Hotel credit cards often take a back seat to their airline card counterparts, but they shouldn’t be overlooked. Mid-tier hotel cards, with annual fees of up to $100, can offer significant value to any traveler, regardless of their frequency or style of travel. One such card is the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card, issued by Chase, which comes with a generous sign-up bonus and several valuable perks. In this article, we’ll explore why the Bonvoy Boundless card is worth considering and how it can enhance your travel experience.
One of the card’s standout perks is the annual award night certificate. Each year upon account renewal, cardholders receive a certificate valid for a free night at Marriott hotels that cost up to 35,000 Bonvoy points per night. While not every Marriott property falls within this range, there are still thousands of options available. The value of 35,000 Marriott points is estimated to be $294, nearly three times the card’s $95 annual fee. With Marriott’s switch to dynamic pricing in 2022, it may become harder to use these certificates during peak periods, but combining them with points from your account can provide added flexibility.
Another compelling feature of the Bonvoy Boundless card is the automatic elite status it offers. Cardholders receive Bonvoy Silver status, which may not come with luxurious perks like suite upgrades but still provides benefits like a 10% points bonus, late checkout, and free Wi-Fi. Additionally, the card rewards cardholders with 15 elite night credits per calendar year, helping them progress towards higher tiers of status. For every $5,000 spent on the card, an additional elite night credit can be earned. By combining the Boundless card with a Marriott business card, like the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card, cardholders can earn enough credits to qualify for Gold status and be just 20 nights away from Platinum.
The Bonvoy Boundless card also offers valuable travel and baggage protection benefits. Baggage delay insurance reimburses essential purchases up to $100 per day for up to five days, while lost baggage coverage can provide up to $3,000 per passenger. Trip delay reimbursement covers incidentals like meals and lodging for delays of more than 12 hours or overnight stays, up to $500 per ticket. These protections can be invaluable in unfortunate circumstances and provide peace of mind while traveling.
Considering the solid sign-up bonus, ongoing rewards, and various perks, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card is well worth its $95 annual fee. Cardholders earn 6 points per dollar spent at Marriott properties, 3 points per dollar at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants (up to $6,000 in combined purchases per year, then 2 points per dollar), and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases. However, it’s important to note that Chase applies its 5/24 rule, which means that if you’ve opened five or more personal credit cards across all issuers in the last 24 months, you may not be approved for the card. Additionally, there are specific eligibility rules for Marriott Bonvoy credit cards, so it’s essential to confirm your eligibility before applying.
In conclusion, hotel credit cards, like the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card, shouldn’t be overshadowed by airline cards. Mid-tier hotel cards can offer significant value through their annual award night certificates, automatic elite status, and travel protection benefits. With a generous sign-up bonus and rewards that can easily offset the annual fee, the Bonvoy Boundless card is a worthwhile addition to any traveler’s wallet.