Review: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card

Review: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card
I’m always on the lookout for good travel rewards programs, and there’s nothing that inspires me to travel quite like a cold, dark winter. I’ve always been a fan of loyalty programs and credit card offers with perks for cardholders, such as free hotel stays, free flights, and anniversary gifts. And one such credit card worthy of the spotlight is the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. I’ll break down their card benefits below.

What is the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card?

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is a Visa credit card issued by Chase Bank. It offers a competitive rewards program — for those who like staying in Marriott hotels. Because Chase is the card issuer, a bank that serves almost half of U.S. households, people with this card will get access to a large network of ATMs, branches, a mobile app, and more.
Raise Your Credit 80 points*
  • 5 star service trusted by over 450,000 members
  • Have processed over $11,000,000 in bill payments for members
  • No deposit, no credit check, no interest
  • New member promotions available
*Potential increase based on StellarFi member data. StellarFi numbers observed an average of 80 points VantageScore® 3.0 increase during a member’s lifetime. Score increase based on members with an incoming score range of 300-499 pts, who made regular on-time payments, with regular on-time payments. Results may vary.

How does the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card?

To apply for the credit card, visit Chase.com. Then select “Apply as a guest” if you’re not already a Chase customer.
A new tab will open in your browser. There, you’ll enter all your personal details like name, date of birth, your tax ID (like your social security number), and address.
Next, you’ll enter your Marriott Bonvoy member number (or one will be generated for you automatically). You’ll also need to indicate whether you rent or own your home, select your employment status, and enter your gross annual income. Review the pricing info below. Then select “Submit.”
If you’re approved, you’ll get a card in the mail and can start accumulating points. Woohoo!

How much does Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card cost?

The annual fee for this card is $95, which is pretty normal for a travel rewards card. The annual percentage rate (APR) for purchases, My Chase Loan, and balance transfers ranges from 20.24% - 27.24% (based on your credit score). Cash advance APR is 29.24% Variable. (Terms apply.)
Like many other rewards cards, Bonvoy Boundless card members pay $0 foreign transaction fees.
Raise Your Credit 80 points*
  • 5 star service trusted by over 450,000 members
  • Have processed over $11,000,000 in bill payments for members
  • No deposit, no credit check, no interest
  • New member promotions available
*Potential increase based on StellarFi member data. StellarFi numbers observed an average of 80 points VantageScore® 3.0 increase during a member’s lifetime. Score increase based on members with an incoming score range of 300-499 pts, who made regular on-time payments, with regular on-time payments. Results may vary.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card features 

Sign-up bonus

Limited Time Offer! Earn 100,000 Bonus Points.

Anniversary gift

One year after your account opening, you’ll earn one free night award. Same goes every calendar year after that on your account anniversary. This award is good for a one-night Marriott hotel stay, valued at up to 35,000 points. 

Marriott points

Marriott is eager to give away bonus points… and the points accumulate faster the more loyal you are to Marriott. Earn up to 17X total points for every $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® and 2X points on all other purchases.

Elite tiers

You’ll get automatic Silver Elite Status every year you keep your account open. The more you spend, the higher your tier, from Silver to Gold Elite Status up to Ambassador Elite Status. At the Silver level, you get late checkout privileges and 10 elite night credits per year. With Gold status, you get a room upgrade and 2 pm late checkouts (in addition to 25 elite nights per year). 

Points spent on groceries, gas, and dining

Earn up to 17X total points for every $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® and 2X points on all other purchases.

Points don’t expire

Your rewards points won’t expire as long as you stay active in the Bonvoy Program during a two-year period. You can remain active by staying at participating Marriott properties or earning Marriott Bonvoy points from qualifying purchases.

Complimentary DashPass

If you activate your Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card by December 31, 2024, you’ll also receive a free, one-year DashPass from DoorDash.

Travel benefits

If you’re traveling while using your Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, you also get some pretty hefty fringe travel benefits like baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip delay reimbursement, and purchase protection.

Who is the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card best for? 

This is a beneficial card for travel aficionados. If you enjoy Marriott hotels and plan to stay at them frequently, this card will reward you well. All you need for a standard Free Night Award is 7,500 points, and you get one Elite night credit towards elite status for every $5,000 you spend with the card.

Who shouldn’t use the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card?

