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Side-by-side

Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card vs Mastercard Gold Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card comes from American Express at $125/yr; the Mastercard Gold Card from Barclays (Luxury Card) at $1199/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 ($1,800 more in estimated value) than the Mastercard Gold Card's. Get the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card first; revisit the Mastercard Gold Card after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureMarriott Bonvoy Business American Express CardMastercard Gold Card
Annual fee$125$1199
Sign-up bonus150,000 points + $125 statement creditNo public welcome offer
Bonus value (est.)$1,800$0
Min spend to unlock bonus$8,000 in 6 mo$0 in 0 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressBarclays (Luxury Card)
Card categoryhoteltravel
Best earning category (Marriott)6x1x
Transfer partnersNoneNone
Headline benefits
  • Annual 35k Free Night Award
  • 15 elite nights/year
  • 6x at Marriott
  • Silver status
  • $300 airline credit
  • $200 dining credit
  • $120 Global Entry credit
  • 2cpp cash back or airfare
Read the full review
Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card
$125/yr · 150,000 points + $125 statement credit
Read the full review
Mastercard Gold Card
$1199/yr · No public welcome offer

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: Mastercard Gold Card

The top tier of Barclays' Luxury Card lineup at $1,199. The $300 airline + $200 dining + $120 Global Entry credits chip away at the AF (about $620 of stated value before lounge access), and the 2cpp redemption on cash back is unusual. Still a status play more than a smart-points play; Amex Platinum or Sapphire Reserve win on credits-to-fee math for most travelers. Authorized-user fee is steep at $349 each.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card or Mastercard Gold Card?
The Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card has the bigger bonus, 150,000 points + $125 statement credit, worth roughly $1,800, versus No public welcome offer (~$0) on the Mastercard Gold Card.
Is the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card's $125 annual fee worth it compared to the Mastercard Gold 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 Mastercard Gold Card's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
Can I have both the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card and Mastercard Gold Card?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Barclays (Luxury Card)) 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 Business American Express Card or the Mastercard Gold 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. Mastercard Gold Card: $0 in 0 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.