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Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card vs Chase Sapphire Preferred

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card comes from American Express at $125/yr; the Chase Sapphire Preferred from Chase at $95/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.

FeatureMarriott Bonvoy Business American Express CardChase Sapphire Preferred
Annual fee$125$95
Sign-up bonus3 free nights75,000 points
Bonus value (est.)$1,500$1,500
Min spend to unlock bonus$6,000 in 6 mo$5,000 in 3 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressChase
Card categoryhoteltravel
Best earning category (Marriott)6x1x
Transfer partnersmarriott-bonvoychase-ur
Headline benefits
  • Annual 35k Free Night Award
  • 15 elite nights/year
  • 6x at Marriott
  • Silver status
  • 5x on travel booked via Chase
  • 3x on dining & streaming
  • $50 annual hotel credit
  • Transfer to 10+ partners
Read the full review
Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card
$125/yr · 3 free nights
Read the full review
Chase Sapphire Preferred
$95/yr · 75,000 points

Editorial take: Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card

The Marriott business card pulls its weight on the annual Free Night cert alone — a 35k cat-property is routinely $250-400/night cash. Add 15 elite night credits and the dining stipend and the $125 fee is easy.

Editorial take: Chase Sapphire Preferred

The best starter travel card, period. Transferable points, solid bonus categories, and a low annual fee make this the card we recommend to almost everyone getting into the points game.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card or Chase Sapphire Preferred?
The two cards offer comparable sign-up bonuses around $1,500. Pick based on which earning categories you actually use.
Is the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card's $125 annual fee worth it compared to the Chase Sapphire Preferred?
At $125/yr, the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Chase Sapphire Preferred's — pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
Can I have both the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card and Chase Sapphire Preferred?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Chase) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both — they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
Should I get the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card or the Chase Sapphire Preferred first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card: $6,000 spend in 6 months. Chase Sapphire Preferred: $5,000 in 3 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time — confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.