Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful vs. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless: Which Should You Get?

Marriott offers six credit card options split between Chase and American Express. Two standout choices from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card and Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, integrate seamlessly with Marriott’s Bonvoy loyalty program, providing a variety of rewards for frequent travelers. This detailed guide compares these two cards to help you determine which better suits your travel habits and reward preferences.

Card Comparison Overview

Detailed Features of Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful vs. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless

1. Sign-up Bonus:
   • Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful:
     • Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within the first three months.
   • Marriott Bonvoy Boundless:
     • Earn 3 Free Night Awards (each up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 in the first three months.
2. Annual Fee:
   • Bountiful: $250
   • Boundless: $95
3. Point Valuation:
   • Both cards offer a valuation of 0.85 cents per point.
4. Rewards Structure:
   • Bountiful:
     • 6x points on Marriott stays
     • 4x points on $15,000 annual spend on groceries and dining
     • 2x points on all other purchases
   • Boundless:
     • 6x points on Marriott stays
     • 3x points on the first $6,000 annually on gas, groceries, and dining
     • 2x points on all other purchases
5. Other Benefits:
   • Bountiful:
     • Gold Elite Status
     • 1,000 bonus points per stay
     • Annual free night award after $15,000 spend
     • Purchase protection
     • DashPass membership
     • No foreign transaction fees
   • Boundless:
     • Silver Elite Status
     • Anniversary free night award
     • Purchase protection
     • DashPass membership
     • No foreign transaction fees
6. Travel Protections:
   • Both cards provide comprehensive travel insurance, including trip delay, lost luggage, and baggage delay insurance.

Welcome Offer Comparison

Bonvoy Bountiful Welcome Offer:

• Bonus: Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within the first three months.
• Valuation: This bonus is valued at $723, offering substantial initial value to new cardholders.

Bonvoy Boundless Welcome Offer:

• Bonus: Earn three Free Night Awards after spending $3,000 within the first three months. Each award is valued up to 50,000 points.
• Valuation: This bonus is potentially worth up to $1,275, which could offset the annual fee for more than a decade.

Winner: The Bonvoy Boundless edges out with its welcome offer, providing almost double the potential value compared to Bountiful.

Benefits and Protections Comparison

Both cards offer a suite of benefits that enhance the travel experience, but they cater to different levels of travelers.

Common Benefits

• Elite Night Credits: Both cards provide 15 elite night credits annually, crucial for progressing towards higher status tiers within the Marriott Bonvoy program.
• Fifth Night Free: This benefit allows a fifth night free when redeeming points for consecutive hotel stays, optimizing the value of points for longer vacations.
• Chase Offers: Exclusive access to a variety of deals and promotions through Chase.

Distinguishing Benefits:

• Bonvoy Bountiful:
  • Higher Status: Automatically grants Gold Elite status, offering enhanced benefits such as room upgrades and late checkout.
  • Greater Rewards on Spending: Particularly beneficial for those who spend heavily on dining and groceries.
• Bonvoy Boundless:
  • Annual Free Night: Available each anniversary, redeemable at properties costing up to 35,000 points, with no additional spend required.
  • Flexible Elite Status: Comes with Silver Elite status, with an opportunity to upgrade to Gold by meeting spending thresholds.

Rewards Earning Potential

• Bonvoy Bountiful: Offers superior returns on dining and grocery spending, making it ideal for those who frequently dine out or spend significantly on groceries.
• Bonvoy Boundless: Focuses on providing solid rewards across common spending categories including gas, groceries, and dining, making it versatile for everyday use.

Redemption and Transfer Options

Both cards accrue Marriott Bonvoy points, which are most effectively used for hotel stays within the vast Marriott portfolio. Points can also be transferred to numerous airline partners, although the transfer rate may not always represent the best value.

Decision Guidance

Choosing between the Bonvoy Bountiful and Boundless cards should be based on your specific spending habits, travel preferences, and how you value the card benefits. Those seeking premium status and higher earnings on specific categories might prefer the Bountiful, while those looking for straightforward benefits with less emphasis on spending thresholds may find the Boundless more appealing.

Switching Between Cards

Cardholders can switch between the Bonvoy Bountiful and Boundless by requesting a product change through Chase’s customer service, allowing for flexibility based on changing needs and circumstances.

Final Thoughts

In summary, both the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful and Boundless cards offer valuable features for Marriott loyalists. Your choice will depend on how you balance the cost of the card against the benefits received. Whether you opt for the Bountiful for its elite status and rewards or the Boundless for its annual free night and lower fee, each card offers a pathway to significantly enrich your travel experiences.