Unlock a World of Marriott Rewards: From Zero-Fee Entry to Ultra-Premium Perks (and everything in between). Explore five personal credit cards tailored to your travel style, but be warned: annual fees span from a delightful $0 to a jaw-dropping $650. Choose wisely, adventurer.

From Marriott devotees to wanderlusters chasing complimentary stays, the perfect card awaits.

Dreaming of Marriott stays? Chase unlocks the door with two budget-friendly cobranded cards, now welcoming new applicants: the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® (see rates & fees) and the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® (see rates & fees) cards. Score a fantastic welcome bonus with either, and start racking up points for your next getaway!

Let’s break down the card details to help you decide which fits your strategy better.

Marriott Bonvoy Bold vs. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless comparison

Related: Does it make sense to hold multiple Marriott Bonvoy credit cards?

Marriott Bonvoy Bold vs. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless welcome bonus

Unlock a Marriott Bonvoy Boundless future: Imagine escaping to sun-kissed beaches or exploring vibrant cityscapes – five nights on us! With the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card, spend $5,000 in your first three months and unlock up to 250,000 points worth of free stays. Your dream getaway is closer than you think. (Resort fees may apply at some hotels.)

Unlock a world of possibilities with The Bold Card! Earn a staggering 60,000 bonus points AND a free night stay (worth up to 50,000 points!) when you spend $2,000 in your first three months. Imagine your next adventure, closer than you think. (Resort fees may apply at some hotels.)

THE POINTS GUY

Unlocking your dream vacation just got easier: TPG values Marriott Bonvoy points at 0.7 cents apiece this June, transforming the Marriott Bonvoy Bold card into a potential $770 adventure fund and the Boundless card into a treasure chest worth up to $1,750!

Chase’s infamous 5/24 rule looms large: if you’ve cracked open five or more credit card accounts (across ALL banks, not just Chase) in the last 24 months, consider yourself temporarily sidelined. These coveted Chase cards will likely remain just out of reach.

Before you leap into Marriott Bonvoy rewards with a new Chase or American Express card, double-check you’re eligible. Marriott’s got specifics!

Winner: Boundless. Its sign-up bonus is worth significantly more than the Bold.

Related: The best time to apply for these Chase cards based on offer history

Marriott Bonvoy Bold vs. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless benefits

The free night certificate is the most notable difference between these cards’ perks.

Unlock a free night stay every year with your Boundless card! On your card anniversary, you’ll receive a certificate redeemable for a hotel night worth up to 35,000 points. Found a dream hotel that’s a bit pricier? No problem! You can top up your certificate with up to 15,000 extra points to make that perfect getaway a reality.

Unlock a free hotel night worth far more than the card’s $95 annual fee – use this perk wisely and vacation on us.

THE WESTIN CARLSBAD RESORT & SPA/MARRIOTT

Meanwhile, Bold cardholders do not receive a free night certificate but don’t have to pay an annual fee.

Beyond that, the cards sing the same sweet song. Imagine breezing through airport security with automatic Silver Elite status, and knowing Chase has your back with robust travel and purchase safeguards. Oh, and those pesky foreign transaction fees? Consider them banished on your overseas adventures.

Winner: Boundless. Most travelers will be able to get more than $95 value from the free night certificate.

Related: 7 great uses of Marriott free night certificates

Earning points with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold vs. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless

With the Boundless, you’ll earn:

Unlock Marriott Bonvoy Rewards: Score up to 17 points per dollar spent at Bonvoy properties! Here’s the breakdown: You automatically snag 6 points with this card, on top of the standard 10 points you get as a Bonvoy member. Plus, enjoy a 10% bonus boost thanks to the Silver elite status this card unlocks for you. That’s a potential 11.9% return on your spending, according to TPG’s June 2025 valuations! Start racking up those rewards today!

Fuel your rewards! Earn triple points – that’s like getting 2.1% back – on your first $6,000 spent at gas pumps, grocery aisles, and delicious dining spots.

• 2 points per dollar spent on all other purchases (1.4% return)

DEJAN_DUNDJERSKI/GETTY IMAGES

The Bold, meanwhile, earns:

Unlock a treasure trove of Marriott Bonvoy points! Imagine earning up to a whopping 14 points for every dollar spent at participating Marriott properties. Here’s how: start with a solid 10 points just for being a Bonvoy member. Then, supercharge your earnings with an extra 3 points via this card. And the cherry on top? The card automatically grants you Silver elite status, adding a 10% bonus to your points haul. Crunch the numbers, and you’re looking at a potential 9.8% return on your spending, according to TPG’s June 2025 valuations. Turn your hotel stays into a points paradise!

