Bonvoy 1/24

Understanding the Bonvoy 1/24 rule:

Bonvoy rules can be challenging to understand. Reading them is sometimes like a logic puzzle, but if you consider the history, it isn't quite so bad. Before merging into Bonvoy, both Marriott and Starwood (SPG) had each built their own brands, complete with their own loyalty cards and bank relationships. When they merged, they didn't want to abandon those relationships. But they also wanted to prevent abuse of their point system. If you think of Bonvoy as allowing you only one of several variations of a business and a personal card, things get much simpler.

To keep all of their card offerings, however, they created a myriad of rules to mimic what most other companies do by just having fewer card offerings. They also have two banks that offer co-branded cards - Chase and American Express. So that adds more confusion as you have to abide by other card rules set forth by each bank.

Basically, they don't want you to have more than one card bonus (of any kind) within 24 months. Additionally they won't let you have more than one business or one personal card. One additional layer of complexity for Bonvoy is this: You're also restricted by Amex's once per lifetime (1/10) rule, which in this case applies across similar and old versions of the cards. Put another way, you're allowed only one Amex personal and one business Bonvoy card per "lifetime".

Important to know

I’ve read these rules countless times and still have a hard time remembering the details of them all. Because there are older cards not even available today but still part of the rules and whether or not you’re eligible for the card or the bonus, it further complicates things. If you don’t load your cards into the Points Navigator and let us tell you when you’re about to violate one of these rules, the next best thing is to consult the chart below.

If you want to get any of the cards below, check under each one to see which other cards affect your eligibility of getting the card or the signup bonus.

Cards in italics are no longer available to new applicants.

Marriott Bonvoy Bold:

• This card is not available if you currently have any of the following cards or if you’ve received a bonus for any of the following cards in the past 24 months:
  • Marriott Bonvoy Bold
  • Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
  • Marriott Bonvoy Premier
  • Marriott Rewards Premier
  • Marriott Rewards Premier Plus
• The signup bonus is not available to you if you have received a signup bonus for any of the following cards in the past 24 months
  • Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex
  • Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex
  • Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Amex
  • Starwood Preferred Guest Business
  • Starwood Preferred Guest Amex Luxury

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless:

• This card is not available to you if you currently have any of the following cards or if you’ve received a bonus for any of the following cards in the past 24 months:
  • Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
  • Marriott Bonvoy Bold
  • Marriott Bonvoy Premier
  • Marriott Rewards Premier
  • Marriott Rewards Premier Plus
• The signup bonus is not available if you’ve received a bonus for any of the following cards in the past 24 months:
  • Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex
  • Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex
  • Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Amex
  • Starwood Preferred Guest Business
  • Starwood Preferred Guest Amex Luxury

Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful:

• The signup bonus is not available if you’ve received a bonus for any of the following cards in the past 24 months:
  • Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Amex
  • Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex
  • Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant from Amex
  • Marriott Bonvoy Amex
  • Starwood Preferred Guest from Amex
  • Starwood Preferred Guest Business from Amex
  • Starwood Preferred Guest Amex Luxury

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Amex

• The signup bonus is not available if you’ve received a bonus for any of the following cards in the past 24 months:
  • Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Chase
  • Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Chase
  • Marriott Bonvoy Bold Chase

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex

• The signup bonus is not available if you’ve received a bonus for any of the following cards in the past 24 months:
  • Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Chase
  • Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Chase
  • Marriott Bonvoy Bold Chase

Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex

• The signup bonus is not available if you’ve received a bonus for any of the following cards in the past 24 months:
  • Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Chase
  • Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Chase
  • Marriott Bonvoy Bold Chase

About Approval Rules

Collecting credit card points is largely driven by understanding and abiding by bank rules regarding approval (or disapproval) of cards.  So here’s what you need to know:

• Approval rules are rarely fully publicized by the banks
• We use our own research and data points from other users in creating the rules listing
• Our goal in sharing/using the rule listings is to provide you guidance to avoid getting declined
• There can sometimes be exceptions to the rules, but we try to take a more cautious approach in advising you.