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Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card overview
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card offers a solid return on eligible Marriott purchases (6x points) and everyday spending (2x points). It also awards an anniversary free-night certificate for a stay worth up to 35,000 points.(certain hotels have resort fees). Even if you aren't a Marriott loyalist, it may be worth seriously considering this card while it has an increased sign-up bonus of 100,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first three months from account opening. Card Rating*: ????
*Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. Marriott offers a diverse credit card portfolio issued by both Chase and American Express. However, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card from Chase is the only entry-level, mid-market personal Marriott Bonvoy card available to new applicants.
The Bonvoy Boundless card is currently offering an increased sign-up bonus of 100,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first three months from account opening. These are enough points to kick-start a great vacation. But the sign-up bonus isn't the only reason to consider the Bonvoy Boundless card.
This card is also great for its ongoing benefits. For example, TPG's Katie Genter added the Bonvoy Boundless card to her wallet in a push to earn Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status using the card's 15 elite night credits. So, let's take a closer look at whether or not the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless deserves a spot in your wallet.
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Application link: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card available with an increased 100,000 point welcome bonus.
In This Post
Who is this card for?
© The Points GuyHaving Marriott elite status can help you get an even higher return on your award stays. (Photo of the Al Maha Resort by Ethan Steinberg/The Points Guy)
Although the Bonvoy Boundless' increased sign-up bonus of 100,000 points is enticing, still think through things carefully before applying. After all, Chase restricts access to the Bonvoy Boundless with its 5/24 rule. And, according to Chase's 5/24 rule, the issuer won't approve you for the card if you've opened five or more credit cards across all issuers in the last 24 months.
So, you aren't just picking the Bonvoy Boundless card if you decide to apply. Instead, you're potentially choosing the Bonvoy Boundless over another Chase card if you like to apply for multiple rewards cards per year. You should therefore have somewhat of a plan for how you're going to use the card and its sign-up bonus before you apply.
If you're a Bonvoy Platinum Elite or higher, this bonus can get you much more value though. After all, as a high-level elite, your nights will come with perks such as suite upgrades and free breakfast.
Finally, this card can also be an excellent addition to your wallet if you're looking to transfer Marriott points to valuable airline partners such as Korean Air, Alaska Airlines and Japan Airlines.
Related: What credit score do you need to get the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless credit card?
Sign-up bonus: Estimated $800 value
© Provided by The Points Guy(Photo by Isabelle Raphael/The Points Guy)
Now, let's consider the most exciting part of any new credit card: the sign-up bonus.
Right now, new applicants can earn 100,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first three months from account opening. So, based on TPG's valuation of Marriott points at 0.8 cents each, this bonus is worth up to $800 and is up from the previously offered welcome bonus of 75,000 bonus points.
Unfortunately, some restrictions will stop many people from earning the Bonvoy Boundless' sign-up bonus. The first is Chase's 5/24 rule and the second is that Chase and Amex have cooperated to limit sign-up bonus eligibility across all the Bonvoy credit cards.
So, even if you are under 5/24, you might not be allowed to use one of your 5/24 slots for the Bonvoy Boundless. Make sure to check our full guide to Marriott card eligibility before applying.
Main benefits and perks
© The Points GuyEnjoy elite perks when staying at Marriott properties such as the Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa . (Photo by Katie Genter/The Points Guy)
The Bonvoy Boundless comes with a $95 annual fee, but it should be easy to get several hundred dollars of value out of the card's perks. In fact, of all the travel credit cards I carry, it's easiest for me to justify paying an annual fee on my Bonvoy cards, including the Bonvoy Boundless.
So, let's take a closer look at the Bonvoy Boundless card perks.
Anniversary free-night award
Each year on account renewal, you'll receive a free night certificate valid at hotels that cost up to 35,000 points a night.
This certificate includes almost any Category 1-5 hotel, although Category 5 hotels at peak pricing of 40,000 points per night won't be eligible. Outside of the U.S., you will even find several luxury St. Regis and Ritz-Carlton hotels where you can use this certificate. And while you certainly can't use this certificate everywhere, there are thousands of options at 35,000 points per night or less.
