Marriott offers three main credit cards, each built for different travel patterns

Marriott has partnered with Chase to issue three cards: the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card, the Marriott Bonvoy Premier Plus Credit Card, and the Marriott Bonvoy Select Credit Card. Each one earns points on hotel stays and everyday purchases, but they differ in annual fees, sign-up bonuses, and the perks that come with membership. The card that makes sense for you depends on how often you stay at Marriott properties and whether the annual fee pays for itself through the benefits you'll actually use.

All three cards earn points in the Marriott Bonvoy program, which you can redeem for free nights, room upgrades, airline miles, or other travel rewards. The cards also come with elite status benefits that give you room upgrades, late checkout, and other perks at Marriott hotels. The main trade-off is between the annual fee and what you get back.

Key Takeaways

  • The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card costs $250 per year but includes a free night certificate worth up to 50,000 points and automatic elite status, making it best for frequent Marriott guests.
  • The Marriott Bonvoy Premier Plus card costs $95 per year and offers a lower annual fee with a modest sign-up bonus, suited for occasional hotel visitors.
  • The Marriott Bonvoy Select card has no annual fee and earns points on purchases, but carries no elite status or premium perks, making it the entry-level option.
  • All three cards earn the same base rate on Marriott stays and everyday spending, so your choice should focus on whether the annual fee's benefits outweigh the cost.
  • You can hold multiple Marriott cards at once, though most people benefit from choosing one based on their actual travel frequency.

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card: highest annual fee, most perks

The Brilliant card charges $250 per year. In return, you receive an annual free night certificate that can be used at most Marriott properties worldwide, though the certificate is capped at 50,000 Bonvoy points in value. You also get automatic Silver Elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy program, which means room upgrades when available, a 10% points bonus on all stays, and late checkout. The card also includes a $100 annual credit toward Marriott purchases, which can offset part of the annual fee if you use it on incidentals like resort fees or dining.

This card makes financial sense if you stay at Marriott properties at least once or twice per year and can use the free night certificate. If you stay at higher-category hotels (Category 6 and above), the free night certificate alone can be worth $200 to $400 per night, which easily covers the annual fee. The 10% points bonus on stays also adds up quickly for frequent travelers.

The Marriott Bonvoy Premier Plus card: moderate annual fee, moderate benefits

The Premier Plus card costs $95 per year and includes Gold Elite status in Marriott Bonvoy, which gives you a 10% points bonus on stays, room upgrades, and late checkout. Unlike the Brilliant card, there is no free night certificate included. The sign-up bonus is typically smaller than the Brilliant card's offer, though the exact bonus changes based on current promotions.

This card works well for people who stay at Marriott hotels a few times per year but do not stay frequently enough to justify the $250 annual fee of the Brilliant card. The Gold Elite status provides real value — the 10% points bonus on every stay means you earn points faster, and room upgrades can save you money on future trips. The lower annual fee makes it easier to break even if you take just two or three Marriott stays per year.

The Marriott Bonvoy Select card: no annual fee, basic rewards

The Select card has no annual fee and earns points on all purchases, but it does not come with elite status or premium perks. You earn the same base rate of points on Marriott stays as the other cards, but you miss out on the 10% elite bonus that comes with the Brilliant and Premier Plus cards. There is no free night certificate and no automatic status.

This card is designed for people who want to earn Marriott points without paying an annual fee. It makes sense if you rarely stay at Marriott hotels or if you want to hold a Marriott card primarily to earn points on everyday credit card spending. You can still earn elite status through stays alone, which means the card does not lock you out of benefits — you just have to earn them through your hotel visits rather than through the card itself.

How the cards compare on earning rates and sign-up bonuses

All three Marriott cards earn the same base rate: 2 points per dollar on Marriott stays and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. The difference is that the Brilliant and Premier Plus cards add a 10% elite bonus on top of your stay earnings, while the Select card does not. Over the course of a year, that 10% bonus can add up to thousands of extra points if you take multiple hotel stays.

Sign-up bonuses vary by card and change throughout the year based on Chase's promotions. The Brilliant card typically offers the largest sign-up bonus (often 75,000 to 100,000 points), the Premier Plus offers a moderate bonus (often 50,000 to 75,000 points), and the Select offers a smaller bonus (often 30,000 to 50,000 points). These bonuses are worth checking before you explore, since they can represent the equivalent of several free nights at mid-range hotels.

When the annual fee pays for itself

For the Brilliant card at $250 per year, the math is straightforward: the free night certificate is worth up to 50,000 points, and the $100 annual credit brings the true cost down to $150. If you take even one Marriott stay per year and earn the 10% elite bonus on that stay, you are likely coming out ahead. If you take two or more stays per year, the card almost certainly pays for itself.

For the Premier Plus card at $95 per year, you need to earn enough extra points through the 10% elite bonus to justify the fee. If you take two Marriott stays per year at an average of 10,000 points per stay, the 10% bonus gives you 2,000 extra points per year — which is worth roughly $20 to $30 in redemption value. That does not cover the $95 fee by itself, but combined with the sign-up bonus and the value of Gold Elite status (room upgrades, late checkout), it can make sense.

How to choose between the three cards

Start by counting how many nights you actually stay at Marriott properties per year. If you stay fewer than two nights per year, the Select card with no annual fee is the right choice — you get points without paying anything. If you stay two to four nights per year, the Premier Plus card's $95 annual fee is likely worth it for the Gold Elite status and the 10% bonus on your stays. If you stay more than four nights per year or regularly book higher-category hotels, the Brilliant card's $250 fee pays for itself through the free night certificate and elite benefits.

You should also consider whether you will use the perks that come with each card. The $100 annual credit on the Brilliant card only helps if you actually spend money at Marriott properties on things like dining or resort fees. The free night certificate only helps if you book hotels in categories where the certificate has real value. If you would not use these benefits, a lower-fee card might be the better choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold more than one Marriott credit card at the same time?

Yes, you can hold multiple Marriott cards simultaneously. Some people hold both the Brilliant and Select cards to earn the elite benefits from the Brilliant card while also earning points on everyday spending through the Select card. However, you would only receive one set of elite status benefits — the highest tier you hold.

Do I have to use the free night certificate every year on the Brilliant card?

No, the free night certificate does not expire within the same year, but it does expire after 12 months if you do not use it. You can carry it over to the next year if you renew your card, but you should plan to use it eventually or the benefit is wasted. Some people book a night in advance to make sure they use the certificate before it expires.

What happens to my elite status if I cancel the card?

Elite status that comes from the card ends when you cancel it. However, any elite status you have earned through actual hotel stays remains active. If you have taken enough Marriott stays to reach Gold Elite on your own, you will keep that status even after you close the card.

Are there other ways to earn Marriott Bonvoy points besides the credit card?

Yes. You earn points on every night you stay at a Marriott property, and the rate depends on your elite status and the room category. You can also earn points through airline partners, car rental partners, and dining programs. The credit card is one tool for earning points faster, but it is not the only way.

What is the difference between Marriott Bonvoy points and airline miles?

Marriott Bonvoy points are the currency of the Marriott hotel program and can be redeemed for free hotel nights or room upgrades. You can also transfer Bonvoy points to airline partners at a set exchange rate, though the value is usually better when you redeem points for hotels directly. Airline miles are earned through airline credit cards and loyalty programs and are redeemed for flights.