Marriott Bonvoy Cards Unlock Record Welcome Bonuses Before May

Marriott Bonvoy just dropped some of the biggest welcome bonuses in its credit card history. Starting March 12, 2026, three cards in the Marriott Bonvoy family are offering new welcome bonus offers for a limited time.1 With spring travel planning in full swing and summer vacations around the corner, this is a move that no frequent traveler can afford to ignore.

Which Cards Are Offering Elevated Bonuses

The limited-time offers span three popular cards in the Marriott Bonvoy lineup, each tailored for a different type of traveler.

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card now lets you earn 200,000 points when you spend $6,000 within the first six months.2 Previously, the card offered 100,000 bonus points for the same level of spending in the same time frame.1 That means the bonus has doubled overnight.

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card offers 175,000 points after you spend $5,000 within the first six months.2 Previously, this card’s welcome offer provided 85,000 bonus points, so the bonus amount has more than doubled after meeting the minimum spending requirements.3

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card from Chase lets you earn three free night awards after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, plus earn an additional free night award after spending a total of $4,000 on purchases in the first four months from account opening.4

Here is a quick comparison of all three offers:

The welcome bonuses for the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant are only available for a limited time, ending May 13, 2026.5

Marriott Bonvoy credit card welcome bonus offers spring 2026

Why These Offers Are Historic

These are not typical seasonal bumps. March 2026 saw the launch of a 200,000-point offer as the highest standalone point bonus in the card’s recorded history.6

According to The Points Guy, this is the highest offer seen in the Brilliant card’s history, making now the best time to apply.4 NerdWallet values Marriott points at 0.8 cent each, which means that the card’s new offer is worth around $1,600 when points are maximized.1

For the Bevy card, the math is still impressive. That bonus could cover around eight or nine free nights at lower redemption levels.2

If you have been waiting for the right moment to apply for a Marriott card, this is it.

A Bonus Within the Bonus: Free Night Awards Got Better

Marriott did not stop at credit card bonuses. On the same day, March 12, the company quietly made another change that makes the entire loyalty program more valuable.

Marriott Bonvoy changed its policies on March 12 to allow members to top off free night award certificates with up to 25,000 points.7 Previously, programs like IHG One Rewards let members top off free night certificates with as many points as needed, but Marriott Bonvoy capped top-offs at just 15,000 points per certificate until recently.7

What does this mean in real terms?

• Certificates worth 35,000 points can now be redeemed at properties costing up to 60,000 points. Certificates worth 50,000 points can now reach properties costing up to 75,000 points. And 85,000-point certificates can be redeemed at properties pricing up to 110,000 points.8
• With the increased top-off cap, certificates can now be applied toward an additional 733 properties across all certificate tiers, covering 8% of Marriott’s portfolio.9
• Based on average nightly award rates, a 35,000-point certificate with a top-off can now reach more than nine out of 10 Marriott properties worldwide.7

“This change will allow members with certificates to book more expensive properties, but only if they have, and are willing to part with, points earned on their own.” (The Points Guy)

How to Decide Which Card Fits Your Travel Plans

Not every card is a match for every traveler. Your choice depends on how often you stay at Marriott hotels, your spending habits, and how you plan to use points.

Pick the Brilliant card if you are a loyal Marriott guest who wants the highest possible point haul. Complimentary Platinum Elite status comes with it, letting you earn up to 5X points from Marriott Bonvoy on eligible hotel purchases with the 50% Bonus Points on stays benefit.10 You also get a $300 Brilliant Dining Credit each calendar year.5 The $650 annual fee is steep, but the first-year value alone can easily justify it.

Pick the Bevy card if you want strong rewards without the ultra-premium price tag. With a $250 annual fee, the card earns 1,000 bonus points per stay, offers Gold Elite status and adds a Free Night Award after you spend $15,000 each year.2

Pick the Boundless card if you want the lowest barrier to entry. The card has a $95 annual fee, and for that you receive an anniversary free night award every year.11 Plus, for 2026, there is an exclusive offer of up to $100 in statement credits after spending $500 on eligible airline purchases.12

Keep in mind that the bonuses require spending between $5,000 to $9,000 within six months2 for the Amex cards, so plan accordingly.

The Bigger Picture: Spring Rewards Wars Heat Up

Marriott is not making these moves in a vacuum. At the end of Q3 2025, Marriott’s global system totaled over 9,700 properties, with approximately 1,754,000 rooms.13 During the third quarter alone, the loyalty program added another 12 million members, bringing total global membership to nearly 260 million.13

That massive footprint gives these bonus points real spending power. Marriott points can be redeemed at Marriott hotels, for flights or car rentals, and for travel by transferring points to multiple airline partners, usually at a 3:1 ratio.1

For travelers who want more flexibility, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card may be a better fit. The sign-up bonus is much lower at 75,000 points after you spend $5,000 within the first three months, but the $95 annual fee is lower as well.2 Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be transferred to multiple travel partners, including Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1 ratio.2

With summer trips on the horizon and these offers expiring May 13, the clock is ticking for anyone sitting on the fence. Whether you are a business traveler chasing elite status, a family planning a beach vacation, or a couple looking at a dream getaway, locking in a record welcome bonus now could save you hundreds, or even thousands, on your next trip. These offers will not last forever. Do your homework, crunch the numbers, and apply before the window closes.

Drop your thoughts in the comments below. Which card are you going for, and where is your next Marriott stay