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How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.
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Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card Review: Hotel Rewards Without the Annual Fee

Content was accurate at the time of publication.
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3.1
Marriott Bonvoy Bold<sup>®</sup> Credit Card
Rewards Rate
Earn up to 14X total points for every $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® and 2X points for every $1 spent at grocery stores, rideshare, select food delivery, select streaming, and internet, and cable and phone services. Plus, earn 1X point for every $1 you spend on all other purchases.
Sign-Up Bonus
Earn 60,000 Bonus Points + 1 Free Night Award after spending $2,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual Fee
$0

Key takeaway

The Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card is a good entry-level option for Marriott fans, offering solid travel rewards and benefits for a $0 annual fee. But it lacks premium perks.

Pros and cons

  • $0 annual fee
  • Very high earning rate at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
  • Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver elite status
  • Solid travel and purchase protections
  • High sign-up bonus for a $0-annual-fee credit card
  • $0 foreign transaction fees
  • Limited Marriott perks compared to other cards
  • Low rewards rate outside of Marriott purchases

Is the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card worth it?

Looking for a $0-annual-fee way to earn rewards while staying at Marriott properties? The Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card could be a good travel companion for casual Marriott guests who want solid perks without the added cost. With automatic Silver Elite status, $0 foreign transaction fees, and elevated rewards on Marriott stays, it’s a straightforward option for budget-conscious travelers.

That said, if you’re a frequent Marriott guest or prefer premium benefits like free night certificates and enhanced travel protections, upgrading to a Marriott card with an annual fee might give you more bang for your buck. Or you might opt for a general travel card with flexible rewards. Let’s dive in to see if this card fits your travel needs.

Quick facts

Annual fee: $0

Sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 points

  • Earn 60,000 Bonus Points + 1 Free Night Award after spending $2,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.

Rewards: Earn 1X - 14X points

  • Earn up to 14X total points for every $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®
  • Earn 2X points for every $1 spent at grocery stores, rideshare, select food delivery, select streaming, and internet, and cable and phone services
  • Earn 1X point for every $1 you spend on all other purchases

APR: 19.99% - 28.49% Variable

Foreign transaction fee: $0

Recommended credit: Good / Excellent

See all of the top Marriott credit cards.

Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card benefits

  • $0 annual fee

    The Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card is the only Marriott-branded credit card with a $0 annual fee, making it the best choice for Marriott enthusiasts who don’t stay at Marriott properties frequently enough to justify paying an annual fee for additional benefits.

  • Very high earning rate at Marriott properties

    The Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card allows you to earn up to 14X total points for every $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® and 2X points for every $1 spent at grocery stores, rideshare, select food delivery, select streaming, and internet, and cable and phone services. Plus, earn 1X point for every $1 you spend on all other purchases.

    This is an incredibly high rewards rate on hotel stays that can save you a substantial amount if you travel frequently. In comparison, many general travel credit cards offer far lower rewards on hotel stays. However, if you frequently stay at hotels, you might find even better value with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, which has a $95 annual fee but lets you earn up to 17X total points at participating Marriott hotels. Earn 3X points on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining. Earn 2X points on all other purchases.

    There are several ways to redeem Marriott points, including flights, cruises, rental cars, entertainment and more. However, redeeming points for free stays is your best option — you won’t find as much value in redeeming them for those other options.

    Learn more about the Marriott Bonvoy Rewards® Program.

  • Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver elite status

    With the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card, you’ll automatically get Marriott Bonvoy Silver status and five elite night credits to help you qualify for higher elite status. Silver status includes modest perks such as:

    • Priority late checkout
    • 10% more points on stays
    • Free Wi-Fi
    • Exclusive member rates

    If you’re looking for higher complimentary status options, check out a Marriott credit card with a higher annual fee like the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card (see rates & fees), with Gold elite status or the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (see rates & fees) with Platinum elite status.

    How do I get a Marriott hotel room upgrade?

    There are five Marriott status levels, with Silver Elite being the second level. You need to reach the third elite Marriott Bonvoy tier, Gold Elite, in order to start getting free room upgrades. You can also purchase room upgrades using your rewards points.

    Learn more about how to get a hotel room upgrade.

  • Solid travel and purchase protections

    For a $0 annual fee card, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card offers solid travel protections. These benefits aren’t as strong as those of a more premium travel card, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, but they’re sufficient for many situations.

    • Baggage delay insurance: Up to $100 a day for up to five days when baggage is delayed over six hours.
    • Lost luggage reimbursement: Up to $3,000 per covered traveler.
    • Trip delay reimbursement: Up to $500 per covered traveler when travel is delayed more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay.
    • Purchase protection: Eligible new purchases made using your card are covered for 120 days against damage or theft. Coverage is up to $500 per item.
  • High sign-up bonus for a $0-annual-fee credit card

    The sign-up bonus you can earn with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card is high compared to what you typically see with $0-annual-fee credit cards. You can earn 60,000 Bonus Points + 1 Free Night Award after spending $2,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. Because we value Marriott Bonvoy points at around 9 cents per point, the sign-up bonus points value is worth around $540.

    However, you can earn higher bonuses with the other Marriott credit cards. For example, with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card — which only has a $95 annual fee — you can earn 5 Free Night Awards after spending $5,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months of account opening. Each Free Night Award valued up to 50,000 points - that's a total value of up to 250,000 points! Certain hotels have resort fees.

