Should you get the Marriott Bonvoy American Express credit card for Gold Elite status?

This article has been sponsored by Marriott Bonvoy®

UPDATE – JUNE 2025:  This credit card article is now out of date, but don’t worry.  We produce a monthly directory of the top UK travel credit card offers – please click HERE or use the ‘Credit Cards’ menu above.  Thank you.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 15th July 2025, the sign-up bonus on the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card is TRIPLED to 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. This would convert into 25,000 Avios or into 40 other airline schemes. It would also get you at least £300 of Marriott hotel stays based on our 0.5p per point low-end valuation. Other T&C apply and remain unchanged. Click here for our full card review and click here to apply.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 14th August 2025, the sign-up bonus on the Hilton Honors Plus debit card is TRIPLED to 30,000 Hilton Honors points. You will also receive Gold Elite status in Hilton Honors for as long as you hold the card. Click here for our full card review and click here to apply.

Keep up to date with the latest UK credit card bonuses by signing up for our free daily or weekly newsletters.

There is currently a generous special offer running on the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express® Card.

Until 3rd May, you will receive 40,000 Marriott Bonvoy points if you spend £3,000 within your first three months.  You will also receive Gold Elite status in Marriott Bonvoy until February 2024, as well as the standard benefit of 15 elite night credits.

We know that a lot of HfP readers will not qualify for the 40,000 bonus points because they hold, or have recently held, another personal American Express Card.

However, EVERYONE who is accepted will receive Gold Elite status until February 2024, so we wanted to look at this benefit in more detail today.

The representative APR is 53.7% variable, including the annual fee.  The representative APR on purchases is 30.0% variable.

There is an annual fee of £75 per year.

You can apply for the card here.

What is Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite?

As mentioned above, you will get automatic Gold Elite status when you take out the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Credit Card. The benefits of Gold Elite include:

• 25% bonus on base points
• A room upgrade,
• High-speed internet,
• 2pm late check-out (based on availability, not at resorts and conference hotels)
• Welcome gift of additional points when you check-in

Where could you go to enjoy your Gold Elite status?

Marriott Bonvoy have recently run some research into travel patterns in 2022 and have found that Spain, Greece and Italy look to be the top summer destinations this year. Here’s a few hotels where you could enjoy the perks of Gold Elite status:

Santo Mauro, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Madrid

This newly opened Luxury Collection hotel in Madrid’s Chamberi district has two much-anticipated restaurants helmed by acclaimed chef Rafael Peña. There’s also a beautiful garden space, perfect for dinner on a balmy night. Rooms start at €570 or 70,000 points per night.

The Westin Excelsior, Florence

Just a few steps away from the Uffizi Gallery and Piazza della Signoria, the Westin Excelsior is in an excellent spot to explore Florence. Its amenities include SE·STO on Arno, a unique rooftop restaurant and bar with 360 views over Florence and a popular fitness studio. Rooms start at €368 per night.

The Ritz-Carlton, Abama

The Ritz-Carlton, Abama is a great family option for anyone thinking of travelling to Tenerife this year. There’s an extensive entertainment programme, Ritz Kids club, offering activities including Spanish lessons, movie screenings, talent shows and sports as well as seven swimming pools and a popular beach club.

Rhys very much enjoyed a recent visit to the Ritz-Carlton, Abama and you can read his review here. Rooms start from €300 or 40,000 points per night.

The St. Regis Downtown Dubai

Alternatively, if you decide to take out the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card and want to try out your new Gold Elite status sooner rather than later, you could take a late spring jaunt to Dubai.

The lavish St. Regis Downtown Dubai has a view over the iconic Burj Khalifa and is in walking distance of the world’s largest shopping mall, Dubai Mall. It also has an impressive infinity pool that overlooks the Dubai Water Canal. Rooms start at £318 or 77,500 points per night.

If you think getting the credit card makes sense, our full review of the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card is here.  Our full article on the 40,000 points bonus is here.

The special bonus of 40,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, if you qualify, and the offer of Gold Elite status until February 2024 runs until 3rd May.

You can apply here.

If you want to learn more about the key benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy American Express card, take a look at this article.

Disclaimer: Head for Points is a journalistic website. Nothing here should be construed as financial advice, and it is your own responsibly to ensure that any product is right for your circumstances. Recommendations are based primarily on the ability to earn miles and points. The site discusses products offered by lenders but is not a lender itself. Robert Burgess, trading as Head for Points, is regulated and authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as an independent credit broker.

PS. If you are not a regular Head for Points visitor, why not sign up for our FREE weekly or daily newsletters? They are full of the latest Avios, airline, hotel and credit card points news and will help you travel better. To join our 70,000 free subscribers, click the button below or visit this page of the site to find out more. Thank you.

---

Want to earn more points from credit cards? – June 2025 update

If you are looking to apply for a new credit card, here are our top recommendations based on the current sign-up bonuses.

In 2022, Barclaycard launched two exciting new Barclaycard Avios Mastercard cards with a bonus of up to 25,000 Avios. You can apply here.

You qualify for the bonus on these cards even if you have a British Airways American Express card:

You can see our full directory of all UK cards which earn airline or hotel points here. Here are the best of the other deals currently available.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 15th July 2025, the sign-up bonus on the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card is TRIPLED to 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. This would convert into 25,000 Avios or into 40 other airline schemes. It would also get you at least £300 of Marriott hotel stays based on our 0.5p per point low-end valuation. Other T&C apply and remain unchanged. Click here for our full card review and click here to apply.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 14th August 2025, the sign-up bonus on the Hilton Honors Plus debit card is TRIPLED to 30,000 Hilton Honors points. You will also receive Gold Elite status in Hilton Honors for as long as you hold the card. Click here for our full card review and click here to apply.

Earning miles and points from small business cards

If you are a sole trader or run a small company, you may also want to check out these offers: