The Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card is Chase and Marriott’s co-branded mid-tier credit card. It is a decent option for travelers who often stay at Marriott hotels. However, there are better credit card options for more serious travelers, cash back lovers, and those who want to earn transferrable points and miles.
Furthermore, the Boundless Card has a $95 annual fee (waived the first year). But this fee is primarily countered by one annual free night. This free night alone can justify the entire annual fee and then some.
Earning
Moreover, the Boundless Card earns 6x points per dollar spent at Marriott hotels. It also earns 2x points on all other purchases. This earning structure is lackluster compared to similar hotel cards. The only optimal times to carry this card are if you’re staying at a Marriott hotel and if you’re earning the sign-up bonus.
Existing Marriott Bonvoy cardholders can register to earn 25,000 points for every $25,000 in eligible purchases on the card. This can be done up to four times per year. However, registration is not recommended registering given the value of Marriott points.
Plus, Chase is offering a sign-up bonus worth 75,000 points for the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card. This bonus can be earned by spending $3,000 within the first three months. The Boundless Card’s bonus is expensive, but the 75,000 points can be worth it for some travelers.
Burning
Hotel Redemptions
This is the easiest way to redeem Marriott points. Use the following table to determine how much a night is worth in points:
| Category | Standard | Off-Peak | Peak |
| 1 | 7,500 | 5,000 | 10,000 |
| 2 | 12,500 | 10,000 | 15,000 |
| 3 | 17,500 | 15,000 | 20,000 |
| 4 | 25,000 | 20,000 | 30,000 |
| 5 | 35,000 | 30,000 | 40,000 |
| 6 | 50,000 | 40,000 | 60,000 |
| 7 | 60,000 | 50,000 | 70,000 |
| 8 | 85,000 | 70,000 | 100,000 |
Transfer Partners
Transfer partners are a lesser known redemption option for this card. More than 40 airlines are partners with Marriott, including United, Emirates, Delta, China Eastern, and Lufthansa. The transfer ratio is three Marriott points per one airline mile.
Perks
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card includes some benefits that can make life easier when away from home. Moreover, some of them can even justify the annual fee with enough use.
Annual Free Night
This perk is where most of the Boundless Card’s value lies. That’s because most rooms at Marriott hotels cost more than $95 per night. The annual free night can be redeemed for rooms costing up to 35,000 points (Categories 1-5). Most Marriott properties are within Categories 1 through 5, making the free night accessible for many.
The free night can only be earned and redeemed after holding the card for 12 months. Luckily, the Boundless Card’s annual fee is waived the first year.
Complimentary Silver Elite Status
Marriott Silver Elite Status is not worth much. All you’re getting is a 10% points bonus for Marriott purchases. Room rates and gift shop purchases qualify for the points bonus.
However, Marriott Gold Elite Status can be obtained by spending $35,000 per year on the Boundless Card. This level can also be obtained automatically with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card or any variant of the American Expresss Platinum Card.
No Foreign Exchange Fees
You will save 3% on all purchases made outside the United States with the Boundless Card.
Similar Cards
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card is the Boundless Card’s “big sibling”. It also serves as Marriott’s premium credit card and for good reason. The Brilliant Card earns 6x Marriott points on Marriott hotels, 3x points on dining and airfare (booked directly with the airline), and 2x points on non-bonus spend.
Plus, Amex is offering a sign-up bonus worth 75,000 points. This bonus can be earned by spending $3,000 within the first three months. That’s the same sign-up bonus as Chase is offering with the Boundless Card.
The Brilliant card also comes with the following perks:
- $300 annual statement credit
- Marriott Gold Elite Status
- A free night (for Category 1-6 properties)
- Priority Pass airport lounge access
- 10 Boingo airport Wi-Fi passes
- Global Entry or Pre-TSA membership fee waiver
The Brilliant Card will offer you way more for your money than the Boundless Card. However, this card has a $450 annual fee (NOT waived the first year). Consider how often you intend on staying at Marriott hotels if you are deciding between these two cards.
Chase World of Hyatt Card
The Chase World of Hyatt Card is Chase and Hyatt’s co-branded credit card. It’s also a fantastic alternative to the Boundless Card for Hyatt lovers. This card has a $95 annual fee (NOT waived the first year). But it also has plenty of earning opportunities and benefits to boot.
Moreover, this card earns 4x Hyatt points per dollar spent at Hyatt hotels. It also earns 2x points per dollar on dining, airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, local transit and commuting, and gym memberships.
Plus, Chase and Hyatt are offering a two-part sign-up bonus worth up to 50,000 points for the World of Hyatt Card. First you can earn 25,000 points by spending $3,000 within the first three months. Then, you can earn 25,000 more points by spending $6,000 total within the first six months.
But that’s not all. This card offers complimentary Hyatt Discoverist status, a free night each year, and preferred room upgrades as its core benefits. These are excellent ways to justify the Hyatt Card’s $95 annual fee.
American Express Green Card
The American Express Green Card is an excellent alternative to the Boundless Card for those who want to earn transferrable points. In fact, the Green Card earns 3x Membership Rewards (MR) points on dining and general travel. It also earns one point per dollar on non-bonus spend.
Furthermore, Amex is offering a sign-up bonus worth 30,000 MR points for the Green Card. This bonus can be earned by spending $2,000 within the first three months. The Green Card is a bit more expensive than the Boundless Card. In fact, it has a $150 annual fee compared to the Boundless Card’s $95 annual fee. Neither card’s annual fees are waived the first year.
The Green Card is the better card if you’re not loyal to Marriott or any other hotel brand. It’s also the better card for those who want to redeem points for airfare. However, the Boundless Card is better if you are a Marriott loyalist and can use its annual free night.
Final Draw
The Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card is not the best option for most travelers. Serious Marriott lovers, cash back enthusiasts, and those who want transferrable points and miles should look into other options. This is because Marriott does not fully check any of those boxes.
However, those who stay at Marriott hotels infrequently should consider the Boundless Card. Its annual free night alone might be enough to make it a long-term keeper card.
Apply Today: Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card
PYCR Credit Card Ratings
PYCR Credit Card Ratings-
Sign-Up Bonus60/100
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Earning40/100
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Burning100/100
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Perks88/100
The AMEX version of this card offers 4x points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. The CHASE bonvoy does not.
Hi Anthony,
Thanks for reading PYCR. Only the Amex Business version of this card offers those 4x categories. Neither of the personal versions offer them.
Off-peak costs more than peak???
Hi Jeff,
Thanks for reading PYCR and catching this error on the rewards chart. Peak rates do not cost more than Off-Peak rates. Therefore, I switched the headers on the chart and it should now be correct.
Best Regards,
Anthony