If you prefer other hotel chains, or like the flexibility to choose a boutique hotel or vacation rental, this isn’t the card for you. I’d opt instead for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see table below).
Raise Your Credit 80 points*
  • 5 star service trusted by over 450,000 members
  • Have processed over $11,000,000 in bill payments for members
  • No deposit, no credit check, no interest
  • New member promotions available
*Potential increase based on StellarFi member data. StellarFi numbers observed an average of 80 points VantageScore® 3.0 increase during a member’s lifetime. Score increase based on members with an incoming score range of 300-499 pts, who made regular on-time payments, with regular on-time payments. Results may vary.

Pros and cons

Pros
  • Transfer points to miles. If you participate in a frequent flyer program, your Marriott Bonvoy points can transfer to flight miles at a 3:1 ratio.
  • Transfer to TSA Precheck. With 25,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, you can get expedited security screening at 180 airports.
  • Long-term travel benefits. If you stay at a participating property for five nights in a row, you’ll get one night for free.
Cons
  • No introductory APR of 0%. Unlike other travel cards’ intro offers, your interest rate applies from day one.
  • Complicated points system. Getting high return on points seems a little overwhelming.
  • No cash back. Many cards offer cash back as a perk to cardholders, but this isn’t one of them.  

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card vs. competitors

Credit card
Annual fee
Best features
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
$95
Earn up to 17X total points for every $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® and 2X points on all other purchases.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
$650
Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Earn 3X Marriott Bonvoy® points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2X Marriott Bonvoy® points on all other eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
$95
Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
Card Name
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
APR
20.24% - 27.24%
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent, Good
Annual Fee
$95
Special Offer
Limited Time Offer! Earn 100,000 Bonus Points
Special Offer Terms
after spending $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card!
Rewards Rate
Earn up to 17X total points for every $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® and 2X points on all other purchases.
Why We Like It
  • Earn 3 Free Night Awards bonus as well as one Free Night Award every year after the account anniversary.
  • Automatic Silver Elite Status.
  • No foreign transaction fees.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
Card Name
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
APR
20.99% - 29.99%
Recommended Credit Score
Good, Excellent
Annual Fee
$650
Special Offer
Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points
Special Offer Terms
after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Rewards Rate
Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Earn 3X Marriott Bonvoy® points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2X Marriott Bonvoy® points on all other eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.
Why We Like It
  • Platinum Elite members earn 50% more points on eligible purchases at participating hotels.
  • Earned Choice Award benefits that include suite nights awards, free night awards and discounts.
  • Fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
  • Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Elite status.
  • Priority Pass Select for unlimited access to over 1,200 lounges.
  • No foreign transaction fees.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Card Name
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
APR
21.49%-28.49%
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent, Good
Annual Fee
$95
Special Offer
Earn 60,000 bonus points
Special Offer Terms
after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
Rewards Rate
Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
Why We Like It
  • Generous bonus points offered.
  • High points for travel and dining purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards® and points on all purchases.
  • Complimentary one-year access to DashPass.

FAQs

What is a typical credit limit for the Bonvoy Boundless card?
The minimum credit limit for this card is $5,000. If you’re approved, any credit limit increase above that depends on your credit and the information you provide on your application.
How old do you need to be to qualify?
In most states, you need to be at least 18 years old. In Alabama and Nebraska, you have to be at least 19, and in Puerto Rico, 21.
Can I buy more points?
Yes, cardholders can buy up to an additional 100,000 points each calendar year.
Raise Your Credit 80 points*
  • 5 star service trusted by over 450,000 members
  • Have processed over $11,000,000 in bill payments for members
  • No deposit, no credit check, no interest
  • New member promotions available
*Potential increase based on StellarFi member data. StellarFi numbers observed an average of 80 points VantageScore® 3.0 increase during a member’s lifetime. Score increase based on members with an incoming score range of 300-499 pts, who made regular on-time payments, with regular on-time payments. Results may vary.

The bottom line

Marriott is a big hotel chain with lots of perks. If you’re a frequent traveler and like their hotels, this is a good credit card for you (as long as you can figure out their points system!). Personally, I’ve usually been pleasantly surprised by the quality of Fairfield hotels. And who knows? Maybe The Ritz-Carlton could be in my future soon with the help of some Bonvoy points!

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