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The Marriott Bonvoy program is unique in that it has credit card partnerships with two different issuers: Chase and American Express.
If you're in the market for a new card, you may be torn between the mid-tier Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (see rates and fees) from Chase and the premium Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.
Deciding between a mid-tier and premium credit card is challenging enough. But when the cards you're considering are subject to different application rules, the decision becomes even harder.
Let's demystify the decision and help you determine whether the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless or the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card makes more sense for you.
Bonvoy Boundless vs. Bonvoy Brilliant comparison
| Welcome offer | Earn three free night awards after spending $3,000 within the first three months of account opening. Each night is worth up to 50,000 points; certain hotels may have resort fees. | Earn 185,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 within the first six months of cardmembership. This offer ends on May 14. |
| Annual fee | $95 | $650 (see rates and fees) |
| Bonus categories |
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| Free night award | 1 free award night (up to 35,000 points) every year after the account anniversary | 1 free award night (worth up to 85,000 points) every year after the account anniversary. Certain hotels have resort fees. |
| Elite status | Complimentary Silver Elite status; earn Gold after spending $35,000 on purchases in a calendar year | Complimentary Platinum Elite status |
| Benefits |
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**Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Bonvoy Boundless vs. Bonvoy Brilliant welcome offer
New Bonvoy Boundless cardholders can earn three free night awards after spending $3,000 in the first three months of account opening. Each night is worth up to 50,000 points; certain hotels may have resort fees.
If you maximize each free night award, TPG's April 2025 valuations make this welcome offer worth $1,050.
Conversely, the Bonvoy Brilliant is currently offering new applicants the chance to earn 185,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 within the first six months of cardmembership. This limited-time offer ends on May 14.
According to TPG's valuations, this welcome offer is worth $1,295.
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Regarding eligibility, the Bonvoy Boundless is subject to Chase's 5/24 rule, so you'll probably be automatically rejected if you've opened five or more credit cards in the last 24 months.
Additionally, American Express limits you to earning the welcome bonus on a given card once per lifetime. So, if you've already earned a bonus on the Bonvoy Brilliant, you won't be eligible for a new bonus.
On top of these issuer restrictions, Marriott Bonvoy has its own set of eligibility requirements. Make sure to check all of these and ensure you're eligible before applying for either card.
Winner: Bonvoy Brilliant. Its welcome offer is worth more, but keep in mind that its annual fee is a lot higher than the Boundless's.
Bonvoy Boundless vs. Bonvoy Brilliant benefits
Both cards are geared toward those who stay at Marriott Bonvoy portfolio properties, so you can expect to find a variety of benefits relating to Marriott property stays, among other benefits.
The Bonvoy Boundless is a mid-tier credit card that offers useful benefits for just a $95 annual fee. It comes with complimentary Silver Elite status with the option to earn Gold Elite status after spending $35,000 on purchases in a calendar year.
With the Boundless, you'll also receive:
- 15 elite night credits a year
- One elite night credit toward elite status for every $5,000 spent
- Complimentary premium Wi-Fi at Marriott Bonvoy properties
- No foreign transaction fees
- Travel protections (baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement and trip delay reimbursement)
- Purchase protection
As a premium credit with an annual fee of $650, the Bonvoy Brilliant offers higher-tier benefits such as complimentary Platinum Elite status and 25 elite night credits every year.
Here are some statement credits to consider, which help offset that high annual fee:
- Up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for dining at restaurants worldwide
- $120 statement credit for Global Entry every four years or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck every 4½ years
- Up to $100 luxury property credit valid on eligible stays of two nights or more at Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis hotels
- Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply
You'll also receive a Priority Pass Select membership, granting you access to over 1,700 lounges. Enrollment is required; terms apply. The Boundless doesn't offer lounge access, so this makes the Brilliant a better option for most frequent travelers. That said, if you already have a card with Priority Pass access, this benefit won't do anything for you.
Additionally, the Brilliant comes with an impressive array of travel and shopping protections, including:
- Car rental insurance*
- Baggage insurance**
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance***
- Trip delay insurance***
- Purchase protection**
- Return protection****
- Cellphone protection***
Both cards offer free night awards, but the Bonvoy Brilliant's free night award is worth substantially more. With the Bonvoy Boundless, your free night award is only worth 35,000 points. With the Bonvoy Brilliant, you can redeem your free night award for up to 85,000 points.
