New applicants currently have six Marriott credit cards, and several cards no longer accept new applications. Chase offers three Marriott credit cards you can apply for at the moment, while American Express offers three other credit cards.
These cards have some similarities, but differ in key areas. If you are considering applying for a Marriott Credit Card, you may be considering a Marriott bonvoybuntifor® Credit Card or Marriott Hotel BonvoyBoundless® Credit Card (See rates and fees). Both are offered by Chase and earned points and rewards through Marriott Bonvoy, the loyalty program at Marriott.
Which one should you choose? Let’s take a look at the similarities and differences between Affluent and Unlimited Cards to help you determine which option is better.
The Marriott Hotel’s informative credit cards have been independently collected by Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Marriott Hotel Bonvoy Bountible vs.
| card | Bonvoy Rich | Bonvoy Unlimited |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $250 | $95 |
| Welcome bonus | From the first three months of account opening, earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases. | Earn five free nights (worth up to 50,000 points per night) and buy $5,000 for the first three months of opening an account. Some hotels have hedging fees. |
| Welcome reward value* | $595 | Up to $1,750 |
| Reward structure |
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| Other benefits |
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| Travel protection |
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*Point value is an estimate calculated from TPG’s June 2025 valuation, not the card issuer.
Bonvoy Rich and Bonvoy Unlimited Welcome Discounts
The new Bonvoy Bountiful Candouddors spent $4,000 in the first three months and could earn 85,000 bonus points. According to TPG’s June 2025 valuation, the bonus is worth $595.
Meanwhile, new Bonvoy Unlimited Cardholders can earn five free nights (worth up to 50,000 per night) after spending $5,000 in the first three months of opening. Some hotels have hedging fees. According to TPG’s June 2025 valuation, the bonus is worth up to $1,750.
winner: Bonvoy Unlimited. The current offer is far beyond the wealthy victory.
Related: Are you eligible for a new Marriott Hotel Card? This chart tells you yes or no
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Bonvoy Rich and Bonvoy Unlimited Benefits
Both cards have many similar benefits.
- Get elite night points every year: You hold any of these two cards each year Elite Night Points. Elite Night Points are what you need to win an elite status with Marriott Bonvoy. For reference, you need 50 elite nights a year to reach Platinum Elite status, with benefits like free breakfast and suite upgrades starting.
- The fifth night’s profit: When you stay with Marriott Bonvoy, you will get your fifth night. Therefore, booking a four-night stay with points will allow you to get a fifth night for free. Please note that this earnings are only applicable to points redemption and are not applicable when paying cash or using free night rewards.
- Credit card issuer and application rules: Since Chase has issued both cards, both are subject to Chase’s credit card application rules and restrictions. The most famous of these is the 5/24 rule, which means that if you have opened five or more cards in all issuers in the last 24 months, you may be rejected. Another rule is that you may not get approval from Chase for more than two credit cards within 30 days.
- Visit Chase Offers
- Travel protection: Both cards provide luggage delay insurance, reimbursement for baggage losses and travel delay reimbursement.
- Purchase protection: Both cards provide purchase protection for items you pay with your card, and can be provided up to 120 days from the date of purchase, but limits on the number of claims and the daily claim value limit.
Bonvoy’s wealthy cardholders receive:
- Automatic gold elite status
- The annual free night reward costs at least $15,000 in a calendar year and is worth up to 50,000 points. (Certain hotels have job seeking fees.)
- 1,000 bonus points per stay at the qualified Marriott Hotel Bonvoy Properties
at the same time, Bonvoy Unlimited Cardholder receives:
- Automatic silver elite status
- Free night awards every year, worth up to 35,000 points, no spending requirements. (Certain hotels have job seeking fees.)
winner: Bonvoy Unlimited. It offers annual free night rewards every anniversary year, you don’t have to spend anything to get and get a more affordable annual fee.
Related: Marriott Elite Status: What It Is And How to Make Money
Bountiful vs. Bonvoy Unlimited Win Points
With Bonvoy getting rich, cardholders earn:
- Spend 6 points per dollar on Marriott purchase
- Spend 4 points per dollar on a co-purchase at a grocery store and dining each year, including takeaway and qualified delivery (then 2 points per dollar)
- Spend 2 points per dollar on all eligible purchases
These earning rates represent 4.2%, 2.8%, and 1.4% respectively, based on TPG’s June 2025 valuation.
and Bonvoy Unlimitedcardholders earn:
- Spend 6 points per dollar on Marriott purchase
- Spend 3 points per dollar on $6,000 per year on combined purchases on gas stations, grocery stores and catering (then 2 points per dollar)
- Spend 2 points per dollar on all eligible purchases
These earning rates represent expenditure gains of 4.2%, 2.1%, or 1.4%, respectively.
winner: Bonvoy is rich because it makes more money in terms of spending in restaurants and grocery stores and comes with a higher spending cap.
Related: Best Reward Credit Cards for Each Bonus Category
Redemption and transfer points in Bonvoy Bountiful vs. Bonvoy Unlimited
Both cards earn points from Marriott Hotel and can be redeemed for Marriott accommodation. TPG’s June 2025 valuation points these points to 0.7 cents. Unfortunately, the plan has depreciated this year.
Although the most obvious use of these views is to live with Marriott, there are other uses (although some are not very valuable), including transferring points to more than 35 airline partners to redeem them for flights.
In most cases, transferring BONVOY points to airline partners does not have good value because the transfer rate is not favorable.
TPG credit card writer Chris Nelson loves to redeem his Marriott hotel points on luxury properties in Eastern Europe. He usually only has 35,000 Bonvoy points per night to stay in the Ritz-Carlton Budapest.
winner: Both cards have the same redemption and transfer options.
Related: Bonvoy Marriott Traveler’s Guide
Should I get Bonvoy rich or Bonvoy unlimited?
Both cards earned the same amount of money when Marriott purchased it, but Bonvoy’s unlimited annual free night stands out – no expense required. Unlimited offers better overall value unless you need an improved or higher income for groceries and dining.
Related: How to use Marriott Hotel 35,000 Point Certificate
How to enjoy wealthy Bonvoy from Bonvoy
You can switch between Bonvoy Boundless and Bonvoy Bountifer with product changes, which allows you to keep your account open without a new credit check. Call the number on the back of the card and request a change. Please note that product changes are not eligible for new welcome bonuses.
Related: 4 considerations before making a product change
Bottom line
Bonvoy is rich and Bonvoy’s Infinity both earn valuable Marriott points, but they cater to different priorities.
If your goal is to maximize your daily expenses and ensure a gold condition, then the abundance of expenses may be worth it.
However, for most travelers, the unlimited long-term value is significantly higher—especially with annual free night certificates that don’t require any expenditure.
To learn more, read our full Bonvoy Rich Review and Bonvoy Unlimited Review.
Learn more: Marriott Bonvoy Rich Reviews
Apply here: Marriott Bonvoy Unlimited