  • $0 foreign transaction fees

    If you travel to Marriott properties worldwide, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card has you covered with $0 foreign transaction fees. Since some cards charge around 3% for international use, this benefit can save you a lot.

Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card drawbacks

  • Limited Marriott perks compared to other cards

    Since the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card has a $0 annual fee, it’s missing some of the perks that make many of the other Marriott credit cards valuable. It doesn’t offer a free night award or any travel credits. Plus, it only offers Silver Elite status — which isn’t that valuable compared to other loyalty programs like Hilton and Hyatt.

    If you’re a frequent traveler, you’ll get much better value out of cards like the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. These cards offer hundreds of dollars worth of annual perks to balance out their annual fees.

  • Low rewards rate outside of Marriott purchases

    The Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card delivers great rewards on Marriott Bonvoy purchases, allowing you to accumulate points quickly, along with an enhanced rewards rate in certain categories. However, outside of these categories, you’ll only earn 1X points on purchases. If you’re looking for a card that maximizes earnings beyond hotel stays, a general travel rewards card like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card might be a better option. It offers a high rate of miles on every purchase that you can redeem for any hotel.

Alternative Marriott credit cards

Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card vs. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

| Disclosures
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card*
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
N/A
19.99% - 28.49% Variable
$95
Earn up to 17X total points at participating Marriott hotels. Earn 3X
  • Earn 5 Free Night Awards after spending $5,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months of account opening. Each Free Night Award valued up to 50,000 points - that's a total value of up to 250,000 points! Certain hotels have resort fees.
  • Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining.
  • Earn 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend.
  • 1 Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary.
  • Earn up to 17X total points per $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card.
  • 2X points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
  • Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually, automatic Silver Elite Status each account anniversary year, and path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each calendar year.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
660 720 850
Good / Excellent
*The information related to the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card charges a $95 annual fee, but offers more value than the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card. The added value can easily outweigh the cost of the annual fee. That starts with one of the largest sign-up bonuses around and a much higher earning rate on Marriott hotels.

Plus, you’ll get a free night award every anniversary, a path to Gold Elite status and 15 Elite Night credits. If you stay at Marriott properties at least a few times a year, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is a better choice.


Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card vs. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

| Disclosures
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
apply-now-icon Apply Now
on American Express's secure site
Rates & Fees
|Terms Apply
N/A
20.24%-29.24% Variable
$650
Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at
  • Earn up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points. Earn 100,000 points after you spend $6,000 and an extra 50,000 points after you spend an additional $2,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card at restaurants worldwide.
  • With Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite Status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when the stay is booked with a Qualifying Rate at hotels that participate in Marriott Bonvoy, subject to availability upon check-in.
  • Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Earn 3X Marriott Bonvoy® points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2X Marriott Bonvoy® points on all other eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.
  • Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
  • Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Brilliant Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
  • $100 Marriott Bonvoy® Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($120) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express.
  • Enroll in Priority Pass Select, which offers unlimited airport lounge visits to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
  • With Cell Phone Protection*, you can be reimbursed, the lesser of, your repair or replacement costs following damage, such as a cracked screen, or theft for a maximum of $800 per claim when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month's wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim with a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period. Additional terms and conditions apply. *Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
  • $650 Annual Fee.
  • Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
  • Terms Apply.
660 720 850
Good / Excellent

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

Unlike the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card carries a steep $650 annual fee but is loaded with benefits tailored to Marriott enthusiasts looking for luxury perks. This includes a generous welcome offer worth several nights, depending on how you redeem it.

Its other benefits include an annual free night award each year after your renewal month worth up to 85,000 points and hundreds of dollars worth of dining and travel credits. You’ll also get 25 Elite Night credits each year and Priority Pass™ Select airport lounge access (enrollment required). If you’re a frequent guest of Marriott, its sheer mountain of benefits make this card a no-brainer.

Alternate hotel credit card

Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

| Disclosures
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
apply-now-icon Apply Now
on Chase's secure site
Rates & Fees
N/A
19.99% - 28.24% Variable
$95
Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on
  • Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
  • Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
  • 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
  • Member FDIC
720 850
Excellent

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

If you’re not sure whether you stay at Marriott properties enough to justify a Marriott credit card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is an excellent alternative, offering valuable perks across a wide range of travel categories for a $95 annual fee.

You can earn an impressive sign-up bonus and elevated rewards on travel, dining, select streaming services and online grocery purchases. Chase Ultimate Rewards® points are highly valuable and flexible, offering the ability to transfer them at a 1:1 ratio to any of Chase’s airline or hotel transfer partners, including Marriott Bonvoy.

In addition to earning rewards, this card provides up to a $50 annual credit for hotel bookings made through Chase TravelSM. Plus, it has top-of-the-line travel and purchase protections, including primary rental car insurance.

Is the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card right for you?

If you’re a Marriott Bonvoy loyalist who doesn’t want to pay an annual fee every year, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card is a good choice. But if you want to earn a larger welcome offer and more points on your hotel stays, another Marriott credit card would be a better pick — as long as you don’t mind paying an annual fee.

If you’re not committed to a specific hotel rewards program and want benefits on a variety of travel purchases, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card could also be a great alternative. It offers hotel perks like an annual hotel credit and the ability to transfer points to Marriott Bonvoy.

Looking for more options?

To see rates & fees for American Express cards mentioned on this page, visit the links provided below:

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply

The information related to the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card and Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.