Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card vs Citi Simplicity Card
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card comes from American Express at $250/yr; the Citi Simplicity Card from Citi at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
If you're not sure you'll use premium perks, start with the Citi Simplicity Card, its annual fee is significantly lower and the bonus values are similar. Upgrade later if you find yourself using the higher-tier benefits.
| Feature | Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card | Citi Simplicity Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $250 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | up to 135,000 Marriott Bonvoy points | No welcome bonus; product is a 0% intro APR balance-transfer card with no late fees, no penalty APR, and no rewards program |
| Bonus value (est.) | - | - |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $5,000 in 6 mo | - |
| Issuer | American Express | Citi |
| Card category | travel | |
| Best earning category (Dining) | 4x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
Editorial take: Citi Simplicity Card
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card or Citi Simplicity Card?
- Neither card has a publicly advertised sign-up bonus today. Watch for limited-time offers from each issuer.
- Is the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card's $250 annual fee worth it compared to the Citi Simplicity Card?
- At $250/yr, the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Citi Simplicity Card's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card and Citi Simplicity Card?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Citi) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
- Should I get the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card or the Citi Simplicity Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card: $5,000 spend in 6 months. Citi Simplicity Card: no published min spend. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.
Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.
