Scotiabank Gold American Express® CardScotiabank Gold American Express® CardEarn up to 50,000 bonus Scene+ points + no annual fee in your first year

Review : The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy

  • Family
  • Vancouver Marriott Hotels
Review : The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy

Note8.4/10

Hotel
The Westin Bayshore Vancouver
Country
Canada
City
Vancouver
Room Type
Junior Suite
Loyalty Program Status
Titanium
Points Per Night
From 40,000 points
Share

Review of the The Westin Bayshore Vancouver hotel

The The Westin Bayshore Vancouver is ideally located steps from Stanley Park and the Marina.

Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - The Westin Bayshore Vancouver 01
Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - The Westin Bayshore Vancouver 02

It is a convention-oriented property, with plenty of function rooms. That said, it is a pleasant place for a one-night or multi-night stay as a tourist.

A category 6 property in the Marriott Bonvoy program at the time of my visit (during COVID-19), I chose to pay for my stay rather than use points.

Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - The Westin Bayshore Vancouver 03

Using my Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card let me earn 5 points per dollar on the cost of my night (about $130).

The Westin Bayshore Vancouver – Lobby

Loaner bikes are parked next to the valet stand:

  • first 2 hours free
  • $20 per additional hour (!!)
Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - The Westin Bayshore Vancouver 04
Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - The Westin Bayshore Vancouver 05

After a quick stop at the front desk, I head up to the suite I was upgraded to thanks to my Titanium status (and a little negotiating).

Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - The Westin Bayshore Vancouver 06
Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - The Westin Bayshore Vancouver 07

No more than two people in the elevator. Even with the other elevator out of service, there was very little wait (a reflection of how empty the property was during COVID-19).

Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - The Westin Bayshore Vancouver 10

The Westin Bayshore Vancouver – Room

My Junior Suite at the The Westin Bayshore Vancouver is on the 9th floor, with a splendid view over the Marina.

Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - The Westin Bayshore Vancouver 11
Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - The Westin Bayshore Vancouver 12

The suite opens with a living room and a sofa bed (ideal for families with young children). That room also holds a large desk with every outlet you could need.

Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - The Westin Bayshore Vancouver 13
Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - The Westin Bayshore Vancouver 14

A coffee machine, a fridge and a safe round out the equipment under the television.

Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - The Westin Bayshore Vancouver 15
Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - The Westin Bayshore Vancouver 16
Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - The Westin Bayshore Vancouver 17

A coffee machine, a fridge and a safe round out the equipment under the television.

Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - The Westin Bayshore Vancouver 18

On this mid-autumn day, the temperature is perfect. And being able to slide the patio door wide open to enjoy it is a real treat!

Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - The Westin Bayshore Vancouver 29

The bedroom holds a large King bed and a television.

Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - The Westin Bayshore Vancouver 19
Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - The Westin Bayshore Vancouver 21
Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - The Westin Bayshore Vancouver 22

Here again, sitting out on the balcony to soak up the late-day light is very pleasant!

Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - The Westin Bayshore Vancouver 23
Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - The Westin Bayshore Vancouver 24
Featured
Annual fee
$120
Our valuation
$990
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$990Total$990Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 110,000 points
Ends Sep 22, 2026
Apply Now

on American Express's website

Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).

The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card is the best credit card in Canada for free hotel nights.

New Cardmembers can earn up to 110,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points with the current offer:

  • Earn 80,000 points after you spend $6,000 on your Card in your first 6 months of Cardmembership.
  • Plus, earn 30,000 points by making a purchase during your 15th month of Cardmembership.

This offer ends on September 22, 2026. The annual fee is $120, and there is no annual fee on Additional Cards, so you can add a partner or a family member at no extra cost.

Every year after your first Card anniversary, you receive an Annual Free Night Award good for a redemption of up to 35,000 points at eligible hotels and resorts worldwide. At a valuation of 0.9 cents per Marriott Bonvoy point, that certificate is worth roughly $315, which on its own more than covers the $120 annual fee. That is the main reason to keep this Card year after year instead of cancelling it.

To get the most out of the certificate, aim it at a night that would otherwise price close to the 35,000 point ceiling.

The Card also gives you 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. Those credits count toward the next Elite tier, so you begin every year 15 nights ahead of where you would otherwise start.

You move up to Gold Elite status automatically when you reach $30,000 in purchases on the Card in a year, or when you combine 10 qualifying paid nights within one calendar year with the 15 Elite Night Credits from your Card.

Marriott Bonvoy points are generally valued at 0.9 cents each. On that basis, the 110,000 point welcome offer is worth about $990, and an Annual Free Night Award used at its full 35,000 point ceiling is worth about $315.

