Earlier this month, I wrote about the limited time offers from American Express on their co-branded Hilton credit cards. You can earn a free night certificate and up to 175,000 points with these offers. However, these elevated offers are currently available on their personal credit cards. American Express is also offering an amazing welcome bonus on one of their co-branded business credit cards with Marriott. With this limited time offer, you can earn 5 free nights from a single credit card welcome bonus.
However, the qualification criteria for most Marriott credit cards isn’t that straightforward. After Marriott acquired Starwood, both Chase and Amex have shared the Marriott co-brand credit card portfolio. This has led to a complicated web of restrictions and rules when it comes to qualification criteria for welcome bonuses.
Also Read: Which credit card should you get next?
5 free nights offer: who qualifies and who doesn’t?
With this offer on the Marriott Bonvoy Business Card, you’ll earn a welcome bonus of 250,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. You’ll earn the welcome bonus after you spend $8,000 in the first 6 months of card membership. Once you meet the required minimum spend, you’ll earn 5 free night certificates, each worth up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points in redemption value.
Thankfully, Marriott Bonvoy allows you to top up to 15,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night. In essence, you can redeem this welcome bonus at properties that have rooms available at a nightly rate of up to a maximum of 65,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
Click here for the 5 free nights offer
Qualification Criteria
The Qualification criteria can be broken down into two buckets, based on your prior history with:
- Amex credit card products
- Chase credit card products
Amex Specific Restrictions
If your answer to any of these statements is YES, then you will not qualify for this welcome bonus.
- You currently have the Marriott Bonvoy Business card by American Express
- You’ve had the Starwood Preferred Guest Business Credit Card from American Express or previous versions of this card in the past
Chase Specific Restrictions
If your answer to any of these statements is YES, then you will not qualify for this welcome bonus. I call this the 30 day rule.
- You currently have, or have been approved in the last 30 days for any of these products: Marriott Bonvoy Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Rewards Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy Business Credit Card from Chase or the Marriott Rewards Business Credit Card from Chase
Then there’s the 90 day rule. If your answer YES to any of these statements, then you will not qualify for this welcome bonus.
- You currently have, or have been approved in the last 90 days for any of these products: Chase Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Credit Card, Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card or the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card
Last, but not least, we have the 24 months rule. If your answer YES to any of these statements, then you will not qualify for this welcome bonus.
- You’ve received a welcome bonus for any one of these products int he last 24 months: Chase Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Credit Card, Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card or the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card
The Pundit’s Mantra
As you can see, figuring out if you qualify for the 5 free nights offer can be a complex task. Firstly, start with your Amex credit card history. Secondly, look at your Chase credit card history, specifically focusing on which credit card welcome bonuses you’ve acquired the last 30 days, 90 days and 24 months.
If you’re eligible, then this is a fantastic welcome bonus. My most recent stay in the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio was at the magnificent Ritz Carlton Langkawi. Bear in mind that free night certificates expire one year after issuance. If you were to apply now and meet minimum spend in a span of 6 months, your free night certificate would be valid until December 2025, which would give you enough time to plan a trip.
Which is your favorite co-branded hotel card? Tell us in the comments section.
Apply Now for the 5 free nights offer
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