American Express · American Express · Marriott Bonvoy

Reviewed 2026-07-05 · By The Points Standard editorial team

Amex Marriott Bonvoy Card

7.3/10 · Strong$120/yr

One of Canada's best keeper cards: the anniversary free night alone clears the fee. The welcome bonus is the cherry, not the case.

How we make money & how we rank: rankings are set by the Standard Score, never by compensation. Some card links may become referral links; that never changes a card's score or position. Full disclosure. Last reviewed: 2026-07-05.

Standard Score breakdown — Strong

Six weighted components, each rated 0–10. "Contributes" is the rating × weight — add all six and you get the 7.30/10 Standard Score above.

Component (weight)RatingContributes
First-year value (30%)
7.02.10
Ongoing value (20%)
8.51.70
Flexibility (15%)
5.50.82
Perk usability (15%)
8.51.27
Low friction (10%)
6.50.65
Strategic fit (10%)
7.50.75

See how the Standard Score works or re-weight it to your priorities.

The numbers

Annual fee$120
Welcome bonusUp to 70,000 Bonvoy points (60,000 on $3K/3 mo + 10,000 on $500 in month 13)
Est. bonus value$630
First-year net value$420

Earn rates

Marriott properties5x
Everything else2x

Why it earns its score

  • Annual free night award (up to 35,000 points) from year two — routinely worth more than the fee
  • 15 elite night credits toward Bonvoy status
  • 2x base earn is strong for a hotel card

Where it loses points

  • Bonvoy points are worth ~0.9¢ — bonuses look bigger than they are
  • Free night needs a $120-fee commitment and a year-two horizon

Who it's for

Anyone who stays at a Marriott property at least one night a year — the anniversary free night carries the card.

Who should skip it

You never stay at chain hotels; transferable points beat Bonvoy for flexibility.

Included insurance

Travel accident · Flight/baggage delay · Rental car coverage

Free Standard Playbook

Get The Standard Playbook — this month's best card per category and the offers closing soon, plus the weekly Brief.

Source: issuer card page · Last reviewed 2026-07-05. Details change often — confirm current terms with the issuer before applying.