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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.
Guides
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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Quick summary
Two Marriott hotel credit cards are compared, one mid-tier and one premium, each catering to different travel patterns.
The mid-tier option is best for occasional Marriott guests seeking useful hotel perks, while the premium card targets frequent Marriott loyalists who can maximize higher-tier benefits.
Both cards offer annual free night awards, elite status, and the ability to earn points at Marriott hotels, but the premium card includes more valuable perks such as higher elite status, lounge access, and enhanced statement credits.
Redemption and transfer options for points are similar for both cards, including hotel stays and airline transfers.
What to consider
Eligibility for welcome bonuses is subject to issuer-specific and Marriott Bonvoy restrictions, including rules limiting bonuses to once per lifetime or based on recent card openings.
The mid-tier card has a lower annual fee, while the premium card's higher fee is offset by additional benefits like monthly dining credits and luxury hotel credits.
Both cards allow topping up free night certificates with additional points and provide travel and purchase protections, but only the premium card includes lounge access and higher-tier elite status.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed side-by-side comparison of benefits, earning structures, and which card is optimal based on your Marriott stay frequency.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
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.
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 three free night awards (valued at up to 50,000 points each) after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Certain hotels have resort fees. Additionally, earn up to $100 in statement credits (up to $50 biannually) after spending $500 on eligible airline purchases (through June 30, 2027).
Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
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.
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 Bonvoy Boundless cardholders can earn three free night awards (valued at up to 50,000 points each) after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Certain hotels have resort fees. Additionally, earn up to $100 in statement credits (up to $50 biannually) after spending $500 on eligible airline purchases (through June 30, 2027).
TPG's October 2026 valuations peg this welcome offer as worth up to $1,225 when you maximize each free night (plus earn the statement credit).
THE POINTS GUY
Conversely, the Bonvoy Brilliant is currently offering new applicants the chance to earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
According to TPG's valuations, this welcome offer is worth $750.
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 has the potential to deliver more value and requires half the spending.
Both cards offer benefits designed for Marriott guests, including elite status, annual free night awards and elite night credits.
The Bonvoy Boundless 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 Bonvoy Brilliant 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 Bonvoy Boundless 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 Bonvoy Brilliant 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.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
