United Explorer vs Marriott Bonvoy Bevy: Which Is Better In 2025?

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This card packs a punch for Marriott loyalists, and here’s a quick look at what stands out to us.

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• Cardholders can rack up points quickly with strong earning rates on Marriott stays, dining, and at U.S. supermarkets.
• You'll receive automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status and other travel protections, though the card does come with an annual fee (See Rates & Fees).
• Spending $15,000 in a calendar year earns you an Annual Free Night Award, which can easily offset the card's annual fee when redeemed at eligible properties (publisher-formulated estimate).

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Pros

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• Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, unlocking perks like potential room upgrades and late checkout.
• Strong rewards on Marriott stays, plus bonus points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets.
• An Annual Free Night Award is available after meeting a yearly spending requirement, and there are no foreign transaction fees.

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Cons

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• It has an annual fee, and the Free Night Award is only earned after meeting a significant annual spending requirement.
• The card’s value is limited for those who don't frequently stay at Marriott properties or are looking for premium travel perks like lounge access.
• Bonus points on everyday spending categories like restaurants and U.S. supermarkets are capped annually.

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card vs United Explorer

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Categories

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Choosing between an airline and a hotel co-branded credit card depends entirely on your travel style. To determine which is better, United Explorer or Marriott Bonvoy Bevy, it helps to look at who each card is designed for.

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• United℠ Explorer Card: This card is best for frequent travelers, particularly those who often fly with United and want to take advantage of airline-specific benefits and perks.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card: This card is also geared toward frequent travelers, but it specifically caters to those loyal to the Marriott brand who want to maximize hotel rewards and enjoy elite status benefits.

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Redemption

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United℠ Explorer Card: Miles earned with this card are best used for booking award flights with United and its extensive network of airline partners. You can also redeem miles for travel-related purchases like seat upgrades, hotel stays, and car rentals.

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Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card: The points you earn are primarily designed for redeeming free nights at thousands of participating Marriott Bonvoy properties worldwide. Additionally, points can be transferred to a variety of airline loyalty programs. Terms apply.

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Travel Perks

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• United℠ Explorer Card: This card comes with several airline-centric perks. Cardholders get a free first checked bag for themselves and a companion on the same reservation, priority boarding, and two one-time passes to the United Club each year. It also offers a statement credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee and has no foreign transaction fees.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card: The perks for this card are focused on the hotel experience. It offers complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status and a Free Night Award after meeting a spending requirement. The card also has no foreign transaction fees. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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For a more personalized comparison, a tool like Kudos can help you browse and compare nearly 3,000 credit cards side-by-side.

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• Simulate potential earnings with any card using your real spending data before you apply, a feature Kudos calls a Test Drive.
• Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Get a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months.
• Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card rewards when shopping at participating stores with Kudos Boost.
• Manage all your cards in the Kudos Wallet, which also helps you monitor your spending and credit score.

Who Should Choose the United Explorer?

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The United℠ Explorer Card is an excellent choice for frequent United flyers, as the free checked bag benefit for the cardholder and a companion can easily offset the annual fee after just one round-trip. It also caters to international travelers with no foreign transaction fees and those seeking convenience with statement credits for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®. Ultimately, this card is best suited for travelers with good-to-excellent credit who want valuable airline perks and protections without committing to a premium card's price tag.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card is tailored for frequent Marriott guests who want to maximize their hotel stays with elite status and bonus points. It also appeals to travelers who value the perks of Gold Elite status but don't stay enough to earn it organically, as well as those who spend significantly on dining and at U.S. supermarkets. This card is particularly beneficial for moderate to high spenders who can meet the $15,000 annual spending requirement to earn a valuable Free Night Award, as detailed in a comprehensive review.

Alternatives to Consider

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After comparing the United Explorer Card vs. the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card, you might find that neither is the right co-branded card for your wallet. Fortunately, the world of travel rewards cards is vast, and other options could be a better match for your loyalty and spending.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score to ensure you meet the typical good-to-excellent credit requirement for approval.
• Plan your spending to comfortably meet any welcome offer requirements without overspending.
• Review the card’s benefits to confirm they align with your personal travel and spending habits.

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Application Strategy

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• Link your loyalty accounts if applying for a co-branded card to streamline benefits.
• Be mindful of issuer-specific rules that may affect your application eligibility.
• Time your application with a large planned purchase to help meet spending requirements naturally.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Which card offers better elite status benefits?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card provides automatic Gold Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy, offering perks like room upgrades and late checkout (Terms apply). In contrast, the United Explorer Card's benefits are geared toward the flight experience, including priority boarding and free checked bags.

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What are the annual fees for the United Explorer and Marriott Bonvoy Bevy cards?

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Both the United Explorer Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card have annual fees, which are a key factor in evaluating their overall value. You can find the current fee information for each card within its official rates and fees disclosure.

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Can I use points from one card's program for the other?

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You generally cannot directly transfer United MileagePlus miles to Marriott Bonvoy or vice versa. These are separate loyalty programs, so points earned in one are typically redeemed within that program's ecosystem or with its specific partners.

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