[Final Hours For Highest Ever Offers!] 2021 Battle Of The Marriott Cards: Which Marriott Cards Should You Have? Plus: Comparison Chart Of 6 Marriott Cards

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There are 6 Marriott cards that you can get today. These cards aren’t as lucrative as they were under Starwood, but they do come with some valuable perks.

This post will examine which cards are best for you.

Chase cards (You can switch between any of the Chase Marriott cards below):

AMEX cards (You can switch between the Marriott Consumer AMEX cards below):

Marriott Bonvoy Points:

Marriott Bonvoy points are among the more flexible hotel point currencies as they have a good airline transfer ratio.

You can transfer increments of 60K Marriott points into 25K airline miles or 27.5K miles with United. Additionally, airlines often have their own bonuses for hotel point transfers.

Marriott has dozens of valuable airline transfer partners, such as Aegean, Alaska, American, JAL, Qantas, and dozens more!

Miles from these airlines can be very valuable and hard to get from other sources. For example, Alaska miles opens up bargains on airlines like Cathay Pacific and Qantas with no fuel surcharges and they allow 2 free stopovers on awards.

You can also use Marriott points at thousands of hotels worldwide like the S. Regis Maldives:

 

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Or the S. Regis Bal Harbour:

 

Or the Ritz Carlton Herzliya:

 

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You can use credit card anniversary nights to stay in an overwater villa at the Le Meridien Maldives:

 

You can view Marriott’s award chart in this post.


Welcome bonus:

  • Chase Marriott Bold Consumer Card: Normally 30K points, now 60K points for spending $2,000 in 3 months. Read more about this limited time offer here.
  • Chase Marriott Boundless Consumer Card: Normally 75K points, now 125K points plus a free 50K award night for spending $5,000 in 3 months. Read more about this limited time offer here.
  • JPMorgan/Chase Ritz Carlton Consumer Card: Not open for direct applications, Only available for card conversions.
  • Marriott Bonvoy Consumer AMEX: Not open for direct applications, Only available for card conversions.
  • Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Consumer AMEX: Normally 75K points, now 150K points plus a free 85K award night for spending $5,000 in 3 months. Read more about this limited time offer here.
  • Marriott Bonvoy Business AMEX: Normally 75K points, now 125K points plus 2 free 50K award nights for spending $5,000 in 3 months. Read more about this limited time offer here.

Winner: With an equivalent of 235,000 points, it’s the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Consumer AMEX.


Annual fee:

Winner: Chase Marriott Bold


Annual fee for additional cardholders:

Winner: Tie


Points per dollar on airfare:

Winner: JPMorgan Ritz Carlton and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Consumer AMEX.


Points per dollar on dining:

Winner: JPMorgan Ritz Carlton


Points per dollar on gas stations, wireless service, and shipping:

Winner: Marriott Bonvoy Business


Points per dollar on Marriott Hotels:

Winner: 5 way tie.


Points per dollar on everyday spending:

Winner: 5 way tie.


Foreign Transaction Fees:

Winner: Tie


Free elite status level:

Winner: JPMorgan Ritz Carlton and  Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Consumer AMEX.


Elite status with annual spending:

Winner: JPMorgan Ritz Carlton and  Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Consumer AMEX.


Anniversary free night:

Winner: JPMorgan Ritz Carlton and  Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Consumer AMEX.


Additional Anniversary free night:

Winner: Marriott Bonvoy Business AMEX


Additional Ritz Carlton Club Level Upgrade Certs:

Winner: JPMorgan Ritz Carlton


Annual Marriott hotel credit:

Winner: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Consumer AMEX.


Annual airline fee credit:

Winner: JPMorgan Ritz Carlton


Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit:

Winner: JPMorgan Ritz Carlton and  Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Consumer AMEX.


Complimentary premium in-room internet:

Winner: 5 way tie.


Priority Pass lounge membership:

Winner: JPMorgan Ritz Carlton


Priority Pass lounge membership for free additional users:

Winner: JPMorgan Ritz Carlton


Return Protection:

Winner: JPMorgan Ritz Carlton and  Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Consumer AMEX.


Elite night credits:

Winner: Tie


Roadside Assistance:

Winner: JPMorgan Ritz Carlton


US Car Rental CDW Coverage:

Winner: JPMorgan Ritz Carlton


Baggage Insurance, extended warranty, and purchase protection:

Winner: Tie.


