Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card
Quick Snapshot
- Annual Fee: $250
- APR: Variable (typically 19.74%–28.74%)
- Rewards: 6X points at Marriott, 4X at restaurants/supermarkets (up to $15K/year), 2X on everything else
- Bonus: 85,000 bonus points after $5,000 spend in 6 months
- Best For: Frequent Marriott guests and diners seeking Gold Elite status
- Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (690+)
Overview
The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card is the perfect mid-tier option for Marriott travelers who want meaningful elite status benefits and accelerated points earning without an ultra-premium annual fee. With 6X points at Marriott properties, 4X on dining and groceries (up to $15,000 annually), automatic Gold Elite status, and a free night award after $15,000 in annual spend, this card delivers exceptional value for regular Marriott guests.
Built for travelers who stay at Marriott 8–12 nights per year and prioritize everyday earning, the Bevy card strikes an ideal balance between earning power and elite benefits. The $250 annual fee is reasonable for the combination of Gold Elite status, 15 Elite Night Credits, and strong bonus categories that reward both travel and daily spending.
APR Breakdown
- Purchase APR: Variable (typically 19.74%–28.74%)
- Balance Transfer APR: Variable (typically 19.74%–28.74%)
- Cash Advance APR: Variable (typically 19.74%–28.74%)
- Penalty APR: None
Note: This card is designed to be paid in full each month to maximize rewards value.
Benefits Overview
Hotel Benefits
- Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status: Enjoy elite benefits at 8,500+ properties across 139 countries
- Free Night Award: After $15,000 in eligible purchases per calendar year (up to 50,000 points value)
- 15 Elite Night Credits: Annually, counting toward higher status tiers
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: Use internationally without additional charges
Marriott Gold Elite Status Benefits
- 25% Bonus Points: On eligible stays at Marriott properties
- Enhanced Room Upgrades: Complimentary upgrades at check-in (subject to availability)
- Late Checkout: Up to 2 p.m. when available
- Premium Internet: Free high-speed internet
- Priority Late Checkout: Higher priority than non-elite members
- Welcome Gift: Choose bonus points or amenity at select properties
Travel Benefits
- Trip Delay Insurance: Coverage for qualified delays
- Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: Protection for qualified trip disruptions
- Baggage Insurance Plan: Protection for lost or damaged luggage
- Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: Secondary coverage worldwide
- Travel Accident Insurance: Coverage for qualified accidents
- Global Assist Hotline: 24/7 emergency assistance while traveling
Everyday Benefits
- Purchase Protection: Coverage on eligible purchases for up to 90 days
- Extended Warranty Protection: Adds an additional year to warranties
- Return Protection: Get refunded for purchases that merchants won't take back
- Fraud Protection: Zero liability for unauthorized charges
- Free Additional Cards: Add authorized users at no cost
Lifestyle Benefits
- Amex Experiences: Access to exclusive events and experiences
- Global Dining Collection: Reservations at exclusive restaurants worldwide
- ShopRunner: Free 2-day shipping at select online retailers
Rewards & Points
- 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy
- 4X points at U.S. restaurants (up to $15,000 per calendar year, then 2X)
- 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $15,000 per calendar year, then 2X)
- 2X points on all other eligible purchases
Redemption Options:
- Book free nights at 8,500+ Marriott properties worldwide (starting at 5,000 points per night)
- Redeem for hotel suites and premium room categories
- Transfer points to 40+ airline partners (3:1 ratio, with 5,000-mile bonus per 60,000 points transferred)
- Book Marriott Moments experiences and events
- Rent cars and book flights through Marriott
- Donate points to charitable causes
Points never expire as long as you have activity in your Marriott Bonvoy account every 24 months.
