The Ultimate Strategy for US Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards (2025 Guide)

If you’re even remotely into hotel loyalty programs or travel hacking, then Marriott Bonvoy should absolutely be on your radar. With a massive portfolio of properties around the world and some of the best elite status perks in the business, Marriott’s ecosystem is a goldmine—especially when you combine it with the right credit cards. Between Chase and American Express, you’ve got a handful of powerful options, each with their own benefits, signup bonuses, and elite night credits. The trick is knowing how to stack them efficiently without stepping on landmines like the Chase 5/24 rule or Amex’s bonus restrictions.

In this monster guide, I’ll break down the U.S. Marriott Bonvoy credit card landscape and show you exactly how to maximize it. We’ll dive into:

• Every Marriott personal and business card worth considering
• Which signup bonuses are actually worth it (with dollar estimates)
• A full breakdown of Marriott’s elite status tiers
• How to game the Elite Qualifying Nights (EQNs) system
• How to stay within Chase and Amex’s restrictive rules

Let’s get into it.

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💳 All US Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards (2025)

There are currently five Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit cards available in the U.S., split across personal and business categories. Each card offers a different mix of annual fees, elite night credits, and ongoing perks. Some are ideal for beginners, others are more tailored for serious travelers looking to lock in Platinum status without breaking a sweat.

Personal Cards

Card	Issuer	Annual Fee	Bonus EQNs	Notable Perks
Marriott Bonvoy Bold™	Chase	$0	0	15 nights toward elite status, no annual fee; barebones perks
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®	Chase	$95	15 nights	3 Free Night Awards (50K each) + 50K points after $6K spend in 6 months
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™	Amex	$650	25 nights	Platinum status, 1 Free Night Cert (85K), $300 dining credit, Priority Pass

Business Cards

Card	Issuer	Annual Fee	Bonus EQNs	Notable Perks
Marriott Bonvoy Business™	Amex	$125	15 nights	3 Free Night Awards (50K each) after $6K spend in 6 months, Gold Elite status, bonus categories on spend
Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™	Chase (discontinued for new applicants)	$250	15 nights	Perks phased out

⚠️ Reminder: You can stack up to 40 elite night credits per year via credit cards: 15 from a personal card + 15 from a business card + 10 extra from the Brilliant. Anything more doesn’t count.

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🎁 Signup Bonuses (as of May 2025)

Signup bonuses are where the magic starts. These bonuses can provide a serious boost to your points balance and are often worth hundreds of dollars—sometimes over a grand—if used strategically.

Card	Bonus Offer	Spend Requirement	Timeline	Est. Value	Worth It?	Minimum Value Needed to Justify Signup
Bold	30,000 points	$1,000	3 months	~$210	❌ Not really	$300+ or include free night cert
Boundless	3 FNCs (50K each) + 50K points	$6,000	6 months	~$1,400	✅ Absolutely	Anything worth over ~$600
Brilliant	185,000 points	$6,000	6 months	~$1,400	✅ Yes, if you travel a lot	$1,000+
Business	3 FNCs (50K/night)	$6,000	6 months	~$1,050	✅ If you use the certs	$600+

Bonus value is based on an average redemption rate of 0.7–0.9 cents per Bonvoy point or ~$250 per 50K Free Night Cert at quality properties.

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🔗 Useful Links

• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ Amex Card
• Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card
• Amex Marriott Bonvoy Business™
• Marriott Elite Status Chart
• My Notion Travel Planner on Etsy – Plan Like a Pro