Perhaps you’ve joined the Marriott Bonvoy hotel loyalty program and have a few Marriott stays booked on the calendar — or maybe this is the first time you’ve considered Marriott loyalty.

Getting a dedicated credit card can help you ramp up your rewards earning rates so you can earn free stays more quickly. But the road to getting a Marriott credit card isn’t all sparkles, upgrades and points.

Here’s what you need to know to add a Marriott credit card to your lineup.

Marriott credit cards that are available to new applicants

When it comes to co-branded credit cards, Marriott partners with two issuers: American Express and Chase. Each bank offers two Marriott credit cards to Bonvoy members, for a total of four credit cards available to consumers and small-business owners.

Here are some key differences:

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

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Rates & Fees

Welcome offer: Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

Earning rates: 6X at hotels in the Marriott Bonvoy program, 3X on dining at U.S. restaurants, 3X on airfare booked directly with airlines and 2X on all other purchases.

Automatic elite status: Platinum Elite.

Free nights: An 85,000-point free night certificate every year after your card renewal month.

Foreign transaction fees: None.

Annual fee: $650.

Other benefits: Up to $300 statement credit for eligible spending at restaurants worldwide, 25 elite night credits, Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), Global Entry or TSA PreCheck enrollment fee credit, and a $100 Marriott Bonvoy property credit for a two-night minimum stay at The Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis. Terms apply.

Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card

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Rates & Fees

Earn three Free Night Awards after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Redemption level up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points for each bonus Free Night Award, at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees. Terms Apply.

Earning rates: 6x at hotels in the Marriott Bonvoy program; 4x at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, U.S. shipping purchases and U.S. cell phone services; 2x on all other purchases.

Automatic elite status: Silver Elite.

Elite status with annual spend: Gold Elite after $35,000 in eligible purchases.

Free night certificates: Beyond the welcome offer, cardholders automatically receive an annual free night certificate for redemption up to 35,000 points. Cardholders who spend $60,000 in a calendar year are eligible for a bonus free night certificate. Terms apply.

Foreign transaction fees: None.

Annual fee: $125.

Other benefits: 15 elite night credits annually.

Terms apply.

Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card

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Welcome offer: Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after spending $1,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card.

Earning rates: 3x at hotels in the Marriott Bonvoy program, 2x on travel and 1x on all other purchases.

Automatic elite status: Silver Elite.

Elite status with annual spend: None.

Free night certificate: None.

Foreign transaction fees: None.

Annual fee: $0.

Other benefits: 15 elite night credits annually.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

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Welcome offer: Earn 3 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card.

Earning rates: 17x at hotels in the Marriott Bonvoy program, 3X Bonvoy points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations and dining, and 2x on all other purchases.

Automatic elite status: Silver Elite.

Elite status with annual spend: 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend. Gold Elite after $35,000.

Free night certificate: Yes, one per year, limited to 35,000 points per night.

Foreign transaction fees: None.

Annual fee: $95.

Other benefits: 15 elite credit nights annually.