Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card vs. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Which Is Better?

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card Breakdown

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The Boundless earns 6X points per $1 at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, 3X on the first $6,000 in combined purchases each year at grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants (then 2X), and 2X on everything else. Points you earn as a Marriott Bonvoy member on paid stays come on top of the card's rate.

Each year after your account anniversary, you get a Free Night Award for one night at a property with a redemption level up to 35,000 points. The variable APR is 19.49% to 27.99%.

How Do the Two Cards Compare?

Annual Fee

Both cards charge $95 a year, so the question is what you get for it. The Boundless's Free Night Award can offset the fee on its own if you use it at a property you'd pay for anyway, while the Sapphire Preferred offers its $100 Chase Travel hotel credit and broader travel coverage.

Flexibility of Points

This is the biggest difference. Sapphire Preferred points can transfer to 10 airline programs, including United MileagePlus® and Southwest Rapid Rewards®, and 4 hotel programs, including Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt. Bonvoy points work best for Marriott stays.

Bonvoy points can also move to airlines, but Marriott says most programs transfer at a 3:1 ratio, meaning three Bonvoy points for one airline mile.

Hotel Elite Status

The Boundless wins here. It includes automatic Silver Elite status, 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year, 1 more Elite Night Credit for every $5,000 you spend, and Gold status after $35,000 in purchases in a calendar year. The Sapphire Preferred doesn't include hotel status.

Travel Protections

Both cards include trip delay reimbursement of up to $500 per covered traveler and baggage delay coverage of up to $100 a day for 5 days. The Sapphire Preferred adds primary auto rental coverage and trip cancellation and interruption coverage of up to $10,000 per covered traveler and $20,000 per trip. The Boundless adds lost luggage reimbursement of up to $3,000 per covered traveler; check its Guide to Benefits for other coverage.

Should You Carry Both Cards?

You don't always have to choose. Some Marriott loyalists use the Sapphire Preferred for most spending to build flexible points, and keep the Boundless for the annual Free Night Award and the Elite Night Credits.

Both cards are issued by Chase, so it's wise to space out your applications. Kudos shows your approval odds for each card before you apply.

Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred®?

• You want points that transfer to airlines and several hotel programs.
• You stay at different hotel brands and don't want to commit to one.
• You rent cars often and want primary rental coverage.
• You want strong trip cancellation, delay, and baggage coverage at a $95 annual fee.
• You plan to use Chase Travel, where the card earns 5x and offers the $100 hotel credit.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®?

• You stay at Marriott properties several times a year.
• You'll use a free night each year at a property up to 35,000 points.
• You want automatic Silver Elite status and Elite Night Credits toward higher tiers.
• You spend enough to reach Gold status at $35,000 a year, or plan to stay often enough to earn it.
• You're fine keeping most of your rewards in the Marriott program.

Alternatives to Consider

For premium travel perks, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® earns 8x points on Chase Travel purchases, 4x on flights and hotels booked directly, and 3x on dining, with a $300 annual travel credit and lounge access. Its annual fee is $795.

^{Points are not earned until after the first $300 is spent annually on travel purchases. The first $300 goes toward the $300 Annual Travel Credit.}

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For higher Marriott status, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card earns 6X points at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, 3X at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines, and 2X on other purchases. It includes Platinum Elite status, 25 Elite Night Credits, up to $300 a year in dining statement credits (up to $25 a month), and a Free Night Award after your card renewal month at properties up to 85,000 points. See the card details for its current annual fee.

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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.}

If you prefer Hyatt, The World of Hyatt Credit Card earns 4 Bonus Points per $1 at Hyatt hotels, 2 Bonus Points per $1 at restaurants, on airline tickets bought directly, on local transit and commuting, and at gym memberships, and 1 Bonus Point elsewhere. It includes a free night each year at a Category 1 to 4 Hyatt property for a $95 annual fee.

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Tips for Application Success

Before You Apply

• Check your credit: Both cards generally go to applicants with good to excellent credit.
• Confirm the current welcome offer: Offers change, so check the spending requirement and time frame on each card's page.
• Test drive your rewards: Kudos Test Drive shows what you'd earn with either card before you apply, based on the spending you enter.

Application Strategy

• Space out applications: Several new cards in a short period can hurt your approval odds.
• Time it with a big expense: Apply before a planned purchase so you can meet the spending requirement naturally.
• Track your credits: Kudos Premium includes a Benefits Tracker that shows the credits and perks on each card, how much you've used, and what's left.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards Points to Marriott Bonvoy?

Yes. Marriott Bonvoy is one of the Sapphire Preferred's 14 transfer partners. See our guide to transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points for how it works.

Do Marriott Bonvoy Points Transfer to Airlines?

Yes, but Marriott says most airline programs transfer at a 3:1 ratio, so three Bonvoy points become one airline mile.

Which Card Earns More at Marriott Hotels?

The Boundless earns 6X points at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, plus the points you earn as a member. The Sapphire Preferred earns 2x on travel booked directly with a hotel, or 5x if you book through Chase Travel.

What Is the Boundless Free Night Award Worth?

It covers one night at a property with a redemption level up to 35,000 points, issued each year after your account anniversary. You still pay any incidentals and mandatory resort fees.

Does Either Card Charge Foreign Transaction Fees?

No. Neither card charges foreign transaction fees.

Does the Sapphire Preferred Have Primary Rental Car Coverage?

Yes. It includes primary coverage for theft and collision damage up to $60,000 on most rentals, though New York residents get secondary coverage inside the U.S.