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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Reviews
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless vs. Bonvoy Brilliant: Is mid-tier or premium best for you?
Augusta Stone is a credit cards writer for TPG. She joined the TPG team in 2023 and is excited to take points and miles beginners with her on a journey toward maximizing rewards.
Stephanie Stevens is an associate writer with TPG's credit cards team. She focuses on creating timely credit cards content for TPG readers.
also contributed to this story
July 21, 2026 • 13 min read
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The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Editorial note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Quick summary
Two hotel credit cards are compared, one mid-tier and one premium, each offering distinct benefits for Marriott guests.
The mid-tier option is suitable for occasional travelers, providing valuable hotel perks and a lower cost of entry.
The premium card targets frequent Marriott guests, delivering enhanced elite status, higher-value free night awards and additional travel benefits.
Both cards allow point transfers to over 35 airline partners and offer similar redemption options, including the fifth-night-free perk.
What to consider
Eligibility for welcome offers is subject to specific issuer and Marriott Bonvoy restrictions, including lifetime limits and recent card openings.
The premium card provides more elite night credits, lounge access and higher-value statement credits, but at a significantly higher cost.
Points can be transferred to airline partners at a 3:1 ratio, with bonus miles available for certain transfer thresholds and partners.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed side-by-side comparison of benefits, earning structures and which card best fits different types of Marriott travelers.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Marriott offers excellent credit cards at both the mid-tier and premium levels, but deciding which one is right for you depends on how often you stay with the hotel chain.
The (see rates and fees) from Chase is a strong option if you want a low annual fee and valuable hotel perks, while the from American Express caters to frequent Marriott guests who can maximize its premium benefits.
Here's how the two cards compare to help you decide which deserves a spot in your wallet.
Bonvoy Boundless vs. Bonvoy Brilliant comparison
Bonvoy Boundless
Bonvoy Brilliant
Welcome offer
Earn 125,000 bonus points and a free night award (valued at up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Additionally, earn up to $100 in statement credits (up to $50 biannually) after spending $500 on eligible airline purchases. (Certain hotels have resort fees.)
Earn up to 150,000 bonus points: 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership, plus an additional 50,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases (for a total of $8,000) in the first six months of card membership.
Annual fee
$95
$650 (see [termsConditions pid="6396" overridetext="rates and fees"])
Bonus categories
Earn 6 points per dollar spent on purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.
Earn 3 points per dollar spent on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year at gas stations and grocery stores and on dining.
Earn 2 points per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Earn 6 points per dollar spent on purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program.
Earn 3 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with the airline.
Earn 2 points per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Free night award
Receive one free award night (up to 35,000 points) every year after the account anniversary. (Certain hotels have resort fees.)
Receive one free award night (worth up to 85,000 points) every year after the 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 on purchases in a calendar year.
Complimentary Platinum Elite status
Benefits
Receive 15 elite night credits a year.
Receive one elite night credit toward elite status for every $5,000 spent.
Enjoy complimentary premium Wi-Fi at Marriott Bonvoy properties.
Enjoy no foreign transaction fees.
Enjoy travel and purchase protections.
Receive 25 elite night credits each calendar year.
Earn up to $25 per month in statement credits for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide (up to $300 per year).
Earn an earned choice award after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year.
Enjoy a Priority Pass Select membership.
Receive a statement credit every four years for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ($120 for Global Entry or up to $85 for a five-year TSA PreCheck membership).
Receive up to a $100 luxury property credit valid on eligible stays of two nights or more at Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis hotels.
Enjoy no foreign transaction fees (see [termsConditions pid="6396" overridetext="rates and fees"]).
Enjoy travel and purchase protections.
Enjoy cellphone protection.*
Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.
*Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Bonvoy Boundless vs. Bonvoy Brilliant welcome offer
New cardholders can earn 125,000 bonus points and a free night award (valued at up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Additionally, earn up to $100 in statement credits (up to $50 biannually) after spending $500 on eligible airline purchases. (Certain hotels have resort fees.)
