Is the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Amex Worth It?
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Written by
Ryan Flanigan
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Edited by
Emily Gadd
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Reviewed by
Jasmin Baron
The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card is a mid-tier co-branded hotel credit card with a $250 annual fee. Perks like everyday bonus categories and the ability to earn a free night award after spending $15,000 in a calendar year make this an excellent option for regular travelers who aren’t concerned with top-level elite status.
If you’re wondering whether this American Express card is worth adding to your wallet, I’ll break down how I use the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy and share tips to help you decide if it’s right for you.
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Quick Verdict
If you’re interested in earning Marriott points, the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy gives you more ways to boost your balance. You’ll earn 4x points at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets (up to $15,000 in combined purchases per calendar year, then 2x points), which is better than the ultra-premium Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, which only earns 3x at best outside of Marriott purchases. The Bevy also matches the Brilliant’s earning rates at Marriott and on other purchases, making it a superior spending option until you reach the $15,000 threshold.
The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy offers valuable benefits like elite night credits, Gold Elite status and bonus points on stays. You’ll earn up to 18.5x points if you pay your room charges with your card (6x from your card, up to 10x for being a Marriott member and up to 2.5x for Gold Elite status). While the Brilliant earns up to 21x with automatic Platinum Elite status, the significantly higher $650 annual fee doesn’t provide nearly as much in return for its elevated cost.
I spend just enough in the 4x bonus categories to earn the free night award (worth up to 50,000 points; some hotels have resort fees). If you can maximize the value of the free night award, this card can make a lot of sense, but it’s harder to justify otherwise.
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Card: At a Glance
- Annual fee: $250
- Welcome offer: Earn 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Rewards structure: Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Earn 4X points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets per calendar year, then 2X points). Earn 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
- Statement credits and perks: Complimentary Gold Elite status, 15 elite night credits each calendar year, 1,000 bonus points per eligible paid stay, earn a free night award after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year (maximum redemption level of 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points)
- Estimated value: Depends on qualification for the free night award, which could be worth hundreds of dollars, plus the value of other benefits you’ll use
Who Should Consider the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy?
The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy is ideal for people who occasionally stay at Marriott hotels or have specific properties in mind to maximize the value of a free night award and points. The card has a solid welcome offer and excellent earning rates on everyday spending, making it a great option for people looking to rack up Marriott Bonvoy points for upcoming travel.
If you want to earn Marriott points in bunches, this card likely gives you the highest earning potential. I use my card for all of my Marriott stays and in 4x categories whenever possible, until I reach the $15,000 spending threshold to unlock a free night.
Who Should Skip the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy?
Like with any co-branded card, if you don’t have plans for your points, a general travel credit card would likely give you much better flexibility. Several bank programs, including American Express Membership Rewards® and Chase Ultimate Rewards®, can transfer points to Marriott, so you wouldn’t miss out completely.
You’ll also want to consider your brand preferences. If you have elite status elsewhere, focus your efforts on that program. Marriott Bonvoy points aren’t the most valuable hotel currency, so you might be leaving significant value on the table. Conversely, if you’re a frequent Marriott guest, you may want the higher-tier Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card, which offers better elite status perks.
After I reach the $15,000 threshold, I shift my spending to other cards to earn better value. Earning only 2x points on purchases doesn’t compare favorably to other cards in my wallet.
How To Maximize the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy’s Value
Spend Enough to Earn the Free Night Award
The card’s most valuable perk is the free night award, which I value at around $350. Spending $15,000 in a calendar year to earn this benefit averages to around $1,250 per month. I get pretty close to that every month with my restaurant and U.S. supermarket spending. I always use the card to pay for Marriott stays and some extra spending to ensure I earn the award every year.
Maximize the Free Night Award Value
The free night award is valid for a year after it’s issued, so you may want to pay attention to when you earn it. For example, I never pass the $15,000 mark before the end of the summer. My goal is always to have the following summer available to use my award, since that’s when I do the majority of my traveling.
I look for properties that fit my plans between 50,000 and 65,000 points. The free night award is worth up to 50,000 points, and you can add up to 15,000 more points to your booking, giving you access to more high-end properties. I’ll redeem points for additional nights, which allows me to save substantial money while enjoying more luxurious stays.
Wait for Limited-Time Welcome Offers
American Express periodically rolls out limited-time boosted welcome offers on many co-branded cards, including the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy. While the current welcome offer is a good deal, if you’re patient, you may be able to get a higher offer, lower spending requirements or extra benefits when you apply.
Since you generally only get one chance to earn an Amex welcome offer, I recommend applying for cards when bonuses are at their highest to get the best possible initial return.
Final Verdict on the Amex Marriott Bonvoy Bevy
If you’re looking for solid Marriott benefits without paying a top-tier annual fee, the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy can be rewarding if you plan to stay with Marriott regularly. It offers superior practical use and much better value for the money than its premium counterpart, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant.
As long as you have a plan for your points, I consider the Bevy the best of the Marriott bunch. While it may not be as flexible as a general travel card, it stands out from other co-branded hotel cards due to its solid value.
The information related to the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card was collected by CardCritics™ and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardCritics™ does not receive a commission for this product.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Amex Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Card
What credit score do you need for the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy?
You’ll need at least a good credit score to have the best chance of getting approved for the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy.
Can you have multiple Marriott credit cards?
Yes, you can have more than one Marriott credit card, but eligibility rules can be complicated based on other cards you have and when you opened them. You can also have a personal and a business card at the same time.
Am I eligible for the Bonvoy Bevy’s welcome offer?
Eligibility for the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy depends on which Marriott cards you have and when you opened them. You can use Amex’s “Apply With Confidence” tool to confirm your status before processing your application.
Can you transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to airlines?
Marriott Bonvoy has over 35 airline partners, including many not found with other programs. You can transfer points at a 3:1 ratio for almost every airline. You’ll also get a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points you transfer for many of these partners.
Can you use Marriott points to top off a free night award booking?
You can top off any Marriott free night award with up to 15,000 additional points. This allows you to book a property worth up to 65,000 points with your Bonvoy Bevy free night award.
