NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, American Express (NYSE: AXP) and Marriott International, Inc. announced upcoming changes to the current Starwood Preferred Guest® American Express Cobrand Credit Card portfolio following the recent unveiling of Marriott’s new loyalty brand, Marriott Bonvoy™, which will replace the travel program’s three current loyalty brands, Starwood Preferred Guest, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® on February 13, 2019. On that date, the current Starwood Preferred Guest American Express Cards will be rebranded to Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Cards, and will soon offer travelers and businesses additional valuable benefits, rich points offers, and new artistic Card designs.
Starting February 13, 2019, the Starwood Preferred Guest American Express Cards will be rebranded as follows:
- The current Starwood Preferred Guest® American Express Luxury Card will be rebranded to the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
- The current Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express will be rebranded to the Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card
- The current Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express will be rebranded to the Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card
“In line with the changes to the Marriott International loyalty program, our rebranded Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card portfolio will maintain the same great benefits and rewards that have enhanced our Card Members’ travel journeys over the years, as well as offer compelling new designs, names and benefits,” said Eva Reda, Executive Vice President, Global Cobrand Partnerships at American Express. “Building on our successful 50-year relationship with Marriott, we are looking forward to entering this exciting new chapter and continuing to bring incredible value and service to our Card Members wherever life or business takes them.”
“Marriott Bonvoy is more than a loyalty program, but rather a holistic travel program built on the idea that travel enriches each of us and connects the world,” said David Flueck, Senior Vice President, Global Loyalty, Marriott International. “The incredibly rich benefits and earning opportunities the American Express Cards provide will accelerate our members’ ability to pursue their passions when they travel.”
New Additional Benefits
In addition to the value introduced to the Marriott American Express cobrand Card portfolio last year, more benefits will be rolled out across the Card portfolio this year to further reward and enhance Card Members’ travel experiences.
As of January 1, 2019, all Marriott Bonvoy American Express Cobrand Card Members now have access to a 15 Elite Night Credit each calendar year1.
Additionally, starting March 28, 2019, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card Members can get up to $100 in property credit per stay when they use their Card and a special rate code to book stays of two or more nights at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® properties2. This builds on this Card’s rich existing benefits, which include 6X points on purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy properties worldwide, 3X points on U.S. restaurants and flights booked directly with airlines, up to $300 in statement credits each year of Card Membership for eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy properties, complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status, and an annual free night award (redemption level at or under 50,000 points) at participating hotels every year after their Card account anniversary3, Priority Pass membership, no foreign transaction fees4, and more. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card will continue to have an annual fee of $450.4
Additionally, starting March 28, 2019, Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card Members can get an additional free night award (redemption level at or under 35,000 points) when they spend $60,000 or more on the Card annually 5. This new benefit is in addition to the valuable existing benefits already offered on this Card, which include 6X points at participating Marriott Bonvoy properties and 4X points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. shipping purchases, as well as an annual free night award (redemption level at or under 35,000 points), complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite Status, no foreign transaction fees4, no annual fee employee Cards and more. With the new enhancements, the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card’s annual fee will increase from $95 to $125 starting on March 28, 2019.4
American Express will no longer accept new applications for the Starwood Preferred Guest American Express Card after February 12, 2019. When the Card is rebranded to the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card on February 13, 2019, existing Card Members will continue to get access to the Card’s great benefits and offerings, including 6X points on purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy properties worldwide, the new 15 Elite Night Credit benefit, Automatic Silver Elite status, and an annual free night award (redemption level at or under 35,000 points). The Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card will continue to have an annual fee of $95.4
New Rich Offers
In celebration of the refreshed Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card portfolio, American Express and Marriott will be introducing rich new offers to further reward both new and existing Card Members.
From February 13 through April 24, 2019, eligible new Card Members who apply for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card or Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card can earn 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after they spend $5,000 in purchases on their Card in the first three months of Card Membership.6
In addition, starting February 24, 2019, Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card Members whose accounts were opened before January 23, 2019 will be eligible to earn up to 100,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points. Once registered, eligible Card Members can earn 25,000 bonus points for every $25,000 in eligible purchases on the Card, for up to 100,000 points through the end of the year. Eligible Card Members will receive more information about this offer, including the relevant terms and how to register their Card soon.
New Card Designs
To further bring to life the new Marriott Bonvoy brand, American Express and Marriott are excited to announce a collaboration with Manhattan-based mural and studio artist, Tony “Rubin” Sjöman to design the new Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card. Rubin’s modern artistic Card design is inspired by Marriott’s new visual identity and aims to evoke the desire to travel and explore.
“The shapes within the design emulate a cityscape and the color palette is intended to mirror sunrise and sunset reflecting off buildings,” said Rubin.
Additionally, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card will be offered in a sleek stainless-steel Card design and the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card will be offered in a sophisticated blue-gray plastic Card design.
The new Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card and Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card designs will be available to new Card Members starting March 2019, and the new Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card design will be available starting May 2019. Existing Card Members will automatically receive the new Card designs over the following months.
More information about the revamped Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card portfolio can be found here. Terms and limitations apply.
About American Express
American Express is a globally integrated payments company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, instagram.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.
