Marriott Bonvoy has partnered with American Express Saudi Arabia – which is equally owned by Amex Middle East and the Saudi Investment Bank – to launch the kingdom’s first hospitality credit card.
The Marriott Bonvoy American Express Credit Card is a US dollar card that provides a zero per cent foreign exchange fee when spending in Saudi Riyals (SAR).
Cardholders can earn 5 Marriott Bonvoy points for every US$1 (or its equivalent in other currencies) spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy properties around the world.
They can also earn 3 points for each US$1 spent internationally (excluding US dollar and SAR) and 2 points for every US$1 (or SAR equivalent) transaction within Saudi Arabia.
Additionally, cardholders will automatically be given annual Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. Members will be upgraded to Gold Elite status if they spend US$30,000 within a calendar year.
Eligible cardmembers can also enjoy a limited-time welcome bonus offer of 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points if they spend US$3,000 in the first three months.
Benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Credit Card include a US $100 Property Credit, which can be used on purchases during a two-night minimum stay at participating luxury hotels worldwide across The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis brands, an annual free night stay at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, airport lounge access, and travel insurance with card usage from American Express.
Cardmembers can also transfer points to over 40 major airline frequent flyer programs. All Marriott Bonvoy American Express Cardmembers have access to a 15 Elite Night Credit each calendar year.
Those who sign up for the card will also receive an exclusive 20 per cent discount on food and beverage options at participating Marriott properties in the kingdom until October 31, 2023.
“As the first card in the kingdom which provides hospitality rewards, it allows cardmembers to earn points when making everyday purchases that can be redeemed towards hotel stays at Marriott properties across the world and other experiences,” said Fahad Bin Mubarak Al Guthami, chief executive officer at American Express Saudi Arabia.
Neal Jones, chief sales and marketing officer for Europe, Middle East and Africa at Marriott International added, “We are thrilled to work with American Express Saudi Arabia to offer Marriott Bonvoy members more ways to earn Marriott Bonvoy points at our hotels in the kingdom and across our portfolio of hotels, resorts and home rentals globally. Not only is this an expansion of our existing relationship with American Express, but it is also a reflection of our hyper-local strategy that focuses on delivering extra value to our members in the kingdom. We are excited for new cardmembers in the kingdom to use their card to earn points and experience our extraordinary properties and homes around the world, as well as access some incredible money-can’t-buy experiences through Marriott Bonvoy Moments.”
Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio in Saudi includes over 30 properties across brands such as The Ritz-Carlton, The Luxury Collection, JW Marriott, Sheraton, Marriott Hotels and Aloft Hotels.
Marriott recently said that it plans to expand its Middle East footprint with the addition of over 20 properties and more than 5,000 rooms across the Middle East over the next 15 months. In Saudi Arabia, it will be opening properties in the Red Sea Project and Diriyah Gate, with six additional luxury properties slated to open in the kingdom by the end of 2023. The anticipated openings include the debut of the St. Regis and Edition hotel brands in the country and the introduction of the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in the Middle East with the opening of Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in the Red Sea Project. It will also open a new Four Points by Sheraton in Riyadh and Courtyard by Marriott in Jubail which is expected to operational in 2023.
