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If you’re considering opening a Marriott Bonvoy® credit card and wondering if now’s the time to do it -the honest answer is: it depends on the offer. Just what you were hoping to hear, right? Stick with me.

Marriott cards aren’t ones I typically recommend opening at the standard welcome offers. Why? Because it takes a lot of points to book an award night at Marriott properties. And obviously even more points to book a multi-night vacation.

But when the offers get elevated? That changes the conversation. Now you have a chance at earning a significant stash of points for those stays you’re eyeing.

Here’s how I typically think through it and what benchmarks I’d look for before recommending these cards.

Why I Only Open Marriott Cards At Elevated Offers

Marriott points can be valuable but they’re certainly not the most valuable currency out there. Like we said earlier, it takes a lot of points to redeem for award nights.

That means your welcome offers have to do the heavy lifting when it comes to earning points.

When welcome offers are elevated well above the standard bonus, you can build a meaningful stash of points much faster.

One more thing to know. Marriott card eligibility resets roughly every 24 months. And because both Chase and American Express issue Marriott cards, it’s worth making absolutely sure you qualify for a welcome offer before applying! Read the fine print carefully.

Four Marriott Cards Worth Watching

Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card

This is one of the cards I get most excited about when they do elevated offers. Sometimes you’ll see an elevated offer that will give you a huge chunk of points, and sometimes, you may see an offer that will give you free night awards. They are both great! The key is that you apply when there is a limited time offer!

Pro Tip #1: In general, keep in mind Free Night Awards expire 12 months after issuance.

Pro Tip #2: Marriott now allows a top off of an additional 25K points per night on top of Free Night Awards. If you have 50K Free Night Awards, for example, these awards can be used at properties up to 75K if you have the points necessary for topping off!

The business card also includes:

• 15 Elite Night Credits each year
• Gold Elite status with Marriott
• A 35,000-point Free Night Award each year after renewal

If you have a business or side hustle, this card can be a great way to earn Marriott stays faster.

Check out some favorite uses of Marriott 50K Free Night Awards.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (Chase)

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is Chase’s entry into the Marriott ecosystem. On the surface it looks like a fairly typical card. But there’s a reason I’m including it here. This card is your logical choice to upgrade to the Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card.

You can’t apply directly for the Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card. You have to hold a Chase Marriott card first and request a product change after the first year. That makes the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card an interesting play- especially if the offer is elevated.

Occasionally the offer will elevated – look for 3 Free Night Awards or 5 Free Night Awards or 100,000+ points – and this can become a strong card for a low annual fee.

What comes with the card:

• 1 Free Night Award each anniversary year (up to 35K points)
• 15 Elite Night credits each year
• Gold Elite Status with Marriott

On the Ritz Carlton upgrade: Once you’re ready (if you so choose) you can product change to the Ritz Carlton Card which comes with travel credits, lounge access, an 85K Marriott certificate and other hotel perks.

One more thing worth knowing. Chase and American Express Marriott cards operate under different eligibility rules. I’ve already said it, but I’ll say it again. Double and triple check that you’re eligible for the card you’re applying for.

So When Should You Apply?

This would be my personal framework:

• Bevy: Worth a look at 150,000+ points
• Brilliant: Worth a look at 150,000+ points (the annual perks need to pencil out too)
• Business: Worth a serious look any time you see 5 Free Night Awards — that’s the offer that gets me excited
• Boundless: Worth a look with Free Night Awards or 100,000+ points and/or if you need a pathway to the Ritz Carlton Card.

Standard offers on the cards? I’d probably wait. I’m not saying you SHOULDN’T open these cards at a standard offer. There are times when it can make sense. But for the vast majority of people, it’s probably worth waiting for elevated offers.

If you want to know more about the Marriott program, check out this Marriott Deep Dive.

Conclusion

Marriott Bonvoy has over 8,000 properties worldwide – from budget friendly hotels to luxury resorts. So the points have a real range. A solid welcome bonus can cover anything from a family vacation to a one night stay.

That said, always check eligibility before applying.

Marriott cards aren’t typically a year-round recommendation from me. But when the offers are elevated, they’re worth a look.

Bookmark this page. If you see an elevated offer on a Marriott card, you’ll know it’s time to take a second look!

-Jenn from Pointingthewaytomemories