British Airways Visa Signature® Card vs Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card

This comparison aims to help you decide between the British Airways Visa Signature® Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card. Both cards offer unique rewards and benefits tailored to frequent travelers, but their features cater to different spending habits and preferences.

Card Overviews

British Airways Visa Signature® Card

The British Airways Visa Signature® Card is ideal for travelers who frequently fly with British Airways and its partner airlines. With a strong focus on earning Avios points for flights and travel-related purchases, this card offers valuable travel perks, including discounts on flights and the opportunity to earn a Travel Together Ticket.

Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card is designed for business owners and frequent travelers who prefer staying at Marriott properties. This card provides generous rewards for hotel stays, dining, and other business expenses, along with free night awards and elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy program.

Detailed Feature Comparison

Rewards Highlights

British Airways Visa Signature® Card Rewards

• Earn 85,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
• Earn 3 Avios per $1 spent on purchases with Iberia, British Airways, Aer Lingus, and LEVEL.
• Earn 2 Avios per $1 spent on hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel.

Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card Rewards

• 6x Marriott Bonvoy points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
• 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
• 2x points on all other eligible purchases.

Pros and Cons

British Airways Visa Signature® Card Pros and Cons

• Pros:
• Generous welcome bonus of Avios.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Discounts on British Airways flights.
• Opportunity to earn a Travel Together Ticket.
• Cons:
• Annual fee may be viewed as high for infrequent travelers.
• Limited to airlines within the British Airways network for optimal rewards.

Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card Pros and Cons

• Pros:
• Multiple ways to earn points on everyday purchases.
• Free night awards significantly enhance value.
• Complimentary Gold Elite Status provides additional perks.
• Cons:
• Higher annual fee compared to the British Airways card.
• Free night awards limited to lower-tier hotels unless additional spending is reached.

Who Should Consider Which Card?

• British Airways Visa Signature® Card: Ideal for travelers who frequently fly with British Airways and want to earn Avios quickly for flights and travel perks.
• Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Best suited for business owners and frequent travelers who stay at Marriott properties and appreciate earning points on a variety of everyday purchases.

Conclusion

When choosing between the British Airways Visa Signature® Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, consider your travel preferences, spending habits, and how often you stay at Marriott hotels or fly with British Airways. Each card offers unique benefits that can enhance your travel experience based on your individual needs.

“Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.”