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Marriott offers a range of co-branded credit card cards from Chase and American Express.
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card has a $95 annual fee. However, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card has no annual fees. This card is worth a closer look, especially since it offers a better welcome bonus.
Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card Basics For September 2021
Many people will go to great lengths to get cards with no annual fees. However, you often lose significant benefits if you choose a card that has a premium rate. The Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card is a great option, as it's not often that you will find no annual fees hotel cards that offer valuable benefits.
This card is right for you. And who should get it over one of Marriott's premium credit cards. Let's take a closer look to learn more about this card.
60,000 Marriott Bonvoy Point Welcome Bonus
After spending $2,000 in the first three months, you will receive a Bonvoy Bold Card with a welcome bonus of 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points. Bonvoy points are worth $420 to me as they cost 0.7c each. This is a great bonus for a card that has no annual fees.
Redeem Bonvoy Points at Blue Palace Elounda, Greece
Card Eligibility
There are many Chase Marriott and American Express cards. This card has some very complicated eligibility requirements.
Cardholders who are not:
Current cardmembers of Marriott Bonvoy Premier credit cards (also known under Marriott Rewards Premier), Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card (also called Marriott Rewards Premier Plus), Marriott Bonvoy Bold card (also called Marriott Rewards Premier Plus), or Marriott Bonvoy Premier credit cards (also known by Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card).
Cardmembers who were previously cardmembers of Marriott Bonvoy Premier credit cards (also known under Marriott Rewards Premier), Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card (also called Marriott Rewards Premier Plus), and Marriott Bonvoy Bold credit cards, received a bonus cardmember bonus in the last 24 months.
You won't be eligible for the welcome bonus if you are:
You are either a current or former cardmember of Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card (also known by The Starwood Preferred Credit Card from American Express);
You are either a current or former cardmember of Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card, also known as The Starwood Preferred Business Credit Card from American Express or Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card.
Within the last 90 days, you applied for and were approved by Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card or The Starwood Preferred Customer Business Credit Card from American Express.
Chases the 5/24 Rule
Chase follows the 5/24 rule. The 5/24 rule states that you won't usually be approved for this card if you have opened more than five new cards in the last 24 months. You must be under the limit to apply for this card. This post will show you how to check your 5/24 status.
There is no annual fee
There is no annual fee for the Marriott Bold Card. There is no annual fee for the Marriott Bold Card. You even can add additional card members at no extra cost.
Earn Marriott Bold Cards Points
Although the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card offers some bonus categories, it is not one I would use for everyday spending.
3x Points At Marriott Hotels
The Bonvoy Bold Card gives you 3x Bonvoy points to spend at Marriott-family hotels worldwide. This bonus is worth it for many.
Bonvoy points are worth 0.7c each. This is equivalent to a return of 2.1% on hotel spend. You should also note that Marriott co-branded cards offer 6x points. This is a good credit card, but not the best for Marriott hotel spending.
Stay at Marriott Hotels and earn 3x Bonvoy Points
Get 2x Points on Travel
Bonvoy Bold Card gives you 2x points for all travel purchases. This applies to everything, from flights to cars to taxis to rental cars to trains. Although it is nice that the card has bonus points, I still believe that this only yields a return of 1.4%.
All other purchases eligible for 1x points
Bonvoy Bold Card gives 1x points for all eligible purchases. It isn't great, but it gives you an equivalent to a 0.7% return. There are better cards for everyday spending that offer a return of at least 2%.
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Bonvoy Bold Cards have no foreign transaction fees. This makes them a great option for international purchases.
No foreign transaction fees are charged to the card
Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card Benefits
Although the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card benefits aren't as great as the premium cards, there are still some good perks considering that it is an annual-free card.
Complementary Silver Elite Status
You can get Silver Elite status in Marriott Bonvoy just for holding the Bonvoy Bold card. Don't get too excited though, because this status doesn't come with many benefits. The Silver Elite status requires at least 10 elite nights and includes the following perks:
Hotel stays eligible for 10% off
Priority Late Check-Out
Reservations Line
15 Elite Nights to Obtain Status Yearly
My favorite perk of this card is the 15 elite nights toward status that you receive each year for just having it. This benefit is only available on one Marriott personal card each year. There are many Marriott credit cards that offer it. This means that if you have more than three Marriott personal cards, you won't be eligible for 45 elite nights.
