Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International's (NASDAQ:MAR) award-winning travel program, and American Express (NYSE: AXP) unveiled changes to the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card, designed to help small business owners turn their business expenses into meaningful travel rewards.
Effective today, the Card now provides new and existing Card Members with a 7% Room Rate Discount on eligible bookings at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, 4X Marriott Bonvoy points at restaurants, now worldwide, and complimentary Gold Elite status, in addition to all the Card's existing benefits.
According to new data from an American Express survey, 82% of small business leaders surveyed say that discounted room rates are an important decision factor when booking travel, while 78% say they would extend their trip if they had a discount on rooms.
The survey also found that nearly three-fourths (73%) of respondents agree that having status with a hospitality brand impacts where they book overnight accommodations when traveling for business.
In addition, a majority (67%) of small business leaders have plans to travel for work in the next one to three months, and 77% agree that they are mixing work and pleasure, wanting to extend their next business trip to also get in some personal vacation time.
"The rich, new benefits will help Card Members owning and working for small businesses stretch their travel dollars much further and reward them for being a part of the engine that drives the U.S. economy," said David Flueck, Senior Vice President, Global Loyalty, Marriott International. "Hard working Small Business Card Members who spend many nights traveling for business can now earn points toward vacations and getaways with family and friends even faster when staying at participating Marriott Bonvoy® hotels and using their Card for everyday expenses."
AXP shares opened Thursday down 85 cents to $48.08, while those for MAR faded $4.35, or 2.9%, to $148.25.
