The Marriott Bonvoy program stands out because it partners with both Chase and American Express, providing a diverse range of credit card options. This partnership allows you to choose the card that best aligns with your spending habits and travel goals. Consequently, if you’re considering a new Marriott Bonvoy credit card, you might find yourself torn between the mid-tier Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card from Chase and the premium Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card.

Deciding between a mid-tier and a premium credit card can feel overwhelming. Adding to the complexity, each card operates under different application rules. Therefore, let’s break down the key differences between these cards to help you determine which one is the right fit for you.

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Bonvoy Boundless vs. Bonvoy Brilliant: A Detailed Comparison

To make your decision easier, I’ve created a table comparing the key features of each card.

| Feature | Bonvoy Boundless | Bonvoy Brilliant | |—|—|—| | Welcome Offer | Earn five free nights (each night valued at up to 50,000 points) after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Certain hotels have resort fees. | Earn 100,000 bonus points after making $6,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership and an extra 50,000 bonus points after making an additional $2,000 in purchases within the first six months. | | Annual Fee | $95 | $650 | | Bonus Categories | 6 points per dollar at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels; 3 points per dollar on the first $6,000 spent each year at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants; 2 points per dollar on all other purchases. | 6 points per dollar at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program; 3 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with the airline; 2 points per dollar on all other purchases. | | Free Night Award | One free night award (up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary. Certain hotels have resort fees. | One free night award (up to 85,000 points) every year after account anniversary at participating Marriott hotels. Certain hotels have resort fees. | | Elite Status | Complimentary Silver Elite status; Earn Gold Elite status after spending $35,000 in a calendar year. | Complimentary Platinum Elite status. | | Benefits | 15 elite night credits each year; One elite night credit for every $5,000 spent; Complimentary premium Wi-Fi at Marriott Bonvoy properties; No foreign transaction fees; Travel and purchase protections. | 25 elite night credits each calendar year; Up to $25 per month in statement credits for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide (up to $300 per year); Earned Choice Award after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases; Priority Pass Select membership; Statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck; Up to a $100 luxury property credit valid on eligible stays of two nights or more at Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis hotels; No foreign transaction fees; Travel and purchase protections; Cellphone protection. Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply. |

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Welcome Offer Showdown: Boundless vs. Brilliant

The welcome offers for these cards are quite different. The Bonvoy Boundless offers five free nights, each worth up to 50,000 points, after you spend $5,000 in the first three months. On the other hand, the Bonvoy Brilliant offers 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in the first six months and an additional 50,000 points after spending an additional $2,000 in the same timeframe.

To determine which offer is better, let’s consider the point values. If you maximize each free night award with the Boundless, you could potentially redeem over $1,750 in hotel stays. I did some research on hotel redemptions recently and found that the value really adds up when you use these free nights wisely. The Brilliant’s offer, on the other hand, is worth around $1,050.

However, eligibility is also important. The Bonvoy Boundless is subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule, which means you might be automatically rejected if you’ve opened five or more credit cards in the past 24 months. I’ve been caught by this rule before, so it’s always good to check your application status before applying. American Express limits you to earning the welcome bonus on a card once per lifetime. Therefore, if you’ve previously earned a bonus on the Bonvoy Brilliant, you won’t be eligible for a new one.

My Take: The Bonvoy Boundless has a higher potential value if you use each free night strategically.

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Diving Deep into Card Benefits

Both cards cater to those who frequently stay at Marriott Bonvoy properties, so expect to find a variety of benefits related to these stays, as well as other perks. The Boundless offers Silver Elite status, while the Brilliant elevates you immediately to Platinum Elite status.

I particularly value the elite night credits offered by both cards because they significantly accelerate my path to higher elite tiers. The Boundless provides 15 elite night credits per year, whereas the Brilliant generously provides 25. This can be a game-changer if you’re chasing Titanium or Ambassador Elite status.

The Bonvoy Brilliant really shines with its statement credits. The up to $300 in dining credits each year can help offset the annual fee. Additionally, the Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit and the luxury property credit are valuable if you use them.

My Take: The Bonvoy Brilliant easily takes the lead here. The Platinum Elite status, higher free night award value, and statement credits make the higher annual fee worthwhile for me. I love the Priority Pass Select membership, as I find myself in airports frequently.

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Earning Points: Maximizing Your Rewards

Both cards earn 6 points per dollar at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, but they differ in other spending categories. The Boundless earns 3 points per dollar on the first $6,000 spent each year at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants. The Brilliant earns 3 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with the airline.

When it comes to everyday spending, I prefer the Bonvoy Brilliant because it earns 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with the airline. This aligns with my travel habits, as I often book directly with airlines.

My Take: The Bonvoy Brilliant is the winner here. I appreciate the uncapped dining earnings and the bonus points on flights.

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Redeeming Points: Making the Most of Your Bonvoy Balance

Both cards earn Marriott Bonvoy points that are automatically deposited into your account, which you can redeem for hotel stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments, merchandise, or transfers to airline programs.

For maximum value, hotel stays are usually the best option. Marriott’s dynamic pricing model means the number of points you’ll need depends on the hotel, room type, occupancy, and cash rate. However, with some advanced planning, you can often find amazing redemption opportunities.

I love taking advantage of Bonvoy’s fifth-night-free perk, which allows you to book a stay with points for five nights and only pay for four.

My Take: This round is a tie. Both cards offer the same redemption options.

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Transferring Points: Flexibility and Options

You can transfer your Bonvoy points to any of Marriott’s airline partners. Most transfers occur at a 3:1 ratio, meaning you’ll receive one airline mile for every three Marriott points transferred. Marriott also provides 5,000 bonus airline miles for every 60,000 Marriott points you transfer (with some exceptions).

I have found that transferring points can be a good choice in specific situations. However, generally, you’ll get a lower value from your points if you transfer them to airlines. So, I usually avoid this option unless I need to top off my miles balance.

My Take: Another tie. Both cards have access to the same transfer partners.

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The Verdict: Which Card is Right for You?

The Bonvoy Boundless, with its lower annual fee, is an excellent choice for beginners and those who only stay at Marriott properties a few times per year. I would recommend this card if you are looking for a simple way to accumulate points and enjoy basic Marriott benefits without committing to a high annual fee.

However, if you’re a Marriott loyalist and want Platinum Elite status, the Bonvoy Brilliant is the way to go. I believe that the benefits of this card, especially the statement credits, easily offset the higher annual fee. It’s an investment in my travel experience that I happily make.

If you plan to stay at Marriott properties often and value the perks of Platinum Elite status, then the Bonvoy Brilliant is a great choice. I would highly recommend considering the Bonvoy Brilliant if you are looking to elevate your Marriott experiences.

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Final Thoughts

Ultimately, the choice between the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless and the Bonvoy Brilliant depends on your individual travel habits and how often you stay at Marriott properties. Take a close look at your spending and travel patterns to determine which card aligns best with your needs. This card is the best option for travellers with the money to spend.