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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.
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Marriott Bonvoy Boundless vs. Bonvoy Brilliant: Is mid-tier or premium best for you?
Credit card writer Danyal Ahmed is an avid traveler, averaging about 100,000 aeronautical miles per year. He regularly applies that knowledge and his expertise in credit cards to his role as a credit card writer at TPG.
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.
also contributed to this story
June 21, 2025 • 13 min read
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Editorial note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Quick summary
This article compares two Marriott Bonvoy credit cards: one mid-tier and one premium, each with distinct benefits and eligibility rules.
The mid-tier card offers free night awards and entry-level elite status, while the premium card provides higher-value free nights, elevated elite status and extensive travel perks.
Both cards earn Marriott points at hotels, with the premium option offering additional perks such as lounge access and monthly dining credits.
Eligibility for welcome offers and application approval is subject to both issuer and Marriott Bonvoy program rules.
What to consider
The mid-tier card is subject to a rule that may limit approval if you have opened multiple cards recently, while the premium card restricts welcome bonuses to once per lifetime.
Marriott Bonvoy has its own eligibility requirements that may affect your ability to apply for or receive a bonus from either card.
Dynamic pricing for hotel redemptions means the value of points and free night awards can vary significantly depending on the property and timing.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed side-by-side breakdown of benefits, redemption strategies and which card best matches specific travel habits.
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.
If you’re in the market for a new card, you may be torn between the mid-tier (see rates and fees) from Chase and the premium .
Deciding between a mid-tier credit card and a premium credit card is challenging enough, but when the cards you're considering are subject to different application rules, the decision becomes even harder.
Let's demystify the decision and help you determine whether the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless or the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card makes more sense for you.
Bonvoy Boundless vs. Bonvoy Brilliant comparison
Bonvoy Boundless
Bonvoy Brilliant
Welcome offer
Earn three free night awards* after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, earn an additional free night award* after spending a total of $4,000 on purchases in the first four months from account opening. Additionally, earn up to $100 in statement credits (up to $50 biannually) after spending $500 on eligible airline purchases.
*Nights are valued at up to 50,000 points each. 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
Enjoy complimentary Silver Elite status. Earn Gold Elite status after spending $35,000 on purchases in a calendar year.
Enjoy 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 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ($120 for Global Entry every four years or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck every 4 1/2 years).
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 three free night awards* after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, earn an additional free night award* after spending a total of $4,000 on purchases in the first four months from account opening. Additionally, earn up to $100 in statement credits (up to $50 biannually) after spending $500 on eligible airline purchases.
*Nights are valued at up to 50,000 points each. Certain hotels have resort fees.
TPG's May 2026 valuations peg this welcome offer as worth up to $1,700, 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 probably 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.
On top of these issuer restrictions, Marriott Bonvoy has its own set of eligibility requirements. Make sure to check all of these and ensure you’re eligible before applying for either card.
Winner: Tie. The Boundless earns free night awards and the Brilliant earns points, so it depends on your preference.
Both cards are geared toward those who stay at Marriott Bonvoy portfolio properties, so you can expect to find a variety of benefits relating to Marriott property stays, among other benefits.
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 such as complimentary Platinum Elite status and 25 elite night credits every 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
A $120 statement credit for Global Entry every four years or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck every 4 1/2 years
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 1,700 lounges. Enrollment is required, and terms apply. The Boundless doesn't offer lounge access, so this makes the Brilliant 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 free night award 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. The Brilliant 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.
Along with earning 3 points per dollar spent on dining, the Boundless earns 3 points per dollar spent on groceries and gas station purchases, on 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 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.
