Marriott Bonvoy Amex Cards May Be Getting a Big Bonus Bump – Here's What We Know

If you've been sitting on the fence about picking up a Marriott Bonvoy American Express card, now might be the time to start paying attention. Word on the street — and by that I mean a test link on Amex's own site — suggests that the welcome offers on three popular Marriott cards could be getting a serious upgrade. Let's break down what's being whispered and what it could mean for your wallet.

What's the Buzz About?

American Express has a habit of testing new offers on a behind-the-scenes URL before they go public. A recent sighting on one of those test pages hints at significantly higher sign-up bonuses for three Marriott Bonvoy cards. While nothing is official yet, these kinds of previews often turn into real deals within a few weeks.

If the rumors hold true, we're looking at some of the best offers we've seen on these cards in a while.

The Three Cards and Their Potential Bonuses

Here's a quick rundown of what's being floated for each card. Remember, these are not yet confirmed, so take them with a grain of salt — but also keep your wallet ready.

• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy: 175,000 points after you spend $5,000 in the first six months. That's a solid haul for a mid-tier card with an annual fee that's usually under $300.
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant: 200,000 points after $6,000 in six months. This is the premium card, so expect a higher annual fee (around $650), but the bonus alone could cover several nights at a nice property.
• Marriott Bonvoy Business: Up to five free night certificates. You get three after spending $6,000 in six months, and an extra two after spending an additional $3,000 (so $9,000 total). Each certificate is good for a room costing up to 50,000 points per night.

Why These Bonuses Matter

Marriott points are worth roughly 0.7 to 1 cent each depending on how you use them, but free night certificates can be even more valuable if you book at top-tier properties. The Brilliant's 200,000 points, for example, could easily translate into $1,400 to $2,000 in hotel value. The Business card's five free nights at 50,000 points each could be worth $1,500 or more if you use them at a Category 5 or 6 hotel.

These offers also come with the usual Amex perks like purchase protection, travel insurance, and — on the Brilliant — automatic Marriott Gold status and a $300 annual dining credit.

Things to Watch Out For

First, these offers are still in rumor territory. Don't apply expecting the higher bonus until you see it live on the official Amex site. Second, the spending requirements are no joke — $5,000 to $9,000 in six months means you need a plan to hit those targets without overspending. Finally, remember that Amex has once-per-lifetime rules for sign-up bonuses on most cards, so if you've had a Marriott Bonvoy Amex before, you may not qualify.

Also, the free night certificates on the Business card have an expiration date (usually one year from issuance), so don't let them sit unused.

Bottom Line

• Rumored bonuses are significantly higher than current standard offers.
• Bevy: 175k points / $5k spend; Brilliant: 200k points / $6k spend; Business: up to 5 free nights / $9k spend.
• Free night certificates are valid at properties up to 50,000 points per night.
• Offers not yet live — check Amex site or set a reminder to verify.
• Plan your spending to meet requirements without going into debt.

Common Questions