Capital One Savor Student vs Marriott Bonvoy Bold: Which Is Better In 2026?

Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at what makes the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® a compelling choice.

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• It's a great entry point into the Marriott Bonvoy ecosystem without the commitment of an annual fee.
• The Marriott Bonvoy Bold® card offers valuable travel protections and automatic elite status with the hotel.
• Cardholders can enjoy flexible redemption options, including transferring points to various airline partners.

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Pros

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• Grants automatic Silver Elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program.
• Includes a variety of travel insurance and protection benefits.
• Offers flexible point redemptions, including transfers to a wide network of airline partners.

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Cons

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• Offers lower point-earning potential compared to premium Marriott cards.
• Does not provide an annual free night award, a common perk on competing hotel cards.
• The complimentary Silver Elite status offers limited benefits compared to higher tiers.

Marriott Bonvoy Bold® vs Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Capital One Savor Student or Marriott Bonvoy Bold, depends entirely on your spending habits and goals. One card is tailored for students earning rewards on daily expenses, while the other is designed for travelers accumulating hotel points.

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• Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card - This card is best for students who want to earn rewards on everyday spending categories like dining, entertainment, and at grocery stores.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card - This card is ideal for travelers, particularly those who frequently stay at Marriott properties and want to earn hotel points toward future stays.

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Redemption

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Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: With this card, you earn cash back that can be redeemed for a statement credit or a check, offering straightforward value on your spending.

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Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card: Points earned with this card are redeemed within the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program, primarily for free nights at participating hotels and resorts worldwide.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To eliminate the guesswork, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards based on your actual spending patterns.

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• Test drive credit cards: Simulate your potential earnings with a new card using your real spending data before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, Kudos will match it.
• Approval odds analysis: Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds for new cards based on your credit report.
• Stack rewards: Earn extra rewards through Kudos Boost on top of your credit card rewards when shopping at your favorite stores.
• Personalized card matching: Get recommendations for the most rewarding cards based on your specific spending history.

Who Should Choose the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards?

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The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards card is tailor-made for college students who are just starting to build their credit history but already have a fair score. It's particularly well-suited for those who frequently spend on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores, as it offers high cash back rates in these common student expenses. Additionally, with no foreign transaction fees, it's an excellent choice for international students or those planning to study abroad.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Bold®?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card is an excellent choice for travelers who occasionally stay at Marriott properties and want to earn points without the commitment of an annual fee. This card is particularly well-suited for those new to hotel rewards or budget-conscious travelers, as it provides automatic Silver Elite status and surprisingly robust travel protections for a no-fee card. It essentially offers a low-risk entry point into the Marriott Bonvoy program, allowing you to dip your toes into hotel loyalty benefits.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the head-to-head between the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards and the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® didn't point to a clear winner for your wallet, don't fret. Let's explore a few other options 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 rewards cards require a good to excellent score, so know where you stand before applying.
• Plan your spending - Make sure you can naturally meet any minimum spending requirements for a welcome offer without forcing purchases.
• Understand the benefits - Research the card’s perks and rewards ecosystem to ensure it aligns with your goals.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application wisely - Apply before planned expenses to more easily meet requirements for an early spend bonus or welcome offer.
• Know the issuer's rules - Be aware of any specific application restrictions, such as Chase's 5/24 rule or cards designed only for students.
• Look beyond the welcome offer - Consider the card's long-term value, including its reward ecosystem, upgrade paths, and annual benefits.

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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What happens to the Capital One Savor Student card after I graduate?

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After graduation, Capital One may allow you to upgrade your Savor Student card to a non-student version, such as the Capital One SavorOne card. This process, known as a product change, typically depends on your account history and credit standing.

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Which card is better for international travel?

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Both the Capital One Savor Student card and the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card are excellent for international travel because neither charges foreign transaction fees. The best choice depends on whether you value earning flexible cash back or accumulating points for future Marriott hotel stays.

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How do I redeem rewards on each card?

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You can redeem rewards from the Capital One Savor Student card for cash back in the form of a statement credit or a check. Rewards from the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card are redeemed as points for stays at hotels within the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio or for other travel-related purchases.

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