If You Plan Trips Around Where to Dine Next, Credit Cards Can Help

Despite how credit card benefits have adapted over the years – including decisions to incorporate more at-home-friendly lifestyle benefits in response to the pandemic – travel and dining have been central to the credit and charge card industry since these payment methods were invented. Now, travelers are ready to venture back out and enjoy what their destinations have to offer. According to the American Express 2022 Global Travel Trends Report, 81% of respondents agree they “want to travel to destinations where they can immerse themselves into the local culture” – and food is always a key component of local identity.

Food often tells the story of a region, whether its recipes have been passed down for generations, like the 1,500-year-old Lasagna of Emilia Romagna, just north of Tuscany; or outside influences gave rise to new forms of nourishment, as happened in Vietnam thanks to French colonial rule.

Such food shapes travelers’ experiences and memories – and budgets. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that in pre-pandemic 2019, the average American household spent about 23% of their total travel expenses on food and alcohol.¹ According to the same data, lodging made up nearly 30% of travel expenses.

Say your travel budget is $2,000 (just under the BLS’ reported 2019 average). With dining and lodging making up a combined total of 53% of travel expenses, that’s just over $1,000. Paying with cash or debit is an option, but unlike credit cards, neither will help you balance the cost with points-earning potential and valuable perks.

With over 8,000 properties, Marriott offers endless opportunities for travelers to experience all corners of the world. And if you’re a Marriott Bonvoy^® program member, each stay at a Marriott Bonvoy property can help you rack up Marriott Bonvoy points – and potentially boost your Elite status, which opens the door for additional travel benefits.

Better yet, use the right credit card and you can earn points even faster. For example, the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Amex Card makes it easy to get rewarded for eating your way around the world and at home, with 4X points on restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in purchases per year, combined). Meanwhile, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card offers 3X points on restaurants worldwide with no spending cap.

Both Cards also offer stand-out opportunities to earn bonus points, so you can get even more points for staying at Marriott properties – whether you're on a bacchanalian journey or a bite-sized sojourn. Specifically, in addition to 6X points on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels – a benefit offered by both Cards – you can get extra points on qualifying purchases at eligible properties, simply for being a Marriott Bonvoy member. For example:

• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Card Members can get up to 10X points on qualifying purchases, plus 2.5X points (25% bonus points) for having Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, a complimentary Card benefit. Combined with the 6X points from the Card, that’s up to 18.5X Marriott Bonvoy points on qualifying Marriott spending.
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card Members also get up to 10X points on qualifying purchases, plus 5X points (50% bonus points) for having Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, a complimentary Card benefit. Combined with the 6X points from the Card, that’s up to 21X Marriott Bonvoy points on qualifying Marriott spending.

The Marriot Bonvoy Bevy Amex Card even takes it up a notch, with an additional 1,000 bonus points per paid eligible stay at eligible Marriott Bonvoy participating hotels booked directly with Marriott. Each Card also offers 2X points on all other purchases.

But what if you fly often, aren’t necessarily loyal to any particular airline, and want to earn points on plane tickets? The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card expands its points accelerators to include 3X points on flights booked directly through airlines.

If you use the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Amex Card or Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card to pay for every stay at a Marriott property, for every meal around the world, and for everyday spending, you can quickly build up points that can be redeemed toward your next vacation.

But points are only part of the equation, and a good trip is more than just good food; it’s also about the hotel experience. That’s why each Card also offers access to select benefits that can help enhance your stays at participating Marriott locations.

For example, each Card offers complimentary Marriot Bonvoy X Elite status, without the annual minimum night requirements. With its $250 annual fee², the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Amex Card balances luxury and affordability with complimentary Gold Elite status as well as 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year. Gold status includes benefits like 2 pm late checkout and room upgrades when available and booked with a Qualifying Rate, and the Elite Night credits put Card Members even closer to Platinum.

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card has a $650 annual fee³ and offers increased access to premium choices and privileges, such as complimentary Platinum Elite status and 25 Elite Night Credits each calendar year. Platinum status automatically unlocks 4 pm late checkout, lounge access at participating hotels, and room upgrades when available and booked with a Qualifying Rate, among other perks. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card also offers extra savings on dining, with the opportunity to earn up to $25 in statement credits every month for eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide – an annual value of up to $300.

And for larger trip purchases, say hello to Plan It by American Express. Plan It^® is a payment option that lets you split up qualifying purchases of $100 or more into monthly installments with a fixed fee, so you can splurge on your next trip with a little extra breathing room.

Terms apply to all benefits listed and all offers listed are subject to change.