American Express is issuing two of the three new cards on the Marriott Bonvoy platform. They’ve turned the Starwood Luxury card into the Bonvoy Brilliant, and the Starwood Business card is now the Bonvoy Business card. (Ok, at least the name isn’t so bad…)
The Bonvoy Business Card American Express Card will be replacing the former Starwood Preferred Guest Business Card from American Express. Here are the stats:
- $125 annual fee (BUT if you apply before March 28th, you’ll have a $0 annual fee, and then $95 each year after.
- 6x Marriott Bonvoy points on participating Bonvoy hotel stays, 4x on US restaurants/gas stations/wireless services/shipping, 2x everything else
- 15 Elite night credit annually as long as you hold the card (does not stack with other SPG/Marriott card elite credits)
- Silver Elite status
- Earn Gold Elite status with $30,000 or more in purchases in a calendar year
- Free hotel night each year after renewal, up to 35,000 points
- An additional free night, up to 35,000 points, after spending $60,000 on the card in a calendar year
As you can see, not a whole lot has changed. They’ve added the ability to earn a second free night at $60,000 in annual spend on the card. For a lot of people, this is a mediocre benefit at best, especially as Marriott continues to increase award rates at their hotels.
The annual fee is now $125 (an increase of $26 dollars, previously the card had a fee of $99). But wait! If you apply the card prior to March 28th, American Express will give you the old annual fee: $0 the first year, and the $95 after that. I’m not quite sure if the $125 fee will be waived the first year, but we’ll find out on March 29th. Good thing I closed my business card before the change!
Image courtesy of American Express
Should you sign up for the Bonvoy Business American Express Card?
For a lot of business owners, $60,000 in spend won’t be an issue. But just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. I mean, at least you’ll get Bonvoy Gold Elite status too! $60,000 is a lot of spend, and I’d argue that there are much better business cards out there for it.
(SEE ALSO – 5 New Designs for the Marriott Bonvoy Cards!)
If you’re going to open this card, I tell you what – open it before March 28th, 2019, to make sure you get the $0 annual fee (and $95 annual fee after that, should you decide to keep it). Snag your welcome offer, and then see where it takes you. If you end up needing the card for a lot of spending, and are loyal to the Bonvoy brand (or former Starwood brand) than it may make sense to keep. One nice thing is that APPLYING for the card will not count towards your Chase 5/24 status.
(SEE ALSO: The 2 types of cards not subject to 5/24)
Don’t forget, the welcome offer terms are strict on this one:
Welcome offer not available to applicants who (i) have or have had the Marriott BonvoyTM Premier Business from Chase, the Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase, or the Marriott Bonvoy BusinessTM from Chase, or the Marriott Rewards Business Credit Card from Chase in the last 30 days, (ii) have acquired the Marriott Bonvoy BoundlessTM from Chase, the Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott BonvoyTM Premier from Chase or the Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card from Chase in the last 90 days, or (iii) received a new cardmember bonus in the last 24 months on the Marriott Bonvoy BoundlessTM from Chase, the Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott BonvoyTM Premier Plus from Chase or the Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card from Chase.
If you’re looking to apply for the Bonvoy Business Card American Express Card, you can find the link here; I may receive a commission if you apply through our link.
Me? I’m shifting most of my spend to a Hilton Business card, and the all powerful AmEx Blue Business Plus. What about you?