Is the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful annual fee worth it?
Editor's note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
In 2022, Marriott Bonvoy revamped its credit cards lineup and introduced a card with an annual fee we'd never seen.
Broadly speaking, most hotel credit cards can be considered "basic" (carrying annual fees under $100) or "luxury" (carrying annual fees of $400 or more). However, the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card from Chase has an annual fee of $250, sitting right in the middle.
At first glance, you might assume that it has $150 worth of additional features when compared to more basic cards, but is this really the case?
Let's take a closer look at what you get for the $250 annual fee on the Bountiful so you can decide whether the annual fee is worth it.
The information for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Welcome bonus
New applicants can earn 85,000 bonus points after making at least $4,000 in purchases on their new card in the first three months from account opening. These bonus points are worth roughly $723, according to TPG's June 2024 valuations.
Note that Marriott uses dynamic pricing for its award nights, making it more challenging to know how many points you'll need to book your trip.
Additionally, if you've had Marriott Bonvoy credit cards from Chase or American Express in the past, there are restrictions that will limit your ability to receive a sign-up bonus. Before applying, check out our chart to help you understand which card(s) you may be eligible for.
Related: How to redeem points with the Marriott Bonvoy program
Elite status and related perks
Bountiful cardholders receive complimentary Gold Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy each year that they have the card. At this level, you'll receive benefits like upgrades to preferred rooms (but not suites), a welcome gift of bonus points at check-in and late checkout. Gold Elite status is a valuable mid-tier hotel status that can help you justify the card's annual fee each year if you're able to get value from your status.
Cardholders also receive 15 elite night credits deposited into their Marriott Bonvoy account each year. Elite night credits are what you need to attain higher levels of status with Marriott, and you can stack them if you also hold a Marriott Bonvoy business credit card.
For example, if you hold the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, this card will give you another 15 elite night credits, allowing you to start the year with a total of 30 elite night credits automatically.
To qualify for Platinum Elite status — where you'll find benefits like suite upgrades and free breakfast — you need 50 nights per year with Marriott Bonvoy. Having the Bountiful and the Amex Bonvoy Business simultaneously would put you more than halfway there, thanks to having 30 nights in your account to start with each year.
However, unlike many hotel credit cards, there's no path to achieving higher levels of elite status by spending lots of money on your Bountiful each year. You can't spend your way to Platinum Elite status, no matter how much money you spend on this card. You can earn a free night award by spending a high amount on the card; after spending $15,000 in purchases, Bountiful cardholders will receive a free night award valued at up to 50,000 points (certain hotels have resort fees).
It's worth pointing out, though, that you can get automatic Platinum Elite status with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, but that card comes with a significantly higher annual fee of $650 (see rates and fees).
Related: Here's why you need both a personal and business Marriott Bonvoy credit card
1,000 bonus points for each stay
Bountiful cardholders receive 1,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points for each paid stay at a hotel or resort participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Using TPG's valuations, 1,000 points are worth $8.50.
Unfortunately, these bonus points are not available on stays where you redeem points or free night awards for an award stay. This bonus doesn't provide much value for those who don't stay with Marriott multiple times a year.
Related: How to earn lots of Bonvoy points
Annual free night certificate
Many hotel credit cards offer a free night award, deposited automatically into your account on your cardholder anniversary each year. Unfortunately, that's not the case on the Bountiful.
Bountiful cardholders who spend $15,000 or more on their cards during a calendar year can receive a free night award worth up to 50,000 points (certain hotels have resort fees). Great uses for these awards include properties like The Ritz-Carlton Bali, St. Regis Langkawi in Malaysia and the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort in Hawaii.
Due to Marriott's dynamic pricing, you should perform a calendar search for flexible dates in order to find nights that cost 50,000 points or less. Typically, the most difficult times to use these free night awards will be on or near holidays. However, if you want to use your free night award at a pricier hotel, you can do this by adding up to 15,000 points for additional redemption options.
Related: 13 ways to redeem the Marriott 50,000-point free night award
Other cardholder perks
Earning points on the Bountiful card closely mirrors what you'll find on other Marriott credit cards. Cardholders earn 6 points per dollar at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, 4 points per dollar on the first $15,000 per year (then 2 points per dollar) in combined purchases at grocery stores and on dining — including takeout and delivery — and 2 points per dollar on other purchases.
Using TPG's June 2024 valuations, that's a return of 5.1% on Marriott purchases, 3.4% on dining and grocery stores and a 1.7% return on everyday spending. Those rates aren't mind-blowing but aren't bad for a cobranded hotel credit card.
Cardholders also have travel and purchase protections on their Bountiful cards that may prove useful. Benefits include baggage delay insurance of up to $100 per day for a maximum of five days (which takes effect after a delay of six hours or more), purchase protection for 120 days, trip delay reimbursement (which kicks in when you're delayed overnight or for 12 hours or more) for up to $500 per ticket and lost luggage reimbursement of up to $3,000 per passenger.
Cardholders can also take advantage of Chase Offers, which can provide discounts or bonus points through targeted promotions.
Related: Best cards with trip delay reimbursement
Bottom line
The Bountiful comes with some perks that Marriott travelers will find helpful, but it's unlikely to give you the best bang for your annual fee buck. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (see rates and fees), for instance, provides automatic Silver Elite status, 15 elite night credits and a free night award for just a $95 annual fee.
To learn more, see our full review of the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful. And for other cards you may want to consider, check out our list of the best Marriott credit cards.
For rates and fees of the Amex Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, click here.
TPG featured card
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Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
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- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
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- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $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.
- See Rates & Fees