*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
**Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
***Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
****Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details.
Winner: Bonvoy Brilliant. The Brilliant has far more benefits that easily offset its steep annual fee, and its free night award is much more valuable.
Earning points with the Bonvoy Boundless vs. Bonvoy Brilliant
These two cards earn 6 points per dollar on purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels. They also both earn 3 points per dollar on dining, but the Bonvoy Boundless is subject to a spending cap on that category.
Along with earning 3 points per dollar on dining, the Boundless earns 3 points per dollar on groceries and gas stations, on the first $6,000 in combined spending each year.
Both cards earn 2 points per dollar spent on most other purchases, with the Bonvoy Brilliant earning an elevated 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with the airline.
Since the Boundless earns more on grocery stores and gas stations (subject to the spending cap mentioned above), it may be a better option for those hoping to have a one-card wallet.
These earning structures are comparable to other hotel cobranded cards. Still, you'll likely get a better earning rate using a more general travel card for purchases outside of Marriott.
Winner: Bonvoy Brilliant. It doesn't cap dining earnings and earns more points when booking flights directly with an airline.
Related: Best credit cards for Marriott stays
Redeeming points with the Bonvoy Boundless vs. Bonvoy Brilliant
Both Bonvoy credit cards earn Marriott points through credit card spending, which are automatically deposited into your Bonvoy account.
You can redeem these Bonvoy points for hotel stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments and merchandise through Marriott shopping. You can also transfer them to over 35 airline programs.
Most of the time, hotel stays are your best option for maximum value. However, since Marriott uses a dynamic pricing model, the number of points you'll need for a stay depends on the hotel, room type, occupancy and cash rate.
One way to maximize your points is to take advantage of Bonvoy's fifth-night-free perk. This perk allows you to book a stay with points for five nights and only pay for four nights.
TPG credit cards writer Chris Nelson used this benefit for a stay at the JW Marriott Sao Paulo. He paid with points for four nights and got the fifth night free.
Winner: Tie. Both cards earn Bonvoy points and have the same redemption options.
Related: How to redeem Marriott points for upgraded rooms
Transferring points with the Bonvoy Boundless vs. Bonvoy Brilliant
You can transfer your Bonvoy points to any of Marriott's 39 airline partners. Most transfers to airlines are 3 Marriott points to 1 airline mile.
Marriott also gives 5,000 bonus airline miles for every 60,000 Marriott points you transfer to airline partners, except for American Airlines AAdvantage, Avianca LifeMiles and Delta SkyMiles.
Transferring points can be a good choice in some specific instances, such as transferring them to American Airlines AAdvantage to take advantage of sweet spots. However, you'll usually get a lower value from your points if you transfer them to airlines, so we generally recommend avoiding this option except to top off your miles balances when needed.
In addition, you can easily transfer points between Marriott Bonvoy accounts, whether between two accounts belonging to the same person or transferring points to a friend or family member. Point transfers are free and can be completed online.
Winner: Tie. Both cards have access to the same transfer partners and can transfer to friends and family.
Related: Should you transfer hotel points to airline partners?
Should I get the Bonvoy Boundless or the Bonvoy Brilliant?
The Bonvoy Boundless, with a reasonable $95 annual fee, is the best choice for beginner travelers and those who stay at Marriott properties just a couple of times each year. Conversely, with a much higher $650 annual fee, the Bonvoy Brilliant is best for Marriott loyalists who want Platinum Elite status and can maximize its other benefits.
Related: Why you may want multiple Bonvoy cards
Bottom line
Once you've confirmed that you are eligible to apply for either Chase's Bonvoy Boundless or Amex's Bonvoy Brilliant, the choice comes down to your travel habits and how often you stay at Marriott properties.
If you're a beginner traveler or you aren't committed to Marriott, consider the more affordable Bonvoy Boundless. But if you're a dedicated Marriott vacationer, you can't go wrong with the Bonvoy Brilliant and its plethora of benefits to help elevate your hotel stays.
To learn more, see our full reviews of the Bonvoy Boundless and the Bonvoy Brilliant.
Apply here: Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card
Apply here: Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex, click here.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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