TPG's valuations peg the value of 35,000 Marriott points at $280, which is nearly three times the $95 annual fee. But, it's possible to get even more value if you're selective about redeeming your free night. For example, the ski-out Sheraton Steamboat Villas can be booked for many nights during ski season with a 35k certificate, but paid nights can top $300+ per night or even higher, making this a tremendous use of a certificate.
© The Points GuyView from the Sheraton Steamboat bookable with Marriott points (Photo by Summer Hull/The Points Guy)
However, even if you redeem your free night certificate for a lower value, you should have no trouble recouping your entire annual fee from this perk alone. For example, I've redeemed 35,000-point free night certificates for two nights at the W Atlanta Buckhead ($230 cash value per night) and three nights at the Westin Savannah ($255 per night). In each case, I managed to cover my annual fee and get more than $100 in excess value from the free night certificate.
Related: 6 great uses of Marriott 35,000-point free night certificates
Automatic Silver Elite status
Silver Elite status with Marriott won't get you posh penthouse suites, but it's better than nothing. Silver Elite members will get a 10% points bonus, late checkout and free Wi-Fi.
The Bonvoy Boundless also offers a path to Gold Elite status by spending $35,000 on purchases each account year. You'll usually be better off earning higher status organically via the Boundless' 15 elite night credit as well as some stays booked directly with Marriott, as I'll discuss in the next section. And, if you want a card that provides Gold Elite status with Marriott automatically, you should consider The Platinum Card® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express or the Marriott Bonvoy BrilliantT American Express® Card.
Related: Why this is the year to push for higher Marriott Bonvoy elite status
15 elite night credits annually
© Provided by The Points GuyIt may not take many stays at hotels like the Renaissance Chelsea to earn Platinum Elite status if you play your cards right. (Photo by Scott Mayerowitz/The Points Guy)
Many Bonvoy credit cards share this benefit. But, this perk can be immensely valuable if you're aiming for mid or higher tier status with Marriott Bonvoy.
You can get one set of elite night credits from a Marriott personal card and one more set of elite night credits from a Marriott business card. So, with the Bonvoy Boundless, you'd only need to stay 35 nights (instead of 50) to earn Platinum Elite status. And, if you have the Bonvoy Boundless and a Marriott business card like the Marriott Bonvoy BusinessT American Express® Card, you can get 30 elite night credits each year just from credit cards.
Related: Does it make sense to hold multiple Marriott Bonvoy credit cards?
Other perks
Together, the above benefits represent a few hundred dollars in value each year and easily outstrip the $95 annual fee. But, the card also offers a few other perks:
- Baggage delay insurance: If a passenger carrier delays your baggage for over six hours, Chase may reimburse you for essential purchases up to $100 a day for five days
- Lost luggage reimbursement: If a passenger carrier damages or loses your check or carry on luggage, Chase may reimburse you up to $3,000 per passenger
- Trip delay reimbursement: If you are delayed by more than 12 hours or required to stay overnight when traveling by common carrier, Chase may reimburse you for select otherwise unreimbursed expenses up to $500 per ticket
- Purchase protection: Chase covers most new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $500 per claim (capped at $50,000 per account)
- No foreign transaction fees
Related: 4 ways to use expiring Marriott Bonvoy nights and perks during the pandemic (and what I decided)
How to earn points
© Provided by The Points GuyEarn 6x points at Marriott properties such as the JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa . (Photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy)
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card earns 6x points on eligible Marriott purchases and 2x points on all other eligible purchases. Based on TPG's valuations, this works out to a 4.8% return on Marriott purchases and 1.6% everywhere else.
On paper, you can do better using the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Marriott stays. After all, the Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 3x Ultimate Rewards points (for a 6% return based on TPG's valuations) on all travel.
But, you have to consider the value you can get from your Marriott points. As I mentioned before, Platinum and Titanium Elites get a much better return on their award redemptions thanks to a great set of elite benefits. So, I pay for all my Marriott stays with a Bonvoy credit card to earn 6x points.
