Best time to apply for Marriott cards based on offer history

Marriott’s is the world’s largest hotel chain, with over 9,000 properties in 144 countries spread across 35-plus brands. Like most hotel chains, Marriott offers an extensive family of cobranded credit cards. These credit cards come from two issuers, American Express and Chase, with options ranging from no-annual-fee, entry-level cards to premium cards and a business …

Apr 14, 2025 - 15:12
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Best time to apply for Marriott cards based on offer history

Marriott’s is the world’s largest hotel chain, with over 9,000 properties in 144 countries spread across 35-plus brands. Like most hotel chains, Marriott offers an extensive family of cobranded credit cards. These credit cards come from two issuers, American Express and Chase, with options ranging from no-annual-fee, entry-level cards to premium cards and a business offering.

Here are some of the most popular Marriott credit cards available to new applicants, a snapshot of each one’s welcome offer ranges and some guidance on when the best time to apply for each is.

Note: We will only discuss publicly available welcome offers. However, you might receive targeted offers with more bonus points or cash back. Keep in mind that offers may change at any time, and some of the offers mentioned below may not be available at this time.

Best Marriott welcome offers

Card Best welcome offer we’ve seen When to apply
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card 150,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in the first three months of card membership, plus 50,000 bonus points after staying six eligible paid nights at Marriott hotels If the offer is over 100,000 points or three or more free nights
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card

 

125,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first three months of card membership, plus 50,000 bonus points after staying six eligible paid nights at Marriott hotels If the offer is over 85,000 points
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card Five free night awards, worth up to 50,000 points apiece, after spending $8,000 in the first six months of card membership If the offer is over 100,000 points or three or more free nights
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card Five free night awards, worth up to 50,000 points apiece, after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening If the offer is more than three free night awards or at least 125,000 bonus points
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card Up to 100,000 bonus points: 50,000 points after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months, plus another 50,000 bonus points after staying six eligible paid nights at Marriott hotels If the offer is more than 60,000 points

Related: Best welcome offers of the month

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card

Marriott’s most premium card, the Bonvoy Brilliant, has a $650 annual fee (see rates and fees) and earns 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, 3 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly and 2 points per dollar spent on all other purchases.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American ExpressTHE POINTS GUY
The Brilliant offers benefits like automatic Platinum Elite status, an annual 85,000-point free night award each year after renewal (certain hotels have resort fees; terms apply) and various travel protections in case something goes awry during your travels.

Here are the offers we have seen on the Bonvoy Brilliant:

Approximate date Offer Value*
March 2025 to now Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. $1,295
October 2024 to March 2025 Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership. $665
August 2024 to October 2024 Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership. $1,295
May 2024 to August 2024 Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership. $665
February 2024 to May 2024 Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership. $1,295
November 2023 to February 2024 Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership. $665
September 2023 to November 2023 Earn two free night awards worth up to 85,000 points apiece after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the card in your first six months. Certain hotels have resort fees. Up to $1,190
August 2023 to September 2023 Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership. $665
June 2023 to August 2023 Earn 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership. Plus, earn 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you stay six eligible paid nights at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Up to $1,400
January 2023 to June 2023 Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership. $665
September 2022 to January 2023 Earn 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $5,000 in purchases on the card within the first three months. $1,050
May 2022 to September 2022 Earn 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $3,000 in purchases on the card within the first three months. $525
April 2022 to May 2022 Earn 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points and one free night award after you use your new card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first six months. $700 (value could be more depending on how you use the free night award)

 

*Bonus offer value is based on TPG’s April 2025 valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.

When to apply for this card: If the offer is over 100,000 points or three or more free nights.

To learn more, read our full Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant review.


Learn more: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card


Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card

The Bonvoy Bevy is a mid-tier credit card that earns 6 points per dollar spent on Marriott hotels. It has a bevy of benefits and a $250 annual fee (see rates and fees).

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express
THE POINTS GUY

The Bevy comes with perks like automatic Gold Elite status (terms apply), elite night credits and modest travel protections.

