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.

 

[PrinceHeart]

Do any one use this card a Marriott properties and receive 8 points per 150 rupees ? I use the card at The Artiste, Kochi, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel. I stayed here for three nights. I book the room using my points (for 2days ) and one free night from the card. I spend around 23k at the hotel for food. i got only 4 points per 150 rupees spend. Raised a complaint and the reply is funny. They are stating I am supposed to get 4 point for dining. Yes Dining and travel it is 4 points, but on Marriott property it is 8 point, right ? Any experience ?

Only marriott property dining gives you 8 points. Some restaurants inside marriott properties are only rented and not owned by marriott. If you got a combined billing with room + dining, and you pay with your mb diners cars, you should get 8 points. Contact the hotel directly and they will help you sort this. Hdfc people are rently you the card, the points comes from marriott directly.

 

[makbhat123456]

Starting with the CON;

Annual fees will be cut on 3rd statement. After which, it will take another 12 weeks to get the welcome benefits of 10 ENC + 1 FAN.

Bank make you a new marriott bonvoy account. No option to use your old account. Once your new marriott bonvoy account has been created, you can merge it with your old account, only after 30 days.

Points earned with this card, will reflect on your marriott bonvoy account between 60 to 90 days.

Bank have the categories wrong. Some food categories, are showing as groceries, so got 2 points instead of 4.

Now the PRO;

12 domestic + 12 international lounge access can be shared with addon cards, on the diners club platform. 3 addon cards max.

Can get complimentary virtual priority pass for primary card holder.

This card for me is - peet bhar khana khao, points banao, then hotel book karke so jao.

I got the existing Marriott membership number merged as I carefully input the same in my app form. The free night credited within 45 days without even paying the fee, which was billed in 2nd statement. Overall good value for money. As for the spend and milestone rewards, not worth it in any category except stay at Marriott hotels

 

[makbhat123456]

The Silver Elite status through the HDFC MB card made our stay at a couple of Marriott properties in Sri Lanka even better.

I used my MB points for a redemption booking at Sheraton Kosgoda (Sri Lanka) for 3 nights. Despite not having breakfast included in the rate, they provided us with a complimentary upgrade that included breakfast because of our Silver Elite status and having a toddler.

Upgraded to premier room with corner views on 18th floor at Sheraton Colombo for 1 night (originally booked a deluxe room with beach view using points) thanks to Silver Elite perk.

The Sheraton teams at both locations went above and beyond for us, taking our photos and giving us extra attention because of our Silver Elite status. It was unexpected, as I had always considered Silver Elite to be just a step above entry level.

Personally, between the FNA and Silver Elite status, HDFC MB card has more than paid for itself already!

Yes, the silver elite status is a good touch, although the tangibles are less but the Lil late checkout applicable here alongwith the impromptu upgrades add to the service at Marriotts and it's overall a better experience than a base member.

 

[PrinceHeart]

Yes, the silver elite status is a good touch, although the tangibles are less but the Lil late checkout applicable here alongwith the impromptu upgrades add to the service at Marriotts and it's overall a better experience than a base member.

Specially little things like .. write a welcome message on the room mirror, and they draw flowers and all..puts a smile always. And i was been provided free room upgrade at checkin time.

I used the silver status 3 times, and gold status twice already this year.

Then evening time, they knock the door and come up with a can of beer and some dry fruits and say - sir, welcome to marriott, here is a complimentary snack for you this evening. And a coupon for discounted spa service.

and Oh - they also say this always - since this is your 1st visit to our hotel, they give you free drinks and snacks.

But remember, extra perks depends on the hotel as well.

 

[livinginalounge]

I got the existing Marriott membership number merged as I carefully input the same in my app form. The free night credited within 45 days without even paying the fee, which was billed in 2nd statement. Overall good value for money. As for the spend and milestone rewards, not worth it in any category except stay at Marriott hotels

Do we get some sort of voucher for free night or 15000 MB points credited in our MB account? How does it really work?

 

[elite34700]

Do we get some sort of voucher for free night or 15000 MB points credited in our MB account? How does it really work?

Voucher for free night ( capped at 15000 points ). It’s called an Award night .

 

[ujjwal2024]

Amex + HDFC bonvoy is a great combination. While amex gives you good points to use for Marriott hotels, HDFC gives you elite status which increases your chances of getting room upgrade at the hotels. Also 3.5k is not too much for the benefits it’s providing. Just redeeming for a night stay recovers your cost.

I take your point and really think now that with 4.2 k more, optimum use of AMEX can be achieved....thanks for the idea...

 

[webgupta]

Got this free travel tag with the card

 

[the_collector]

It takes me here. Does not open PP app.
Update: I did some search and was able to register the bonvoy CC directly on the PP website. The app now shows virtual card. Thanks!!

View attachment 46168

I followed the same steps via the app, however it opened the dreamfolks website for me and shows me only my 12 visits within india.
How do i access the international ones?

 

[PrinceHeart]

I followed the same steps via the app, however it opened the dreamfolks website for me and shows me only my 12 visits within india.
How do i access the international ones?

For international lounges, i use the cc directly, and it been working for me many times. And the lounge staff scan it under the priority pass network. Keep in mind, the 12 total lounge limit includes both domestic and international combined.

 

[Aditya12]

I followed the same steps via the app, however it opened the dreamfolks website for me and shows me only my 12 visits within india.
How do i access the international ones?

I was able to register the bonvoy card at priority pass app directly so the pp app can be used as digital pp.

 

[the_collector]

For international lounges, i use the cc directly, and it been working for me many times. And the lounge staff scan it under the priority pass network. Keep in mind, the 12 total lounge limit includes both domestic and international combined.

At times i dont carry this CC as it isnt good for travel benefits per se. So for lounge i prefer to use the QR code.
Are you sure that its 12 combined? the site clearly says 12 each

I was able to register the bonvoy card at priority pass app directly so the pp app can be used as digital pp.

oh right it worked now, for some reason the domestic is via dreamfolks and the international via PP. but i got both to show up in the app and have the priority pass app as well.

 

[PrinceHeart]

At times i dont carry this CC as it isnt good for travel benefits per se. So for lounge i prefer to use the QR code.
Are you sure that its 12 combined? the site clearly says 12 each

View attachment 69750


oh right it worked now, for some reason the domestic is via dreamfolks and the international via PP. but i got both to show up in the app and have the priority pass app as well.

12 each year 🙂

 

[Nagarajan]

Can addon cardholders also access the lounges? Also, can we just use the card to access the international lounges or do we need a priority pass?

 

[PrinceHeart]

Terms - https://www.marriott.com/credit-car...&aid=74EC785562391E2314FD141209FD2242B.01#tnc

 

[Samrock]

Can someone help when is the best time to apply for this card considering status expires End of year..Can I apply for it in say start of Dec and get Elite status by ,Jan so that it can stay till end of 2025..pls help