If you’re traveling nearly anywhere in the world, odds are there’s a Marriott-affiliated property nearby. Marriott runs more than 7,000 hotels in over 131 countries, making Marriott Bonvoy one of the best hotel rewards programs. For a limited time, you can sign up for a new Marriott Bonvoy card and earn a best-ever offer worth as much as 175,000 points. Here’s a look at the offer and if it makes sense for you.
Marriott Bonvoy Best-Ever Credit Card Bonuses
The Marriott Bonvoy BoundlessTM credit card is a longtime favorite of the Slickdeals community. I have had the Bonvoy Boundless card for years myself, as it comes with a free annual night award that’s generally worth more than the $95 annual fee. So if you just use the card for that one stay every year, you’re doing better than break-even with this Marriott hotel credit card.
For a limited time, new cardholders can earn a 125,000 point bonus and a free night worth up to 50,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first three months after opening a new account. That’s worth 175,000 points to get you started.
We value Marriott points at 0.6 cents each. That makes the sign-up bonus worth about $1,050. That bonus is so valuable it is worth more than 10 years of annual fees. If you stay at Marriott-owned hotels at least once or twice per year, this deal is a no-brainer!
Two Marriott Credit Card Deals to Choose From
Some people don’t want to deal with annual fees even when they get better rewards in return. If that sounds like you, there’s another great Marriott credit card bonus available with the Marriott Bonvoy BoldTM credit card.
Bonvoy Bold currently comes with a 60,000 point bonus worth about $360 in Marriott stays. You can earn the bonus after spending $2,000 total on the new card within the first three months. That’s a good deal for a card with no annual fee.
Marriott Bonvoy Bold
Secure application on issuer’s website.
Annual Fee: $0
Bonus: 60,000 Points
APR: Variable APR
Rewards Rate: 1X-14X Points
Details: Full Review
Terms and restrictions apply
Annual Fee: $0
APR: Variable APR depending on credit worthiness.
Rewards Rate: This card offers up to 14X total Bonvoy points per dollar spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, 2X points on other travel purchases (from airfare to taxis and trains) and 1X point on all other purchases.
Sign-Up Bonus: This card offers 60,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases in your first three months from account opening.
Who Should Use This Credit Card? Marriott loyalists who want to earn rewards without an annual fee or for people who are dipping their toes into the Marriott rewards program.
Why We Like the Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ Credit Card
The Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card is a solid choice if you’re interested in getting into the travel rewards game, but don’t want to commit to an annual fee. This credit card offers a solid welcome bonus and can be a great place to start, especially if you’re loyal to Marriott. Every cardmember year, you’ll receive 15 Elite Night Credits, which is enough to qualify you for Silver Elite Status with Marriott. This status level comes with 10% bonus points when you book Marriott stays with cash, late checkout when available and ultimate reservation guarantee.
As with other hotel cards, this one offers outsized rewards on purchases made with the hotel brand. You’ll earn up to 14 points per dollar at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels — that includes 3X points per dollar from the card, 10x points per dollar as a Marriott Bonvoy member and 1X point per dollar as a Marriott Bonvoy Silver member, which you get automatically as a cardholder. The card also offers 2X points per dollar on other travel purchases and 1X point per dollar on all other purchases you make with the card.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
Secure application on issuer’s website.
Annual Fee: $95
Bonus: 125,000 Bonus Points and 1 Free Night Award
APR: Variable APR
Rewards Rate: 2X-17X Points
Details: Full Review
Terms and restrictions apply
Annual Fee: $95
APR: Variable APR depending on credit worthiness.
Rewards Rate: This card offers up to 17X total points for every dollar spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy and 2X points on all other purchases.
Sign-Up Bonus: This card offers new cardholders 125,000 bonus points and one Free Night Reward after spending $5,000 in purchases during the first three months of account opening. Note: the Free Night Reward has a redemption value of up to 50,000 points.
Who Should Use This Credit Card? Marriott loyalists and anyone who will stay in a hotel several times a year.
Why We Like the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card is a solid choice if you’re interested in getting into the travel rewards game and find yourself staying at Marriott properties several times a year. This hotel credit card offers some solid benefits, including the free elite night credits, a free anniversary night every card membership year, a welcome bonus, Silver Elite Status and more.
A lot of the ongoing value this card provides comes through its rewards program. Cardholders will earn up to 17X points per dollar on eligible purchases at Marriott properties — that’s 6X points per dollar from the credit card, 10X points per dollar as a Marriott Bonvoy member and 1X point per dollar for having Silver Elite Status, which is automatic with the card. You’ll also earn 2X points per dollar on travel and other purchases you make with the card. That base rewards rate is high compared with most travel credit cards, which settle on a 1X point per dollar base rate.
Getting The Most Value From a New Marriott Credit Card
Getting the most from a Marriott credit card isn’t only about the bonus. Once you’ve earned that huge pile of Marriott Bonvoy points from the sign-up bonus, you’ll continue to earn points from regular purchases, with a huge bonus on purchases at Marriott.
With Bonvoy Boundless, for example, you earn up to 17x points per dollar spent at any participating Marriott and a free night award worth up to 35,000 points every year. In addition, you’ll earn 2x points on other travel purchases and 1x everywhere else.
Marriott award nights start at 5,000-points for off-season stays at a category one property and go up to 100,000 points for a peak season reservation at a category eight property. I find I need around 25,000 to 50,000 points per night when I’m hotel hunting, though that can vary based on the destination and season. PointSavers and Cash + Points redemptions may stretch the value of your points even further in some cases.
This Is the Hotel Bonus You’ve Been Waiting For
If you sign up for the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless credit card and take full advantage of the bonus, you are essentially getting 10x the value of your annual fee. With a bonus worth more than $1,000, this could be the moment you’ve been waiting for to sign up for a Marriott card. With the annual free night benefit, you’re bound to get more value from the card than the cost. That’s a win for your wallet and future travel plans.