Related: 17 ways to earn lots of Marriott Bonvoy points
How to redeem points
© Provided by The Points GuyUse your points at stunning Category 5 properties like the Mira Moon in Hong Kong . (Photo by Ethan Steinberg/The Points Guy)
When it comes to maximizing your Marriott redemptions, there are a few strategies to keep in mind. First, you'll want to take advantage of the fifth night free on award stays perk whenever possible. The fifth-night free benefit is an easy way to get up to a 20% discount and stretch your points.
I prefer to use my Marriott points for hotel stays, but Marriott also has 40+ airline transfer partners. If you're going to transfer Marriott points to an airline, you should use this opportunity to top up on some otherwise hard-to-earn mileage currencies.
Alaska Airlines, Korean Air and Japan Airlines are three fantastic examples of highly flexible and valuable miles that are hard to earn any other way. In fact, one of my favorite redemptions to date was transferring 195,000 Marriott points to 80,000 Korean Air SkyPass miles to book a first-class seat in the nose of the Korean Air's Boeing 747-8.
© Provided by The Points GuyTransferring Marriott points to Korean Air to book a first-class award on the carrier's Boeing 747-8 is an incredible redemption opportunity. (Photo by Ethan Steinberg/The Points Guy)
Points transfer to most airlines at a 3:1 ratio with 5,000-mile bonuses for every 60,000 Marriott points transferred. Transferring 60,000 Marriott points to Alaska Airlines, for example, would net you 25,000 miles. However, note that most transfers take at least a few days. So, if award availability is scarce, the award you want to book may be gone by the time the transfer completes.
Related: How to redeem points with the Marriott Bonvoy program
Which cards compete with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless?
© The Points Guy(Photo by Riley Arthur for The Points Guy)
The first lesson you learn when you start building a credit card strategy is how sacred your 5/24 slots with Chase are.
So, if you don't have one already, you should strongly consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card first. You'll pay the same $95 annual fee as the Bonvoy Boundless and you'll get a valuable sign-up bonus of 80,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus earn a $50 statement credit towards grocery store purchases in the first year of account opening.
TPG values this bonus at $1,650 thanks to its immense flexibility; you can transfer those points to any of Chase's three hotel and 10 airline transfer partners, including Marriott Bonvoy. And, you'll continue to rack up points at a fast clip with 2x points on travel and dining.
© Provided by The Points Guy(Photo by Sara Wass/The Points Guy)
Even if you decide to add a Marriott Bonvoy card to your wallet, the Boundless Card might not always be the best option. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card carries a $450 annual fee (see rates and fees), but it can quickly pay for itself. After all, you'll get an annual Marriott property credit of up to $300 (each card membership year), which can be used toward room rates, effectively dropping your out-of-pocket cost to $150.
Plus, the anniversary free night with the Brilliant card is valid at hotels costing up to 50,000 points a night, literally one-upping the level of luxury you can experience. Likewise, instead of Silver Elite status, you get complimentary Gold Elite status and the chance to upgrade to Platinum by spending $75,000 a year. Right now, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card also has an increased welcome bonus. Its bonus is increased all the way to 125,000 bonus points after $5,000 in spending in the first three months and up to $200 back on charges at U.S. restaurants in the first six months. That offer runs until May 12, 2021.
Related: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless vs. Bonvoy Brilliant: Which card is right for you?
Bottom line
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card is in an interesting spot. As one of two entry-level consumer credit cards in the Bonvoy program (the no-annual-fee Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card is the other), it's the logical first choice for many Marriott travelers. But strict bonus restrictions and fierce competition from other Chase cards mean you should think hard before applying.
Still, if you've already built out your Chase trifecta and confirmed that you are eligible for this bonus, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card is a great addition to a wallet. I have no trouble getting $250-$300 of value out of my anniversary free night certificate and if I can get that sort of return on a $95 investment each year, it's an easy win.
Plus, the current sign-up bonus of 100,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first three months is pretty great, too.
APPLY HERE for Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex, click here.
Additional reporting by Chris Dong
Featured image by John Gribben/The Points Guy.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.