IHG One Rewards Premier 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 section breaks down the primary reasons we recommend the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® card.

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• The card includes an annual fee(See Rates & Fees) but helps you save abroad by waiving foreign transaction fees.
• Cardholders receive automatic Silver Elite status and get a yearly boost of 15 elite night credits to help reach higher status tiers faster.
• Redeeming the anniversary free night award—valid for a stay of up to 35,000 points—for a stay valued higher than the annual fee makes this card pay for itself (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• A generous welcome offer to kickstart your points balance.
• Strong earning rates on common spending categories—including gas, groceries, and dining—plus bonus points on Marriott stays.
• Flexible redemption options that include free nights, airline transfers, and access to exclusive travel experiences.

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Cons

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• An annual fee applies, and points can expire due to account inactivity.
• The anniversary free night award has redemption-level restrictions that exclude many premium properties.
• Points are most valuable when used for Marriott stays; transferring them to airline partners may not provide optimal value.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® vs IHG One Rewards Premier

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, IHG One Rewards Premier or Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®, comes down to your specific travel habits and hotel loyalty. Both cards cater to frequent travelers but offer distinct advantages tied to their respective hotel brands.

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• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: This card is designed for frequent travelers who consistently stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts. It delivers the most value to those who can maximize IHG-specific perks like automatic elite status and anniversary nights.
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: This card is a strong choice for travelers who prefer staying at Marriott properties and want to earn points on everyday spending categories. It's also a great fit for those seeking a shortcut to earning Marriott Bonvoy elite status.

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Redemption

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IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: Points are most valuable when redeemed for stays across IHG's family of hotels. You can also transfer points to a variety of airline partners, though this typically offers a lower value.

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Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Cardholders can redeem points for free nights at Marriott's vast portfolio of properties, which is the most common use. Points can also be transferred to numerous airline frequent flyer programs or used for unique experiences through Marriott Bonvoy Moments.

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Travel Perks

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• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards are ideal for international travel as neither charges foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.
• Anniversary Free Night: Cardholders receive significant recurring value from both cards. The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card offers an Anniversary Free Night at eligible hotels, and the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card provides a Free Night Award after your account anniversary, valid for a stay up to a certain point value.
• Automatic Elite Status: The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card automatically grants you Platinum Elite status, providing perks like room upgrades and bonus earnings. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® card comes with automatic Silver Elite status and offers a pathway to Gold Status based on annual spending.
• Expedited Airport Screening: A notable perk of the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is a statement credit for the application fee for programs like Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS. This benefit is not available with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® card.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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If you're looking for a data-driven way to compare cards, a tool like Kudos can help you see potential earnings before you apply.

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• Test drive a credit card: See personalized earnings projections for thousands of credit cards based on your actual spending history, all without a hard credit pull.
• Approval odds analysis: Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
• Personalized recommendations: Receive card recommendations that match your unique spending patterns to maximize your rewards.
• Welcome offer guarantee: Kudos will match a better public offer if you find one within three months of being approved for a card through its platform.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card points when you shop at participating stores.

Who Should Choose the IHG One Rewards Premier?

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The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is best suited for travelers who regularly stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts, including brands like Holiday Inn, InterContinental, and Kimpton. These cardholders will get the most value from its automatic Platinum Elite status, which offers perks like room upgrades, and the annual anniversary free night. Additionally, those who take longer trips can maximize their points with the fourth-night-free benefit, a key feature detailed in this card's review.

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, whether traveling for business or leisure, who want to accelerate their point earnings. It also appeals to value-focused travelers who can maximize the annual free night award and everyday spenders looking to earn 3X points on the first $6,000 spent annually on combined grocery, gas, and dining purchases. As this credit card review details, it's also a great fit for status seekers aiming to climb the elite tiers within the Marriott Bonvoy program.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the IHG One Rewards Premier vs Marriott Bonvoy Boundless comparison didn't reveal a clear winner for your wallet, don't worry. There are several other excellent travel rewards cards 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.}

Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - You’ll generally need good to excellent credit for a premium travel card.
• Review issuer rules - Some banks limit how many cards you can open or bonuses you can earn.
• Plan your redemptions - Know how you’ll use the points to make sure the card is a good fit.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application - Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the minimum spending requirement for the welcome offer.
• Confirm your eligibility - Check for any restrictions, as some co-branded cards are unavailable if you've recently earned a bonus in the same card family.
• Find the best offer - Welcome offers can vary, so look for the highest bonus available before you submit your application.

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 level of hotel elite status comes with each card?

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The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card grants automatic Platinum Elite status. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card provides automatic Silver Elite status, though you can earn Gold Elite status by spending $35,000 on the card in a calendar year.

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How do the free night anniversary awards differ?

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Each year after your account anniversary, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card offers a Free Night Award worth up to 40,000 points. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card provides a Free Night Award worth up to 35,000 points on its anniversary.

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Can I have both the IHG Premier and Marriott Boundless cards?

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Yes, since they are part of different hotel loyalty programs, you can apply for and hold both cards simultaneously. However, approval is still subject to Chase's application rules, such as the 5/24 rule.

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