Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card from Chase is the mainstream Marriott card: $95 a year, a free night on every account anniversary, and a welcome offer built around free nights rather than points. As of August 2026, new cardholders earn 4 Free Night Awards, each valued at up to 50,000 points, after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months, plus up to $100 in statement credits after $500 in eligible airline purchases through June 30, 2027. The recurring value is simple: an annual Free Night Award worth up to 35,000 points arrives after each account anniversary. At mid-tier Marriott properties that night alone routinely exceeds the $95 fee, which is the whole case for keeping the card. You also get automatic Silver Elite status, 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year (enough to start every year halfway to Gold), and a path to Gold Elite status with $35,000 in annual purchases. Earning is hotel-centric: 6x points at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3x on the first $6,000 per year in combined grocery store, gas station, and dining purchases, and 2x on everything else. Marriott points are worth well under a cent each by most valuations, so this is not the card for everyday non-Marriott spending once the $6,000 cap is hit. The purchase APR is 19.24 to 29.99 percent variable, there are no foreign transaction fees, and the card includes a 12-month complimentary DashPass membership plus baggage delay and trip delay protections. Note that Chase's 5/24 rule applies to applications, and the 35,000 point cap on the anniversary night means top-tier properties are out of reach without topping off with up to 15,000 points from your balance. The Boundless fits travelers who stay at Marriott properties a few times a year and want a cheap annual free night plus a head start on elite status. It is also the standard downgrade landing spot from the Brilliant. Skip it if you rarely sleep at Marriott brands: the anniversary night is the fee justification, and it expires a year after issue. Big Marriott spenders who want breakfast and lounge access should pay up for the Brilliant instead.