Here are the offers we have seen on the Bonvoy Bevy:

Approximate date Offer Value*
March 2025 to now Earn 155,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. $1,085
October 2024 to March 2025 Earn 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. $595
August 2024 to October 2024 Earn 155,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. $1,085
May 2024 to August 2024 Earn 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. $595
February 2024 to May 2024 Earn 155,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. $1,085
November 2023 to February 2024 Earn 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. $595
September 2023 to November 2023 Earn 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after using your card to make $5,000 in eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership. $875
August 2023 to September 2023 Earn 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. $595
June 2023 to August 2023 Earn 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership. Plus, earn 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you stay six eligible paid nights at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. $875
January 2023 to June 2023 Earn 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. $595
September 2022 to January 2023 Earn 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after using your card to make $5,000 in eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership. $875

*Bonus offer value is based on TPG’s April 2025 valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.

When to apply for this card: If the offer is 85,000 points or higher.

To learn more, read our full review of the Bonvoy Bevy.


Learn more: Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card


Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card

Small-business owners who frequently stay at Marriott’s properties will find plenty to like about the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express. The card comes with a $125 annual fee (see rates and fees) but has many perks that can help justify this fee.

THE POINTS GUY

This card offers a free night award of up to 35,000 points (resort fees may apply), elite night credits and solid earnings on Marriott stays.

Here are the offers we have have seen on the Bonvoy Business:

Approximate date Offer Value*
February 2025 to now Earn three bonus free night awards after you use your new card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership. The redemption level is up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for each bonus free night award at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Certain hotels have resort fees. Up to $1,050
February 2025 to March 2025 Earn 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership. $875
October 2024 to February 2025 Earn three free night awards after you use your new card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership. The redemption level is up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for each bonus free night award at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Certain hotels have resort fees. Up to $1,050
September 2024 to October 2024 Earn five free night awards after you use your new card to make $8,000 in eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership. The redemption level is up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for each bonus free night award at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Certain hotels have resort fees. Up to $1,750
July 2024 to September 2024 Earn three free night awards after you use your new card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership. The redemption level is up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for each bonus free night award at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Certain hotels have resort fees. Up to $1,050
May 2024 to July 2024 Earn five free night awards after you use your new card to make $8,000 in eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership. The redemption level is up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for each bonus free night award at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Certain hotels have resort fees. Up to $1,750
March 2024 to May 2024 Earn three free night awards after you use your new card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership. The redemption level is up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for each bonus free night award at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Certain hotels have resort fees. Up to $1,050
February 2024 to March 2024 Earn five free night awards after you use your new card to make $8,000 in eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership. The redemption level is up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for each bonus free night award at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Certain hotels have resort fees. Up to $1,750
November 2023 to February 2024 Earn three free night awards after you use your new card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership. The redemption level is up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for each bonus free night award at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Certain hotels have resort fees. Up to $1,050
September 2023 to November 2023 Earn 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $8,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership. $875
August 2023 to September 2023 Earn three bonus free night awards after you use your new card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership. The redemption level is up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for each bonus free night award at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Certain hotels have resort fees. Up to $1,050
May 2023 to August 2023 Earn 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $3,000 in eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership. $525
March 2023 to May 2023 Earn 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first three months of card membership. $875
November 2022 to March 2023 Earn 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $3,000 in eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership. $525
Late September 2022 to November 2022 Earn 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases on your new card in your first three months of card membership. $700
September 2022 Earn 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $3,000 in eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership. $525
July 2022 to August 2022 Earn 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership. $875
May 2022 to July 2022 Earn 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $3,000 in eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership. $525
April 2022 to May 2022 Earn 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $5,000 in eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership. $700

*Bonus offer value is based on TPG’s April 2025 valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.

When to apply for this card: If the offer is over 100,000 points or three or more free nights.

To learn more, read our full review of the Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex.


Learn more: Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card


Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless is a mid-tier option from Chase with a $95 annual fee. It earns 6 points per dollar spent at Marriott properties.

THE POINTS GUY

The Boundless card also comes with many premiumlike benefits, including an up to 35,000-point anniversary free night award, automatic Silver Elite status and elite night credits.

