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Before you rush to cancel your Amex Canada Marriott cards over the new $3,000 spending requirement, there’s an important detail: every existing cardholder’s 2027 anniversary Free Night Award still comes with no spending requirement, regardless of when their anniversary falls.
If you also have a renewal coming up before the end of 2026, that means two more anniversary FNAs with no spending requirement—one for 2026 and another for 2027.
The new requirement determines whether you earn your 2028 anniversary FNA. Your first qualifying spending period begins on your anniversary in 2027 or February 9, 2027, whichever occurs later. You don’t need to have spent $3,000 by that date; that’s when purchases start counting.
I was confused about this myself at first, so let’s walk through the different anniversary dates and exactly when you’ll need to spend. The examples below use the Amex Bonvoy personal card because the annual fee goes up on February 9, 2027. The Amex Bonvoy Business card Free Night Award follows the exact same structure; its $150 annual fee simply remains unchanged.
If Your Next Anniversary Is Between Now and December 31, 2026 – Two FNAs With No Spending Requirement
You should get an FNA for your upcoming 2026 anniversary and another for your 2027 anniversary, both without a spending requirement.
That’s because your anniversary in 2027 occurs later than February 9, 2027. Your first $3,000 spending period therefore starts on that 2027 anniversary and runs until the day before your 2028 anniversary.
Say your Amex Bonvoy personal card anniversary is December 2:
- December 2, 2026: Pay the $120 annual fee and qualify for an FNA with no spending requirement.
- December 2, 2027: Pay the new $150 annual fee and qualify for another FNA with no spending requirement. Your first $3,000 spending period starts that day.
- December 2, 2028: Qualify for an FNA if you had at least $3,000 in eligible purchases posted between December 2, 2027 and December 1, 2028.
| Anniversary | Spending requirement | FNA issued |
|---|---|---|
| December 2, 2026 | None | 8–10 weeks afterward |
| December 2, 2027 | None | 8–10 weeks afterward |
| December 2, 2028 | $3,000 posted December 2, 2027–December 1, 2028 | 8–10 weeks afterward |
If Your Anniversary Is January 1–February 8, 2027 – One FNA With No Spending Requirement, but a Shorter Spending Window
If your anniversary falls before the February 9 changes kick in, you’ll get your 2027 anniversary Free Night Award with no spending requirement.
However, you’ll have a slightly shorter spending window to earn your 2028 Free Night Award. Instead of starting on your anniversary, your first spending period starts on February 9, 2027. It still ends the day before your next anniversary.
Say your Amex Bonvoy personal card anniversary is January 10:
- January 10, 2027: Pay the $120 annual fee and qualify for an FNA with no spending requirement.
- January 10–February 8, 2027: Purchases posted during this period do not count toward the new $3,000 requirement.
- February 9, 2027: Your first qualifying spending period begins.
- January 10, 2028: Pay the new $150 annual fee and qualify for an FNA if you had at least $3,000 in eligible purchases posted between February 9, 2027 and January 9, 2028.
| Anniversary | Spending requirement | FNA issuance |
|---|---|---|
| January 10, 2027 | None | 8–10 weeks afterward |
| January 10, 2028 | $3,000 posted February 9, 2027–January 9, 2028 | 8–10 weeks afterward |
| January 10, 2029 | $3,000 posted January 10, 2028–January 9, 2029 | 8–10 weeks afterward |
If Your Anniversary Is February 9–December 31, 2027 – One FNA With No Spending Requirement
This is the most straightforward scenario. You’ll get your 2027 anniversary Free Night Award without a spending requirement, and your first $3,000 spending period begins on your anniversary date.
For example, if your Amex Marriott personal card anniversary is March 8:
- March 8, 2027: Pay the $150 annual fee and qualify for an FNA with no spending requirement. Your first $3,000 spending period starts that day.
- March 8, 2028: Qualify for an FNA if you had at least $3,000 in eligible purchases posted between March 8, 2027 and March 7, 2028.
| Anniversary | Spending requirement | FNA issuance |
|---|---|---|
| March 8, 2027 | None | 8–10 weeks afterward |
| March 8, 2028 | $3,000 posted March 8, 2027–March 7, 2028 | 8–10 weeks afterward |
| March 8, 2029 | $3,000 posted March 8, 2028–March 7, 2029 | 8–10 weeks afterward |
What If You Sign Up for a New Marriott Card Before February 9, 2027?
New cardholders don’t receive a Free Night Award just for opening the card. The first certificate comes 8–10 weeks after your first anniversary, and whether it requires $3,000 in spending depends on when you open the account.
If you open your account before the end of 2026, your first anniversary falls in 2027, so that first Free Night Award has no spending requirement. Your $3,000 qualifying period then begins on your 2027 anniversary, toward the Free Night Award issued after your 2028 anniversary.
Essentially, you can earn your welcome bonus now and receive your first anniversary Free Night Award without any further spending. You’ll then have the following year to spend $3,000 toward your 2028 anniversary date’s Free Night Award.
If you open your account between January 1 and February 8, 2027, your first anniversary falls in 2028, so your first Free Night Award does require spending. You’ll need $3,000 in eligible purchases posted between February 9, 2027 and the day before your first anniversary.
The good news is that your welcome-bonus spending could cover that requirement too. Since earning the welcome bonus requires at least $3,000 in eligible purchases, you could satisfy both requirements by having that spending post on or after February 9, while still meeting the welcome offer’s deadline.
Just watch the dates: purchases posted before February 9 can count toward your welcome bonus, but won’t count toward the Free Night Award.
Takeaway
There’s no need to rush to cancel: existing cardholders will still receive their 2027 anniversary Free Night Award without a spending requirement.
If you’re planning to apply for a new card, opening your account before the end of 2026 also means your first Free Night Award in 2027 comes without any spending requirement.
Just remember that your first $3,000 spending period starts on your 2027 anniversary or February 9, 2027, whichever is later, and determines whether you earn a Free Night Award on your 2028 anniversary.
