Thinking about leveling up your travel game with a better Marriott Bonvoy credit card? You've come to the right place! Upgrading your card can unlock a host of enhanced benefits, from higher earning rates to more luxurious perks. But how exactly do you go about it? Let's break down the process step-by-step.
Step 1: Are You Ready to Upgrade Your Marriott Bonvoy Experience?
Before we dive into the "how," let's consider the "why." Are you finding yourself staying at Marriott properties more frequently? Do you crave higher elite status or more valuable Free Night Awards? Are the benefits of your current card no longer meeting your travel needs?
Think about these questions carefully. Upgrading often comes with a higher annual fee, so it's crucial to assess if the enhanced perks genuinely justify the increased cost for your specific travel habits. For instance, if you currently have a Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card with a $95 annual fee, you might be considering the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful with its $250 annual fee or even the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant with a $650 annual fee. The benefits jump significantly with each tier, so make sure they align with your travel aspirations!
Step 2: Understanding Your Upgrade Options
Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit cards are typically issued by either Chase (in the US) or American Express (in the US, and also other banks globally like HDFC Bank in India). Your upgrade path will largely depend on which issuer your current card is with.
Sub-heading: Identifying Your Current Card and Issuer
Check your physical card: The logo of the issuing bank (Chase or American Express, etc.) will be prominently displayed.
Look at your statements: Your monthly credit card statements will clearly indicate the issuing bank.
Log into your online banking portal: This is often the quickest way to confirm your card type and issuer.
Sub-heading: Common Upgrade Paths (Examples for US Cards)
While specific offers and eligibility can vary, here are some common upgrade paths you might consider:
From Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless to Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful: The Boundless offers a respectable annual free night award (up to 35,000 points) and automatic Silver Elite status. Upgrading to the Bountiful could get you Gold Elite status and potentially a higher-value Free Night Award (often tied to spending thresholds), along with enhanced earning rates on certain categories.
From American Express Marriott Bonvoy Bevy to Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant: If you have the Bevy, moving to the Brilliant would unlock Platinum Elite status (which includes enhanced room upgrades and a welcome gift choice), a higher-value Free Night Award (up to 85,000 points), and valuable statement credits for dining. This is a significant jump in benefits and annual fee.
Important Note on Bonuses: Generally, when you upgrade a credit card (a "product change"), you typically do NOT receive the new cardmember welcome bonus that would be offered if you applied for a new card directly. If earning a new sign-up bonus is your primary goal, it's often better to apply for a new card entirely, rather than upgrading an existing one. However, applying for a new card might involve a hard inquiry on your credit report and meeting new spending requirements.
Step 3: Checking Your Eligibility
Even if an upgrade path exists, you'll need to meet the issuer's eligibility criteria.
Sub-heading: Key Eligibility Factors
Account History and Standing: Your account with the issuer must be in good standing. This means no late payments, no defaults, and generally responsible credit behavior.
Length of Card Membership: Issuers typically require you to have held your current card for a certain period, often at least one year. This isn't a hard and fast rule, but it's a common guideline.
Creditworthiness: While product changes usually don't involve a new hard credit inquiry, the issuer will still review your overall credit profile to ensure you qualify for the higher-tier card. A good to excellent credit score is usually required for premium travel cards.
Existing Card Relationships: Some issuers might have rules about how many cards you can hold or have opened within a certain timeframe (e.g., Chase's 5/24 rule, though product changes typically don't count towards this).
Step 4: Initiating the Upgrade Request
This is where you make it happen! The primary way to upgrade your Marriott credit card is by contacting your credit card issuer directly.
Sub-heading: Contacting Your Issuer
Phone Call (Recommended): This is often the most effective method. Call the customer service number on the back of your credit card. Be prepared to explain that you're interested in upgrading your Marriott Bonvoy credit card to a specific higher-tier card.
For Chase Marriott Bonvoy cards, you can typically call 1-800-338-5960.
Secure Message (Online Portal): Some issuers allow you to send a secure message through your online banking portal to inquire about upgrade options. While this can be convenient, it might take longer to get a definitive answer.
