Understanding the Changes to the Marriott Bold Card

When “until July 10, 2024,” first appeared in the benefits description for the Marriott Bonvoy Bold^® Credit Card, we knew changes were coming. Now, they’ve arrived, and we’re here to help you understand what’s changed about this card.

Whether you’re an existing cardholder or considering applying for the Marriott Bold card, understand that some changes are positive and some are negative — and there’s a huge welcome bonus offer that might make you feel better about those negatives.

Key Changes to the Marriott Bold Card

Issued by Chase, the Marriott Bold card is Marriott’s entry-level credit card. With a $0 annual fee and a much shorter list of benefits than other Marriott Bonvoy credit cards, several of the card’s key features aren’t changing:

• There’s still $0 annual fee.
• You’ll still earn up to 14x Marriott Bonvoy points when paying for participating hotels, including the 3x points awarded when using this card.
• You’ll still earn 1 point per dollar spent on purchases outside the bonus categories.
• Cardholders still get automatic Marriott Silver Elite status.
• No changes to insurance benefits, including trip delay reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, purchase protection, and no foreign transaction fees.

Thus, the majority of what we’ve come to expect with the Marriott Bold card isn’t changing. However, there are notable changes to the card going forward:

• Decrease from 15 to 5 elite night credits annually: Cardholders previously received 15 Marriott elite nights in their account each year, similar to other Marriott Bonvoy credit cards. Now, that number is dropping to 5. This matters if you want to earn higher tiers of Marriott Bonvoy status.
• Change in 2x earning categories: Previously, you could earn 2x points on travel (other than Marriott Bonvoy expenses). Now, you’ll earn 2x points at grocery stores, ride-share services, select food delivery services, select streaming services, and on internet, cable, and phone services. There is no annual cap to this earning category.
• Addition of Travel Now, Pay Later feature: Cardholders can use this feature to make equal monthly payments without interest or plan fees, available on purchases of $100 to $5,000. Note that access to Chase Pay Over Time isn’t guaranteed, and this feature only applies to Marriott Bonvoy-participating hotels plus purchases made directly with airlines. You will earn points on the purchases as you normally would.

Limited Time, Elevated Welcome Bonus

Along with these changes, Chase and Marriott are offering an incredible welcome offer for new applicants to the Marriott Bold card: Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months.

To be clear, this is the best welcome bonus this card has ever offered. Based on our valuation of Marriott Bonvoy points, this bonus is worth $770 — though you may receive more or less value based on how you redeem the free night award.

Final Thoughts

The Marriott Bold card underwent some key changes, including dropping the elite nights from 15 to 5 and changing the 2x earning categories. However, the card’s elite status, earning rate with Marriott, and insurance protections haven’t changed.

Depending on your spending habits and elite status goals, you may love or hate these changes. If you aren’t a fan, the best-ever welcome bonus offer on the card might make you feel better.