American Express Marriott Bonvoy BUSINESS Card
Updated February 11, 2023.
The Facts
The Math
As Marriott points are normally valued at less than 1 cent per point (0.75 cpp in our book), this card is decent for general spending. Based on our value, this card returns 1.5% travel rewards and will be outshined by a 2% cashback from Capital One Spark Cash or Spark Miles. However, if you points valuation is higher or if you know how to maximize points value (especially when transferred to frequent flyer miles), you might still find this card better. In addition, 6x points at Marriott portfolio hotels may be another reason to spend on this card, because 4.5% travel rewards hold up well to the competition, especially considering the versatility and the large number of transfer partners of Marriott points.
Even if you don't plan to spend much on the card, you might still want to keep it after the first year thanks to the annual free night capped at 35,000 points level, as well as the 15 night credits towards elite status.
The Conclusion
The August 2018 revamp makes Amex SPG Business less attractive for general spending. We have only recommended the card for 6x bonus category and perhaps 4x categories spending, and the annual 35K-point free night makes it a keeper after the first year. With the 2019 rebranding and increase in annual fees, our recommendation remains the same.
The Facts
- Annual Fee: $125
- Signup Bonus: 75,000 points after you spend $3,000 within 3 months of new account opening. The bonus is not available if (i) you have or had Starwood Preferred Guest Business Card from American Express or this card before, (ii) you have or have had Marriott Bonvoy Business Card from Chase, Marriott Rewards Business Card from Chase, Marriott Bonvoy Premier Business Card from Chase or Marriott Rewards Premier Business Card from Chase in the last 30 days, (iii) you have or have had Marriott Bonvoy Premier from Chase, Marriott Rewards Premier Card from Chase, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless from Chase, or Marriott Rewards Premier Plus Card from Chase in the last 90 days, or (iv) you have received a signup bonus in the last 24 months on Marriott Bonvoy Premier from Chase, Marriott Rewards Premier Card from Chase, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless from Chase, or Marriott Rewards Premier Plus Card from Chase. Historical Best Bonus of this card: (1) 125,000 points + two 50K-point free nights in 2021; (2) Marriott Platinum for a year & 100,000 points + $150 advertising credits in late 2020; (3) 75,000 points + $150 in 2021; (4) 75,000 points in 2019 & 2020; (5) 35,000 Starpoints (=105,000 Marriott points) in 2016 and 2017.
- Application Landing Page
- Rewards: 6x Marriott portfolio hotels, 4x U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, U.S. wireless services, and U.S. shipping services, and 2x everywhere else.
- Best Use of Marriott Bonvoy points: (1) You may redeem points for hotel stays or upgrades at over 6,500 Marriott portfolio hotels worldwide, including Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, Luxury Collection, JW Marriott, EDITION, W Hotels, Marriott, Renaissance, Sheraton, Westin, Le Meridien, Delta, Gaylord, Autograph Collection, Tribute Portfolio, Design Hotels, Courtyard, Four Points, Fairfield, SpringHill Suites, AC Hotels, Protea, moxy, aloft, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, element, Marriott Executive Apartments, and Marriott Vacation Club. (2) You may transfer points into airline miles of 40+ frequent flyer programs, mostly at 3:1 ratio. If you transfer 60,000 points in a bulk you will get 5,000 miles as a bonus (60K points = 25 miles). Please see our review on Marriott vs. MR vs. UR vs. TY vs. CR for details of the programs that allow frequent flyer miles transfer. (3) You may also redeem points for Marriott Hotel+Air Travel Packages - you exchange a certain number of Marriott points for a certain number of frequent flyer miles plus a 7-night certificate for a Marriott portfolio hotel at a certain redemption level. Generally, the new Travel Packages represent devaluation from the old Travel Packages before August 2018 - you save some points when use this option, but in our opinion most of the time the saving is not big enough for the hassle of finding a single hotel to stay seven nights in a row.
- Marriott Benefits: (1) An annual free night at any Marriott portfolio hotels with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less upon each cardmember anniversary after you renew the card; the e-certificate expires 12 months after issuance; you might also top off the free night certificate with your own Marriott points, up to 15,000 additional points for a higher redemption level. (2) Complimentary Marriott Silver Elite status, the fourth tier status in the combined Marriott loyalty program effective August 2018, which doesn't offer much. (3) Upgrade to Marriott Gold Elite status, the third tier status, after you spend at least $35,000 in a calendar year. Marriott Gold, normally achieved by staying at least 25 nights per year, is still nothing much. (4) Annual 15 night credits toward elite status each calendar year. (5) Free premium internet access at Marriott portfolio hotels.
- Other Benefits: (1) Waived foreign transaction fees, with an embedded EMV chip. (2) Amex Offers - you receive savings in form of statement credit or earn bonus points on select merchants when using your Amex card; you need to manually add an offer to your Amex card to be eligible for savings or bonus, and unlike other savings/bonus programs, you don't need to shop through a certain portal. (3) ShopRunner membership for free 2-day shipping with select merchants. (4) Entertainment Access including American Express Presale, American Express Preferred Seating, and Premium Access (dining access). (5) Complimentary Boingo Wi-Fi plan.
- History: The old Amex SPG Business Card had been extremely popular among frequent travelers due to its generous rewards earning capability. With the final stage of merger between Marriott and SPG loyalty programs in August 2018, Amex revamped this card to align with Chase Marriott Premier Plus Visa with similar rewards and perks. Compared to the old card, the new card returns 33% less points for general spending, from 3x Marriott points to 2x, and gains useful features such as the annual 35K-point free night as a compensating act. In February 2019, with the new name for the combined program finally unveiled, Amex SPG Business Card was rebranded as Amex Marriott Bonvoy Business Card; the annual fee has been increased to $125 and NOT waived any more for the first year.
The Math
As Marriott points are normally valued at less than 1 cent per point (0.75 cpp in our book), this card is decent for general spending. Based on our value, this card returns 1.5% travel rewards and will be outshined by a 2% cashback from Capital One Spark Cash or Spark Miles. However, if you points valuation is higher or if you know how to maximize points value (especially when transferred to frequent flyer miles), you might still find this card better. In addition, 6x points at Marriott portfolio hotels may be another reason to spend on this card, because 4.5% travel rewards hold up well to the competition, especially considering the versatility and the large number of transfer partners of Marriott points.
Even if you don't plan to spend much on the card, you might still want to keep it after the first year thanks to the annual free night capped at 35,000 points level, as well as the 15 night credits towards elite status.
The Conclusion
The August 2018 revamp makes Amex SPG Business less attractive for general spending. We have only recommended the card for 6x bonus category and perhaps 4x categories spending, and the annual 35K-point free night makes it a keeper after the first year. With the 2019 rebranding and increase in annual fees, our recommendation remains the same.