# Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card: Complete Canadian Review (2026) {{< disclaimer type="finance" >}} > All figures are in CAD unless noted. Data based on American Express Canada published terms, NerdWallet Canada, Prince of Travel, and Milesopedia as of May 2026. Always verify current terms directly with American Express before applying. --- ## 1. Summary The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card is Canada's strongest hotel co-branded card for Marriott loyalists, offering a $120 annual fee that is more than offset by the annual Free Night Award (worth up to 35,000 points), automatic Silver Elite status, and 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year. The card earns 5 points per dollar on Marriott purchases and 2 points per dollar on everything else — a straightforward earn structure that makes this an excellent default card for anyone who stays at Marriott properties regularly. The absence of travel medical and trip cancellation insurance is a meaningful gap, but the rental car coverage, purchase protection, and hotel-specific benefits create a compelling value proposition for hotel-focused travellers. --- ## 2. Fees & Costs | Fee | Amount | |---|---| | Annual fee — primary | **$120 / year** | | Annual fee — supplementary cards | **Free** (no annual fee) | | Foreign transaction fee | **2.5%** | | Purchase APR | Not published — verify with American Express | | Cash advance APR | Not published — verify with American Express | | Funds advance fee | Not published — verify with American Express | | Balance transfer | Not available | | Late payment fee | Not published — verify with American Express | | Over-limit fee | Not published — verify with American Express | | NSF / returned payment fee | Not published — verify with American Express | | Paper statement fee | Not published — verify with American Express | | Replacement card fee | Not published — verify with American Express | | **Effective net cost after credits** | **Negative value** (Free Night Award worth ~$266 at 0.76¢/pt more than offsets $120 fee) | > **No-fee additional cards are a genuine advantage.** Many premium cards charge $199 or more per supplementary card. The Marriott Bonvoy card allows you to add partners or family members at no cost, spreading the elite night credits and earning potential across household spend. **The Free Night Award makes the effective fee negative.** At NerdWallet's 0.76¢/point valuation for Marriott stays, the 35,000-point annual free night is worth approximately $266 in redemption value. Subtract the $120 annual fee, and you're ahead by ~$146 before accounting for any points earned on spend. This is one of the few cards where the annual benefit mathematically exceeds the annual fee in the first year of renewal. --- ## 3. Earn Rate — Marriott Bonvoy Points | Category | Earn Rate | |---|---| | Hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® | **5 pts / $1** | | All other purchases | **2 pts / $1** | **Currency context:** This card earns Marriott Bonvoy points directly — the currency of Marriott's 7,000+ hotel portfolio worldwide. Unlike Membership Rewards (Amex Platinum) or Aeroplan (Amex Aeroplan Reserve), Bonvoy points are hotel-first but have meaningful transfer flexibility to airline partners at a 3:1 ratio (United MileagePlus is the exception at 60,000:25,000, a better rate). Annual cap on bonus categories: not published — verify with American Express. No rotating quarterly categories. **Notable gap:** No bonus multiplier for gas, groceries, or transit — all earn at the 2x base rate. Category-focused cards like the Amex Cobalt (5x groceries, 3x transit) or TD Aeroplan Infinite Privilege (1.5x gas/groceries/transit) will outpace this card on everyday Canadian spend if your primary goal is not hotel redemptions. **Redemption options:** Free night awards at Marriott properties (no blackout dates), points + cash redemptions, airline transfers (3:1 to most programs, better for United), experiences through Marriott Bonvoy Moments, and merchandise. The highest-value path for most Canadian cardholders is free night redemptions at mid-tier to luxury properties. **Point value:** NerdWallet Canada estimates Marriott Bonvoy points at approximately **0.76¢/point** on average for hotel stays (0.69¢ at 15-day advance booking, 0.80¢ at 60-day advance, 0.91¢ at four-month advance). Transfer to airlines can push value higher in specific redemptions, but the hotel redemption baseline is the most reliable benchmark. --- ## 4. Welcome Offer & Ongoing Bonuses | Tier | Points | Requirement | |---|---|---| | Spending bonus | 60,000 Bonvoy pts | $3,000 spent within **first 3 months** | | Anniversary bonus | 10,000 Bonvoy pts | $500 spent in **month 13** | | **Total** | **Up to 70,000 Bonvoy pts** | | - At 0.76¢/pt: ~$532 in hotel value. At 0.91¢/pt (four-month advance booking): ~$637. - Month 13 is a specific month, not a window — set a calendar reminder. - Verify current eligibility restrictions at [americanexpress.com/en-ca/credit-cards/marriott-bonvoy-card/](https://www.americanexpress.com/en-ca/credit-cards/marriott-bonvoy-card/). - **Referral program:** Apply via referral link — verify current terms with American Express. **The anniversary Free Night Award is the real ongoing value.