9 Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Benefits You Didn’t Know About
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Written by
Jason Steele
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Edited by
Emily Gadd
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Reviewed by
Jasmin Baron
The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card, with its $250 annual fee, is a popular mid-range hotel credit card that offers substantial benefits without venturing into the even more expensive, ultra-premium sector. This card provides considerable reward-earning potential, and its perks surpass those of many competing travel rewards cards.
1. Generous Welcome Offer
New cardholders can earn 155,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after spending $5,000 in purchases within the first six months of account opening.
This is a competitive offer, and the bonus points are enough for several nights at less-expensive Marriott properties, like Courtyard, Residence Inn and Springhill Suites. Or, you could redeem the points for a night or two at upscale brands, such as The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis or W Hotels.
2. Earn Points When You Spend on Hotels and Food
You’ll earn 6x points on eligible purchases from Marriott hotels, and 4x points at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases at restaurants and supermarkets per calendar year, then 2x points). You’ll also earn 2x points for every dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
3. Flexible Redemption Options
You can redeem points for award nights at Marriott properties, as well as for gift cards and donations. You can also transfer your points to nearly 40 different airlines. Some of these transfers can earn you very high rates of return per point redeemed.
For example, I’ve transferred 100,000 Marriott points to ANA Mileage Club to book round-trip business class tickets to Europe. Although Mileage Club is the frequent flyer program for All Nippon Airlines of Japan, it’s a part of the Star Alliance, which includes United Airlines, Air Canada and many other partners.
4. Marriott Gold Elite Status
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy cardholders receive complimentary Gold Elite status, which offers numerous benefits, including:
- 25% more points on room rates and other eligible hotel purchases
- Priority late checkout, as late as 2 p.m., subject to availability
- Room upgrades, subject to availability
I’ve had Marriott Gold Elite status for many years, and I frequently use the 2 p.m. late checkout to use my room as an office after morning meetings, before an afternoon departure. And as a parent, I’ve found it useful to have a place for my kids to take an afternoon nap before we head home.
5. 15 Elite Night Credits
Just having this card gives you 15 credits each year toward the next level of elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy program. At 50 credits, you’ll reach Platinum Elite. This status comes with 50% more points on your hotel purchases, enhanced room upgrades and lounge access at properties that have them.
6. 1,000 Bonus Points per Stay
Cardholders will earn an additional 1,000 bonus points per stay. This might not sound like much, but for frequent travelers, the bonus rewards can add up quickly.
7. Free Night Award
Cardholders can also earn a free night award worth up to 50,000 points (excluding hotels with resort fees) after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases with their card in a calendar year. And if the award night costs more than 50,000 points, you can use up to 15,000 additional points from your Bonvoy account to make up the difference.
These free night awards can be extremely valuable. I often use them when I’m looking for just one night, perhaps during a road trip or to book a final night by the airport at the end of a trip, when I have an early departure the next day.
8. Travel Insurance Benefits
Like most premium travel credit cards, the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Card comes with good travel insurance when you use your card to book your trip, including:
- Car rental loss and damage insurance: When you pay for your rental car with your card, and decline the agency’s optional insurance, you’re eligible for coverage against damage and theft. Just be sure to check the exclusions and restrictions, but I never rent a car without using a credit card that comes with this type of coverage.
- Baggage insurance plan: This can cover you if your bags are lost, damaged or stolen: Up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage, in excess of the coverage provided by a common carrier, such as an airline, train, ship or bus.
- Trip delay insurance: This coverage will reimburse you for expenses when your trip is delayed by at least 12 hours. The coverage is valid for up to $300 per trip, with a maximum of two claims per 12-month period. When your travel is delayed due to weather, mechanical, or other factors, it’s nice to know that you can simply check into a local hotel and get a good meal, without having to pay for it all out of pocket.
9. Shopping Benefits
The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card comes with two valuable shopping benefits:
- Purchase protection: This benefit covers eligible purchases against theft, loss and accidental damage for 90 days, with coverage of up to $10,000 per purchase, and up to $50,000 per calendar year.
- Extended warranty: This benefit can add one year to your purchase’s original manufacturer’s warranty of five years or less. I used this benefit once when I had an electronic device (a camera and light for my bicycle) that failed after a year and a half. The manufacturer only covered it for a year, but my credit card’s extended warranty policy gave me a full refund.
For the Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance on the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card, Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
For the Baggage Insurance Plan on the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card, Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Eligible Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a Common Carrier Vehicle ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible Account. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on Baggage and up to $500 for checked Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus). For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
For the Trip Delay Insurance on the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card, Up to $300 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 12 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
For the Purchase Protection on the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card, Purchase Protection is an embedded benefit of your Card Membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect Covered Purchases made on your Eligible Card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Coverage Limits Apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
For the Extended Warranty on the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card, When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase to an Eligible Card, Extended Warrantys can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Frequently Asked Questions About Amex Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Benefits
Is the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy worth it?
If you prefer to stay with Marriott and can maximize the card’s benefits to justify the annual fee, the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy might be worth it for you.
How much is the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Card annual fee?
The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy’s annual fee is $250.
Should I get the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless or Bevy?
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is a more affordable option for Marriott loyalists, with a $95 annual fee. It offers Silver Elite status, which is a tier lower than what the Bevy offers, but you’ll receive a free night award automatically after every account anniversary, worth up to 35,000 points (some hotels have resort fees). Depending on your spending habits and travel goals, this could be a better deal than the Bevy.
What credit score do you need for the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy?
You’re eligible to apply for the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy if you have a good credit score or higher. Note that Amex will consider other factors, such as other Marriott cards you have and your overall financial profile, when deciding whether or not to approve you.
