HDFC Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card Review

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Last Updated 18th October 2023.

HDFC Bank has recently launched the most speculated and much-awaited Marriott Bonvoy cobranded credit card in India. This is the first credit card ever launched in India by one of the most renowned global hotel chains in the world. The card is available on the Diners Club platform.

Here’s everything you wish to know about the card.

Charges and Welcome Benefits​

Joining Fees	₹3000 + GST
Welcome Benefits	1) 1 Free Award Night (valued up to 15,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) 2) 10 Elite Night Credits (ENCs) under the Marriott Bonvoy Program 3) Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite Status
Renewal Fees	₹3000 + GST
Renewal Benefits	1 Free Award Night (valued up to 15,000 Marriott Bonvoy points)
Renewal Fee Waiver	NIL

The welcome benefit on this card is easily worth ₹7,500 minimum which is much more than the fee paid. Allow up to 12 weeks after paying the Joining Fee or Annual Membership Fee, or fulfilling the relevant spending thresholds, for your Free Night Award to be automatically
deposited into your Marriott Bonvoy Member Account.

Reward Points Accrual​

Spends Area	Earn Rate	Monthly Capping
All retail spends*	2 Marriott Bonvoy Points per ₹150 spent	NIL
Travel, Dining and Entertainment	4 Marriott Bonvoy Points per ₹150 spent	53335 Marriott Bonvoy Points (monthly spends threshold of ₹10,00,000)
Marriott Hotels	8 Marriott Bonvoy Points per ₹150 spent	13335 Marriott Bonvoy Points (monthly spends threshold of ₹5,00,000)

*Except for Fuel, Rental Payments, Packers and Movers, Government Transactions, Wallet loads, and Easy EMI transactions.

• The points will be credited to your Marriott Bonvoy account within 3 months of bill generation.
• Maximum Eligible Spend for earning Marriott Bonvoy Points on grocery store spend (i.e., 2 Marriott Bonvoy Points per ₹150) will be capped at spends of INR 1,50,000 per month (i.e., maximum 2000 Marriott Bonvoy Points could be earned on grocery spends per month).

Reward Points Redemption​

For Marriott Bonvoy we can assume one MB point to be easily around 50p though you can extract more than Re 1 at some properties in some regions.

Spends Area	Reward Rate
All retail spends*	0.66%
Travel, Dining and Entertainment	1.33%
Marriott Hotels	2.66%

Milestone Benefits​

• 1 Free Night Award on Eligible Spend of ₹6 lakhs in an Anniversary Year
• 1 Free Night Award on Eligible Spend of ₹9 lakhs in an Anniversary Year
• 1 Free Night Award on Eligible Spend of ₹15 lakhs in an Anniversary Year

Each Free Night Award is valid for 12 months and can be redeemed for a one-night stay, inclusive of room rate and applicable taxes, at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy with a redemption level of up to 15,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points.

Other Benefits​

Airport Lounge Access​

Access Via - Credit Card
Complimentary Domestic Limit - 12 Visits/ Calendar year within India
Network - Diners Club India

Access Via - Credit Card
Complimentary International Limit - 12 Visits/ Calendar year on lounges outside India.

Golf Access​

• Get access to 2 Complimentary golf lessons per quarter at select golf courses in India.
• Get 2 Complimentary Golf course access per quarter at select premium golf courses in India and golf courses internationally.

Fuel Surcharge Waiver​

No fuel surcharge waiver is applicable on this card.

Insurance Coverage​

• Delay or loss of checked-in baggage cover of up to $250
• Loss of travel documents cover of up to $250
• Flight delay cover of up to $250
• Air accidental cover of up to $12,500
• Emergency medical expenses up to $18,750
• Credit shield of up to ₹100,000
• Loss liability cover of up to ₹100,000

Concierge Services​

Enjoy the exclusive Concierge Services on your Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Bank Credit Card. Customers can connect to the concierge number from 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Toll Free: 18003093100

Email: support@marriotthdfcbank.com

Forex Markup Charges​

• FCY Markup Fee: 3.5%+GST
• Reward Rate: 0.66%
• Net: –3.5% (loss)

Eligibility​

Officially the bank has the following criteria but can vary as per your relationship with the bank.

For Salaried Indian national

• Age: Min 21 years & Max 60 Years
• Net Monthly Income > ₹1 Lakh

For Self Employed Indian national

• Age: Min 21 years & Max 65 Years
• ITR > ₹15 Lakhs per annum.

Last Thoughts​

The mediocre features of this card suggest that Marriott is looking to tap into new customers or many who stay at Marriott properties but not into their loyalty programme Marriott Bonvoy. I am also expecting a much more premium card either from HDFC Bank or ICICI Bank soon. This card is up for keep since the joining fee is well compensated by the joining benefits even if you don't spend on this card.

What are your thoughts about this card? Feel free to share in the comments below.

 

[gunnerTH]

Th

Thanks for this. I have 2 questions.

1. What is the need for priority pass membership if we can directly use the card for international lounge access? Do we get anything extra? Is it OK to use it without PP membership also right? Then why do we need to call cust care and get priority pass membership additionally? @gunnerTH

2. I have 3 add on cards. So do I need to call cust care and get pp membership for all 3 of them separately?

I generally use Priority Pass app as it gives airport maps and all, You dont need additional membership, it will be activated by your card itself

 

[nh124001]

please someone confirm, if MB card gets 5/10% cashback on smartbuy portal?

 

[smuff]

please someone confirm, if MB card gets 5/10% cashback on smartbuy portal?

Yes it does.

 

[ujjwal2024]

please someone confirm, if MB card gets 5/10% cashback on smartbuy portal?

yes...recently i got offer that transact rs. 500 4 times and get rs. 500 voucher...
I bought myntra voucher on smartbuy in payzapp while waiting for an appointment..got 5% discount means charged 2000 but rs. 100 credit in the statement
as well some 24 or 20 Marriott point credited to the marriott account and Rs. 500 myntra voucher
meand paying Rs. 1900 I got Rs. 2500 worth of myntra voucher as well 20 Marriott point

 

[nh124001]

yes...recently i got offer that transact rs. 500 4 times and get rs. 500 voucher...
I bought myntra voucher on smartbuy in payzapp while waiting for an appointment..got 5% discount means charged 2000 but rs. 100 credit in the statement
as well some 24 or 20 Marriott point credited to the marriott account and Rs. 500 myntra voucher
meand paying Rs. 1900 I got Rs. 2500 worth of myntra voucher as well 20 Marriott point

one question about marriott bonvoy, what is the validity of these points, does it get extend when new points gets credited like accor?

 

[cardio_guycardio_guy is verified member.]

one question about marriott bonvoy, what is the validity of these points, does it get extend when new points gets credited like accor?

I have read that validity is 1 year or 2 year
But once you credit some point, it gets extended.
How is it in accor?

 

[ujjwal2024]

I have read that validity is 1 year or 2 year
But once you credit some point, it gets extended.
How is it in accor?

Accor and Marriott same system...This system is very convinient to all of us...just transfer few points and your validity is extended by 1 year (accor) 2 year (marriott)
for marrioot it is even easier if you have HDFC card as the reward point is automatically transfered

 

[nh124001]

right now i have main 3 credit cards : HDFC RG, Atlas and Sbi cashback, i am thinking to include marriot bonvoy also, so thinking of moving to HDFC marriot bonvoy + Atlas + Amex Gold + Sbi cashback

so my main travel points targets will be : accor, marriot bonvoy and itc