Marriott is a well-known hotel chain that offers a variety of credit cards to its customers. These credit cards come with different annual fees and benefits, making it easy for travelers to find a card that suits their needs. In this article, we will compare two of Marriott’s most affordable credit cards: the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card.
Let’s start by looking at the sign-up bonuses for each card. The Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card offers a sign-up bonus of 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first three months from account opening. On the other hand, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card offers 5 free night awards (each night up to 50,000 points) after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Clearly, the Boundless card offers a more lucrative sign-up bonus, with the potential to earn up to 250,000 points. The value of these points can vary, but according to TPG valuations, the bonus on the Bold card is worth up to $252, while the bonus on the Boundless card is worth up to $2,100.
When it comes to annual fees, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card has no annual fee, while the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card has an annual fee of $95. This means that if you’re looking to avoid an annual fee, the Bold card is the better option for you.
In terms of earning rates, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card earns 3 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, 2 points per dollar on travel (through July 10, 2024), and 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases. On the other hand, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card earns 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, 3 points per dollar on the first $6,000 spent combined on gas stations, grocery stores, and dining each year, and 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases. Overall, the Boundless card earns at least twice as many points as the Bold card on all purchases (except travel, where they earn the same).
When it comes to perks, both cards offer 15 elite night credits annually, automatically qualifying you for Silver Elite status (through July 10, 2024). They also offer similar travel and purchase protections from Chase, as well as no foreign transaction fees. The main difference in perks is that the Boundless card offers an annual free night award (up to 35,000 points), while the Bold card does not. According to TPG valuations, this free night certificate can be worth up to $294, easily justifying the card’s $95 annual fee.
In terms of redemption options, both cards earn Marriott Bonvoy points, so they offer the same redemption options. The most valuable way to use your points is to redeem them for a Marriott stay, taking advantage of the fifth-night free perk. You can also use your points for gift cards and merchandise through Marriott’s shopping portal, but this is not recommended as it does not offer maximum value for your points.
Both cards also offer the option to transfer your points to one of 40 partner airline programs, but this redemption generally doesn’t yield a good value for your points.
So which card should you choose? If you can take advantage of the annual free night certificate, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card is the better option for you. It also offers higher earning rates. However, if you’re looking to avoid an annual fee, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card is the better option. Both cards provide a great way to introduce yourself to the Bonvoy program and its redemption possibilities.
In conclusion, Marriott offers a variety of credit cards to cater to different types of travelers. Whether you’re a die-hard Marriott fan or an occasional traveler looking for free award nights, there’s a card for you. The Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card are two affordable options that come with valuable sign-up bonuses and perks. Consider your travel habits and priorities to determine which card is the best fit for you.