'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?
ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.
ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.
The best Marriott credit cards: Enjoy extra travel perks
When you are a road warrior, you need the right travel credit card to meet your commuter needs. Many different companies have stepped up to offer credit cards, but some of the best options for hotel credit cards are Marriott credit cards.
Marriott has co-branded several credit cards specifically intended for travel with exclusive programs designed to help save you money on the road, whether it is welcome rewards or free nights at a Marriott hotel. With more than 7,000 participating hotels and resorts, you have more than enough places to lay your head and enjoy the extra travel perks that your new card brings.
These are the best Marriott credit cards for 2023.
- 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
- 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
- 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
- 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
There are 6x points per dollar spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels with 4x points on U.S. gas stations, dining at restaurants worldwide, and U.S. shipping purchases, as well as your wireless phone service (purchased directly from U.S. service providers) when you pay your bill with your Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card. All other eligible purchases receive 2x points. For each anniversary, your account will receive a free night award. If you spend more than $60,000 in purchases annually, you could earn another free night valued at 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. Your points are redeemable at more than 7,000 participating hotels.
With the Marriott Bonvoy Air+Car Transfer Program, you can redeem your points for both flights and car rentals worldwide when you book with Marriott travel partners. With complimentary Gold Elite status, you can receive priority late checkout with 10% bonus points on stays. There are no foreign transaction fees for your global travels, but there is an annual fee of $125 you will need to pay each year.
Pros
- Extended rewards
- Anniversary night
- Marriott Bonvoy Elite status
Cons
- Annual fee applies
- Mediocre non-Marriott rewards
- Limited acceptance worldwide
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
- Earn 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Earn 5x total points on flights through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Earn 3x points on other travel and dining.
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Earn 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Earn 5x total points on flights through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Earn 3x points on other travel and dining.
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
With the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you get not only excellent travel perks but many other types of rewards, too, earning our pick for the best Marriott credit card for flexibility. Upon account opening, you will receive 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 or more in purchases within your first 3 months of having the card. There is also a $300 travel credit awarded in statement credits on your anniversary each year.
The travel benefits are fantastic after you spend your first $300 in annual purchases. You receive elevated rewards points when you use signature Chase services, like 5x points on flights and 10x points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase through Chase Ultimate Rewards. However, you still earn points when you purchase your travel through other channels, receiving 5x points on flights, 3x points on worldwide travel, and 3x on dining, including delivery and takeout where eligible. For all other purchases, there is 1 point per dollar awarded. If you redeem your points for Chase Ultimate Rewards, you can earn 50% more points in rotating categories, serving as an extra bonus under the Pay Yourself Back program.
Pros
- 10x hotel rewards points
- Intro rewards offer
- Annual travel credit
Cons
- High annual fee
- Annual fee per extra user
- Excellent credit required
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
How did we choose these credit cards?
With so many travel credit cards out there, we focused on what Marriott credit cards do best. The hotel conglomerate offers a series of credit cards, but it can quickly get confusing not only trying to tell them apart but also in trying to determine which card is best for you.
- Annual fee: Marriott credit card may assess a special fee for an annual membership. While some cards may offer $400 or more fees, others may not charge a fee at all, saving you extra cash each year.
- Travel: Marriott credit cards are most ideal for those who frequent Marriott properties. If you do not like to stay at Marriott hotels, this credit card is likely not a good option for you.
- Redemption: While some rewards are redeemable as cash, others may only be redeemable for travel or dining rewards. Be sure to check how you can redeem your rewards to ensure it works with your financial goals before signing up for a new Marriott credit card.
- Credit score: Like many other credit cards, Marriott travel credit cards have requirements regarding the type of credit you must have. For example, while the Chase Sapphire card requires excellent credit, making it harder to qualify, you only need good credit to qualify for the Marriott Bonvoy Bold card.
Take your time shopping and comparing credit cards to make sure you find the best fit for you.
Which is the right credit card for you?
Here are several options for Marriott credit cards, but each one has very different terms and rewards. It is important to understand these key details in order to find a card that works for your financial situation.
These are expert recommendations from the ZDNet editorial team to help you find the right credit card for you.
Choose this product... | When you... |
Chase Sapphire Reserve | Want to book any hotel |
Marriott Bonvoy Bold credit card | Don't want to tie up your money in annual fees |
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless credit card | Want extra intro rewards |
Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card | Need a card for corporate travel |
How does a Marriott credit card work?
A Marriott credit card is a special type of credit card that bears the Marriott brand and includes rewards or perks designed for frequent Marriott guests.
What is the Marriott Bonvoy program?
The Marriott Bonvoy program is Marriott's exclusive rewards program. When you use your Marriott credit card to earn points, you can redeem them at participating Marriott properties, like Sheraton and Renaissance hotels, as well as popular luxury brands like Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, and JW Marriott. credit cards from the Marriott Bonvoy program may also be eligible for other benefits like discounted rates, preferred late checkout, and free Wi-Fi.
What Marriott credit card is the best?
There are several different Marriott credit cards, each designed for a different purpose. To find the best Marriott credit card for you, consider your spending and travel habits to see which rewards program and financing will work best for your unique needs.
Are there alternative credit cards worth considering?
In searching for the best Marriott credit cards, we found a few cards that may also be worthy of your consideration.
Some other Marriott credit cards you may want to consider include these options.
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
While you are exploring your options for credit cards, check out our latest picks for the best small business credit cards, best crypto credit cards, and the most exclusive credit cards for 2022!