Key links to products, services and corporate responsibility information: charge and credit cards, business credit cards, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, Accertify, InAuth, corporate card, business travel, and corporate responsibility.
About Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy is Marriott International, Inc.’s new travel program built on the belief that travel enriches its members and the world around them. Launching in February 2019, Marriott Bonvoy replaces Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG). Comprised of a portfolio of extraordinary brands where you can earn and redeem, as well as offering approximately 120,000 destination tours and adventures on Marriott Bonvoy Moments, the travel program enables members to explore the world in pursuit of their passions. Under Marriott Bonvoy’s five Elite tiers, status is more achievable than ever. With a single currency, earning and redeeming points is faster and simpler, and members can accelerate the points they earn with co-branded credit cards from Chase and American Express. When members book direct on Marriott.com they receive all the perks that come with Elite status, including, free and enhanced Wi-Fi and exclusive member-only rates, and on the Marriott app they enjoy mobile check-in and checkout, mobile requests and, wherever available, mobile key. In addition to featuring a powerful travel program, Marriott.com also offers 30 extraordinary brands to book, endless experiences and the best available rates. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit MeetMarriottBonvoy.marriott.com. To download the Marriott [app, go here. Travelers can also connect with Marriott Bonvoy on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
1Limit one 15 Elite Night Credit per Marriott Bonvoy member account; benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express
2 Effective March 28, 2019, when you use your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card to book through www.marriottbonvoy.com or by calling Marriott Bonvoy at 1-800-450-4442, for a two-night minimum stay at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® using the Member Rate named “$100 Property Credit, Luxury Credit Card Rate”, you will be eligible to receive a property credit of up to $100 per booking to be used on qualifying purchases on property. When booking online, you must be logged into the Marriott Bonvoy account linked to your Card account to be eligible to book this rate. When booking by phone, please reference the “$100 Property Credit, Luxury Credit Card Rate” Member Rate. You must confirm you are booking the correct $100 property credit rate at time of booking. Card Member will receive a credit equal to $1 for each dollar of qualifying charges made at the property under the Card Member's booking, up to $100. The property credit will be applied as a credit on your bill upon checkout (and not on your American Express billing statement). Qualifying charges do NOT include property fees, taxes, gratuities and the cost of the room. Additional exclusions based on specific hotel restrictions may also apply (including, without limitation, purchases within the hotel that are made with a third party merchant). Please see the applicable hotel front desk for details. You must use your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card to pay your bill upon checkout. Stays booked by either the Basic or an Additional Card Member on the eligible Card account are eligible for the $100 property credit benefit. Each booking is only eligible to receive a property credit of up to $100, regardless of the number of rooms booked. The property credit cannot be carried over to another stay, is not redeemable for cash, and expires at checkout if not used on qualifying purchases on property during the stay. The property credit is non-exchangeable and non-refundable and is applied in USD or equivalent in local currency based on exchange rate at time of checkout. May not be combined with other offers or programs unless indicated. Back-to-back stays within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay.
3 The Card Member is responsible for all incidental charges and, at properties where resort fees are applicable, for payment of additional mandatory resort fees.
4 Rates and Fees – More information can be found at the following links - Starwood Preferred Guest® American Express Luxury Card , Starwood Preferred Guest® Consumer Card, and Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Card
5 Effective March 28, 2019: If, in any calendar year of Card Membership, your total eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card reach $60,000, you will receive one Free Night Award from Marriott Bonvoy™. Eligible purchases to meet the purchase requirement are for goods and services minus returns and other credits. Eligible purchases do NOT include fees or interest charges, cash advances, purchases of travelers checks, purchases or reloading of prepaid cards, purchases of gift cards, person-to-person payments, or purchases of other cash equivalents. The Free Night Award can be redeemed for a one-night stay inclusive of room rate and applicable taxes at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels with a redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. The Card Member may be responsible for payment of additional mandatory resort fees at properties where resort fees are applicable, and is responsible for all incidental charges. This benefit is only available to the Basic Card Member on the Card Account. The Free Night Award will be automatically deposited into your Marriott Bonvoy member account within 8-12 weeks after you meet the purchase requirement. You will receive an email from Marriott Bonvoy to the email address listed on your Marriott Bonvoy member account confirming that the Free Night Award e-certificate has been deposited into your Marriott Bonvoy member account. The email will also provide instructions on how to redeem your Free Night Award e-certificate. To redeem the Free Night Award e-certificate, you must log into your Marriott Bonvoy member account and apply the e-certificate during booking. The Free Night Award e-certificate will expire 1 year from issuance. E-certificates may not be transferred, extended beyond the expiration date, or re-credited for points. To qualify for the Free Night Award, your account must not be cancelled or past due at the time of the Free Night Award e-certificate issuance. Please visit redeem.marriottbonvoy.com/hotels for a list of participating properties. American Express is not responsible for fulfillment of Free Night Award e-certificate redemptions. Redemptions are subject to the terms and conditions of Marriott Bonvoy.
6Restrictions may apply on the awarding of welcome bonuses across Marriott and Starwood Preferred Guest Co-Branded Credit Cards issued by American Express and Marriott and Ritz-Carlton Co-Branded Credit Cards issued by JP Morgan Chase. Terms and limitations apply.