Marriott Bonvoy points pull their weight on free nights rather than on gift cards or merchandise, which is why this Card should be judged on the hotel stays it produces.

You earn 5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for free nights with no blackout dates at more than 7,000 hotels around the world.

The Card carries a solid package of coverages: $500,000 travel accident insurance, flight delay, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage and hotel or motel burglary at $500 each, car rental theft and damage up to $85,000 for rentals of up to 48 days, Purchase Protection for 90 days and a one year Extended Warranty.

Two things to plan around: the 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in a foreign currency, and the 21.99% purchase interest rate, which makes this a Card to pay in full every month. Like all American Express Canada Cards, no minimum income is published for this Card, and you can see whether you would be approved before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.

Annual fee

Primary card$120
Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
  • 2xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,437
2nd Year Value$312

Travel insurance

Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days

The Westin Bayshore Vancouver – Bathroom

The bathroom in this Junior Suite at the The Westin Bayshore Vancouver comes with:

  • a bathtub
  • a separate shower
  • a closet holding an ironing board, umbrellas and a luggage rack
Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - The Westin Bayshore Vancouver 25
Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - The Westin Bayshore Vancouver 27
Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - The Westin Bayshore Vancouver 28

The Westin Bayshore Vancouver – Gym and pool

In this COVID-19 pandemic period, you have to book a one-hour time slot to use the pool and the gym at the The Westin Bayshore Vancouver (with a pass to pick up at the front desk).

Here again, given how low the occupancy was, getting in for a swim was no trouble at all! The pool is nicely heated, which feels great after a run through Stanley Park! An outdoor pool is also open in season.

Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - The Westin Bayshore Vancouver 32

The gym is fitted with high-end equipment (treadmills, weights and dumbbells, etc).

Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - The Westin Bayshore Vancouver 33

For yoga fans, a dedicated room is also available near the front desk.

Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - The Westin Bayshore Vancouver Yoga
Featured
Annual fee
$120
Our valuation
$990
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$990Total$990Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 110,000 points
Ends Sep 22, 2026
Apply Now

on American Express's website

Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).

The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card is the best credit card in Canada for free hotel nights.

New Cardmembers can earn up to 110,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points with the current offer:

  • Earn 80,000 points after you spend $6,000 on your Card in your first 6 months of Cardmembership.
  • Plus, earn 30,000 points by making a purchase during your 15th month of Cardmembership.

This offer ends on September 22, 2026. The annual fee is $120, and there is no annual fee on Additional Cards, so you can add a partner or a family member at no extra cost.

Every year after your first Card anniversary, you receive an Annual Free Night Award good for a redemption of up to 35,000 points at eligible hotels and resorts worldwide. At a valuation of 0.9 cents per Marriott Bonvoy point, that certificate is worth roughly $315, which on its own more than covers the $120 annual fee. That is the main reason to keep this Card year after year instead of cancelling it.

To get the most out of the certificate, aim it at a night that would otherwise price close to the 35,000 point ceiling.

The Card also gives you 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. Those credits count toward the next Elite tier, so you begin every year 15 nights ahead of where you would otherwise start.

You move up to Gold Elite status automatically when you reach $30,000 in purchases on the Card in a year, or when you combine 10 qualifying paid nights within one calendar year with the 15 Elite Night Credits from your Card.

Marriott Bonvoy points are generally valued at 0.9 cents each. On that basis, the 110,000 point welcome offer is worth about $990, and an Annual Free Night Award used at its full 35,000 point ceiling is worth about $315.

Marriott Bonvoy points pull their weight on free nights rather than on gift cards or merchandise, which is why this Card should be judged on the hotel stays it produces.

You earn 5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for free nights with no blackout dates at more than 7,000 hotels around the world.

The Card carries a solid package of coverages: $500,000 travel accident insurance, flight delay, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage and hotel or motel burglary at $500 each, car rental theft and damage up to $85,000 for rentals of up to 48 days, Purchase Protection for 90 days and a one year Extended Warranty.

Two things to plan around: the 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in a foreign currency, and the 21.99% purchase interest rate, which makes this a Card to pay in full every month. Like all American Express Canada Cards, no minimum income is published for this Card, and you can see whether you would be approved before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.

Annual fee

Primary card$120
Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
  • 2xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,437
2nd Year Value$312

Travel insurance

Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days

The Westin Bayshore Vancouver – Breakfast

Staying during COVID-19, I knew the experience would not be complete, since a proper breakfast was off the table.

For members with Platinum status and above, the The Westin Bayshore Vancouver offers a credit at the T&Co coffee shop next to the front desk.

Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - The Westin Bayshore Vancouver 08

Breakfast runs from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and a wide selection of dishes is on offer. You can place your order and wait in an area set aside for exactly that. The hotel handled things well in these far from ordinary times.

Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - The Westin Bayshore Vancouver 34
Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - The Westin Bayshore Vancouver 35
Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - The Westin Bayshore Vancouver 36
Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - The Westin Bayshore Vancouver 09
Featured
Annual fee
$120
Our valuation
$990
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$990Total$990Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 110,000 points
Ends Sep 22, 2026
Apply Now

on American Express's website

Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).

The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card is the best credit card in Canada for free hotel nights.

New Cardmembers can earn up to 110,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points with the current offer:

  • Earn 80,000 points after you spend $6,000 on your Card in your first 6 months of Cardmembership.
  • Plus, earn 30,000 points by making a purchase during your 15th month of Cardmembership.

This offer ends on September 22, 2026. The annual fee is $120, and there is no annual fee on Additional Cards, so you can add a partner or a family member at no extra cost.

Every year after your first Card anniversary, you receive an Annual Free Night Award good for a redemption of up to 35,000 points at eligible hotels and resorts worldwide. At a valuation of 0.9 cents per Marriott Bonvoy point, that certificate is worth roughly $315, which on its own more than covers the $120 annual fee. That is the main reason to keep this Card year after year instead of cancelling it.

To get the most out of the certificate, aim it at a night that would otherwise price close to the 35,000 point ceiling.

The Card also gives you 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. Those credits count toward the next Elite tier, so you begin every year 15 nights ahead of where you would otherwise start.

You move up to Gold Elite status automatically when you reach $30,000 in purchases on the Card in a year, or when you combine 10 qualifying paid nights within one calendar year with the 15 Elite Night Credits from your Card.

Marriott Bonvoy points are generally valued at 0.9 cents each. On that basis, the 110,000 point welcome offer is worth about $990, and an Annual Free Night Award used at its full 35,000 point ceiling is worth about $315.

Marriott Bonvoy points pull their weight on free nights rather than on gift cards or merchandise, which is why this Card should be judged on the hotel stays it produces.

You earn 5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for free nights with no blackout dates at more than 7,000 hotels around the world.

The Card carries a solid package of coverages: $500,000 travel accident insurance, flight delay, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage and hotel or motel burglary at $500 each, car rental theft and damage up to $85,000 for rentals of up to 48 days, Purchase Protection for 90 days and a one year Extended Warranty.

Two things to plan around: the 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in a foreign currency, and the 21.99% purchase interest rate, which makes this a Card to pay in full every month. Like all American Express Canada Cards, no minimum income is published for this Card, and you can see whether you would be approved before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.

Annual fee

Primary card$120
Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
  • 2xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,437
2nd Year Value$312

Travel insurance

Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days

The Westin Bayshore Vancouver – Surroundings

It is hard to believe you are in the heart of Vancouver. Thanks to its exceptional location, staying at the The Westin Bayshore Vancouver is a genuine pleasure.

Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - The Westin Bayshore Vancouver 44

Stanley Park is a few minutes away (the front desk even hands out a map of possible running routes). Or you can walk along the Marina and watch the seaplanes come in to land!

Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - Vancouver Downtown 06
Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - Vancouver Downtown 09
Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - Vancouver Downtown 07

And in under a 20-minute walk, you could even hop on the shuttle ferry over to Granville Island!

Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - Vancouver Downtown 11
Review: The Westin Bayshore Vancouver | Marriott Bonvoy - Vancouver Downtown 13

Conclusion

The The Westin Bayshore Vancouver is a very good pick for visiting Vancouver: you can reach most of the local attractions on foot. And if you happen to have a car, you can get onto the Lions Gate Bridge quickly and be in Capilano within minutes.

Featured
Annual fee
$120
Our valuation
$990
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$990Total$990Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 110,000 points
Ends Sep 22, 2026
Apply Now

on American Express's website

Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).

The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card is the best credit card in Canada for free hotel nights.

New Cardmembers can earn up to 110,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points with the current offer:

  • Earn 80,000 points after you spend $6,000 on your Card in your first 6 months of Cardmembership.
  • Plus, earn 30,000 points by making a purchase during your 15th month of Cardmembership.

This offer ends on September 22, 2026. The annual fee is $120, and there is no annual fee on Additional Cards, so you can add a partner or a family member at no extra cost.

