Introduction
From the outside looking in, it seems like the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card is the best choice for loyal Marriott customers. You may use Marriott Rewards points at any hotel in the Marriott group, and signing up will get you a handsome bonus. However, since you only receive 2 Marriott points for every dollar spent, it's a slow collection method. If that's the going rate, most individuals would be better off moving their charges to a different card. An alternative to Boundless is a credit card that offers cash back.
One of the best benefits of this card is the yearly free night award applied to your Marriott account. A one-night stay at any property that takes points and has a price of 35,000 or less is eligible for the gift certificate. A single stay will likely cost more than the card's $95 yearly cost. There is a good chance of succeeding.
Who Is This Card For?
Before applying, you must have a strategy for maximizing the card's initial offer. If you are a Marriott Platinum Elite, you could extract more value from this bonus than the points it would otherwise be worth. After all, you might be eligible for free breakfast and suite upgrades if you're a highly important person, making your stays even more pleasurable.
How to Use Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
Get three free nights after making $3,000 purchases with your Marriott Credit Card in the first three months of account opening. Hold off on applying for a card if this is out of your usual spending range, especially if you'll be staying at a Marriott until after you've made your next travel arrangements. In addition to the welcome bonus, you can earn 17x points on your hotel reservation, which can be applied to a future trip. Don't over your budget because your statement bill is due each month. Despite the money you save on your trip, any outstanding amount on your card will end up costing you money in interest very rapidly.
Key benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card
Ongoing Rewards
Up to a maximum of $6,000 per year spent in these categories, spending in supermarkets, gas stations, and restaurants earns three points per dollar; any additional dollars earn two points per dollar. The rewards on the credit card are in addition to whatever points you may already have earned as a member of Marriott Bonvoy.
Redemption Options
At participating hotels, prices range from 5,000 points per night during low demand to 7,500 points per night during normal demand and 10,000 points per night during peak demand. If you are flexible with your travel dates, you might be able to get PointSavers rates, or inexpensive award nights, for select hotels. The starting rate for standard redemptions is $55 plus 1,500 points. You'll get a free fifth night after using your points to pay for four consecutive nights—travel-related costs like vehicle rentals or airfare. You can transfer points to several other airlines at a 3:1 ratio and use those points to pay for flights.
Other Benefits
You'll get a free night's award every year on the anniversary of your account (worth up to 35,000 points). A faster turnaround between promotions to Gold and an immediate promotion to Silver Elite. You'll receive one night toward Elite Status after spending $5,000.
Pros
Your points won't expire as long as you use your card once per 24 months. Make a reward hotel reservation without using any points. You can use accrued points to buy upgrades, vacation packages, cruises, merchandise, gift cards, charitable donations, and travel, hotel, and airline incentives. At various hotels, rewards can be reserved using a mix of points and cash. You can upgrade your room by using your points. More than 40 airline partners at these hubs provide a 3:1 transfer ratio.
Cons
There won't be many incentive rooms available at many hotels. The free night coupon can only be utilized if a standard room is still available, it's vital to remember that.
Conclusion
The Marriott credit card is a good choice if you participate in the Bonvoy rewards program and want to earn more points for free hotel stays. Frequent visitors to Marriott's many hotel brands, including W Hotels, The Ritz-Carlton, and Sheraton, are drawn to the card's additional privileges, such as the annual Award Night and the one-time bonus.
This credit card offers a fair reward % for every dollar spent. However, because the biggest rewards typically apply to hotel stays, it is less flexible than other travel-oriented cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Capital One Venture Rewards. However, if you are fee-averse, such cards' $95 annual fee can seem excessive to you. If you don't typically book with Marriott or don't want to be limited to redemptions at Marriott hotels, a general travel rewards card might be a better choice.