Marriott Bonvoy Boundless vs Amex Green: Which Is Better In 2025?

American Express® Green Card Breakdown

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "120", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Travel Rewards", "headerHint" : "Best for Frequent Travelers" } ]]

‍

Why We Like It

‍

Here’s a closer look at what makes the American Express® Green Card (See Rates & Fees) a compelling option for many cardholders.

‍

• You'll earn bonus points on a broad definition of travel—from airfare to campgrounds—plus at restaurants worldwide.
• Its points offer excellent flexibility, as they can be transferred to a long list of airline and hotel partners.
• It comes with annual statement credits that help offset the cost of valuable travel-related services.

‍

_{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.}

‍

Pros

‍

• Earns bonus points across a uniquely broad range of travel spending—including transit and tolls—plus at restaurants worldwide.
• Membership Rewards points are highly flexible and can be transferred to a long list of airline and hotel partners.
• Comes with valuable travel benefits, including annual credits for airport services and no foreign transaction fees.

‍

Cons

‍

• The annual fee is relatively high for a card in its class, and you’ll need to use the statement credits to offset the cost.
• Getting the most value from your points can be complicated, as some redemption options are less valuable than others.
• The card’s travel credits may not be as practical as those on competing cards, and one of its lounge access benefits is set to expire.

American Express® Green Card vs Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®

‍

Categories

‍

When deciding which is better, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless or Amex Green, it's crucial to understand the primary purpose each card serves for different types of spenders.

‍

• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: This is a hotel co-branded card from Chase and Marriott designed for frequent travelers, particularly those who regularly stay at Marriott properties and want to earn hotel-specific perks.
• American Express® Green Card: This card is a versatile travel and dining rewards card, best suited for individuals who spend heavily in these areas and value flexible, transferable points.

‍

Redemption

‍

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Points earned with this card are added to your Marriott Bonvoy account. They are best redeemed for free nights at hotels and resorts within the extensive Marriott portfolio.

‍

American Express® Green Card: This card earns Membership Rewards® points, which are known for their flexibility. You can transfer these points to a wide variety of airline and hotel partners, offering a broad range of redemption options beyond a single brand.

‍

Travel Perks

‍

• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: This card’s travel ecosystem is built exclusively around the Marriott brand. It does not charge foreign transaction fees, making it suitable for international travel. While it lacks airport lounge access, its key benefits are an annual Free Night Award and automatic Silver Elite Status, which provide direct value within the Marriott hotel network.
• American Express® Green Card: The travel ecosystem for this card is more generalized. Cardholders can book travel through the American Express Travel portal and benefit from statement credits for both CLEAR Plus membership and LoungeBuddy access. It also has no foreign transaction fees, making it a versatile option for all types of travel.

‍

Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

‍

To make an informed decision based on your own spending, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards with personalized, data-driven insights.

‍

• Test drive credit cards: Simulate how much you could earn with a new card using your actual spending data, without any applications or hard credit pulls.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months of being approved, Kudos will match it.
• Comprehensive approval odds: Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit profile.
• Autofill for maximum rewards: The Kudos browser extension can automatically select and fill in the best card for every online purchase to maximize your rewards without the guesswork.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®?

‍

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is an excellent choice for frequent Marriott guests who want to accumulate points and enjoy elite status benefits. It also appeals to value-focused travelers who can offset the $95 annual fee with the anniversary free night award and status seekers looking to climb the loyalty ladder faster. Beyond travel, the card is valuable for everyday spenders, offering 3X points on the first $6,000 spent annually in combined purchases at grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants.

Who Should Choose the American Express® Green Card?

‍

The American Express® Green Card is tailored for frequent travelers and diners who want to earn accelerated rewards on a wide range of purchases, from flights and hotels to transit and takeout. It's best suited for cardholders who are savvy enough to maximize value by transferring points to airline and hotel partners and taking advantage of its various statement credits. In essence, this card is for the hands-on user who can leverage its travel-centric benefits, like the up to $189 CLEAR Plus credit, to easily offset the $150 annual fee (Terms apply).

Alternatives to Consider

‍

So you've weighed the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card vs. the American Express® Green Card and neither feels quite right? Let's explore a few other top-tier travel cards that could be a better match for your specific needs.

‍

[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["2888", "2894"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Luxurious Travel Benefits", "2% Cash Back"]} ]]

Tips for Application Success

‍

Before You Apply

‍

• Check your credit score - Most travel rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Plan your spending - Ensure you can meet the minimum spend for the welcome offer without overspending.
• Know your rewards - Research the card’s transfer partners and redemption options to maximize your points value.

‍

Application Strategy

‍

• Know the issuer's rules - Be aware of application restrictions from issuers like Chase that can impact your approval.
• Align with your loyalty - Select a card that complements your travel habits, whether you're loyal to a brand like Marriott or prefer flexible rewards.
• Time your application - Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the welcome offer spending requirement naturally.

Our Methodology

‍

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.

‍

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

‍

Which card is better for loyal Marriott guests?

‍

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is the clear choice for travelers who frequently stay at Marriott properties, as its benefits are tailored to that ecosystem. The American Express® Green Card is better for general travelers who value flexibility across different hotel and airline brands.

‍

Can I transfer points from the Amex Green Card to Marriott Bonvoy?

‍

Yes, American Express Membership Rewards points can be transferred to Marriott Bonvoy, along with other airline and hotel partners. This flexibility is a key advantage of the Amex ecosystem, though you should always check the current transfer ratios before moving points (Terms Apply).

‍

Do both cards offer annual travel credits?

‍

The American Express® Green Card offers annual statement credits for CLEAR Plus and LoungeBuddy lounge access, which can help offset the annual fee (Terms Apply). The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card provides an annual Free Night Award after your account anniversary instead of direct travel credits.

‍