23 Valuable Benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card

If you stay at Marriott properties, even occasionally, you may be able to elevate your experience, earn more Marriott Bonvoy points, and score a free annual hotel night certificate just by having the right Marriott Bonvoy-branded card.

If you don’t want to pay a high annual fee, but still want a balance between benefits and annual outlay, we think the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card could fit that description perfectly.

We’ve set out today to count down all the benefits you can expect to receive on the Marriott Boundless card, how the card complements the Marriott Bonvoy hotel loyalty program, and compare the card to other Marriott-branded cards.

Here are all the reasons you might want to consider the Marriott Boundless card.

Card Overview

Prior to selecting any credit card, you’ll want to check out the most current welcome offer, the card’s pricing, and its terms and conditions.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Marriott loyalists will love this card's annual Free Night Award, automatic elite status, and up to 17x points per $1 on Marriott hotel stays.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card

Marriott loyalists will love this card's annual Free Night Award, automatic elite status, and up to 17x points per $1 on Marriott hotel stays.

Welcome Offer

Earn 125,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from your account opening.

125,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$875

Annual Fee

$95

APR

20.74% - 27.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

If you’re a frequent traveler and a Marriott loyalist, there’s a lot to love about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card. The card comes packed with several great benefits like a free hotel night once a year, automatic Silver Elite status (with a fast-track to Gold Elite status), and multiple options for redeeming points.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Earn big when you use your card at thousands of participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
• Earn big at grocery stores, gas stations, and dining
• Automatic Silver Elite Status

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• Marriott Silver Elite Status is the lowest status tier

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 3 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after qualifying purchases.
• Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining.
• Earn 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend.
• 1 Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary.
• Earn up to 17X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Card.
• Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually, automatic Silver Elite status, and path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each calendar year.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees. Your points don't expire as long as you make purchases on your card every 24 months.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.74% - 27.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Marriott Bonvoy

Generous Welcome Bonus

1. Jump-start Your Earnings With a Welcome Bonus

Welcome bonuses vary but you can count on receiving a welcome bonus with enough points to redeem for several free hotel nights.

Be sure to check the current offer before applying. You’ll also need to meet minimum spending requirements within the first 3 months after card approval to qualify for the bonus. Use the link above to check for the current bonus and pricing.

Elevated Earnings

2. Earn Big at Marriott Properties

You’ll receive 6x Marriott Bonvoy points for every dollar spent at Marriott-affiliated properties. You’ll actually end up earning up to 17x total points:

• 6x points at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy from the credit card
• 10x points for being a Marriott Bonvoy member (base earnings)
• Up to 1x point with Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status, which is a benefit of the Marriott Boundless card

3. Earn on Every Purchase

Every purchase you make with the card earns at least 2x points per dollar spent. In particular, here are the other bonus categories:

• 3x points on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining (up to the first $6,000 in combined purchases)
• 2x points on other purchases

Hot Tip: Are your Chase hotel and airline-branded credit cards targeted for special earning offers? Find out if your card qualifies. 

Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status

Having elite status with a hotel loyalty program elevates your experience at affiliated properties, allows you to earn free nights faster, and provides other related benefits.

Here’s how the Marriott Boundless card complements the Marriott Bonvoy hotel loyalty program.

4. Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite Status

Enjoy complimentary entry-level Silver Elite status just for having the card. You can expect to receive these benefits with Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status:

• Fifth consecutive reward night free
• Free Wi-Fi
• Late 2 p.m. checkout
• Receive 10% bonus points on qualifying hotel purchases
• Special hotel rates just for members
• Welcome bonus points at check-in

5. Spend Your Way to Higher Status

Spend $35,000 on the card during a calendar year and receive the next level Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status. Gold Elite status members receive all the benefits that come with Silver status plus these additional perks:

• 25% bonus points on hotel purchases
• Late 4 p.m. checkout
• Upgraded room, when available

6. Elite Nights To Use Towards Even Higher Status

The level of elite status you earn is normally based on the number of nights you stay at Marriott properties. By having the Marriott Boundless card, however, each calendar year you’ll receive 15 elite qualifying night credits you can use to help you qualify for higher status, plus you earn 1 elite night credit for every $5,000 spent on the card.

Here’s a summary of how many nights you would normally have to stay in a calendar year to achieve each level of elite status.

As an example, if you have the Marriott Boundless card and stay 10 nights in a calendar year, you’ll qualify for Gold Elite level status (15 night credits for having the card + 10 stayed nights = 25 elite qualifying nights).

To learn more about the value of elite status with Marriott Bonvoy, and how to qualify for Marriott Bonvoy elite status, we’ve put together these informative articles with everything you need to know.

Bottom Line: The Marriott Boundless card comes with complimentary Silver Elite status, the option to spend $35,000 on the card in a calendar year to achieve Gold Elite status, and 15 elite qualifying nights that count towards any level of elite status. 

Free Hotel Nights

The most valuable benefit of having a Marriott-branded card is your access to free hotel nights. Whether you use your annual free night certificate, redeem your rewards for free hotel nights, or parlay those rewards into a vacation package, you’ll find plenty of free hotel stay options.

7. Free Hotel Night at Each Card Anniversary

Pay the renewal fee on your Marriott Boundless card and you’ll receive a complimentary free night certificate each card anniversary year. The certificate can be used for a free hotel night worth up to 35,000 points.

