How to Cancel Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card 2026 — Before the $95-$650 Annual Fee Hits

Updated March 2026 • 7 min read

Marriott Bonvoy credit cards range from $95 to $650 per year in annual fees. Most people sign up for the welcome bonus (50,000-150,000 points) then forget about the card — until the annual fee posts. Here's how to decide whether to keep, downgrade, or cancel, and exactly how to do each.

Marriott Bonvoy Card Annual Fees

• Marriott Bonvoy Bold (Visa): $0/year — keep this one, it's free
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless (Visa): $95/year — includes 1 free night (up to 35K points)
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy (Amex): $250/year — includes 1 free night (up to 50K points)
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant (Amex): $650/year — includes 1 free night (up to 85K points) + $300 dining credit
• Marriott Bonvoy Business (Amex): $125/year — includes 1 free night (up to 35K points)

Should You Cancel or Downgrade?

Downgrade (Usually Better)

Call Chase (Visa cards) or Amex (Amex cards) and ask to product change to a no-annual-fee card. This keeps your credit history and credit line intact.

• Boundless ($95): Downgrade to Bonvoy Bold ($0) — same issuer (Chase)
• Brilliant ($650): Downgrade to a different Amex card — ask what's available
• Business ($125): No downgrade path — must cancel

Cancel (When Necessary)

Cancel if no downgrade option exists, or if you have too many cards and want to simplify. Canceling a credit card can temporarily lower your credit score (reduces total credit limit and average account age).

How to Cancel or Downgrade

Chase Cards (Boundless, Bold)

1. Call 1-800-945-2028 (Chase Marriott line)
2. Say "I'd like to downgrade my card" (not cancel — start with downgrade)
3. If they offer retention bonus: evaluate if it covers the annual fee
4. If downgrading, ask for Bonvoy Bold ($0 fee)
5. If canceling, say "Please close the account"
6. Pay off any remaining balance first

Amex Cards (Brilliant, Bevy, Business)

1. Call 1-800-528-4800 (Amex)
2. Or chat via the Amex app — "I'd like to discuss my card options"
3. Ask about retention offers first — Amex often offers statement credits
4. If no good offer, request downgrade or cancellation
5. For Amex: canceling a card may trigger the popup jail (blocking future welcome bonuses)

The Math: Is the Free Night Certificate Worth the Fee?

• Boundless ($95): Free night up to 35K points = typically $150-250 hotels. Worth it if you use it.
• Bevy ($250): Free night up to 50K points = $200-400 hotels. Break-even — depends on where you stay.
• Brilliant ($650): Free night up to 85K points ($500-1000) + $300 dining credit. Worth it only if you use ALL benefits.

The trap: people keep premium cards "for the free night" but forget to book it. The free night certificate expires after 12 months. If you don't use it, you just paid $95-$650 for nothing.

Cancel Marriott Bonvoy Loyalty Account

If you want to close your actual Marriott Bonvoy loyalty account (separate from the credit card):

1. Log in at marriott.com
2. Call 1-800-321-7396 (Marriott Bonvoy)
3. Request account closure
4. Note: You'll lose ALL accumulated points — transfer or use them first