Supercharge your everyday spending!Earn double rewards (2x points per dollar) on daily essentials like groceries and convenient ridehailing. Plus, binge guiltfree with boosted rewards on select food delivery, streaming, internet, cable, and phone services! That’s like getting a 1.4% return on the things you already love.

• 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases (0.7% return)

While neither card boasts earth-shattering rewards, superior everyday spending options abound. The Boundless card shines brightest within the Marriott ecosystem, showering extra points on hotel stays. It also tosses bonus points your way at grocery stores and gas stations, albeit with a spending limit. The Bold card, in contrast, caters to the ride-hailing enthusiast, rewarding your Uber and Lyft journeys with extra points. Choose your weapon wisely based on your spending habits.

Winner: Boundless. It earns more points than the Bold on most purchases.

Related: Best hotel credit cards

Redeeming points with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold vs. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless

Both the Bold and the Boundless earn Marriott Bonvoy points, so they offer the same redemption options.

Unlock unforgettable Marriott stays with your Bonvoy points! But here’s the savvy traveler’s secret: book five nights, only pay for four. That’s right, leverage Marriott’s fifth-night-free perk and stretch your points further for an extended escape.

MARRIOTT

Alternatively, you could redeem your points for gift cards or merchandise via Marriott’s shopping portal. However, for the savviest rewards enthusiasts, we advise against it; stretching your points for travel experiences unlocks their true potential.

Forget budget backpacking. For TPG’s Chris Nelson, Marriott Bonvoy points unlock doors to opulent escapes in Europe and Asia. Think: sipping Viennese coffee at The Ritz-Carlton, Vienna, or waking up to the bustling energy of Beijing from the JW Marriott Beijing Central. His secret weapon? Strategically maximizing the “fifth-night-free” perk, turning dream vacations into savvy travel wins.

Winner: Tie. Both cards earn Marriott Bonvoy points and offer the same redemption options.

Related: How to redeem points with the Marriott Bonvoy program

Transferring points with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold vs. the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless

Want to take your Bonvoy points even higher? Both cards unlock a world of possibilities, letting you convert your points into miles with nearly 40 airline partners! Imagine jetting off with Delta SkyMiles or exploring new horizons with United MileagePlus – the choice is yours.

Unlock Faster Flights: Marriott Points to Airline Miles

Eager to turn hotel stays into high-flying adventures? Marriott Bonvoy points can be converted to airline miles, but remember this key ratio: a 3:1 conversion. That means every three Marriott points become one precious airline mile.

United MileagePlus members, listen up! For every 60,000 Marriott points you transfer, United generously gifts you a 10,000-mile bonus, accelerating your journey to that dream vacation.

ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

Think twice before trading hotel nights for airline miles! While it might seem tempting, you’ll often find your points losing serious value in the exchange. Only consider transferring if you’rejustshy of a dream flight or if you’re dealing with a rare bird like Copa Airlines (a tricky transfer partner outside of hotel programs).

Winner: Tie. Both cards have the same transfer partners.

Related: When does it make sense to transfer Marriott points to airlines?

Should I get the Marriott Bonvoy Bold or the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless?

Stuck deciding between Marriott Bonvoy cards? Here’s the cheat sheet: Crave free nights? The Boundless card is your golden ticket, unlocking an annual free night and turbocharged earning potential. Allergic to annual fees? The Bold card lets you earn Bonvoy points without ever paying a dime. Choose your adventure!

How to upgrade from the Marriott Bonvoy Bold to the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless

Stuck in Bonvoy purgatory? New card bonuses out of reach and Chase’s 5/24 rule looming large? A product change might be your golden ticket! Remember, both the Bonvoy Bold and Boundless fall under Chase’s watchful 5/24 eye and those pesky Marriott eligibility constraints.

Considering a card upgrade or downgrade? Dial the digits on the back of your card! But a word to the wise: switching cards now means temporarily waving goodbye to that shiny welcome bonus.

Related: The ultimate guide to credit card upgrades

Bottom line

Dipping your toes into the world of Marriott Bonvoy? Both Marriott cards unlock a universe of travel rewards. Think global adventures, from sun-drenched beaches to bustling cityscapes, all fueled by your everyday spending. With thousands of participating properties worldwide, consider either card your passport to unforgettable experiences. Choose one and begin your Bonvoy journey today.

Unlock Marriott Rewards: Boundless or Bold?

Maximize your Marriott stays. The Boundless card shines brightest when you redeem its annual free night certificate, delivering superior value for frequent travelers. However, if annual fees aren’t your style, the Bold card is your gateway to elevated Marriott experiences (and valuable travel perks!) – all without costing you a dime. Choose your adventure.

To learn more, check out our full reviews of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card.

Apply here: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card

Apply here: Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card

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