMEX rep and I hypothesized that the retention offers for my Chase Boundless were causing the 24 month timer to reset. However, I then got the same pop-up when I tried applying for both during the 2nd half of 2025. I applied for the Bevy as recently as this week and still got the same message.
Additional information:
P2 has AMEX Brilliant and Bonvoy Business cards. I’m not an AU for either. She had the Boundless as well, though again I wasn’t an AU for it either. She closed it in 2023.
I don’t know if this is related, but I also wasn’t eligible for AMEX Hilton cards SUBs in 2023. I haven’t applied for any Hilton cards since. I’ve been able to open AMEX business cards since then without issue.
I’m at a loss and would love any thoughts or suggestions on what’s going on. Thank you in advance!
Isn’t this just a case of “!30” in the matrix above? ie you currently hold the Boundless, therefore ineligible for the Bevy and Brilliant SUBs?
For Marriott AMEX cards, do you have to be under 5/24?
No