Every year after your first Card anniversary, you receive an Annual Free Night Award good for a redemption of up to 35,000 points at eligible hotels and resorts worldwide. At a valuation of 0.9 cents per Marriott Bonvoy point, that certificate is worth roughly $315, which on its own more than covers the $120 annual fee. That is the main reason to keep this Card year after year instead of cancelling it.

To get the most out of the certificate, aim it at a night that would otherwise price close to the 35,000 point ceiling.

The Card also gives you 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. Those credits count toward the next Elite tier, so you begin every year 15 nights ahead of where you would otherwise start.

You move up to Gold Elite status automatically when you reach $30,000 in purchases on the Card in a year, or when you combine 10 qualifying paid nights within one calendar year with the 15 Elite Night Credits from your Card.

Marriott Bonvoy points are generally valued at 0.9 cents each. On that basis, the 110,000 point welcome offer is worth about $990, and an Annual Free Night Award used at its full 35,000 point ceiling is worth about $315.

Marriott Bonvoy points pull their weight on free nights rather than on gift cards or merchandise, which is why this Card should be judged on the hotel stays it produces.

You earn 5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for free nights with no blackout dates at more than 7,000 hotels around the world.

The Card carries a solid package of coverages: $500,000 travel accident insurance, flight delay, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage and hotel or motel burglary at $500 each, car rental theft and damage up to $85,000 for rentals of up to 48 days, Purchase Protection for 90 days and a one year Extended Warranty.

Two things to plan around: the 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in a foreign currency, and the 21.99% purchase interest rate, which makes this a Card to pay in full every month. Like all American Express Canada Cards, no minimum income is published for this Card, and you can see whether you would be approved before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.

Annual fee

Primary card$120
Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
  • 2xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,437
2nd Year Value$312

Travel insurance

Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days

Going further with Marriott Bonvoy

To get the most out of your stays and your points balance, read our complete guide to the Marriott Bonvoy program along with our ranking of the best Marriott Bonvoy credit cards. For your personal purchases, look at the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card. For your business spending, the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card earns points on every company expense. And if a points purchase promotion is running, take advantage of it with our guide to buying Marriott Bonvoy points.

Our featured card

Featured
Annual fee
$120
Our valuation
$990
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$990Total$990Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 110,000 points
Ends Sep 22, 2026
Apply Now

on American Express's website

Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).

The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card is the best credit card in Canada for free hotel nights.

New Cardmembers can earn up to 110,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points with the current offer:

  • Earn 80,000 points after you spend $6,000 on your Card in your first 6 months of Cardmembership.
  • Plus, earn 30,000 points by making a purchase during your 15th month of Cardmembership.

This offer ends on September 22, 2026. The annual fee is $120, and there is no annual fee on Additional Cards, so you can add a partner or a family member at no extra cost.

Every year after your first Card anniversary, you receive an Annual Free Night Award good for a redemption of up to 35,000 points at eligible hotels and resorts worldwide. At a valuation of 0.9 cents per Marriott Bonvoy point, that certificate is worth roughly $315, which on its own more than covers the $120 annual fee. That is the main reason to keep this Card year after year instead of cancelling it.

To get the most out of the certificate, aim it at a night that would otherwise price close to the 35,000 point ceiling.

The Card also gives you 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. Those credits count toward the next Elite tier, so you begin every year 15 nights ahead of where you would otherwise start.

You move up to Gold Elite status automatically when you reach $30,000 in purchases on the Card in a year, or when you combine 10 qualifying paid nights within one calendar year with the 15 Elite Night Credits from your Card.

Marriott Bonvoy points are generally valued at 0.9 cents each. On that basis, the 110,000 point welcome offer is worth about $990, and an Annual Free Night Award used at its full 35,000 point ceiling is worth about $315.

Marriott Bonvoy points pull their weight on free nights rather than on gift cards or merchandise, which is why this Card should be judged on the hotel stays it produces.

You earn 5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for free nights with no blackout dates at more than 7,000 hotels around the world.

The Card carries a solid package of coverages: $500,000 travel accident insurance, flight delay, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage and hotel or motel burglary at $500 each, car rental theft and damage up to $85,000 for rentals of up to 48 days, Purchase Protection for 90 days and a one year Extended Warranty.

Two things to plan around: the 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in a foreign currency, and the 21.99% purchase interest rate, which makes this a Card to pay in full every month. Like all American Express Canada Cards, no minimum income is published for this Card, and you can see whether you would be approved before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.

Annual fee

Primary card$120
Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
  • 2xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,437
2nd Year Value$312

Travel insurance

Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days

Our editorial integrity

Our reviews and rankings are based on an objective assessment. Advertisers do not influence our content. We may receive compensation through some links; our analysis and opinions remain independent.