Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Marriott Bonvoy Bevy: Which Is Better In 2025?

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at what makes the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card a compelling choice for Marriott loyalists.

• Cardholders can accelerate their point earnings with 6X points at participating Marriott Bonvoy properties and 4X points at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets on up to $15,000 in combined purchases annually.
• You automatically receive Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, which provides valuable perks like enhanced room upgrades and late checkout without meeting any stay requirements.
• By spending $15,000 in a calendar year, you can earn an Annual Free Night Award worth up to 50,000 points, which can offset the card's $250 annual fee (See Rates & Fees) (publisher-formulated estimate).
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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Pros

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• Automatic Gold Elite Status: Cardholders receive complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, unlocking perks like room upgrades and late checkout without needing to meet stay requirements.
• Strong Earning Potential: The card offers accelerated points on eligible purchases at Marriott properties, as well as on everyday spending categories like restaurants and U.S. supermarkets.
• Valuable Travel Perks: In addition to having no foreign transaction fees, the card provides an opportunity to earn a Free Night Award annually and includes travel protections like car rental and baggage insurance.

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Cons

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• Annual Fee and Spending Requirement: The card carries an annual fee, and its Free Night Award benefit requires meeting a significant spending threshold each year rather than being an automatic perk.
• Best for Marriott Loyalists: Its benefits are heavily concentrated within the Marriott Bonvoy ecosystem, making it less valuable for travelers who aren't loyal to the brand.
• Lacks Certain Premium Perks: Unlike some higher-tier hotel cards, it does not offer statement credits for purchases made at Marriott properties.

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card vs Chase Sapphire Reserve®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Chase Sapphire Reserve or Marriott Bonvoy Bevy, depends on your personal travel and spending habits. One card is a general premium travel card, while the other is built for those loyal to a specific hotel brand.

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• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: This card is best suited for frequent travelers who value flexible, high-end benefits. It offers broad rewards on travel and dining purchases.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card: Also designed for frequent travelers, this card specifically caters to those who regularly stay at Marriott properties and want to maximize hotel-specific perks and status.

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Redemption

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• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Points earned with this card are highly versatile, offering redemptions for travel through the Chase portal or transfers to numerous airline and hotel partners.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card: This card is geared toward brand loyalists, with points primarily redeemed for stays and upgrades across Marriott's global portfolio of properties. Terms apply.
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‍_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Travel Perks

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• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: This card offers a broad travel ecosystem. It has no foreign transaction fees. Cardholders receive a Priority Pass Select membership for airport lounge access, an annual travel credit, and a statement credit for a Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck application fee.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card: The travel perks for this card are focused on the Marriott Bonvoy program. It also charges no foreign transaction fees. Key benefits include complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, which can provide room upgrades and other on-property perks. Cardholders can also earn a Free Night Award after meeting an annual spending requirement. Terms apply.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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If you're looking to make a data-driven decision, a tool like Kudos can help you compare thousands of credit cards to find the best match for your spending habits.

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• Test drive credit cards: Use your real spending data to see personalized earnings projections before you apply, all without a hard credit pull.
• Get detailed approval odds: Receive a comprehensive analysis of your approval odds for new cards based on your credit report.
• Benefit from a welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
• Stack your rewards: Earn extra Kudos Boost rewards on top of your credit card points when shopping online.
• Autofill at checkout: Let the browser extension automatically select the best card in your wallet for any given purchase to maximize your rewards.

Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Reserve®?

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The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is tailored for frequent travelers who can fully leverage its premium perks to offset the high annual fee. It's an ideal choice for those who spend heavily on travel and dining, as they can maximize the 3x points categories and utilize the $300 annual travel credit. Points are not earned until after the first $300 is spent annually on travel purchases, as the first $300 goes toward the $300 Annual Travel Credit. According to a comprehensive review, the card also suits users who value luxury benefits like airport lounge access and robust travel protections, as well as points enthusiasts who transfer rewards to airline and hotel partners.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card is primarily designed for frequent guests of Marriott properties who want to maximize their rewards. It's also a great fit for travelers who value hotel elite status but don't stay frequently enough to earn it organically, and for moderate-to-high spenders who can put $15,000 on the card annually to earn a Free Night Award. As our full review details, the card also appeals to those who want to earn strong rewards on everyday spending like at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets.

Alternatives to Consider

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After a detailed Chase Sapphire Reserve® vs. Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card comparison, you might find that neither card perfectly aligns with your spending habits or travel goals. If that's the case, don't worry—there are several other excellent travel rewards cards to consider.

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Tips for Application Success

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Getting approved for a premium card is the first step to unlocking major value. Here’s how to set yourself up for success.

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Before You Apply:

• Check your credit score: Premium cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Credit Card and Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card generally require good to excellent credit. Know where you stand before you hit submit.
• Plan your spending: Ensure you can naturally meet the Welcome Offer's spending requirement in the first few months without overextending your budget. For some cards, you should also map out longer-term spending, like the annual amount needed to earn a benefit like a Free Night Award.
• Know the ecosystem: Don't just chase points; have a plan. Research the value of Chase's 1:1 transfer partners or how you'll leverage Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite status for future stays. The best rewards are the ones you'll actually use.

Application Strategy:

• Be patient: If you don't get an instant decision, don't panic. Sometimes applications just need further review. You can often call the issuer's reconsideration line to check the status or provide more information if needed.
• Don’t settle for less: Welcome Offers can fluctuate. If you're seeing a lower offer than you expected, it can sometimes pay to wait or try different methods—like using a different browser or a referral link—to find a better one.

Pro tip: Time your application strategically. If you have a large planned purchase on the horizon—like booking a major vacation, buying new furniture, or starting a home project—applying beforehand can help you meet the minimum spend for the Welcome Offer without forcing unnecessary purchases.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the annual fees for the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® cards?

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card has a $550 annual fee, while the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card has a $250 annual fee. These fees can often be offset by the various statement credits and benefits offered by each card.

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Can I transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards® points to Marriott Bonvoy?

Yes, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® earns flexible Ultimate Rewards® points, which can be transferred to numerous airline and hotel partners, including Marriott Bonvoy. This allows you to supplement your Marriott points balance for award redemptions.

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Which card offers better rewards on dining?

Both cards provide bonus rewards for dining, but they earn different currencies. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® earns 3x transferable Ultimate Rewards® points on dining, whereas the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card earns 4x Marriott Bonvoy points at restaurants worldwide.

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Do I need to be a frequent Marriott guest to benefit from the Bonvoy Bevy® card?

While the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card is most rewarding for those who stay at Marriott properties, it also offers bonus points on other purchases like at U.S. restaurants and U.S. supermarkets. Cardholders also receive automatic Gold Elite status, which can enhance even infrequent stays.