Trip Delay Reimbursement:

Winner: 4 way tie


Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance:

Winner: 4 way tie


Emergency Medical and Dental when traveling:

Winner: JPMorgan Ritz Carlton


Comparison chart of the card benefits:

Chase Marriott Bold Consumer CardChase Marriott Boundless Consumer CardMarriott Bonvoy Consumer AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Business AMEXAMEX Marriott Bevy Consumer Card and Chase Marriott Bountiful Consumer CardJPMorgan Ritz Carlton CardMarriott Bonvoy Brilliant Consumer AMEX
Annual Fee$0$95$95$125$250$450$650
Points earned on everyday purchases1 (2 on travel purchases)2 2 2222
Points earned on airfare222 2 2 33
Points earned on Marriott hotels3666666
Points earned on restaurants13 ($6K annual cap across 3x categories)244 ($15K annual cap across 4x categories)3 3
Points earned on supermarkets13 ($6K annual cap across 3x categories)2 2 4, US only on AMEX, worldwide on Chase ($15K annual cap across 4x categories)22
Points earned on gas stations13 ($6K annual cap across 3x categories)24, US only222
Points earned on wireless service and shipping1224, US only222
Free elite status levelSilverSilverSilverGoldGoldGoldPlatinum
Elite night credits15 consumer nights15 consumer nights15 consumer nights15 business nights15 consumer nights15 consumer nights25 consumer nights
Elite status with annual spending NoneGold for $35K, plus earn 1 elite night credit with every $5,000 spentGold for $35K--Platinum for $75K
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Anniversary night with no spending requiredNoneAutomatic free night up to 35K Marriott pointsAutomatic free night up to 35K Marriott pointsAutomatic free night up to 35K Marriott pointsNoneAutomatic free night up to 85K Marriott pointsAutomatic free night up to 85K Marriott points
Free night awards for spendingNoneNoneNone35K night if you spend $60K in a calendar year50K night if you spend $15K in a calendar yearNone85K night if you spend $60K in a calendar year, or select 5 suite upgrade nights or $750 off Marriott mattress
Monthly restaurant credit.NoneNoneNoneNoneNoneNone$25
Bonus points on each paid stay charged to cardNoneNoneNoneNone1,000NoneNone
Savings on Marriott staysNoneNoneNone7% off standard ratesNone$100 property credit at Ritz-Carlton, Ritz-Carlton Reserve or S. Regis when you book using special rate for a 2+ nights$100 property credit at Ritz-Carlton, Ritz-Carlton Reserve or S. Regis when you book using special rate for a 2+ nights
Annual Ritz-Carlton Club Level Upgrade Certs On Paid StaysNoneNoneNoneNoneNone3None
Annual airline fee creditNoneNoneNoneNoneNone$300None
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck creditNoneNoneNoneNoneNoneFull credit every 4 years.Full credit every 4 years.
Foreign transaction feesNoneNoneNoneNoneNoneNoneNone
Complimentary premium in-room internetNoYesYesYesYesYesYes
Priority Pass lounge membership NoNoNoNoNoYes, with unlimited free guestsYes, with 2 free guests
Enhanced Priority Pass access to restaurants, spas, and non-lounge creditsNoNoNoNoNoYes, with unlimited free guestsNo
Chase Sapphire Lounge AccessNoNoNoNoNoYes, with unlimited free guestsOne free annual visit to Chase Sapphire lounge with no guests. Guests or additional visits cost $75.
Priority Pass lounge membership for free additional usersNoNoNoNoNoYes, with unlimited free guests No
Enhanced Priority Pass access to restaurants, spas, and non-lounge credits for free additional usersNoNoNoNoNoYes, with unlimited free guestsNo
Chase Sapphire Lounge Access for free additional usersNoNoNoNoNoYes, with unlimited free guests No
Return ProtectionNoNoNoNoNoYesYes
Roadside AssistanceNoNoNoNoNo4 free uses per yearNo
US Car Rental CDW CoverageSecondarySecondarySecondarySecondarySecondaryPrimarySecondary
Emergency Medical and Dental when travelingNoNoNoNoNoYesNo
Trip Delay ReimbursementYesYesNoNoYesYesYes
Trip Cancellation and Interruption InsuranceNoNoNoNoNoYesYes
Baggage Insurance, extended warranty, and purchase protectionYesYesYesYesYesYesYes

Win count:

Of course this battle isn’t entirely fair, as the annual fees range from $0-$450, but at the premium $450 level, the JPMorgan Ritz Carlton wins easily. In the lower end range, the Chase Marriott Boundless card is the winner. If you want the JPMorgan then you’ll want to take advantage of the limited time 100K offer on the Chase Marriott Boundless card and then upgrade it to the JPMorgan Ritz Carlton down the line. Read more about this limited time offer here.

It’s worth noting that AMEX has offers for existing Marriott cardholders to save on restaurant delivery, wireless charges, and general spending. However those won’t apply to new cardholders.


Which Marriott cards do you have and which benefits do you value the most?

Leave a Reply

47 Comments On "[Final Hours For Highest Ever Offers!] 2021 Battle Of The Marriott Cards: Which Marriott Cards Should You Have? Plus: Comparison Chart Of 6 Marriott Cards"

All opinions expressed below are user generated and the opinions aren’t provided, reviewed or endorsed by any advertiser or DansDeals.

Dinorah

If I have the Bonvoy Consumer Amex, what is the best move? Do I cancel the card, wait 30 days, and then sign up for Chase Boundless card? Will I lose any elite night credits in the interim?

Elchonon Weissman

How do you get the ritz Carlton card what do you need to do to get Eligible

DDFer

Chase Marriott Boundless Consumer Card: 2,Mine and my wife’s
which benefits do you value the most? Signup bonuses (and upgrade bonus from the old marriott card 10k+40j+40k)

Mootkim

You didnt write anything about how you are eligible for the sign up bonuses… Meaning if you have any of their cards etc.

