Capital One Quicksilver Student vs Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful: Which Is Better In 2026?

Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down the key reasons why we like the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card.

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• Cardholders automatically receive complimentary Gold Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy, unlocking enhanced perks during their stays.
• The card provides a unique opportunity to earn bonus points on every paid stay at participating Marriott properties.

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Pros

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• Receive annual elite night credits to help you climb the status ladder more quickly.
• Earn bonus points on dining and grocery purchases, in addition to stays at Marriott properties.
• Includes a suite of travel and purchase protections, such as trip delay reimbursement and lost luggage reimbursement.

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Cons

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• The annual free night award is not an automatic perk; it requires meeting a substantial annual spending threshold.
• It does not offer a path to earn higher-tier elite status through card spending.
• The card's benefits may not outweigh its annual fee, especially when compared to other Marriott co-branded cards.

Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful vs Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards

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Categories

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When deciding which is better, the Capital One Quicksilver Student or the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful, it's essential to look at their primary spending categories. Each card is designed for a different type of user and lifestyle, making the choice dependent on your personal spending habits.

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• Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card - This card is ideal for students seeking straightforward rewards on all general spending. It also offers advantages for travel-related expenses booked through the issuer's travel portal.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card - This card is best suited for frequent travelers who regularly stay at Marriott properties. It focuses on rewarding spending on hotel stays, dining, and groceries.

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Redemption

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Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card offers straightforward cash back rewards that can be redeemed in a variety of flexible ways, such as for a statement credit or a check.

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Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card: With this card, you earn points that are best redeemed for stays within the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of hotels or transferred to airline partners for flights.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the best choice, you can use a tool like Kudos, which helps you compare top-rated cards and maximize your rewards.

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• Test drive a credit card: Before you apply, you can use your real spending data to see personalized calculations of your potential earnings with any card.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of being approved, Kudos will match it.
• Detailed approval odds: Get a comprehensive analysis of your approval chances based on your credit report.
• Rewards for signing up: You can unlock rewards like the $100 Kudos Kickstart+ by adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.

Who Should Choose the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards?

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This card is tailor-made for students looking to build their credit file, especially those with a limited financial history. It's also a strong contender for international students and those studying abroad, as it comes with no foreign transaction fees. Moreover, frequent student travelers can maximize their rewards by earning 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through the Capital One Travel portal.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card is designed for the frequent Marriott traveler who seeks more than a basic card but isn't ready for a premium price tag. This cardholder values the automatic Gold Elite status and the ability to earn a free night award worth up to 50,000 points after spending $15,000 in a calendar year. It's also a strategic choice for those looking to accelerate their status by stacking the 15 elite night credits with those from a Marriott business card.

Alternatives to Consider

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The Capital One Quicksilver Student vs Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful comparison pits a student cash back card against a premium travel card, but what if neither is right for you? Fortunately, several other cards offer compelling rewards and benefits that might be a better fit.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score. Most cards require good to excellent credit, so know where you stand before applying.
• Review the issuer’s rules. Many banks have restrictions on how many cards you can have or how often you can earn a welcome offer.
• Have a spending plan. Make sure you can comfortably meet the minimum spend for the welcome offer without overspending.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application around large, planned purchases to help meet spending requirements for a welcome offer.
• Familiarize yourself with issuer-specific rules, such as eligibility restrictions on co-branded card families.
• Use a trusted platform to find the best available offers and track your benefits after approval.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Which card is better for someone new to credit?

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The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is designed specifically for students and those building credit, making it the more accessible option. The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card from Chase generally requires a good to excellent credit history for approval.

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Do both cards have an annual fee?

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The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card has no annual fee. In contrast, the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ card has an annual fee, which should be weighed against its travel benefits.

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Can I combine the rewards from these two cards?

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No, the rewards programs are completely separate and their rewards are not transferable between them. The Quicksilver Student card earns cash back, while the Bonvoy Bountiful card earns Marriott Bonvoy points redeemable within the Marriott ecosystem.

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