** Every year after your first card anniversary, you receive a Free Night Award worth up to 35,000 points at eligible hotels and resorts worldwide. This can be topped up with up to 15,000 additional points if you want to redeem at a higher-category property. This recurring benefit alone justifies keeping the card long-term, regardless of the welcome bonus. --- ## 5. Statement Credits The Marriott Bonvoy card has **no recurring annual statement credits** to offset the fee. | Credit | Amount | Frequency | Conditions | |---|---|---|---| | Travel / airline credits | None | — | — | | Dining / hotel / streaming | None | — | — | | NEXUS / Global Entry | None | — | — | The value case rests entirely on the Free Night Award, elite status credits, and earn rate — not credit offsets. This is structurally different from the Amex Platinum, which leans heavily on statement credits to justify its fee. --- ## 6. Travel & Lifestyle Benefits ### Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status & Benefits **Automatic Silver Elite Status:** - Complimentary room upgrades (when available) - 10% bonus points on eligible stays - Priority late checkout (4pm) - Member-only rates **15 Elite Night Credits Each Calendar Year:** - Applied automatically to your Marriott Bonvoy account - Can be combined with paid stays to reach higher elite tiers - Fast-track to Gold Elite status **Automatic Upgrade to Gold Elite Status:** - Triggered when you reach **$30,000 in annual purchases** on the card, OR - When you combine **10 qualifying paid nights** with the 15 Elite Night Credits from your card - Gold Elite benefits: 25% bonus points on eligible stays, enhanced room upgrades, welcome amenity at select properties, 4pm late checkout guaranteed **Annual Free Night Award (Year 2+):** - Worth up to **35,000 points** at eligible hotels and resorts worldwide - Can be topped up with up to 15,000 additional points for higher-category properties - No blackout dates - Awarded after each card anniversary > **Personal experience:** The Free Night Award delivers genuine value. I used my annual certificate to stay free at the Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel, and on another occasion at the Four Points by Sheraton across the street. Both properties are conveniently located for airport connections, and the certificate covered the full room rate — a tangible demonstration of the card's value beyond points accumulation. ### Other Perks & Lifestyle Benefits **No-fee additional cards:** Add supplementary cards at no annual cost — ideal for sharing elite night credits and earning potential with a partner or family member. **Amex Offers:** Rotating targeted statement credit offers on participating merchants — value varies; additional savings for engaged cardmembers. **Amex Experiences™:** Presale and reserved tickets to concerts, theatre, special events; VIP dining experiences; advance film screenings. **Global Dining Collection:** Reserved tables at participating restaurants through Amex concierge. --- ## 7. Insurance Coverage | Coverage | Limit | Notes | |---|---|---| | Travel medical | **Not covered** | Zero coverage — standalone policy required | | Trip cancellation | **Not covered** | Zero coverage | | Trip interruption | **Not covered** | Zero coverage | | Flight delay (>4 hours) | Up to **$500** (combined with baggage delay) | Reasonable accommodations, restaurant expenses, essential items within 48 hours | | Baggage delay (>6 hours) | Up to **$500** (combined with flight delay) | Emergency purchases within four days of arrival | | Lost or stolen baggage | Up to **$500 per trip** (all insured combined) | Checked or carry-on baggage and personal effects in transit | | Hotel burglary | Up to **$500** | Personal items (excluding cash) if accommodation is broken into | | Common carrier accident | **$500,000** | Accidental death and dismemberment coverage | | Auto rental CDW | Up to **$85,000 MSRP**, 48 days or less | Primary coverage — decline CDW/LDW from rental agency | | Purchase protection | **90 days**, up to **$1,000 per occurrence** | Accidental physical damage or theft | | Extended warranty | Up to **1 additional year** | Extends manufacturer's warranty | > ⚠️ **Zero travel medical and trip cancellation coverage.** This is the most significant insurance gap on this card. For any trip where medical emergencies or cancellation risk are real concerns, a standalone travel insurance policy is mandatory — this card cannot serve as your primary travel protection. **The rental car coverage is genuinely strong.** Primary CDW up to $85,000 MSRP for 48 days means you can decline the rental agency's expensive collision damage waiver and file claims directly with Amex if damage occurs. This is primary coverage, not secondary — your personal auto insurance is not involved, which keeps claims off your record. For travellers who rent cars frequently, this benefit alone has tangible value. **The insurance package is otherwise skeletal.