The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
CNNU Money editors awarded this card 5 stars as the best Rewards mid-tier hotel card.
Pros:
- 6 points per dollar at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3 points per dollar spent each year (up to $6,000) on combined grocery stores, gas stations and dining purchases and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases
- Complimentary Marriott Silver elite status for being a cardholder
- 6 points per dollar at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3 points per dollar spent each year (up to $6,000) on combined grocery stores, gas stations and dining purchases and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases
- 3 Free Night Awards
Cons:
- Marriott Bonvoy points aren’t as valuable as some other hotel points
- Marriott Silver is the lower tier of elite status
- $95 annual fee
Current welcome bonus: Earn 3 Free Night Awards after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.
Best for: Marriott loyalists who are willing to pay a $95 annual fee to earn a great welcome bonus and get a free hotel night each year starting with the second year in exchange for the cost.
Digging into the Marriott Boundless credit card
When it comes to Marriott credit cards, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card is generally considered the primary choice for people looking for a mix of standard Marriott perks and decent earning rates. It charges a $95 annual fee, but the card’s bonus offer is generous, and Marriott fans will find the card’s annual Free Night Award starting in the second year to be well worth the cost.
Right now, new Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card cardholders can earn a bonus offer of three free night awards after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. Based on?The Points Guy?valuation, Marriott Bonvoy points are worth 0.84 cents apiece, making the current welcome offer worth up to $1,260 —?since each certificate can be used at a property costing up to 50,000 points per night.
You’ll also earn more points on paid Marriott stays with this card. General Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program members earn 10 points for every dollar spent at a Marriott just for being a member, but with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card, you’ll then earn an additional 6 points per dollar for paying with the card, and another 1 point per dollar for having the Marriott Silver elite status that comes with the card.
And, in a recently-introduced feature, you’ll earn three free night awards after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, which makes this hotel credit card more rewarding than some other hotel card options, including the no-fee Marriott Bonvoy Bold? Credit Card * The information for the Marriott Bonvoy Bold? Credit Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. .
Advantages of the Marriott Boundless credit card
The biggest advantage of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card actually comes at the start of the second year you have the card, and every year thereafter. It’s a Free Night Award that can be used at any Marriott property that costs up to 35,000 points.
Marriott recently did away with its award chart, so award prices now fluctuate regularly above and below the old chart levels. But a few examples of properties that can be often found in this price range include the JW Marriott Hotel Grand Rapids in Michigan and the Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran in Indonesia.
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card now also gives you a pathway to higher tiers of elite status just from spending on your credit card, which can make sense if you want some elite perks for a specific stay but don’t have time to earn them through traditional means.
You can also earn Gold status with the card outright by spending $35,000 on your card within an account year. That’s a high threshold to meet, and if you’re spending that much on your credit card, there may be better travel credit card options. But it’s not insurmountable if Gold status is important to you.
With the Marriott Silver elite status that comes automatically with the card, you’ll get the previously mentioned bonus points on Marriott stays as well as late checkout when available and free Wi-Fi at Marriott properties. But with Marriott Gold status, you’ll see better benefits, such as 25% more points on Marriott stays, enhanced room upgrades and late checkout up to 2 p.m.
Also, the travel and consumer protections you get with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card include purchase protection against damage or theft, lost luggage reimbursement, baggage delay insurance and trip delay reimbursement.
Disadvantages of the Marriott Boundless credit card
If you’re looking for reasons not to love the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card, you don’t have to look too hard. The most noticeable disappointment is the fact that this card only gives the cardholder Silver elite status, which is the same tier of status you get automatically when you sign up for the no-annual-fee 3 points for every dollar you spend on the card at Marriott properties. That’s in addition to 10 points per dollar at Marriott for being a Marriott Bonvoy member and another 1 point per dollar for being a Silver Elite.
Also, keep in mind that Marriott Bonvoy points just aren’t as valuable as some other hotel programs, and definitely not when you compare them to flexible point programs. For example, according to The Points Guy, Marriott Bonvoy points are worth 0.84 cents apiece. Compare that to World of Hyatt points, which are worth 1.7 cents each according to The Points Guy, or the 2 cents per point valuation for the site’s Chase Travel? program.
By and large, this means that points earned with other rewards and travel credit cards may be worth more than the Marriott points you’ll earn with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card — even if you don’t earn them quite as fast.
Finally, it’s important to note that the annual Free Night Award that comes starting with the second year you have the card is only valid for 12 months after you receive it. While Marriott has been known to extend expiration dates for up to a year, it’s no guarantee, so make sure you have a plan to use the certificates if you’re going to sign up for the card.
Other credit cards similar to the Marriott Boundless credit card
If you want a Marriott credit card without an annual fee, you should check out the Marriott Bonvoy Bold. Just keep in mind that this card has a less lucrative rewards scheme, and the welcome bonus slightly less where you can earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
On the other hand, if you want lots of benefits when you travel, you can also look at the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant? American Express? Card (terms apply, see rates and fees). This card is currently offering new card members the opportunity to earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy?, 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
You’ll pay a $650 annual fee for this card, but you’ll get perks like up to Earn 95,000 points, up to $100 in credits for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck? membership, a Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership, cell phone protection and more. This luxury travel credit card also gives you automatic Platinum elite status with Marriott.
Also, remember that Chase credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve? can help you earn rewards for Marriott stays. Since Marriott is a Chase Travel? transfer partner, you can transfer Chase points at any time to your Marriott account at a 1-to-1 ratio.
Should you get the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless credit card?
It never hurts to compare all the best rewards credit cards before you apply, and to think about what credit card benefits and features would be most useful to you. If you don’t travel much, or if Marriott isn’t your usual hotel chain, this card probably isn’t right for you. You’ll be better off looking at other credit cards with different perks, or perhaps even a credit card that earns cash back.
But overall, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card is a decent choice if you want to earn rewards with the Marriott Bonvoy program and get a few perks along the way. This is especially true if you’re willing to pay an annual fee for some hotel perks but you prefer to pay less than $100 per year, and you travel enough to take advantage of the card’s free annual award night each year.
To view rates and fees for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant? American Express? Card please visit this page.
All information about Marriott Bonvoy Bold? Credit Card and Marriott Bonvoy Boundless? Credit Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored.