Welcome Bonus
Earn 85,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Value: 85,000 Marriott points is typically worth $595–$850 in free hotel nights, enough for 2–3 nights at quality Marriott properties. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Fees Summary
- Annual Fee: $250
- Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
- Balance Transfer Fee: 3% of transferred amount (minimum $5)
- Cash Advance Fee: 5% of cash advance amount (minimum $10)
- Late Payment Fee: Up to $40
- Returned Payment Fee: Up to $40
Who This Card Is Best For
Ideal For
- Regular Marriott guests who stay 8–15 nights per year at Marriott properties
- Gold Elite status seekers who value room upgrades and late checkout
- Frequent diners and grocers maximizing 4X on restaurants and supermarkets
- Those who spend $15K+ annually earning the free night reward
- International travelers benefiting from no foreign transaction fees
- Those pursuing Platinum Elite using 15 Elite Night Credits as a boost
- Budget-conscious premium seekers wanting elite status without $650 fees
- Families who spend heavily on dining and groceries
Not Good For
- Casual Marriott guests who stay less than 5 nights per year
- Those wanting Platinum Elite status automatically (only available on Brilliant)
- Non-Marriott guests who prefer hotel flexibility
- Light spenders who can't reach $15,000 for the free night
- Those who exceed $15K on dining/groceries (earning drops to 2X)
- Those preferring cash back over hotel-specific points
- Balance carriers (high APR makes this expensive)
- Those wanting airport lounge access (not included on this card)
Key Pros & Cons
Pros
- Automatic Gold Elite status with room upgrades and late checkout
- 6X earning at Marriott properties accelerates free nights
- 4X earning on dining and supermarkets (up to $15K/year) is excellent
- 2X on everything else provides solid base earning
- Free night award after $15,000 spend (worth $200–$350)
- 15 Elite Night Credits help achieve higher status faster
- $250 annual fee is reasonable for the benefits package
- 25% bonus points on Marriott stays (Gold Elite benefit)
- 85,000-point welcome bonus provides strong initial value
- No foreign transaction fees for international travel
- Comprehensive travel protections included
Cons
- $250 annual fee requires active use to justify
- 4X earning on dining/supermarkets capped at $15,000 annually (then drops to 2X)
- Free night award capped at 50,000 points (mid-tier properties only)
- Gold Elite benefits are more limited than Platinum/Titanium
- Must spend $15,000 annually to earn free night reward
- 3:1 airline transfer ratio is poor (6:1 effective with bonus)
- Room upgrades subject to availability (not guaranteed)
- No airport lounge access included
- Marriott points can devalue during peak seasons
- APR is high if you carry a balance
Alternatives to Consider
| Card | Best For | Annual Fee | Rewards | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® Amex | Premium Platinum Elite status | $650 | 6X Marriott, Platinum Elite | Excellent |
| World of Hyatt Credit Card | Hyatt hotel rewards | $95 | 4X Hyatt, annual free night | Good+ |
| Hilton Honors Amex Surpass | Mid-tier Hilton alternative | $150 | 12X Hilton, Gold status | Good+ |
| IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card | IHG hotel rewards | $99 | 10X IHG, annual free night | Good+ |
How the Rewards Add Up
Example Annual Value
If you spend $30,000 per year on typical expenses:
| Category | Annual Spend | Reward Rate | Points Earned |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marriott stays | $4,000 | 6X | 24,000 |
| U.S. restaurants | $7,000 | 4X | 28,000 |
| U.S. supermarkets | $6,000 | 4X | 24,000 |
| Other purchases | $13,000 | 2X | 26,000 |
| Total Points | $30,000 | — | 102,000 |
Benefits Value:
- Marriott Gold Elite status (upgrades, late checkout, 25% bonus): ~$350 value
- Free night award (after $15K spend, up to 50,000 points): ~$275 value
- 15 Elite Night Credits: ~$150 value
- Total Benefits: ~$775
Net Annual Fee: $250 - $775 in benefits = effectively -$525 (significant profit if you maximize benefits)
Total Value: 102,000 Marriott points (worth $714–$1,020 in free nights) + $775 in benefits = $1,489–$1,795 in total value, minus $250 annual fee = $1,239–$1,545 net value.
Should You Get This Card?
You Should Get It If...
- You stay at Marriott properties 8–15 nights per year
- You value Gold Elite benefits (room upgrades, late checkout, bonus points)
- You spend heavily on dining and groceries (4X categories up to $15K)
- You can reach $15,000 annual spend for the free night reward
- You're working toward Platinum Elite status (15 credits help)
- You want meaningful elite status with a reasonable $250 annual fee
- You travel internationally and benefit from no foreign fees
- You appreciate the 2X base earning rate on all purchases
- You dine out frequently and shop at supermarkets regularly
You Should Skip It If...
- You stay at Marriott less than 5 nights per year
- You want automatic Platinum Elite status (only on Brilliant card)
- You prefer hotel chain flexibility over Marriott loyalty
- You can't reach $15,000 spend for the free night reward
- You spend over $15,000 on dining/groceries (earning drops to 2X)
- You prefer cash back over hotel-specific points
- You carry balances month-to-month (high APR)
- You want airport lounge access (not included)
- You need a free night award at luxury properties (50K cap is limiting)
- You can't justify the $250 annual fee with your travel patterns
Apply Now
Apply for Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card
Information accurate as of December 2025. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the issuer's website for the most current information.
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