** Flight delay, baggage delay, lost baggage, and hotel burglary are all capped at $500 — adequate for minor inconveniences but insufficient for serious travel disruptions. The absence of travel medical and trip cancellation means this card cannot replace a comprehensive travel insurance policy, even for domestic trips. Certificate of Insurance: [americanexpress.com — Marriott Bonvoy Card COI (PDF)](https://www.americanexpress.com/content/dam/amex/en-ca/insurance/pdfs/certificates-of-insurance/Marriott-Bonvoy-Card-COI-EN.pdf) --- ## 8. Network & Acceptance - **Network:** American Express - **Domestic acceptance:** Good at major retailers and restaurants; gaps at smaller merchants - **International acceptance:** ⚠️ Lower than Visa or Mastercard — notable gaps in Europe, Asia, South America, rural areas, and transit systems. Always carry a Visa/Mastercard backup. - **Apple Pay / Google Pay / Samsung Pay:** Supported - **Amex SafeKey:** 3D Secure equivalent for online purchases - **Chip & PIN:** Yes - **Soft credit check pre-approval:** Available — verify eligibility with no credit score impact before applying - **Backup card recommended:** Yes, Visa or Mastercard required for any international travel **The Amex acceptance gap is the same constraint as on other Amex cards.** American Express is declined at independent restaurants, transit systems, smaller hotels, and across much of Europe, Asia, and Latin America. For a hotel-focused card, this is less critical than for a general travel card — Marriott properties worldwide accept Amex reliably. But for day-to-day spend at destination, a Visa backup is non-negotiable. **Marriott acceptance is reliable.** The 7,000+ Marriott Bonvoy properties worldwide accept American Express as a standard payment method. For the card's core use case — hotel stays — the network gap is not a practical issue. The gap matters for restaurants, transit, and non-hotel spend while travelling. --- ## 9. Application & Underwriting | Criterion | Requirement | |---|---| | Minimum personal income | **Not published** | | Minimum household income | **Not published** | | Canadian residency | Required | | Canadian credit file | Required | | Age | Age of majority in province/territory | | Additional cardmembers | Available — no annual fee | | Credit pull | Soft pre-approval available; full hard pull on application | | Personal guarantee | N/A — personal card | | Reports to | Personal credit bureau (Equifax/TransUnion) | | Approval timeline | Not published — verify with American Express | No publicly stated income requirement — similar to the Amex Platinum and Amex Aeroplan Reserve. In practice, a strong credit file and income commensurate with a $120 annual fee card will be expected. The soft pre-approval check (no credit score impact) lets you test eligibility before committing to a hard pull. --- ## 11. Statement & Payment | Item | Detail | |---|---| | Card type | **Revolving credit card** | | Statement cycle | Monthly (approximately 30 days) | | Grace period on purchases | **21 days** from statement date when previous balance paid in full | | Auto-pay options | Full balance, minimum payment, or fixed amount — via Amex online account | | Payment methods | Amex online account, bill payment from any Canadian bank, cheque | | Statement detail | Itemized transactions available online and in Amex app | | Multi-currency billing | No — all charges billed in CAD | --- ## 12. Customer Service | Channel | Details | |---|---| | Card support (24/7) | **1-800-668-2639** (or number on back of card) | | Emergency card replacement | Available internationally — call number on back of card | | Amex app | iOS and Android — account management, payments, Amex Offers | | Online account | americanexpress.com/en-ca | | Soft pre-approval tool | Available at americanexpress.com/en-ca/credit-cards/marriott-bonvoy-card/ | | Languages | English and French | --- ## 13. Security & Risk - **Regulatory framework:** American Express Canada operates under federal Canadian regulatory framework (FCAC oversight). Standard chartered bank regulatory framework applies. - **Fraud protection:** Amex Zero Liability policy — no liability for unauthorized transactions reported promptly - **Tokenization:** Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay via Amex token service - **3D Secure:** Amex SafeKey for online authentication - **Devaluation risk:** Marriott Bonvoy is a hotel loyalty program subject to category changes, award chart adjustments, and point devaluations at Marriott's discretion - **Forced arbitration:** No US-style forced arbitration clause; disputes handled under Canadian consumer protection framework (FCAC) --- ## 14. Hidden Gotchas / Fine Print 1. **No travel medical or trip cancellation insurance.** Zero coverage on both fronts — standalone travel insurance is mandatory for any real trip. 2. **Free Night Award is year 2+, not year 1.** The first anniversary triggers the award — you don't receive it immediately upon approval. 