TPG's July 2026 valuations peg this welcome offer as worth up to $1,500, including the statement credit.
THE POINTS GUY
Conversely, the is currently offering new applicants the chance to earn up to 150,000 bonus points: 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership, plus an additional 50,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases (for a total of $8,000) in the first six months of card membership.
According to TPG's valuations, this welcome offer is worth up to $1,200.
Regarding eligibility, the Bonvoy Boundless is subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule, so you’ll likely be automatically rejected if you’ve opened five or more credit cards in the last 24 months.
Additionally, American Express limits you to earning the welcome bonus on a given card once per lifetime. So, if you’ve already earned a bonus on the Bonvoy Brilliant, you won’t be eligible for a new bonus.
In addition to these issuer restrictions, Marriott Bonvoy has its own separate eligibility requirements. Review these restrictions carefully to ensure you’re eligible before applying for either card.
Winner: Bonvoy Boundless. Its welcome offer delivers more value with a substantially lower spending requirement.
Both cards offer benefits designed for Marriott guests, including elite status, annual free night awards and elite night credits.
The is a mid-tier credit card that offers useful benefits for just a $95 annual fee. It comes with complimentary Silver Elite status with the option to earn Gold Elite status after spending $35,000 on purchases in a calendar year.
One elite night credit toward elite status for every $5,000 spent
Complimentary premium Wi-Fi at Marriott Bonvoy properties
No foreign transaction fees
Travel protections (baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement and trip delay reimbursement)
Purchase protection
JW MARRIOTT MASAI MARA LODGE
As a premium credit card with an annual fee of $650, the offers higher-tier benefits, including complimentary Platinum Elite status and 25 elite night credits each year.
Here are some statement credits that help offset that high annual fee:
Up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for dining at restaurants worldwide
Every four years, receive a $120 statement credit for Global Entry or up to $85 for a five-year TSA PreCheck membership
Up to $100 luxury property credit valid on eligible stays of two nights or more at Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis hotels
Enrollment is required for select benefits, and terms apply.
You'll also receive a Priority Pass Select membership, granting you access to over 1,900 lounges (enrollment required; terms apply). The Boundless doesn't offer lounge access, so the Brilliant is a better option for most frequent travelers. That said, if you already have a card with Priority Pass access, this benefit won't do anything for you.
Additionally, the Brilliant comes with an impressive array of travel and shopping protections, including:
Car rental insurance**
Baggage insurance***
Trip cancellation and interruption insurance****
Trip delay insurance****
Purchase protection***
Return protection*****
Cellphone protection****
Both cards offer free night awards, but the Bonvoy Brilliant's is worth substantially more. With the Bonvoy Boundless, your free night award is only worth 35,000 points. With the Bonvoy Brilliant, you can redeem your free night award for up to 85,000 points. Additionally, with both free night awards, you can top them up with up to 25,000 points from your Bonvoy account.
**Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
***Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
****Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
*****Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details.
Winner: Bonvoy Brilliant. It has far more benefits that easily offset its steep annual fee, and its free night award is much more valuable.
Earning points with the Bonvoy Boundless vs. Bonvoy Brilliant
These two cards earn 6 points per dollar spent on purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels. They also both earn 3 points per dollar spent on dining, but the is subject to a spending cap on that category.
In addition to earning 3 points per dollar spent on dining, the Boundless earns 3 points per dollar spent on groceries and gas station purchases (on up to the first $6,000 in combined spending each year).
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Both cards earn 2 points per dollar spent on most other purchases, with the earning an elevated 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline.
Since the Boundless earns more on purchases at grocery stores and gas stations (subject to the spending cap mentioned above), it may be a better option for those hoping to have a one-card wallet.
These earning structures are comparable to other hotel cobranded cards. Still, you’ll likely get a better earning rate using a more general travel card for purchases outside of Marriott.
Winner: Bonvoy Brilliant. It doesn’t cap dining earnings and earns more points when booking flights directly with an airline.
