Amex vs Chase Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards: 2026 Compared

Marriott Bonvoy is the only major hotel program that sells credit cards through two different banks at the same time. American Express issues the premium and mid-tier cards, while Chase issues the everyday cards. That split confuses a lot of shoppers, so this amex marriott bonvoy vs chase marriott credit cards comparison lays out the real numbers side by side. If you want the full lineup first, our Marriott Bonvoy credit card guide walks through every tier.

The short version: Amex cards cost more and pile on travel perks, while Chase cards keep fees low and focus on free nights. Which one fits depends on how often you actually stay at Marriott properties. All figures below are as of June 2026, and terms can change, so confirm details on the issuer's page before you apply.

Marriott Bonvoy Cards at a Glance

Here is the full lineup side by side. The Amex Brilliant and Bevy sit on the premium and mid-tier side. The Chase Boundless and Bold cover the mid and entry tiers.

Welcome bonuses change often. The figures above reflect the live offers as of June 2026.

The Amex Side: Brilliant and Bevy

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant carries a $650 annual fee, the highest in the family. In return you get an annual Free Night Award worth up to 85,000 points, which can cover a genuinely nice property. Amex also adds up to $25 per month in dining statement credits and a Priority Pass lounge membership, perks that echo what the Amex Platinum offers at an even higher price.

The Bevy slots in the middle at a $250 annual fee. Its live welcome bonus of 175,000 points is large, but the card lacks a standard anniversary free night, which is the main reason frequent Marriott guests often skip it.

Both Amex cards charge no foreign transaction fee, so they travel well overseas. The catch is acceptance. Amex is taken at roughly 99% of US merchants that take cards, but its international acceptance still trails Visa by a wide margin, so some travelers carry a backup credit card for international travel on Visa or Mastercard.

If you carry a balance on a premium card, the rewards rarely outrun the interest. A no-frills cash-back option like the Aspire Mastercard can make more sense for everyday spending, since it offers up to 3% cash back and a credit line up to $1,000 without a steep annual fee.

The Chase Side: Boundless and Bold

Chase keeps things lean. The Boundless card costs $95 a year and hands you an annual Free Night Award worth up to 35,000 points. That is a smaller free night than the Brilliant gives, but the fee is about one-seventh the price, so the math works out well for casual guests. Chase travelers who also want flexible points often add a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred for transfers and dining rewards.

Starting June 4, 2026, the Boundless welcome offer is 125,000 points plus 1 Free Night after $3,000 in spending within three months. The Bold card charges no annual fee at all and offers 60,000 points after just $1,000 in spending.

Both Chase cards also waive foreign transaction fees, which puts them alongside the best credit cards with no foreign transaction fees for trips abroad. The Bold is the natural pick for someone who stays at Marriott only once or twice a year and does not want to pay for a card that sits in a drawer.

If you want to pay over time without the high interest of a rewards card, a buy-now-pay-later option like Perpay lets you spread purchases across your paychecks and reports to the bureaus, so you build credit while you pay.

Welcome Bonuses Compared

Welcome bonuses are where these cards swing the hardest. The Bevy's 175,000-point offer is the biggest raw number, but it requires $5,000 in spending and the card has no annual free night to keep value flowing in year two.

The Brilliant's tiered 150,000-point total comes with the richest ongoing perks but the steepest fee. The Boundless gives 125,000 points plus a free night for a much lower $3,000 spend bar. The Bold's 60,000 points after $1,000 is the easiest to earn for someone with a tight budget.

Point values vary, but Marriott points are commonly valued around 0.7 to 0.8 cents each. Run your own math against the annual fee before deciding which bonus is truly the best deal for you.

Free Night Awards and Ongoing Value

The anniversary free night is what separates a card worth keeping from one worth canceling. The Brilliant's up-to-85,000-point night can cover a high-end resort, which alone can justify a chunk of the $650 fee if you use it.

The Boundless gives an up-to-35,000-point night every year for $95. For most travelers, that night easily covers the annual fee at a mid-range Marriott. The Bevy and Bold do not include a standard anniversary night, so their long-term value rests mainly on points earning.

A free night is only valuable if you actually book it. If you travel once a year or less, the no-fee Bold or even no hotel card at all may serve you better.

Which Card Fits You

Pick the Brilliant if you stay at upscale Marriott properties several times a year and will use the lounge access, dining credits, and 85,000-point free night. The perks have to be used to beat the $650 fee. If you are weighing premium travel cards in general, our Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Amex Gold breakdown shows how the two issuers stack up.

Pick the Boundless if you want the best balance of cost and reward. A $95 fee for an annual free night plus a strong welcome bonus is the sweet spot for most Marriott guests. Pick the Bold if you stay rarely and refuse to pay an annual fee.

The Bevy makes sense mainly for the large welcome bonus in year one. Whatever you choose, these are credit cards built for people with good to excellent credit. If your score is still climbing, there are travel cards for fair credit that can get you started while you build.

For good-credit shoppers who also want to invest spare cash or earn on idle money, Robinhood Gold pairs a premium rewards lifestyle with brokerage and high-yield features in one app, which can complement a travel card nicely.

What Users Commonly Report

Many cardholders praise the Boundless as the best value for the money, pointing to the annual free night easily covering the $95 fee. Brilliant users frequently mention the lounge access and dining credits as worth it, but only if they travel enough to use them.

A common complaint about the premium Amex cards is that the high fee feels wasteful in years when travel drops off. Reviewers also note that Marriott point values have softened over time, so they recommend booking free nights at expensive properties to get the most value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have both an Amex and a Chase Marriott card?

Yes, many travelers hold one card from each bank to stack benefits and free nights. Be aware that Marriott limits which cards you can hold and which welcome bonuses you can earn, so check the current rules before applying for a second card.

Are Marriott points worth more through Amex or Chase?

The points are identical Marriott Bonvoy points no matter which card earns them. The value comes from how you redeem them, not which bank issued the card.

Do these cards charge foreign transaction fees?

No. The Brilliant, Bevy, Boundless, and Bold all charge $0 in foreign transaction fees as of June 2026, which makes any of them reasonable to use abroad.

What credit score do I need for a Marriott card?

These are rewards cards aimed at applicants with good to excellent credit, generally meaning a score in the upper 600s or higher. Approval also depends on income and existing accounts, and terms and conditions apply.