Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Amex: Worth It?

Link: Apply now for the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card

Marriott Bonvoy has a beefy lineup of co-branded credit cards from both American Express and Chase. The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card is a newcomer in this lineup, sitting rather comfortably in the middle when it comes to annual fees.

Sure, the card has a tempting welcome offer, but let’s cut through the confetti and ponder the card’s real-world benefits. Also, fair warning: there’s a more appealing card out there for the masses.

The Fundamentals of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Card comes with a $250 annual fee. The benefits include:

• Marriott Bonvoy Gold status for as long as you’re flashing that card.
• 15 elite nights annually to help you nudge up towards Platinum, Titanium, or even Ambassador status.
• Spend $15,000 in a calendar year and snag an anniversary free night award at properties costing up to 50,000 points (top it off with up to 15,000 extra points, if needed).
• Earn 1,000 bonus points per paid Marriott stay with the card, alongside 6x points for the spend—making this a no-brainer for those hotel expenses.

If you’re a frequent Marriott adventurer dropping $15,000 in Marriott’s lap annually, this card isn’t too shabby. But hold on, there’s a catch…

Why the Bonvoy Brilliant Card is the Superior Choice

Some might argue that the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Card is a worthwhile investment. But, my contrarian soul suggests the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is the golden ticket for most folks.

Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the wallet—the $650 annual fee for the Bonvoy Brilliant Card. Yes, it’s painful, but let’s break down why it’s worth considering:

• The card grants immediate Marriott Bonvoy Platinum status.
• Come yearly, it offers 25 elite nights to inch you closer to Titanium or Ambassador status.
• No heavy lifting to get an anniversary free night that covers stays costing up to 85,000 points annually.
• Pocket up to $300 in restaurant credit yearly, dished out as a monthly $25 coupon valid worldwide.
• Global access to over 1,300 lounges with a Priority Pass membership.

One hitch for the Bonvoy Brilliant Card: If you do find yourself juggling Marriott credit cards, eligibility spiel can get convoluted. It might be wiser to snag the Bonvoy Bevy Card first, then ease into the lucrative hugs of the Bonvoy Brilliant Card.

Deciding Between These Magnets for Approval

Let’s weigh both sides objectively. There are situations where the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Card could be more digestible than the Bonvoy Brilliant Card. For a Marriott aficionado who’s a card-spending fiend dropping $15,000 annually, here’s why they might choose the Bevy Card over the Brilliant Card:

• If they’re naturally splurging $15,000 annually, the free night requirement isn’t a deal-breaker.
• The higher tier status isn’t particularly thrilling since they’re already scaling that elite mountain with hotel stays.
• Those 1,000 incremental Bonvoy bonus points per stay? They do stack nicely, considering the base 6x points for spending.

For the multitudes, though, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card seems to offer a richer spell than the Bonvoy Bevy Card. Let’s break it down:

• Consider the $300 restaurant credit virtually cash in hand. Chuck it to a Starbucks account monthly and watch those credits trigger. That pretty much lops the annual fee down to $350.
• A free night award worth up to 85,000 Bonvoy points lends access to luxe hotels and beyond. Imagine cashing in at the Ritz-Carlton Kyoto, where a stay could cost $2,000 per night.
• Don’t forget about the added perks like elite status and lounge access.

For those who are skeptical, dive headfirst and apply for the Bonvoy Brilliant Card with its tantalizing offer. It’s an experiment worth trying, and you can always downgrade after a year if the lavishness doesn’t suit you.

In Closing

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Card isn’t bad. For some, it does what it promises. But for most, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card stands out with its glimmering perks.

Yes, the annual fee is higher, but the Platinum status, 25 elite nights, free night options for properties up to 85,000 points, Priority Pass membership, and more make it a compelling creature for most. Add the sweeter welcome offer, and the superior choice is clear.

What are your thoughts on the value of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Card?