Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card UK review: 20,000 points, Silver status and £75 fee
A UK take on the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card, weighing 20,000 welcome points, instant Silver Elite status and the £75 annual fee to show the real value for frequent travellers
Quick verdict for UK travellers
If you travel regularly and favour Marriott hotels, the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card delivers clear value. The card’s headline features — a 20,000-point welcome bonus, instant Silver Elite status and a £75 annual fee — make it a pragmatic choice for frequent short breaks and business trips across the UK and Europe.
Value depends on your habits: if most nights are spent at Marriott brands you’ll earn points fast and enjoy member perks; if you rarely stay in Marriott hotels the annual fee may be harder to justify. This review explains how to squeeze the best value from the Marriott Bonvoy card and where it falls short for British cardholders.
Key benefits and how to earn points
The welcome bonus of 20,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after £3,000 of spending in the first three months is straightforward to reach for many. Cardholders earn 2 points per £1 on everyday spending and up to 6 points per £1 on qualifying Marriott stays, which speeds up reward nights and upgrades.
Silver Elite status is granted on sign-up, giving late checkout, a modest points bonus and member rates. Spend £15,000 in a card year for Gold Elite, and hit £25,000 for a free night voucher worth up to 25,000 points — handy if you know where and when to use it in the UK or abroad.
Costs, limits and practical UK considerations
The card carries a £75 annual fee, so you’ll want to ensure the benefits outweigh that cost. Amex eligibility rules in the UK mean you cannot take the welcome bonus if you’ve had certain Amex offers in the past 24 months, so check your account history before applying.
Interest rates and borrowing terms vary; the Amex charge rates are typically less relevant if you pay in full each month. A pragmatic UK approach is to treat this as a travel rewards card rather than a credit line: use it for planned spending to collect Marriott Bonvoy points and avoid interest charges.
Redeeming points and final trade-offs
Marriott Bonvoy points can be redeemed at over 6,500 properties worldwide or transferred to more than 40 airline partners, usually at a 3:1 ratio to airline miles. That flexibility helps UK travellers convert hotel loyalty into flights, though transfer values are best when paired with periodic transfer bonuses or strategic redemptions.
In short, the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card is worth it for loyal Marriott guests and regular UK travellers who can exploit the 20,000-point sign-up, Silver Elite perks and spend thresholds for Gold and free nights. If you favour airline miles or never stay with Marriott, consider rival travel cards, but for Marriott devotees this card remains a solid, easy-to-manage option.