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Side-by-side

Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card vs American Express Schwab Investor Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card comes from American Express at $125/yr; the American Express Schwab Investor Card from American Express at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

For most people the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($1,690 more in estimated value) than the American Express Schwab Investor Card's. Get the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card first; revisit the American Express Schwab Investor Card after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureMarriott Bonvoy Business American Express CardAmerican Express Schwab Investor Card
Annual fee$125$0
Sign-up bonus150,000 points + $125 statement credit10,000 Membership Rewards points
Bonus value (est.)$1,800$110
Min spend to unlock bonus$8,000 in 6 mo$1,000 in 6 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressAmerican Express
Card categoryhoteltravel
Best earning category (Marriott)6x1x
Transfer partnersNoneamex-mr
Headline benefits
  • Annual 35k Free Night Award
  • 15 elite nights/year
  • 6x at Marriott
  • Silver status
  • 1.5X MR on everything
  • $0 annual fee
  • 1.0c/pt Invest with Rewards
  • Full MR transfer partners
Read the full review
Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card
$125/yr · 150,000 points + $125 statement credit
Read the full review
American Express Schwab Investor Card
$0/yr · 10,000 Membership Rewards points

Editorial take: Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card

The Marriott business card pulls its weight on the annual Free Night cert alone, a 35k cat-property is routinely $250-400/night cash. Add 15 elite night credits and the dining stipend and the $125 fee is easy.

Editorial take: American Express Schwab Investor Card

The hidden gem of the Amex MR lineup for Schwab brokerage customers. Flat 1.5X MR with $0 annual fee, full transfer-partner access, AND a 1.0 cents-per-point cash-into-brokerage redemption guarantees you can always extract real cash. The catch: you need a Schwab brokerage account to apply.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card or American Express Schwab Investor Card?
The Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card has the bigger bonus, 150,000 points + $125 statement credit, worth roughly $1,800, versus 10,000 Membership Rewards points (~$110) on the American Express Schwab Investor Card.
Is the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card's $125 annual fee worth it compared to the American Express Schwab Investor Card?
At $125/yr, the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the American Express Schwab Investor Card's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
Can I have both the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card and American Express Schwab Investor Card?
Yes, though both are issued by American Express so the same issuer-specific application rules apply (Chase 5/24 if applicable, Amex once-per-lifetime bonus, etc.). 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 Business American Express Card or the American Express Schwab Investor Card first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card: $8,000 spend in 6 months. American Express Schwab Investor Card: $1,000 in 6 months. 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.