Head-to-head · 🇪🇺 Europe

Marriott Bonvoy American Express (UK) vs Barclaycard Rewards

Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.

Marriott Bonvoy American Express (UK) card
Wins 3 of 10
Wins 2 of 10
Verdict

Marriott Bonvoy American Express (UK) wins 3-2. Marriott regulars in the UK who want a free night each year. Barclaycard Rewards is still the right call if spending abroad from the uk with no foreign transaction fees..

Side-by-side

CriterionMarriott Bonvoy American Express (UK)Barclaycard Rewards
Annual fee
·
£95
No annual fee
Joining fee
=
None
=
None
Top reward rate
2x (general)
·
0.25% (general)
Base reward rate
2x
·
0.25%
Forex markup
=
N/A
=
No FX fee
Welcome bonus
20,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after £3,000 spend in three months
·
N/A
Fee waiver threshold
=
No waiver
=
N/A (no fee)
Min income
=
Not verified
=
Not verified
Min credit score
=
N/A
=
N/A
Editorial rating
·
4/5
4.4/5

Benefits compared

Marriott Bonvoy American Express (UK)

  • 2 Marriott Bonvoy points for every £1 spent
  • One free night (up to 25,000 points) after £25,000 of spend in an anniversary year
  • Gold Elite status when you spend £15,000 a year, and 15 Elite Night Credits

Barclaycard Rewards

  • 0.25% cashback on eligible purchases, credited once a year or on request
  • No transaction fees when you spend or withdraw cash abroad

FAQ

›Marriott Bonvoy American Express (UK) vs Barclaycard Rewards: which is better?

Marriott Bonvoy American Express (UK) wins on more dimensions (3 vs 2). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern. Run your own monthly spend through the maximizer to see which one pays you more.

›Can I get both?

Yes, if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Marriott Bonvoy American Express (UK) for its best categories, Barclaycard Rewards for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.

›Which one has the better welcome bonus?

Marriott Bonvoy American Express (UK): 20,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after £3,000 spend in three months. Barclaycard Rewards doesn't list a welcome bonus.