We have just returned from Scotland-a journey that walks epic in the highlands, duck food along Loch Ness and a fast stop in Glasgow, so that our daughter could ‘manifest’ her future university choice. We have covered almost 500 miles in a rental car, used our umbrellas exactly once and, thanks to some smart credit card benefits, we stayed in a number of very nice hotels without paying a penny when checking in.
One of the best kept secrets in Canadian travel rewards? A combination of two Marriott Bonvoy American Express cards – the personal card and the calling card. At the moment, both raised welcome bonuses to August 18.
The offers (and where the real value is)
Here is the breakdown:
Marriott Bonvoy American Express® Card (Personal)
- 110,000 Marriott Bonvoy points:
- 65,000 points after you spent $ 3,000 in the first 3 months
- 30,000 points after $ 20,000 total expenditure in the first 12 months
- 15,000 points with a purchase between months 15-17
- Annual reimbursement: $ 120
👉 View this offer
Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express® Card
- 130,000 Marriott Bonvoy points:
- 75,000 points after you spent $ 6,000 in the first 3 months
- 40,000 points after $ 30,000 total expenditure in the first 12 months
- 15,000 points with a purchase between months 15-17
- Annual reimbursement: $ 150
👉 View this offer
Here is my opinion: the First lump Of the bonus – the points you get in the first 3 months – is the Sweet Spot. The “plus” offers that $ 20k – $ 30k need? Not worth it unless you spend so much organic. Do not extend your budget to chase points.
How much are Bonvoy points worth?
A Marriott Bonvoy point is worth around 0.9 cents on average – maybe 1.0 to 1.2 cents if you are lucky.
Example: The Calgary Marriott in-Terminal Airport Hotel often counts up to $ 400 per night, or 40,000 points. That is a value of 1 ¢.
And here is a murderer Bonvoy perk for longer stay – book five consecutive nights with points and pay for only four.
The real reason why these cards remain in our wallet
Lindsay and I played this game for six+ year:
- We each have the personal and business Bonvoy cards.
- That is four Bonvoy cards in total for our household.
- We have never charged a dime to them after we have achieved the first expenses for the welcome bonus.
- We are happy to pay the annual costs ($ 120 personal, $ 150 company) every year.
Why? The Free Night Award.
Each card gives you a free night price every year, repayable at hotels that cost up to 35,000 points. That is the real value.
For the tip: Do not hold any additional (or marital) card on the same account – there is no value in it. Each of you should have your own account and card to take advantage of the bonus points and free night benefits.
Our example of 2025
This year’s free night certificates:
- Two nights In the Calgary Marriott in-Terminal Hotel before our flight to Cancun in February. $ 120 pay (personal ticket costs) for a room of $ 400? That is a no-brainer.
- Two nights At the AC Hotel Glasgow on our return, which also applies to ~ $ 400 CAD per night. Even paying the annual fee of $ 150 for the calling card, that is still $ 400 value for $ 150 outside the pocket.
That is $ 1,600 in hotels for $ 540 in annual costs.
The Platina Card Cherry on top
We also each have the American Express Platinum card, which gives free Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status. That means:
- Roomupgrades (if available)
- 25% bonus earned on points during stay
- Late checkout (depending on availability)
- Welcome gift from points
We have been Golden Elite for six years now and in Glasgow we were treated as royalties. In addition, the Airport Lounge access of the Platinum Card makes the Travel family much more flexible – we all come to almost every lounge without paying a cent.
And yes, the Platina card also has a raised welcome bonus until August 18 (180,000 membership remuneration points), but just like the Bonvoy cards, the real magic in the benefits is if you keep the year after year.
Last thoughts
If you even travel once a year, the Marriott Bonvoy American Express personal and business cards are worth keeping only the free night certificates. Stack them in a household with two players and you look at several free nights in beautiful hotels every year, without continuous expenditure requirements.
The current welcome bids now make the best time to jump in just not sucked into the extra expenditure. Earn the first bonus, keep the card for the annual certificate and view your travel budget thanks.
#credit #card #combination #slept