Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Review: Rewards and Perks May Not Be Worth the Annual Fee

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Benefits

Welcome Offer

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy’s welcome offer of 155,000 points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first six months of account opening could be worth over $1,000 depending on how and where you redeem your rewards.

Marriott Bonvoy doesn’t have a fixed award chart; instead, award nights are priced dynamically, fluctuating based on factors such as demand and time of year. Award prices at budget-friendly hotels such as Springhill Suites typically start around 10,000 points per night, but stays at luxurious brands like St. Regis and JW Marriott can cost 100,000 points or more.

Competitive Rewards

The card also offers strong earning rates in useful categories:

• Up to 18.5x points for qualifying hotel stays (6x points for using the card, 10x for being a Marriott Bonvoy member and 2x points for having Gold Elite status)
• 4x points at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets on up to $15,000 in combined purchases per year (2x points thereafter)
• 2x points on all other eligible purchases

I spend about $1,000 in groceries each month, and that coupled with the 6x points for hotel purchases is why I found the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy so attractive.

Complimentary Gold Elite Status

Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status normally requires at least 25 qualifying hotel stays during a calendar year, which could be difficult for cardholders who don’t travel an average of twice per month to achieve. However, the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy offers the status as a perk to cardholders.

With Gold Elite status, you’ll receive 25% bonus points on paid stays, room upgrades and 2 p.m. late checkout when available, and a welcome gift of points, among other benefits. Gold Elite is Marriott Bonvoy’s second-lowest elite tier, so you won’t get fancier perks such as free breakfast or executive lounge access.

Bonus Points for Qualified Hotel Stays

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy has a unique perk that could really boost your points earning if you stay with Marriott often. Cardholders earn 1,000 bonus points for every qualified hotel stay booked directly with Marriott at Marriott Bonvoy participating properties.

I traveled a lot over the summer and earned thousands of bonus points for qualified stays. At first, I thought a qualified stay was for each night, which meant if I stayed three nights somewhere, I’d earn 3,000 points. However, a stay is considered one night or more, so each time I stayed at a Marriott Bonvoy property, I earned 1,000 bonus points, which I am still happy with.

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Drawbacks

Hefty Annual Fee

The card has a considerable annual fee of $250, but whether it’s worth it depends on your goals. If your goal is to gain the complimentary Gold Elite Status without having to earn it through hotel stays, it could be worth it, since you’d otherwise need to accumulate at least 25 qualifying nights in a calendar year.

High Annual Spend To Earn a Free Night Award

Although some hotel credit cards offer an automatic annual free night award to cardholders, the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy does not. Instead, you’d have to spend at least $15,000 on eligible purchases each year to receive one free night award, which can be redeemed at Marriott Bonvoy properties that cost up to 50,000 points (some hotels have resort fees).

Other Marriott Cards Offer More Competitive Perks

If you’re a frequent Marriott guest, it’s worth considering other co-branded Marriott credit cards. Depending on your travel and spending habits, they could represent a better value than the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy, although there are some tradeoffs.

For example, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card charges a much more affordable $95 annual fee. While it only confers Silver Elite status, it offers a free night award worth up to 35,000 points each year after your account anniversary (some hotels have resort fees). While that’s a lower-value free night than what the Bevy offers, you don’t need to spend anything extra to earn it.

Similarly, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card comes with an anniversary free night award worth up to 85,000 points (some hotels have resort fees) and gives you Platinum Elite status. The annual fee is $650, but you’ll also get up to $300 in dining credits (up to $25 per month) each year, which can help justify the higher cost.

Who Is the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Best For?

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy is best for frequent Marriott guests who can maximize the card’s rewards and features. With complimentary Gold Elite status, each stay earns 25% more bonus points and comes with a host of other benefits, including complimentary high-speed in-room Wi-Fi and an ultimate reservation guarantee.

Additionally, the card offers 4x points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets, which can add up for those who can max out the $15,000 annual combined limit in these categories.

Is It the Right Card for You?

When deciding whether the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy is right for you, consider the following:

• Is the Gold Elite status with perks like 25% more bonus points per stay, room upgrades, late checkout and exclusive member rates worth paying a $250 annual fee?
• Is having to spend $15,000 annually to earn a free night award worth it?
• Would you make maximum use of the 4x points for up to $15,000 of combined restaurant and U.S. supermarket purchases, or do you prefer using a rewards credit card that gives you cash back or flexible points for these purchases?
• Would a different Marriott card be a better fit for your spending and travel needs?
• If Marriott-specific perks aren’t important to you, would a travel credit card that earns flexible points you can transfer to Marriott Bonvoy, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, make more sense?

Alternatives to the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy

Before choosing a hotel credit card, consider what these alternatives from other chains have to offer.

• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: This mid-tier Hilton credit card has a $150 annual fee and comes with similar perks to the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy. Cardholders receive automatic Hilton Honors Gold elite status, which comes with solid perks like free breakfast or a food and beverage credit at most Hilton hotels. Its earning rates are more competitive, offering 12x points at Hilton hotels and resorts, 6x points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations and U.S. supermarkets, 4x points on U.S. online retail purchases and 3x points everywhere else. You’ll have to spend $15,000 in a calendar year to unlock a free night reward, but once earned, you can redeem it at almost any Hilton hotel worldwide.
• The World of Hyatt Credit Card: Hyatt loyalists will appreciate this card’s affordable $95 annual fee and automatic Discoverist elite status, among other perks. While its earning rates appear inferior to those of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy, Hyatt points are much more valuable in part due to the chain’s reasonable award pricing. The card offers 4x points at Hyatt hotels, 2x points at restaurants, airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, local transit and commuting, and gym memberships. Cardholders also receive a free night at a Category 1 to 4 Hyatt hotel every year after their anniversary, and the opportunity to earn a second free night for spending $15,000 on the card in a calendar year.