G Manush

How can I find out if I am eligible for the bonvoy chase credit cards? I got a bonus on the business and one of the personal card but not sure how long ago it was

DDFer

Which “battle” post do you want to see next?
AmEx MR cards

AJ

If starting clean, how many of them can I get at the same time? Interested in getting 30 elite night credits from 2 cards.

JW

The only way to get 30 credits is to have a business card and a consumer card and I might only be the AMEX biz that stacks (not sure if Chase biz does, but I know AMEX for sure does as I have that and the Brilliant and got 30 credits this year from them).

AJ

Thanks, would I be able to get a Chase consumer card and a Amex business card at the same time and still get the sign on points for both? Couldn’t find this info anywhere.

CtownBin

Technically, if you have received the bonus on one of those 2 in the past 24 months, you aren’t eligible for a bonus on the other one. There might be DPs of people who applied for both on the same day to try to skirt that- I think the results were mixed but not entirely sure.

Yacov

Now that I have the Amex Bus Platinum card, is there a benefit of also having the ritz card.

TravelBloggerBuzz

137

John

Great analysis of the Marriott Cards. Don’t overlook the benefits of the current cards you hold…some will overlap and possibly be better. I have the conversion card from SPG.

Steven

Hi Dan, I currently have a consumer marriott card, If i get a business one too, will I then get 30 elite night credits?

D

You can and will get 30 elite night credits, but Marriott’s rule is you can’t earn a welcome bonus on both Chase AND Amex-issued Marriott cards within a 24-month period. So that would apply if you have either the Chase Bonvoy Boundless or Chase Bonvoy Bold.

Plus, if you do apply without being eligible for the welcome bonus, you then can’t receive one if you try to cancel the Bonvoy Business Card and open a new one in the future (once per lifetime rule on all Amex cards), unless Amex happens to send you a targeted offer without lifetime language.

However, if your Marriott consumer card is from Amex- either the Bonvoy Brilliant OR the legacy Bonvoy/Starwood Amex (which the Chase Boundless replaced after the Marriott/SPG merger)- you CAN earn a welcome bonus on the Bonvoy Business Card if you haven’t had either it (or the legacy Starwood Amex Business Card) previously.

This is because Marriott does allow you to earn welcome bonuses on both the Amex Brilliant and Business Card within a 24-month period if you don’t have the equivalent legacy Chase card that was issued before the merger (Chase Ritz Carlton or any Chase Marriott Business Card, respectively).

HumanAdult

Would I need to close both my Marriott bonvoy American Express and my Marriott bonvoy business card to get the chase boundless card? (Or just the consumer card?).

UberFront

Looks like you get the most bang for your buck with the brilliant card. Whats ithe priority lounges? Is that in airports? hotels?

@

Thanks was waiting for this with especially with limited time offers

Mark

A lot of people are thinking of dumping their Marriott cards due to difficulty using the annual certificates. Marriott properties are playing games with the required points for a room with many properties wanting 36,000 points. Buyer beware.

Ben

I’ve had the Marriott Bonvoy Consumer which evolved from SPG, and before that Sheraton since 1998. Since I’ve been a customer for so long, and since I really use the card, American Express has never told me no, when I’ve requested something until now. I asked to convert to the Brilliant card and to get the signup bonus and they turned me down. Has anyone had success here?

Menachem Mendel

Question, My wife and I each have the Marriot Bonvoy Business Amex. we had them for a couple years. is there any benefit to keeping both still? I dont really use them that much. I am thinking of closing one. I would really appreciate your thoughts, thank you so much!!

Jake

If I have the the boundless card is it worth it to sign my wife up to get the bonus? Is there a way to downgrade the card after the bonus so I don’t have to pay the AF? Is there a way to combine the points with my Bonvoy points after receiving the bonus points?

Hjay

Can the Ritz Carlton CC Airline credit still be used for grocery this year?

Shloimy

Problem is that I had both the Amex SpG business and consumer cards about 5 years ago. Which current ones can I get?

Damon

Might want to add a line for Elite Night credit with $ spend as the VISA awards you 1 per $3k spend and the Amex doesn’t. Big difference when chasing status.

Shloimy

What’s chance of an 18 y/o getting approved for Amex biz Marriott as their first ever card?

Shloimy

Which of above cards would an 18 y/o have best chance of getting approved for as their first ever?

Nechama Heller

Sorry Im confused, I have the bonvoy Amex card (the one that replaces the SPG amex) standard card, not business card or anything.
So now do I want to sign up for this promotion or the Bonvoy business amex? Do I need to close one to open one?

Chasing Ritz Carlton

I currently have 2 Marriott cards, the Amex business version and the Amex consumer $95 AF version.
I would like to get the ritz Carlton card, i understand that I’ll have to PC in order to get it however in my situation, which card can I apply for to be able to do the PC?
Question 2: will I have to cancel any of my current Marriott cards to do so? (I have them opened for 6 years already, if that makes a difference)

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