How do I unlock the full 80,000-point welcome bonus?

The bonus is split into two milestones. The first 70,000 points hit your account after you spend $5,000 within the first three months of cardmembership, which works out to roughly $1,667 monthly in business expenses. The remaining 10,000 points are awarded when you make at least $1,000 in purchases during the 13th month after approval, designed to push renewal. Skip either milestone and the points are forfeited, so calendar both spending windows in your accounting software the day the card arrives.

Is the Annual Free Night Award worth the annual fee on this card?

Each card anniversary, Marriott deposits a Free Night Award redeemable for any property costing 35,000 points or less per night. That ceiling covers a wide range of category 4 hotels including the Sheraton Centre Toronto, Delta Hotels Vancouver Suites and many European Courtyards. Since paid rates at those properties typically run $250 to $400 per night, the certificate alone covers the card's cost annually. You can even top up with up to 15,000 of your own points to reach a 50,000-point category 5 hotel.

Do I need a registered business to apply for this card?

No. American Express Canada accepts sole proprietors, contractors and freelancers under the same business card application as incorporated companies. You'll provide your full legal name, social insurance number and a description of business activities; in many cases, a business number isn't required for sole proprietors. The annual fee is also tax-deductible as a business expense, which lowers the effective net cost. If your side hustle generates legitimate revenue, you almost certainly qualify.

How fast can I reach Marriott Bonvoy Elite status with this card?

You receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually just for holding the card, which represents 60% of the way to Silver status (25 nights) and 30% to Gold (50 nights) before checking into a single hotel. Combined with the Marriott Bonvoy Amex personal card's 15 Elite Nights, holding both products gives you 30 nights yearly, putting Gold within reach with just 20 paid stays. Silver-and-up tiers unlock priority check-in, late checkout and 10% to 25% bonus points on stays, accelerating point accumulation further.