For a total of 30 elite night, however, you can earn 15 elite evenings with a personal or business card.
This makes it easier to achieve Bonvoy Platinum status. It is the most valuable status. Platinum status is 50 nights. If you have this card, you would only need 35 elite nights. A business card would only require 20 elite nights.
Platinum status guarantees you a late check-out, suite upgrades at most properties and free breakfast at many brands.
Platinum members receive space available suite upgrades
Chase Offers
Chase offers are a great feature of Chase cards. They offer discounts on purchases at all types of retailers. This program can help you save a lot of money. It is especially great to have it on a card that has no annual fees.
Protection with Trip Delays, Lost Luggage and More
Bonvoy Bold Card provides protection for both travel and other purchases. One of these features is:
Trip Delay Reimbursement: If your flight is delayed for more than 12 hours, or you have to stay over night, your family and you are reimbursed for any unreimbursed expenses such as meals, lodging, and up to $500 per ticket.
If your flight is delayed more than 12 hours, or you have to stay over, your family is covered for any unreimbursed expenses such as lodging and meals up to $500 per ticket. Lost Luggage Reimbursement is a reimbursement of up to $3,000 per person if you, your immediate family members, check or bring on luggage that has been damaged or lost by the airline
You can get up to $3,000 per person if your luggage is damaged or stolen by an airline Baggage Delay Insurance. Get $100 per day for essential purchases if your bag is delayed for more than six hours
You can get $100 back per day, for five days, for essential purchases if your bag is delayed for more than six hours. Purchase Protection protects your purchases for 120 days from theft or damage up to $500 per claim. Maximum $50,000 per account
Check your cardmember agreement to see all details.
Is the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card worth it?
According to my view, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold card has a great welcome bonus and offers 15 elite night status with Marriott each year.
This card is recommended for anyone who wants to be on the fast track to elite status, but doesn't want to pay an annually fee.
However, I believe it is worth paying an annual fee to get one of the Marriotts credit cards. I find the benefits far more worthwhile than the fees. This card is not suited for everyday spending.
The $95 Annual Fee Bonvoy Boundless card is a great choice.
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card is better than a Chase Marriott Card. There is a $95 annual charge, but you get many more benefits. The card provides the following basic benefits:
You will receive a better welcome bonus, 125,000 Bonvoy Points and one night free (valid for property costs up to 50,000 points per day) after you spend $5,000 in the first three months.
An award of a free night on your account anniversary each year. Valid at properties costing up 35,000 points per evening
Another thing is that the Boundless card can be purchased now and you can also downgrade to the no annual fees card after one year.
Learn more about the Bonvoy Boundless Card and compare it to the Boundless Card & Bold Card.
Why Chase Points Should Not Be Transferred to Marriott
Marriott is a Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partner, which means you can transfer points at a 1:1 ratio. Take this example:
This is your best option for earning Marriott points by credit card spending in certain cases. You can earn 3x points or more in selected categories.
I would not recommend that Chase points be transferred to Marriott. I mentioned that I value Marriott points at 0.7c each. You can transfer points at the same rate to programs such as World of Hyatt where I value them at 1.5c each.
There are many ways to earn Marriott Points with your credit card, but not many options to do it at efficient rates.
Chase points can be used in better ways than Marriott transfers
Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card Summary
For those who are looking for a Marriott credit card with no annual fees, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card will be your only choice. This card has a generous 15-eligible nights toward status each year and offers an outstanding bonus.
But, I believe that getting one of the Marriotts premium credit card instead is worth it. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card is a great choice. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card offers a larger welcome bonus than the Bold Card and an annual free night. This is more than makes up for the annual fee. It is possible to give the card a chance after one year. If you don't like it, you can downgrade.
Follow this link to find out more information about the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card and how you can apply.
Apply Now
