The 2025 Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ Review: Is the Mid-Tier Marriott Worth $250?

I. Introduction: Marriott's Awkward Middle Child

(3.8 / 5 Stars)

TCI Rating: 7.6 / 10

Annual Fee: $250

In the bustling world of travel rewards credit cards, every product seems to have a clear place. You have your entry-level cards, the dependable workhorses for a modest fee, and your ultra-premium options, which justify their high price tags with a wealth of luxury perks. And then, there’s the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card. Positioned awkwardly between these two poles, the Bevy is Marriott and American Express's attempt to win over the "mid-tier" traveler. However, since its launch, it has been plagued by one critical question: does it offer enough value to justify its $250 annual fee?

The Bevy holds a peculiar spot in the extensive Marriott co-branded card lineup. The most significant point of contention is its break from a long-standing industry norm: the absence of an automatic annual Free Night Award. This review will take a deep dive into the financial-less of the card for 2025, specifically for the savvy U.S. traveler.

II. Deconstructing the Bevy's Value

To determine if the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card is a smart financial move, we need to treat it like any other investment. Its returns—in the form of points and perks—must be carefully weighed against its cost.

The Welcome Offer: A Powerful, but Temporary, Boost

The most immediately attractive feature of the card is its welcome offer. New cardholders can earn a significant number of Marriott Bonvoy bonus points. While offers can change, a conservative valuation for Marriott Bonvoy points in 2025 is around 0.8 cents per point. This initial bonus can easily cover the $250 annual fee for the first year. However, it's a one-time benefit. For the current offer, please refer to the official American Express website.

III. The Earning Engine: A Tale of Two Multipliers

The Bevy card's rewards structure is designed to accumulate points through both travel and everyday spending. Here are the earning rates, per the official benefits page:

• 6X points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program.
• 4X points per dollar at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases per calendar year, then 2X).
• 2X points per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

A critical detail is the $15,000 cap on 4X categories. Using a 0.8 CPP valuation, these rates translate to: 4.8% at Marriott properties, 3.2% on dining/groceries (within the cap), and 1.6% on everything else. While a 3.2% return on food is respectable, it can be outmatched by more flexible rewards cards.

IV. The Perks Package: Automatic Status vs. High-Stakes Hurdles

Automatic Gold Elite Status: Still Golden in 2025?

Cardholders are granted complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status. The most tangible benefits include a 25% points bonus on stays, 2 p.m. late checkout, and potential for room upgrades to "preferred" rooms (not suites). While valuable, the truly transformative perks like free breakfast are reserved for Platinum Elite and higher. You can see all the details on the Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite benefits page.

The Free Night Award: Marriott's $15,000 Gamble

The card's most debated feature is its Free Night Award (FNA). You can earn one FNA (worth up to 50,000 points) *after* spending $15,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year. This creates a high opportunity cost. That same $15,000 on a 2% cash-back card yields a guaranteed $300, meaning the "free" night's effective cost is the $250 fee plus the forgone rewards.

V. How the Bevy Stacks Up Against Its Fiercest Rivals

The Bevy's value is best understood in context. See our guide to the Best Hotel Credit Cards for a full market comparison.

• vs. Brilliant ($650): The top-tier Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® offers far more value for frequent travelers with an automatic 85,000-point FNA, Platinum status, and dining credits that easily offset its higher fee.
• vs. Boundless ($95): The Chase-issued Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® is a value champion. It has a low $95 fee and provides an *automatic* 35,000-point FNA each year, making it a keeper for almost any Marriott traveler.

VI. The Final Verdict: Who Should (and Shouldn't) Get the Bonvoy Bevy?

After a thorough analysis, it's clear the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card is a logical choice for only a very specific type of traveler.

"I'm a big believer in optimizing my credit card rewards, and the Bevy just doesn't make sense. You pay a $250 annual fee with no clear way to get that money back without spending $15,000 on the card. The opportunity cost of that is just too high."

The ideal cardholder is a committed Marriott loyalist who can easily spend $15,000 on the card annually in the bonus categories, values Gold status, but isn't ready for a premium card's high fee. This is a very narrow niche.

VII. Actionable Recommendations for Everyone Else

So, is the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card worth its $250 annual fee in 2025? For most U.S. travelers, the answer is a firm no. The card is stuck in a strategic middle ground, outdone on value by its less expensive counterpart and outclassed on perks by its premium sibling. While its welcome bonus is tempting for a one-year trial, its long-term place in a savvy traveler's wallet is very difficult to justify.