3. **Free Night Award expires.** The certificate has an expiry date — verify the current policy and use it before it lapses. 4. **2.5% foreign transaction fee.** All international spend on this card adds 2.5%. A no-FX backup Visa/Mastercard is essential. 5. **Amex acceptance gaps.** Never rely on this as your only card internationally. A Visa backup is mandatory. 6. **Gold Elite status requires $30,000 annual spend OR 10 paid nights + 15 credits.** The spend threshold is meaningful — casual travellers may not reach Gold through card spend alone. 7. **Insurance limits are low.** $500 caps on flight delay, baggage delay, lost baggage, and hotel burglary are adequate for minor issues but insufficient for serious disruptions. 8. **Elite Night Credits are calendar-year based.** Credits reset January 1 — timing matters if you're chasing status qualification. 9. **Month 13 bonus is month 13 specifically** — set a calendar reminder; month 12 or month 14 spend does not count. 10. **Point value varies by booking timing.** 0.76¢/point is the average; booking four months in advance yields ~0.91¢/point. Last-minute bookings yield less. --- ## 15. Who It Is For — and Who It Is Not **Best for:** A Canadian traveller who stays at Marriott properties regularly and values the annual Free Night Award, automatic elite status credits, and the straightforward 5x/2x earn structure. Particularly strong for airport hotel stays (as demonstrated by the Sheraton Toronto and Four Points redemptions) and for anyone who can reach Gold Elite status through the $30,000 spend threshold or by combining paid nights with elite night credits. The no-fee additional cards make this an excellent household card for couples or families who can consolidate Marriott spend. **Not for:** Travellers who need comprehensive travel insurance — the zero coverage on medical and trip cancellation is a dealbreaker unless you purchase standalone insurance. Not ideal for travellers who rarely stay at Marriott properties — the value proposition collapses without hotel redemptions. Not for anyone who needs Visa/Mastercard reliability internationally without carrying a second card. Not for category maximizers chasing gas, grocery, or transit bonuses — the flat 2x rate on non-Marriott spend is outperformed by specialized cards. --- ## 16. Quick Comparison Context | Feature | Marriott Bonvoy Amex | Amex Platinum | Amex Aeroplan Reserve | |---|---|---|---| | Annual fee | **$120** | $799 | $599 | | Card type | Revolving | **Charge card** | Revolving | | Points currency | **Marriott Bonvoy** | MR (flexible) | Aeroplan | | Hotel earn | **5x Marriott** | 1x | 1.25x | | Non-hotel earn | **2x** | 1x / 2x travel/dining | 1.25x | | Annual credits | **Free Night Award (35k pts)** | ~$640 recurring | None (~$100 NEXUS/4yr) | | Hotel status | **Silver → Gold** | Marriott Gold + Hilton Gold | None | | Lounge access | None | **Centurion + Priority Pass** | Maple Leaf + Priority Pass | | Travel medical | **None** | $5M (<65 only) | $5M / 15 days | | Trip cancellation | **None** | $5,000 | $1,500 | | Rental car CDW | **Primary ($85k)** | Primary (verify) | Up to $85k | | Network | **Amex** | Amex | Amex | | Additional cards | **Free** | Not published | No-fee available | **Decision logic:** Choose the Marriott Bonvoy card if you stay at Marriott properties regularly and can extract value from the annual Free Night Award and elite status credits. The $120 fee is more than offset by the free night certificate, making this a keeper card for Marriott loyalists. Choose the Amex Platinum if you want maximum lounge access, hotel status across multiple brands, and flexible Membership Rewards — but be prepared for a much higher fee and charge card structure. Choose the Amex Aeroplan Reserve if Air Canada is your primary airline and you need Maple Leaf Lounge access — but you'll sacrifice hotel-specific benefits and the free night award. --- ## 17. Sources | Source | URL | Notes | |---|---|---| | Amex Marriott Bonvoy — card page | https://www.americanexpress.com/en-ca/credit-cards/marriott-bonvoy-card/ | Primary source; checked May 2026 | | Amex Marriott Bonvoy — benefits page | https://www.americanexpress.com/ca/en/membership-benefits/marriott.html | Benefits and insurance detail | | Amex Marriott Bonvoy — COI (PDF) | https://www.americanexpress.com/content/dam/amex/en-ca/insurance/pdfs/certificates-of-insurance/Marriott-Bonvoy-Card-COI-EN.pdf | Insurance limits | | NerdWallet Canada — 2026 review | https://www.nerdwallet.com/ca/p/reviews/credit-cards/marriott-bonvoy-american-express-card-canada-review | Third-party; may have referral incentives | | Prince of Travel — review | https://princeoftravel.com/credit-cards/marriott-bonvoy-american-express-card/ | Points blog; may have referral incentives | | Milesopedia — review | https://milesopedia.com/en/credit-cards/marriott-bonvoy-american-express-card/ | Points blog; may have referral incentives | | Frugal Flyer — review | https://frugalflyer.ca/credit-card/american-express-marriott-bonvoy/ | Points blog; may have referral incentives | {{< disclaimer type="finance" >}}