You will have 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after unlocking the Welcome Bonus.
That gives you:
Getting those 95,000 points requires:
Here are concrete examples of what you can get with those rewards:
15 completely free nights in Marriott category 1 hotels (on the majority of dates): plenty of amazing destinations to plan a trip around to get the most free nights (Indonesia, South Africa, Spain, Malaysia, India, and a few others)
9,5 completely free nights in Marriott category 2 hotels: for more hotel options in a lot more countries (Morocco, Vietnam, Colombia, Italy, Egypt, etc.)
6 completely free nights in Marriott category 3 hotels: for even more hotel options in a lot more countries (thousands of hotels around the world)
3 completely free nights in Marriott category 4 hotels: for stays in hotels that can be very expensive in cash (expensive countries, prime locations, etc.)
1 completely free night in Marriott category 8 hotels: for stays in some of the world’s most luxurious 5-star hotels (often worth hundreds of dollars or more per night)
1 almost free roundtrip flight or business class flight (less taxes and fees): flight redemptions are possible for those who don’t want free hotels (value will likely be lower though, and not just because hotel redemptions cover taxes)
‣Learn more about the best ways to use Marriott Bonvoy points
Flytrippers Valuation of Welcome Bonus
≈ $585 Welcome Bonus (65,000 Marriott Bonvoy points at ≈ 0.9 ¢/pt)
≈ $135 5X bonus on $3k min. spend (15,000 points at ≈ 0.9 ¢/pt)
≈ $135 Renewal bonus (15,000 points at ≈ 0.9 ¢/pt)
–$120 Card fee (Deducted from Flytrippers Valuation)
≈ $735 net in value with the Welcome Bonus alone
(that’s 25% back on the $3,000 spend required)
‣Learn more about our Flytrippers Valuation of Welcome Bonuses
Attainable potential value of Welcome Bonus
$1,200 Redemption (95,000 points for 15 free nights at $80/night)
–$120 Card fee (Deducted from Flytrippers Valuation)
$1,080 net in value with the Welcome Bonus alone
(that’s 36% back on the $3,000 spend required)
‣Learn more about the value of Marriott Bonvoy points
Earn rates
5 points per $ at Marriott Hotels (≈ 4.5% or ≈ 5.85%)
2 points per $ everywhere else (≈ 1.8% or ≈ 2.34%)
(Rate of return at Flytrippers Valuation and at attainable potential valuation in parenthesis)
‣Learn more about credit card earn rates
Additional cards
Free
‣Learn more about additional cards
Free night award certificate
The amazing annual free night award certificate is the best reason to keep this card. You get it on each account anniversary date and it can be used for extremely luxurious hotels.
‣Learn more about the Marriott free night certificate
Marriott Bonvoy Elite status
You’ll get automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status which entitles you to a few benefits at Marriott hotels.
‣Learn more about Marriott Bonvoy Elite status
Elite Night Credits
You will get 15 Elite Night Credits to reach Gold Elite Status more easily.
‣Learn more about Marriott Elite Night Credits
Amex Experiences & Amex Offers
American Express Cards give you access to great experiences and exclusive offers.
‣Learn more about American Express benefits
Insurance included
Car rental insurance
Flight delay insurance
Baggage delay insurance
Lost/stolen baggage insurance
Hotel burglary insurance
Travel emergency assistance
Travel accident insurance
Retail purchase protection
Extended warranty protection
‣Learn more about the Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card insurance coverage
Travel insurance not included
Medical travel insurance
Trip cancelation insurance
Trip interruption insurance
‣Learn more about the different types of travel insurance
Subsequent years bonus
The free night certificate offered every year is valued at ≈ $315 by Flytrippers.
‣Learn more about the Marriott free night certificate
Additional spend bonus
Get Marriott Gold Elite status if you spend $30,000 in a year
‣Learn more about why Flytrippers does not recommend chasing additional spend bonuses
Redemptions
Marriott Bonvoy points can be used for completely free nights in one of Marriott Bonvoy’s 8,000+ hotels (no taxes to pay in almost all countries, and a few dollars per day maximum in the rare other countries). Marriott has 29 brands from luxury hotels to midscale hotels. There are no blackout dates or availability restrictions.
‣Learn more about the Marriott Bonvoy rewards program
Pricing
Marriott Bonvoy points are variable-value rewards: They’ll save you a variable amount of money, as the amount of points required for a free hotel night is fixed by award night charts—not by the cash price. The award night charts are based on a hotel’s category classification, and any hotel has only 3 possible prices (Standard, Peak, Off-Peak).
‣Learn more about Marriott Bonvoy award night charts
Expiry
Marriott Bonvoy points essentially never expire. They expire if you do not earn a single point in 24 months, so just a $1 purchase with your Card resets the clock for 2 full years.
‣Learn more about Marriott Bonvoy points expiry
Pooling
If you have a travel buddy, up to 100,000 points per year can be pooled into one same account if you share the same address.
‣Learn more about Marriott Bonvoy points pooling
Transfers
Marriott Bonvoy points can be transferred to 40+ airline programs, but the transfer rate is not great. Only recommended in very specific situations.
‣Learn more about Marriott Bonvoy transfers
Other redemption options
Apart from hotels and transfers to airline rewards, points can also be used for Marriott Bonvoy Moments.
‣Learn more about Marriott Bonvoy transfers
Rewards program logistics
You can use your points via the Marriott website, the Marriott app, or by phone.
‣Learn more about getting started with Marriott Bonvoy
Rewards program summary
Rewards: Marriott Bonvoy points
Type: Variable-value rewards
Subtype: Standard variable-value
Variety: Hotel rewards
Flytrippers Valuation: ≈ 0.9¢ per point
Minimum value: None
Maximum value: None
Transferable: Yes, to 40+ airlines
‣Learn more about rewards programs basics
Card eligibility
Minimum personal/household income: $0
Age: Majority in your province
Estimated credit score: Good or Excellent
Credit bureau: TransUnion
‣Learn more about credit card eligibility requirements
Welcome Bonus eligibility
Must spend $3,000 in first 6 months
Must not have previously had the Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card
‣Learn more about credit card welcome bonus eligibility rules
Offer end date
August 3rd 2021
‣Subscribe to Flytrippers’ free travel rewards newsletter to get all card updates
Card highlights
Rates and fees
Card fee: $120
Fee for additional card: $0
FX fee: 2.5%
Purchase interest rate: 19.99%
Cash advance interest rate: 21.99%
Balance transfer fee: N/A
‣Learn why Flytrippers recommends ignoring rates and fees
Card details
Issuer: American Express
Network: American Express
Card type: Credit card
Product type: Consumer card
‣Learn more about the types of credit cards
via Amex secure application
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