Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Marriott Bonvoy Boundless: Which Is Better In 2025?

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This card is a favorite for frequent Marriott guests, and here’s a quick look at why.

• You'll get a head start on earning elite status with 15 Elite Night Credits deposited into your account each year, plus automatic Silver Elite status.
• The anniversary Free Night Award for a property valued up to 35,000 points can easily cover the $95 annual fee, making the card pay for itself (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• A generous welcome offer helps you quickly accumulate points after meeting the initial spending requirements.
• You'll receive a Free Night Award each year after your account anniversary, which can be redeemed at eligible properties worldwide.
• The card grants automatic Silver Elite status and provides a yearly deposit of Elite Night Credits to help you reach higher status tiers faster.

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Cons

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• The card has an annual fee that is not waived for the first year.
• Redemption options can be limited; points are most valuable within the Marriott ecosystem, and the annual Free Night Award excludes many high-end properties.
• It lacks some premium travel perks found on other cards, such as airport lounge access or statement credits for travel.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® vs Chase Sapphire Preferred®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Marriott Bonvoy Boundless, comes down to your personal travel habits and loyalty. Each card caters to a different type of traveler, offering unique rewards and benefits.

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• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is an ideal entry-level travel card. It's designed for those who want to earn flexible rewards on a wide range of purchases, including travel and dining, without being tied to a single brand.
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is tailored for frequent travelers who consistently stay at Marriott properties. The card focuses on maximizing rewards and unlocking elite benefits within the Marriott Bonvoy program.

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Redemption

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• Chase Sapphire Preferred®: Points offer significant flexibility, allowing you to transfer them to a variety of airline and hotel partners or redeem them for travel, cash back, and more through the Chase portal.
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®: Redemptions are centered on the Marriott ecosystem, with points primarily used for booking free nights at hotels and resorts within the brand's extensive portfolio.

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Travel Perks

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• Travel Portal: The Sapphire Preferred provides access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal for flexible travel bookings, while the Bonvoy Boundless ecosystem is focused exclusively on the Marriott Bonvoy program for hotel redemptions.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards are excellent for international travel as neither charges foreign transaction fees.
• Annual Perks: The Sapphire Preferred offers an annual hotel credit on stays booked through its portal. The Bonvoy Boundless provides an annual Free Night Award redeemable at participating Marriott properties after the account anniversary.
• Elite Status: The Bonvoy Boundless automatically grants cardholders Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite Status. The Sapphire Preferred does not offer automatic elite status with any hotel or airline partner.
• Lounge Access: Neither card includes complimentary airport lounge access as a standard benefit.
• Travel Protections: Both cards come with a range of travel protections, including baggage delay insurance and trip delay reimbursement, though specific coverages may vary.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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For those looking to make a data-driven decision, a comprehensive tool like Kudos can help you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards.

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• Test drive a credit card: Before you apply, you can use your real spending data to see exactly how much a new card would earn you in rewards, all without impacting your credit score.
• Personalized recommendations: Get matched with cards that will earn you the most based on your actual spending history.
• Approval odds: Receive a detailed analysis of your chances of approval for a card based on your credit report.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your regular credit card rewards when shopping with Kudos.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of joining, Kudos will match it.
• Financial management tools: Track your spending, monitor your credit score, and manage multiple credit cards from a single platform.

Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred®?

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers and those looking to maximize rewards on their spending. As one of the most popular travel credit cards, it's particularly well-suited for individuals who spend on travel and dining and serves as a strong entry-level option for anyone new to the world of travel rewards. Cardholders also gain access to valuable travel protections and flexible point redemption options, including transfers to airline and hotel partners.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is tailor-made for travelers who regularly stay with Marriott and want to deepen their relationship with the loyalty program. It's a great fit for anyone from status seekers aiming for elite perks to value-focused travelers who can leverage the annual free night to offset the annual fee. The card also appeals to everyday spenders who want to accumulate points on daily purchases like gas, dining, and groceries for future hotel stays.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Marriott Bonvoy Boundless comparison has you feeling like neither card is the right fit, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent travel rewards cards on the market that might better suit your spending habits and travel goals.

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Tips for Application Success

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Getting approved for a top-tier travel card requires a bit of strategy. Here’s how to set yourself up for success.

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Before You Apply:

• Check your credit score. Most premium travel cards, including those from Chase, require a good to excellent credit score for the best approval odds.
• Plan your spending. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card require you to meet a minimum spending threshold in the first few months. Make sure you can reach it organically through regular expenses like dining, groceries, and gas.
• Know your redemption goals. Before you apply, have a plan for your points. Whether it’s transferring them to airline and hotel partners or booking a stay with an anniversary free night award, a clear goal ensures you’ll maximize the card’s value.
• Review your Chase 5/24 status. Chase has an unwritten rule where you’ll likely be denied for most of their cards if you’ve opened five or more personal credit cards from any bank in the last 24 months.

Application Strategy:

• Don’t force your spending. If you can’t meet the welcome offer’s spending requirement naturally, it’s better to wait. Avoid going into debt just to earn a bonus.
• Be patient. If you’re denied, don’t immediately re-apply. You can call the issuer’s reconsideration line to see if providing more information can help them review your application again.

Pro tip: Time your application around a large, planned purchase you already have to make, like new furniture, a home improvement project, or booking a major vacation. This can help you meet the spending requirement quickly and effortlessly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer Chase points to Marriott?

Yes, Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, which you earn with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® card, can be transferred to the Marriott Bonvoy® program. This flexibility allows you to supplement your Marriott points balance with rewards earned from your Sapphire Preferred.

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Which card is better for earning hotel points?

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® card is co-branded and specifically designed to maximize earnings within the Marriott Bonvoy® ecosystem. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® earns flexible points that can be transferred to Marriott or used for other travel redemptions.

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What are the annual fees for the Sapphire Preferred and Bonvoy Boundless?

Both the Chase Sapphire Preferred® and the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® cards typically carry a $95 annual fee. As card terms can change, it's always a good practice to verify the current fee with the issuer.

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Do the Sapphire Preferred and Bonvoy Boundless cards have foreign transaction fees?

No, neither the Chase Sapphire Preferred® card nor the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® card charges foreign transaction fees. This makes both cards suitable choices for international travel and purchases made abroad.