In-Branch (Less Common for Upgrades): While you can visit a bank branch, credit card upgrades are usually handled more efficiently over the phone.
Sub-heading: What to Expect During the Call
State Your Intent Clearly: "I'm interested in upgrading my Marriott Bonvoy [Current Card Name] to the Marriott Bonvoy [Desired Card Name]."
Inquire About Eligibility: Ask if you are eligible for the upgrade.
Confirm Benefits and Fees: Double-check the annual fee of the new card and confirm the benefits you'll receive upon upgrade.
Understand Effective Date: Ask when the upgrade will take effect and when your new card will arrive.
Pro-rated Annual Fee: If you're upgrading mid-year, inquire if your annual fee will be pro-rated or if you'll be charged the full new annual fee immediately.
No Hard Inquiry (Usually): Reconfirm that the upgrade will be a product change and will not result in a hard inquiry on your credit report. This is generally the case for upgrades within the same card family and issuer.
Step 5: Post-Upgrade Considerations
Once your upgrade is approved and your new card arrives, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Sub-heading: Activating Your New Card
Activate Immediately: Follow the instructions to activate your new card as soon as you receive it.
Update Recurring Payments: If your card number changes (which it often does with an upgrade), remember to update any automatic bill payments or subscriptions linked to your old card.
Sub-heading: Enjoying Your Enhanced Benefits
Elite Status: Your new elite status (if applicable) should reflect in your Marriott Bonvoy account shortly after the upgrade.
Free Night Awards: Understand the terms and conditions for any new Free Night Awards you've gained.
Earning Rates: Be mindful of the new earning rates on your upgraded card to maximize your points.
Credit Score Impact: As mentioned, a product change (upgrade) typically has minimal to no impact on your credit score. It doesn't close your old account and open a new one, so your credit history length remains intact, and your credit utilization generally won't be affected unless your credit limit also changes significantly.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 related FAQ questions, all starting with "How to," with quick answers:
How to determine if upgrading my Marriott credit card is worth it?
Assess your annual travel spending at Marriott properties, the value you place on elite status benefits (like upgrades and late checkout), and if the new card's perks (e.g., higher Free Night Award value, better earning rates) outweigh the increased annual fee.
How to find out which Marriott credit cards I can upgrade to?
Contact your credit card issuer (Chase or American Express) directly via phone or secure message, and they will inform you of the eligible upgrade paths available for your specific account.
How to upgrade my Chase Marriott Bonvoy credit card?
Call Chase customer service at the number on the back of your card (e.g., 1-800-338-5960 in the US) and express your interest in a product change to a higher-tier Marriott Bonvoy card.
How to upgrade my American Express Marriott Bonvoy credit card?
Contact American Express customer service via phone or secure message through your online account to inquire about upgrade options for your Marriott Bonvoy card.
How to know if I'm eligible for a Marriott credit card upgrade?
Generally, you need to have a good payment history, your account must be in good standing, and you often need to have held your current card for at least one year. Your issuer will confirm specific eligibility.
How to avoid a hard inquiry when upgrading my Marriott credit card?
Product changes (upgrades) within the same card family and issuer typically do not result in a hard inquiry on your credit report. Always confirm this with the representative when you call.
How to check if my new Marriott Bonvoy elite status is reflected after an upgrade?
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account on the Marriott website or app. Your updated elite status should be visible in your profile section.
How to use a higher-value Free Night Award obtained from an upgrade?
The Free Night Award certificate will typically appear in your Marriott Bonvoy account online. When booking a stay, you'll have the option to apply the certificate during the redemption process, subject to the point cap of the award.
How to ensure my points transfer seamlessly after a Marriott credit card upgrade?
Since it's a product change with the same issuer and linked to the same Marriott Bonvoy account, your points balance will remain the same and transfer seamlessly to your upgraded card.
How to decide between upgrading my card or applying for a new one to get more Marriott benefits?
If your primary goal is to earn a significant new cardmember welcome bonus, applying for a new card is usually the better option. If you prefer to keep your existing credit history intact and don't want a new credit inquiry, an upgrade is preferable, but you'll likely forgo the new card bonus.