Here are the offers we’ve seen over the past few years:

Approximate date Offer Value*
April 2025 to now Earn three free nights after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Each night is valued at up to 50,000 points; certain hotels may have resort fees. Plus, earn 50,000 points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months from account opening. Up to $1,400
March 2025 to April 2025 Earn three free night awards after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Each night is valued at up to 50,000 points; certain hotels may have resort fees. Up to $1,050
January 2025 to March 2025 Earn a $150 statement credit after making your first purchase in the first 12 months, plus earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Up to $1,000
November 2024 to January 2025 Earn three free night awards after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Each night is valued at up to 50,000 points; certain hotels may have resort fees. Up to $1,050
September 2024 to November 2024 Earn 125,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. $875
March 2024 to September 2024 Earn three free night awards (each night is valued at up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. Certain hotels have resort fees. Up to $1,050
January 2024 to March 2024 Earn five free night awards (each night is valued at up to 50,000 points) after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. Up to $1,750
August 2023 to January 2024 Earn three free night awards (each night is valued at up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Up to $1,050
June 2023 to August 2023 Earn 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months. Plus, earn 50,000 bonus points after staying six eligible paid nights at Marriott hotels. Up to $875
May 2023 to June 2023 Earn three free night awards (each night is valued at up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Certain hotels have resort fees. Up to $1,050
April 2023 to May 2023 Earn five free night awards (each night is valued at up to 50,000 points) after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Certain hotels have resort fees. Up to $1,750
October 2022 to April 2023 Earn three free night awards (each night is valued at up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Certain hotels have resort fees. Up to $1,050
September 2022 to October 2022 Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. $700
July 2022 to September 2022 Earn three free night awards (each night is valued at up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Up to $1,050
July 2022 Earn five free night awards (each night is valued at up to 50,000 points) after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Up to $1,750

*Bonus offer value is based on TPG’s April 2025 valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.

When to apply for this card: If the offer is more than three free night awards or at least 125,000 bonus points.

To learn more, read our full review of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless.


Learn more: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card


Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card

The no-annual-fee Marriott Bonvoy Bold from Chase is an entry-level Marriott credit card. It offers modest benefits and elitelike perks for those who don’t stay at Marriott properties frequently.

THE POINTS GUY

The Bold offers automatic Silver Elite status, elite night credits and modest travel protections.

Here are the offers we have seen on the Bold card:

Approximate date Offer Value*
March 2025 to now Earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. $210
January 2025 to March 2025 Earn 60,000 bonus points plus one free night award (valued at up to 50,000 points) after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Certain hotels have resort fees. Up to $770
November 2024 to January 2025 Earn 30,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after using the card to spend $1,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months from account opening. $210
July 2024 to November 2024 Earn 60,000 bonus points plus one free night award (valued at up to 50,000 points) after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Certain hotels have resort fees. Up to $770
August 2023 to July 2024 Earn 30,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after using the card to spend $1,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months from account opening. $210
June 2023 to August 2023 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months from account opening; plus, earn 50,000 bonus points after staying six eligible paid nights at Marriott hotels. Up to $700
September 2022 to June 2023 Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months from account opening. $420

*Bonus offer value is based on TPG’s April 2025 valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.

When to apply for this card: If the offer is more than 60,000 points.

To learn more, read our full review of the Marriott Bonvoy Bold.


Learn more: Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card


Application restrictions

Before applying for one of these Marriott credit cards, it’s imperative to make sure you’re eligible for the welcome offer.

The Marriott American Express cards only allow you to earn one bonus for each of their cards once in a lifetime, and they have strict rules, so you may not be eligible for some cards’ welcome bonuses.

Additionally, Marriott has extra rules on welcome bonus eligibility if you have previously held other Marriott or former Starwood Preferred Guest credit cards. You can use this eligibility table to see if you are eligible for a welcome bonus.

On the Marriott Chase cobranded cards side, you are subject to the 5/24 rule, which means you can’t have opened five or more personal credit cards across all banks in the past 24 months. This rule is in addition to the Marriott application rules if you have previously held another Marriott or former SPG credit card.

Related: Want to open a new Chase card? Here’s how to calculate your 5/24 standing

Bottom line

Using the data and offer history above can help you time applications and potentially net you many more Bonvoy points. The historical data shows that during certain months, welcome offers tend to be higher than other months year over year.

Lastly, with this offer history, you have a baseline and threshold on the bare minimum welcome offer you should apply for. If it is higher than that threshold, that would be considered a good time to apply for a Marriott card.

Related: Best Marriott credit cards

For rates and fees for the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy, click here.
For rates and fees for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant, click here.
For rates and fees for the Marriott Bonvoy Business, click here.