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With 30 brands including Ritz-Carlton, Westin, and Residence Inn, and over 8,000 participating hotels worldwide, not to mention more than 120 million members, Marriott Bonvoy is the world’s largest hotel loyalty program.
No matter where in the world you end up traveling, even if it remains close to home for the foreseeable future, having some Marriott Bonvoy points in your back pocket can be a great way to save money on stays. The easiest way to earn those points is by carrying a Marriott Bonvoy cobranded credit that earns rewards on everyday purchases. Doing so can also ensure you enjoy other perks such as automatic elite status and annual free reward nights. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is a fine choice for road warriors and occasional leisure travelers alike thanks to numerous bonus earning opportunities and an affordable annual fee. Here’s everything you need to know about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless details
Although it doesn’t offer the flashier perks of its more premium counterpart, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless is nonetheless a solid choice that makes sense for a broader range of travelers.
Current welcome offer: Earn three free bonus award nights (worth up to 50,000 points each) after you spend $3,000 within the first three months of account opening.
Annual fee: $95
Earning rates: Rack up 17 points per dollar on purchases made at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, three points per dollar on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining, plus two points per dollar on all other purchases. The card waives foreign transaction fees, too.
Annual free night: Every year after the account anniversary and the annual fee is paid, cardholders receive a free night award worth up to 35,000 points (we’ll get to more on this below).
Elite status: Cardholders receive 15 elite night credits per calendar year, which is more than enough for the first rung of status, Silver. Perks at that level include potential room upgrades, late checkout times, and earning bonus points on stays. If you spend $35,000 or more on purchases in a calendar year, you get a bump up to Gold status.
Eligibility: Unfortunately, you won’t receive the welcome offer if you currently have this card or another one from Marriott, including the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant, or the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, among others. If you don’t currently have one of these cards, but did in the past and received its welcome bonus offer within the past 24 months, you might also be precluded.
How to use the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless free reward night
Perhaps the best perk offered by the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless is that annual free reward night. However, be aware of a few parameters. First, it’s only redeemable for a single night, and it expires within one year of issuance. It is only valid for awards costing up to 35,000 points, too. That puts most of Marriott’s higher-end hotels in Categories 6–8 out of reach. But you can still find some solid value options.
Travel and purchase benefits
One final component to consider is Marriott Bonvoy Boundless’s outstanding suite of travel and purchase protections, many of which are important now more than ever. Among the ones cardholders can count on:
Trip delay reimbursement: If your trip is delayed over 12 hours or requires an overnight stay, you might be covered up to $500 per ticket for things like meals and lodging.
Lost luggage coverage: Cardholders and immediate family members are eligible for up to $3,000 for checked or carry-on luggage that is damaged or lost.
Baggage delay insurance: If your bag is delayed over six hours, you might get up to $100 per person per day for up to five days for essential purchases like clothing and toiletries until your belongings arrive.
Purchase protection: If something you buy with your card is damaged or stolen within 120 days, you might be reimbursed up to $500 per item, with a maximum benefit of $50,000 per account.
Extended warranty: The card will extend warranties of three years or less by an additional year.
No foreign transaction fees: The Boundless is great for international travel since it waives pesky foreign transaction charges that can really add up.
Who is the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card good for?
With an affordable $95 annual fee and an anniversary free reward night that can be used at most of the chain’s lower- and mid-range hotels, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless is a strong choice for most travelers. It accrues Marriott points at a decent clip, and the elite night credits can guarantee you Silver status year after year even if you don’t stay enough to earn it on your own. If you are a frequent Marriott guest, those 15 nights might be just the boost you need from Silver to Gold, or Gold to Platinum, and a host of additional benefits, such as earning even more bonus points on stays, higher upgrade priority, and premium in-room internet.
That said, if you frequently stay (and spend a fair amount of money) at Marriott properties, you might want to consider applying for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant instead. The Brilliant does charge a $450 annual fee, but comes with a host of value-added perks to compensate.
First, cardholders get up to $300 in statement credits each year of card membership toward purchases at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, including room charges. They also receive a free night award each account year that’s worth up to 50,000 points (and thus redeemable at some higher-end hotels than the Boundless’s certificate). Folks who book stays of two nights or more using a special rate at Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis properties receive up to $100 toward qualifying on-property charges like restaurant tabs and spa treatments.
They can also enroll for Priority Pass Select airport lounge access and receive a statement credit of up to $100 for Global Entry once every 4.5 years (or $85 for TSA PreCheck once every 5 years). Finally, cardholders receive automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold status, a whole level above what the Boundless offers, although they also get 15 elite night credits toward earning a higher status, just as with the Boundless.
On the other side of the spectrum, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold might be the best choice for budget-conscious travelers looking for a travel rewards card with no annual fee that still accumulates points at a steady pace. It earns three points per dollar on Marriott purchases and two points per dollar on other travel purchases, then one per dollar on everything else. Cardholders get 15 nights of elite credit each year, too, but no annual free reward night.
Whether you’re a loyal Marriott guest, or just someone looking to build up a points balance toward future stays, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless is an excellent and well-priced choice to work toward award nights and enjoy elite status to boot. Its annual free reward night alone is probably worth getting and keeping the card since it can be worth hundreds of dollars per year. Add the card’s automatic elite status and you’ll enjoy the free travel you earn with the card even more.
While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they are subject to change at any time, and may have changed or may no longer be available. This article was originally published in 2021; it was updated on September 1, 2022, with current information.
