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Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: This premium card is best for frequent travelers and diners looking to maximize rewards on travel and restaurant purchases. Points are not earned on travel until after the first $300 is spent annually on travel purchases, as this spending goes toward the $300 Annual Travel Credit.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card: This card is designed for travelers who frequent Marriott properties and want to earn bonus points on grocery and dining purchases, which are capped at $15,000 per year before earning a lower rate.
Chase Sapphire Reserve® Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why the Chase Sapphire Reserve® stands out in the crowded field of premium travel cards.
- Its comprehensive travel benefits, including airport lounge access and credits for expedited security screening, provide immediate value for frequent flyers.
- You’ll earn a competitive 3x points on all dining and travel purchases, which are broad categories that can add up quickly.
- The $300 annual travel credit is easy to use and effectively lowers the annual fee to just $495 (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Highly flexible rewards program with 1:1 point transfers to a wide range of airline and hotel partners.
- A generous annual travel credit that’s easy to redeem and automatically applied to eligible purchases.
- Comprehensive travel protections and complimentary airport lounge access add peace of mind and comfort to your journeys.
Cons
- A steep annual fee that requires you to maximize the card’s benefits to justify the cost.
- You’ll likely need an excellent credit score to be approved.
- The rewards program is powerful but can be complex to navigate, and some perks require manual enrollment.
Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Breakdown
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Why We Like It
This section breaks down the key features that make the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card a compelling choice.
- Cardholders can accelerate their point earnings with 6x points at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 4x points on up to $15,000 in combined annual spending at grocery stores and on dining (then 2x).
- You automatically receive complimentary Gold Elite status and 15 elite night credits each year, giving you a head start toward higher status tiers.
- The 1,000 bonus points awarded for each paid stay can help offset the $250 annual fee in about 30 stays (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Comes with automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, unlocking perks like room upgrades and late checkout.
- Includes a variety of travel and purchase protections, such as trip delay reimbursement and lost luggage reimbursement, for added peace of mind.
- Cardholders can earn a valuable Free Night Award after meeting an annual spending requirement.
Cons
- The annual Free Night Award isn't granted automatically; it requires meeting a high spending threshold.
- The included Gold Elite status lacks top-tier perks, and there's no pathway to earn a higher status level through card spending.
- Earning rates on everyday purchases are less competitive than what many other travel rewards cards offer.
Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful vs Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Categories
Deciding which is better, Chase Sapphire Reserve or Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful, depends entirely on your spending habits and travel style. One is a general premium travel card, while the other is tailored for hotel loyalists.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: This is a premium travel rewards card designed for frequent travelers. Its benefits are geared toward those who travel often and can take full advantage of its travel-related perks.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card: This is a mid-tier hotel credit card for Marriott Bonvoy loyalists. It's best for those who want more benefits than a basic hotel card but don't need all the features of a luxury one.
Redemption
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Points earned with this card offer significant flexibility. They can be redeemed for travel through the Chase portal or transferred to numerous airline and hotel partners.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card: Rewards are earned as Marriott Bonvoy points. These are best redeemed for stays at hotels and resorts within the extensive Marriott portfolio.
Travel Perks
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: The travel ecosystem is extensive and built for flexibility. Cardholders get access to airport lounges through a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership. It features an annual travel credit, though points on travel are only earned after this credit is fully used each year. The card also offers a statement credit for a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS application fee. It has no foreign transaction fees, and points can be redeemed with increased value through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card: This card's ecosystem is centered entirely on the Marriott Bonvoy program. While it doesn't offer airport lounge access, it does provide complimentary Gold Elite status, which comes with perks like room upgrades and late checkout at participating properties. Cardholders can earn a Free Night Award after meeting an annual spending threshold. It also has no foreign transaction fees, making it a good option for international stays within the Marriott network.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
If you're unsure which card is right for you, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards based on your own spending.
- The platform’s ‘Test Drive’ feature lets you simulate how much you’d earn with different cards using your real spending data, all without a hard credit pull.
- You can get personalized card recommendations based on your transaction history to see which card will earn you the most.
- Kudos also provides detailed approval odds based on your credit report to help you apply with more confidence.
- Members can track their sign-up bonus progress for free.
- You can also stack rewards by earning Kudos Boost rewards on top of your regular credit card rewards when shopping at participating stores.
Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Reserve®?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is designed for frequent travelers with excellent credit who spend heavily on dining and travel, allowing them to earn 3x points and utilize the $300 annual travel credit. Cardholders who appreciate premium perks like airport lounge access, comprehensive travel protections, and the ability to transfer points to airline and hotel partners will get the most out of this card. 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.
Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful?
The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card is tailored for frequent Marriott guests who appreciate mid-tier perks like complimentary Gold Elite status and are willing to pay the $250 annual fee for a step up from a basic hotel card. It's a strong choice for those who spend significantly on dining and groceries and can meet the $15,000 annual spend to earn a Free Night Award. As one in-depth analysis points out, the card also appeals to travelers looking to accelerate their elite status by stacking the 15 annual elite night credits with those from a Marriott business card. This card is less ideal for those seeking top-tier status automatically or a free night award without a spending requirement.
Alternatives to Consider
If the Chase Sapphire Reserve® vs. Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful comparison didn't yield a winner for your wallet, there are several other excellent travel rewards cards to consider that may better suit your lifestyle.
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Tips for Application Success
Ready to apply? Following a few key steps can streamline the process and boost your chances of approval.
- Check your credit score: Most premium travel cards, including the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Credit Card, generally require good to excellent credit for the best approval odds.
- Review eligibility rules: Issuers often have restrictions on earning a welcome offer if you've recently held other cards in the same family. For example, your eligibility for a new Marriott Bonvoy card can be affected by which Chase or Amex Marriott cards you've had.
- Assess your spending habits: Some card benefits, like the free night award on the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card, require meeting a significant annual spending threshold. Ensure the card’s structure aligns with your budget before you apply.
- Plan for the welcome offer: Most cards require you to meet a minimum spending requirement within the first few months to earn the bonus points. Have a plan to meet this spend responsibly.
- Activate your benefits upon approval: Remember that many valuable perks, such as Priority Pass™ lounge access or various statement credits, require you to enroll after you receive your card.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the annual fees for the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ cards?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card has a $550 annual fee, while the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card has a $250 annual fee. These fees grant access to different sets of travel benefits and reward structures tailored to different types of travelers.
Which card is better for earning Marriott Bonvoy points?
The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ card is specifically designed for earning Marriott Bonvoy points, offering high reward rates on Marriott stays. While you can transfer points from the Chase Sapphire Reserve® to Marriott, the Bonvoy Bountiful™ card is generally more efficient for accumulating points within the Marriott ecosystem.
Can I use points from the Chase Sapphire Reserve® for hotel stays other than Marriott?
Yes, the Chase Ultimate Rewards® points earned with the Sapphire Reserve® card are highly flexible. You can transfer them to numerous airline and hotel partners, including Hyatt and IHG, or book travel directly through the Chase portal.
Do both cards offer a free night award?
The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ card offers a Free Night Award (valued up to 50,000 points) after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® does not offer a comparable free night award but provides a flexible $300 annual travel credit.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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