IHG One Rewards Traveler vs Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful: Which Is Better In 2025?

Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at what makes the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card a compelling choice.

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• Cardholders automatically receive complimentary Gold Elite status and can earn extra points on everyday purchases like dining and groceries.
• While the card comes with an annual fee, you can earn a free night award worth up to 50,000 points after meeting an annual spending requirement.
• Frequent guests can offset the card's annual fee by taking advantage of the 1,000 bonus points awarded for each paid stay at a participating Marriott property (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• New cardholders can earn a substantial welcome bonus after meeting initial spending requirements.
• Includes valuable travel and purchase protections, such as trip delay reimbursement and lost luggage coverage.
• Provides an annual deposit of elite night credits to help you reach the next tier of Marriott Bonvoy status faster.

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Cons

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• The annual free night award is not granted automatically; it requires meeting a significant spending threshold each year.
• While the card includes Gold Elite status, this mid-tier level lacks premium perks like suite upgrades, and there is no pathway to earn a higher status through card spending.
• Bonus points for hotel stays are only awarded on paid bookings, a notable drawback for members who frequently redeem points for award nights.

Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful vs IHG One Rewards Traveler

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Categories

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When deciding between hotel credit cards, many travelers ask which is better IHG One Rewards Traveler or Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful, as both offer distinct advantages depending on your travel style.

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• IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card is ideal for frequent travelers, particularly those who are budget-conscious or just starting with hotel rewards programs.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card is a mid-tier hotel credit card designed for travelers who often stay at Marriott properties and want to earn points while enjoying mid-level elite status perks.

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Redemption

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IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: Cardholders can redeem points for stays across IHG's extensive portfolio of hotel brands. Points can also be used for other travel-related rewards or transferred to various airline partners.

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Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card: Points earned with this card can be redeemed for free nights at thousands of Marriott properties worldwide. Additionally, points offer flexibility by being transferable to a wide array of airline loyalty programs.

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Travel Perks

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• Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card: The travel ecosystem for this card is built around the extensive Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. A significant travel perk is the absence of foreign transaction fees on international purchases. The card does not, however, include complimentary airport lounge access.
• IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: This card's ecosystem is focused on the IHG family of hotels. It also comes with no foreign transaction fees, a notable benefit for travelers abroad. It does not provide airport lounge access as a perk.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make an informed decision, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare top-rated cards based on your own spending habits.

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• Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see potential earnings before you apply.
• Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Get a welcome offer guarantee, ensuring you receive the best bonus available.
• Discover personalized card recommendations that match your unique spending patterns.
• Earn extra rewards through Kudos Boost when shopping at your favorite online stores.

Who Should Choose the IHG One Rewards Traveler?

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The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card is a great fit for occasional IHG hotel guests and budget-conscious travelers who want to earn rewards without committing to an annual fee. It's also an excellent entry point for those new to hotel loyalty programs, offering a way to test the waters and gain automatic Silver Elite status. Travelers who often book stays of four or more nights will particularly benefit from the fourth-night-free perk, a key feature detailed in this card review.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card is a solid mid-tier option for frequent Marriott guests seeking elevated benefits without the premium price tag of a luxury card. It’s particularly valuable for travelers who will take advantage of the complimentary Gold Elite status and can meet the $15,000 annual spending requirement to earn a free night award. As a detailed analysis shows, it's also a strategic pick for those looking to stack elite night credits with a Marriott business card to accelerate their path to higher status.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our IHG One Rewards Traveler vs Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful comparison didn't point you to the perfect card, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent travel rewards cards that might be a better fit for your wallet.

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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 to confirm you have the good-to-excellent credit generally recommended for approval.
• Plan your spending to ensure you can naturally meet the minimum spend for the welcome offer.
• Review application restrictions since eligibility for the welcome offer can depend on cards you've held previously.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer's rules, as some banks limit approvals based on how many cards you've recently opened.
• Check for co-brand family rules, since holding one card in a loyalty program's portfolio can affect eligibility for another.
• Time your application before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement for the welcome offer.

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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Can I transfer points between IHG One Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy?

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No, you cannot directly transfer points between these two separate loyalty programs. Each program's points must be earned and redeemed within its own ecosystem of hotels and partners.

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How does elite status from a credit card work?

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Co-branded hotel credit cards often grant automatic elite status as a cardholder perk. This allows you to enjoy benefits like room upgrades and late checkout without meeting the usual stay requirements.

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Are hotel credit card annual fees worth the cost?

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Whether an annual fee is worth it depends on your travel habits and how you use the card's benefits. Often, perks like an annual free night certificate can easily offset the cost of the fee for frequent travelers.

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