Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card Review [2024]: Mid-Tier Option for Marriott Loyalists

Card basics

Who should get the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Credit Card?

The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful credit card, issued by Chase, is a mid-tier offering for Marriott loyalists. One of the primary benefits cardholders can enjoy is automatic Gold Elite status, which gives perks like priority checkout and upgrades. You’ll also earn 1,000 bonus points on each eligible stay, and Marriott has a more than respectable footprint of around 8,900 hotels. If you’re a fan of Marriott and you already have a travel credit card you love for flights and general travel perks, you should consider this card.

The Bonvoy Bountiful is essentially the same card as the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express^® Card. I’m a cardholder of the Bonvoy Bevy, and although these cards are relatively light on benefits, the earning potential and elite status are enough to keep me around.

It takes a minimum of 25 nights per year to achieve Gold Elite status the traditional way, so you can consider the $250 annual fee worth that benefit alone. If you stay at a Marriott at least a few times a year, the Bonvoy Bountiful could be worth adding to your wallet.

Rewards

Earnings

Regular rewards: The Bonvoy Bountiful has a tiered earning structure. It earns up to 18.5X points on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program (when coupled with your complimentary Marriott Bonvoy membership and Gold Elite status); 4X points on grocery stores and dining (up to $15,000 in combined purchases each year, then 2X points); and 2X points on all other eligible purchases. The rate of up to 18.5X rivals most competitors.

Welcome offer: New cardholders can earn 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months. That’s quite the welcome offer, but the reason I chose the Bonvoy Bevy over this card was to take advantage of a limited-time offer of 155,000 points. It’s always helpful to keep your eye on welcome offers, as they often fluctuate.

Redemption methods

You can redeem Marriott Bonvoy points in several ways, including stays at Marriott properties, transfers to travel partners, online shopping, Bonvoy Moments (exclusive experiences such as concerts and sporting events), charitable contributions, and more.

However, you’ll likely want to use your points for Marriott stays to get the most value. Marriott has nearly 9,000 properties in 141 countries across more than 30 distinct brands, so you won’t need to worry about finding a hotel that suits your needs. You can find free nights for as low as 5,000 points or more than 100,000 points, depending on the property and time of year.

Potential earnings in years one and two

Here's a look at how your points can add up with the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful. These values are based on the FinanceBuzz Credit Card Rewards Valuation Model, which looks at points earned via spending, the sign-up bonus, and the annual fee. To calculate the cash value, we used a point valuation of 0.84 cents per point.

Remember, this is an estimation. The actual value will be determined by how much you spend and in which categories you spend.

Year one earnings: $1,518

Year two earnings: $872

Benefits

You’ll enjoy travel and purchase coverage, including baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip delay reimbursement, and purchase protections with this card. You also won’t have to worry about foreign transaction fees when using your card abroad, but this is expected from a travel card at this price point.

If you spend at least $15,000 on your card each year, you’ll earn a free night award, valid at a redemption level of up to 50,000 points. This value is decent, but it could be higher since high spending is required to get there.

Other cards to consider

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card

If you still want to earn Marriott points but can’t commit to a high annual fee, you can consider the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card. It has a lower $95 annual fee and comes with an automatic free night — no minimum spend required (but valid for a redemption level up to 35,000 points). However, it earns less on Marriott stays and provides a lower threshold of $6,000 for bonus points on combined grocery, gas, and dining spending. It also comes with Silver Elite status, which offers fewer benefits than Gold.

Still, for just $95, it’s a solid option if you’re looking for an entry-level Marriott card.

Read our full Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card Review.

American Express^® Green Card

If you don’t want to commit to a co-branded card, you can consider a card with a transferable point currency. American Express cards transfer points to Marriott at a 1:1 ratio but also allow you to transfer to 18 airline partners and two additional hotel partners. The American Express^® Green Card also has a lower annual fee than the Bonvoy Bountiful of just $150, and it earns 3X points on eligible travel and transit purchases, and at eligible restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.; and 1X points on all other eligible purchases.

It also gives cardholders a $199 annual CLEAR Plus credit and bonus points on travel, transit, and dining purchases.

This could be a viable alternative to the Bonvoy Bountiful if you want to use your points outside of Marriott but still want the option to stay at one of these properties occasionally.

Read our full American Express Green Card Review.

FAQs

Bottom line

If you stay at a Marriott property a few times yearly, the Bonvoy Bountiful is worth the annual fee. You’ll want to spend at least $15,000 per year to earn the free night award, but don’t focus too much of that spending on dining and grocery purchases, or you’ll begin earning fewer points per dollar.

For those like myself, whose primary focus is Gold Elite status, becoming a Bonvoy Bountiful or Bonvoy Bevy cardholder is arguably the easiest way to achieve it. As always, be sure to read the full terms and conditions before applying. Analyze your spending habits, travel, and financial goals to make an educated decision. I wouldn’t recommend a hotel-branded card to everyone.

Easy-to-Earn Unlimited Rewards

Bank of America^® Travel Rewards credit card

Benefits

Card Details

• $0 annual fee
• Simple, flat-rate rewards
• Flexible redemption options
• Up to 75% preferred Rewards bonus potential
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• Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
• 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
• Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
• Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
• 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.49% - 28.49% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
• If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
• Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
• This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

4.1

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

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Intro Offer

Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases

Annual Fee

$0

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Why we like it

• The Bank of America^® Travel Rewards credit card is great for individuals who enjoy earning rewards and traveling.

• Cardholders will enjoy the flexibility to redeem points with no blackout dates and receive a statement credit to pay for travel and dining purchases.

• Earn 1.5X points on all purchases everywhere, every time.

• Apply Now