Marriot Bonvoy Boundless
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is a mid-tier hotel rewards card tailored for travelers who frequently stay at Marriott properties. With a reasonable annual fee, it offers a suite of benefits designed to enhance the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty experience.
Key Features:
• Rewards Structure:
• Up to 17X Points at Marriott Properties:
• 6X points per $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
• Up to 10X points from Marriott Bonvoy membership.
• 1X point from Silver Elite Status, automatically granted to cardholders.
• 3X Points on Common Expenses:
• Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent annually in combined purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, and dining establishments.
• 2X Points on Other Purchases:
• Earn 2X points per $1 on all other purchases.
• Annual Fee: $95.
• Welcome Offer: Earn 3 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. Certain hotels may have resort fees.
Additional Benefits:
• Annual Free Night Award: Receive one Free Night Award every year after your account anniversary, redeemable for a night costing up to 35,000 points at participating hotels.
• Automatic Silver Elite Status: Enjoy benefits like priority late checkout and a 10% bonus on base points earned during Marriott stays.
• Path to Gold Elite Status: Achieve Gold Elite Status by spending $35,000 on purchases within a calendar year, unlocking perks such as enhanced room upgrades and 25% bonus points on stays.
• 15 Elite Night Credits: Receive 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year, accelerating progress toward higher Marriott Bonvoy status tiers.
Pros:
• Valuable Annual Free Night: The annual free night certificate can offset the card’s annual fee when redeemed at properties requiring up to 35,000 points.
• Accelerated Points Earnings: High earning rates at Marriott properties and on everyday spending categories like gas, groceries, and dining.
• Elite Status Benefits: Automatic Silver Elite Status and the opportunity to earn Gold Elite Status provide additional perks during Marriott stays.
Cons:
• Limited Bonus Categories: The 3X points rate on gas, groceries, and dining is capped at $6,000 in combined purchases annually; subsequent spending in these categories earns 2X points.
• Modest Point Valuation: Marriott Bonvoy points are generally valued at around 0.7 cents each, which may be lower compared to other hotel loyalty programs.
• Annual Fee: While the $95 fee is moderate, it may not be justifiable for infrequent Marriott guests.
Considerations:
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is well-suited for travelers who frequently stay at Marriott properties and can leverage the card’s benefits to offset the annual fee. However, those who prefer diverse hotel options or do not anticipate utilizing the card’s Marriott-specific perks may find greater value elsewhere.