8. Free Nights Start at 5,000 Points

As your points add up quickly, so does the potential for earning free hotel nights. Redemptions start at 5,000 points per night. Plus, as a Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program member, your fifth consecutive reward night is always free.

Hot Tip: When booking 5 consecutive reward nights, always check the “customize payments” option to view the paid rate and points rate for each night. It may benefit you to adjust your stay slightly to receive a lower overall price. If you’re not staying 5 nights, you can also use the tool to determine which nights you may want to use points and which nights to pay the cash rate. 

Additional Redemption Options

9. You Have Redemption Choices

It’s a benefit to have options for redeeming all the points you’ll be earning with the Marriott Boundless card. However, not all redemption options offer good value.

• Gift Cards and Merchandise — A $25 gift card will set you back 10,000 Marriott Bonvoy points and since we value Marriott Bonvoy points at around 0.7 cents each, buying gift cards is not good value. The same is true for purchasing merchandise with your points as you’ll receive poor value there as well.
• Transfer Points to Airlines — You do have the option to transfer your Marriott Bonvoy points to tons of airline partners but the ratio is generally about 3:1, with some transfers offering an additional mileage bonus. For example, 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points translate into 20,000 United MileagePlus miles plus a 10,000-mile bonus. Topping off your frequent flyer account with a small amount for the purpose of redeeming for a specific award flight may be a good use of points. Also, when you transfer 60,000 Marriott points to most airline partners at once, you’ll get a bonus of 5,000 miles.

Travel Benefits and Protections

The Marriott Boundless card comes with several useful travel benefits that can save you money and/or provide peace of mind during your travels.

10. Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver

For coverage to be valid, reserve and pay for your entire car rental with your Marriott Boundless card and decline the rental agency’s CDW or LDW coverage. You’ll receive coverage for damage, theft to the rental car, reasonable/customary towing, and valid loss-of-use charges.

Coverage is secondary in your country of residence when renting for personal use and primary outside the U.S. in most countries.

11. Trip Delay Reimbursement

If your trip on a common carrier is delayed 12 or more hours or overnight, you could receive up to $500 per ticket for unreimbursed eligible expenses.

12. Lost Luggage Reimbursement

If you or an immediate family member have lost or damaged luggage, you could receive up to $3,000 per trip. The common carrier ticket (e.g. airline, train, bus, or ferry) must have been charged on your eligible card and is secondary to the coverage provided by the common carrier.

13. Delayed Baggage Insurance

If your baggage is delayed more than 6 hours, you could receive up to $100 per day for 5 days for essential items. Common carrier fare must be purchased with your Marriott Boundless card and coverage is secondary to any reimbursement received from the common carrier.

14. Roadside Dispatch

Enjoy peace of mind knowing you will receive help should you be stranded at the side of the road. Dispatch service includes access to roadside assistance 24/7 for just 1 low pre-negotiated fee of $69.95 for the service call. Services include towing, tire changing, jump-start, emergency fuel, lockout service, and winching.

14. Travel and Emergency Assistance Services

If something goes wrong during your travels, know that you have access to help 24/7 with a dedicated phone line. Receive medical, legal, or translation service referrals, help with emergency transport, messaging, ticket replacement, finding a pharmacy, pre-trip planning, and more. Cardholders are responsible for actual services received.

16. Visa Signature Concierge

Enjoy access to hard-to-get dining reservations, VIP service, and priority access to sporting and entertainment events, plus more with your Concierge hotline.

17. Travel Accident Insurance

Severe injury or death when traveling on a common carrier could result in a benefit of up to $500,000.

Note that coverage descriptions are abbreviated and terms/conditions apply. Complete information on these benefits will be found in your card’s Guide to Benefits.

Shopping Benefits and Protections

While you’ll be using your Marriott Boundless card when traveling and staying at Marriott properties, with these shopping benefits and protections, you’ll also find the card useful for purchases at home or abroad.

18. Purchase Protection

New, eligible purchases made with your card are covered for damage and theft for 120 days from the date of purchase. Each claim is covered for up to $500, with a maximum limit of $50,000 per account.

19. Extended Warranty

Eligible items purchased with your card may qualify for extended warranty protection. Manufacturers’ warranties of 3 years or less will be extended for 1 additional year.

20. Chase Offers

Log in to your Marriott Boundless card account online and click on Chase Offers for special deals that include cash-back for specific purchases. Examples of offers include 10% back at Marriott, Starbucks, Lowes, and Big Lots. The more you use your card, the more Chase Offers you’ll receive.

21. No Foreign Transaction Fees

Take your card with you during your travels and never experience added fees for foreign transactions.

Additional Benefits

22. Add an Authorized User

There is no charge to add an authorized user to your card and it’s a great way to earn additional rewards quickly.

23. Chase Credit Journey

Have quick access to your credit report and helpful tools for managing your credit via Chase Credit Journey. Just log in to your Marriott Boundless card’s online account and you’ll find a direct link to the Credit Journey tool.

Final Thoughts

If you’re ready to consider a Marriott-branded card, your choice should be based on your own spending habits, your travel profile, and your tolerance for paying an annual fee. If you’re looking for the balance of a lower annual fee but still want to receive accelerated earnings and access to free hotel nights, the Marriott Boundless card could be a good choice.

Additionally, with 15 complimentary elite qualifying nights added to your annual elite earning history, just for having the card, you can easily qualify for higher elite status with just 10 additional annual stay nights.

If you stay at Marriott properties, the upside and additional value-added benefits of having any Marriott-branded card are evident.