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

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down the key reasons we like the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card.

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• Cardholders receive an anniversary free night award, adding significant value each year.
• You'll get automatic elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy program, plus a boost toward earning higher tiers.
• It's a great option for international travel and offers strong rewards on common spending categories.

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Pros

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• An anniversary free night award provides consistent value year after year.
• Automatic elite status and a yearly boost of elite night credits help you enjoy more perks and achieve higher status faster.
• Includes a suite of travel protections and has no foreign transaction fees.

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Cons

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• The card charges an annual fee and is less useful for travelers who aren't loyal to the Marriott brand.
• Points offer the most value when redeemed for Marriott stays, making them less flexible than rewards from general travel cards.
• The anniversary free night award comes with redemption limitations, and points can expire after a period of inactivity.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® 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 Boundless®, comes down to your primary spending habits. Each card excels in different areas, catering to distinct lifestyles and priorities.

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• Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards is designed for students, offering its best rewards on common student spending categories like dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores.
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® is a travel card that primarily rewards spending at Marriott properties, while also offering rewards on everyday purchases including at grocery stores, gas stations, and on dining.

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Redemption

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Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards: This card earns cash back, which you can redeem as a statement credit or a check, offering straightforward value and flexibility.

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Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®: You'll earn points that can be redeemed for stays at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, transferred to airline partners, or used for other travel-related rewards.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is a financial platform designed to help you compare thousands of credit cards and find the best one for your unique spending habits.

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• Test drive credit cards: You can simulate your potential earnings with a new card using your actual spending data—all before you apply and without affecting your credit score.
• Get detailed approval odds: Receive a personalized analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
• Unlock exclusive rewards: Members can get a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward, a welcome offer guarantee, and earn extra rewards through Kudos Boost when shopping at partner stores.
• Manage your wallet: Track your progress toward sign-up bonuses, monitor transactions, and keep an eye on your credit score from a single dashboard.

Who Should Choose the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards?

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According to a recent card review, this card is a great fit for college students with at least a fair credit score who frequently spend on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services. They can take full advantage of the card’s unlimited bonus categories—including 3% cash back on their social spending and 8% on Capital One Entertainment—without being weighed down by an annual fee. It's also an excellent choice for international students or those studying abroad, as it has no foreign transaction fees and accepts applicants with an ITIN.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is an excellent choice for frequent Marriott guests looking to enhance their stays and unlock more value from their loyalty. It's particularly well-suited for status seekers aiming for elite perks and value-conscious travelers who can leverage the annual free night award to more than cover the card's annual fee. The card also benefits everyday spenders who want to earn points on common purchases like gas, groceries, and dining, helping them accumulate rewards for future travel even when they're not on the road.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the Capital One Savor Student vs Marriott Bonvoy Boundless comparison didn't lead you to the right card, there are several other excellent options to consider. These alternatives might better suit your specific spending habits and rewards goals.

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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 credit history for approval.
• Plan your spending: Make sure you can comfortably meet any minimum spending requirements for a welcome offer.
• Know your rewards: Research how you can best use the card’s points or miles to fit your goals.

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Application Strategy

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• Use a trusted platform to find the highest available offers and check your approval odds.
• Target cards that align with your credit profile and lifestyle, such as student cards if you're enrolled in college.
• Consider co-branded hotel or airline cards if you are loyal to a specific travel brand.

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 SavorOne Student card is designed for students and those with limited credit history, making it an excellent option for building credit. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card generally requires a good to excellent credit score for approval.

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What is the main difference in the rewards?

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The Capital One SavorOne Student card earns flexible cash back on your spending. In contrast, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card earns Marriott Bonvoy points, which are best used for stays at hotels within the Marriott portfolio.

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Do these cards have annual fees?

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There is no annual fee for the Capital One SavorOne Student card. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card has an annual fee, which helps cover the cost of its travel-related benefits.

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