Marriott Bonvoy Amex Family Card Rule
Looks like it is time to tweak my post from earlier today on downgrade options from American Express. Since I said there is currently no Marriott Bonvoy Amex family card rule. That other shoe has finally dropped. It also makes the most convoluted set of application rules that much more confusing. I mean, we need a Venn diagram post on Marriott Bonvoy card applications because the rules are so terrible. Time to update that post too I guess!
This is not surprising though, with all of the family rules Amex has rolled out as of late. Here is a list of all of the ones we have seen so far:
- Amex Platinum Family Card Rule
- Delta Family Card Rule
- Amex Blue Cash Family Card Rule
- Gold Card Family Rule
- Amex EveryDay Card Rule
Marriott Bonvoy Amex Family Card Rule Terms
Here is what Seal the Deal Travels first flagged on a Bevy application:
You may not be eligible to receive a welcome offer if you have or have had this Card, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card or previous versions of these Cards...
This is in addition to all of the other terms about holding other cards at the same time as well.
Welcome offer not available to applicants who:
- (i) have or have had The Ritz-Carlton® Credit Card from J.P. Morgan, the J.P. Morgan Ritz-Carlton Rewards® Credit Card, the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy® Premier Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy® Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Rewards® Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy® Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy Business® Credit Card from Chase, or the Marriott Rewards Business® Credit Card from Chase in the last 30 days,
- (ii) have acquired the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card from Chase in the last 90 days, or
- (iii) received a new Card Member bonus or upgrade offer for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card from Chase, or the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card from Chase in the last 24 months.
ToP Thoughts
These Amex family card rules are a negative change for sure, and it looks like they are going to get all personal cards under one. The only family left is the Hilton card family, so it is likely only a matter of time. Luckily, at least for now, it doesn't seem to be rolling out to business cards. I wouldn't be surprised if it stays that way since they like to hand out no lifetime language offers like candy as it is.
As far as family rules go, this Marriott Bonvoy Amex family card rule isn't horrible. Mainly because the Bonvoy Bevy is such a bad card that I don't think people are missing out on much if they are now ineligible. Especially with all of the Marriott credit card rules they have already anyway. If you are going for an American Express Marriott card I would go with the Brilliant or Marriott Bonvoy business card anyway.
I think the best practice going forward is to start from the bottom of the card families and work your way up. That is the only way to get around these rules. It also opens you up to downgrade options since you would have already carried the lower end, or fee free, cards. Which means you don't have to worry about negating yourself from a future welcome offer by taking the downgrade.
Let me know your thoughts on this new Marriott Bonvoy Amex family card rule over in the ToP Facebook Group.
