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

American Express Platinum Card® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at the specific features that make the American Express Platinum Card® (See Rates & Fees) a standout option for luxury travel.

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• It offers unparalleled access to airport lounges and luxury hotel benefits, making it a top choice for frequent travelers.
• Cardholders can earn premium rewards on travel purchases and benefit from comprehensive travel and purchase protections.
• The card provides a suite of valuable statement credits and lifestyle benefits that enhance everyday spending and travel experiences.

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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.}

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Pros

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• Unmatched travel perks: The card offers extensive airport lounge access through the Global Lounge Collection and complimentary elite status with both Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors.
• Valuable statement credits: Cardholders receive a generous suite of annual statement credits that can be applied to travel, entertainment, and retail purchases.
• Premium rewards and protections: You can earn accelerated rewards on flights and prepaid hotels, all while benefiting from comprehensive travel and purchase protections.

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Cons

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• High annual fee: The card comes with a substantial annual fee, requiring cardholders to consistently use its benefits to get their money's worth.
• Complex benefits: Many of the card’s statement credits and perks require manual enrollment and have specific rules, making them cumbersome to track and use effectively.
• Limited everyday rewards: Outside of specific travel purchases, the card offers a low rewards rate on everyday spending, making it less ideal for non-travel expenses.

American Express Platinum Card® vs Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®

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Categories

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When deciding which is better, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless or Amex Platinum, it's crucial to understand the distinct traveler each card is designed to serve. Both are excellent travel cards, but they cater to very different priorities and spending habits.

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• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is a co-branded hotel rewards card ideal for frequent travelers who regularly stay at Marriott properties. It's designed for those looking to maximize hotel benefits and earn rewards on everyday spending.
• The Platinum Card® from American Express is a premium travel rewards card built for frequent travelers who value luxury perks and benefits. It excels for those who can take full advantage of extensive airport lounge access and exclusive travel benefits.

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Redemption

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Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Points earned with this card are primarily redeemed for free nights at hotels and resorts within the extensive Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. You can also transfer points to a variety of airline partners, though the value is often best when used for hotel stays.

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The Platinum Card® from American Express: This card earns Membership Rewards points, which are known for their flexibility and can be transferred to numerous airline and hotel loyalty programs. Points can also be used to book travel directly through American Express Travel or for statement credits, offering a wide range of redemption options.

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Travel Perks

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• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: The travel ecosystem for this card is built squarely around the Marriott brand.
  • Travel Portal: Benefits are centered on booking through Marriott Bonvoy's platform.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: This card does not have foreign transaction fees.
  • Lounge Access: Airport lounge access is not a feature of this card.
  • Core Perks: The card provides an annual Free Night Award after your account anniversary and grants automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite Status.
• The Platinum Card® from American Express: This card offers a broad and flexible travel ecosystem designed for luxury and convenience.
  • Travel Portal: Cardmembers can book travel through the American Express Travel portal.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: This card does not have foreign transaction fees. Terms Apply.
  • Lounge Access: A key feature is access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which includes Centurion® Lounges and Priority Pass lounges. Terms Apply.
  • Elite Status: Cardmembers receive complimentary elite status with major hotel and car rental partners. Terms Apply.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make an informed decision based on your unique spending habits, a tool like Kudos allows you to compare nearly 3,000 cards side-by-side.

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• Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see personalized earnings projections before you apply.
• Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Get a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better public offer if you find one within three months.
• Unlock personalized card matching based on your spending history to ensure you have the optimal card.
• Access Kudos Boost rewards for extra earnings on top of your regular credit card rewards when shopping online.

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 looking to maximize their loyalty and earn rewards on their stays. It also appeals to value-focused travelers who can leverage the annual free night award to offset the annual fee, even with just a few stays per year. Additionally, status seekers will appreciate the automatic Silver Elite status and the 15 elite night credits that provide a shortcut to higher tiers within the Bonvoy program.

Who Should Choose the American Express Platinum Card®?

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The American Express Platinum Card® is tailor-made for the frequent traveler who values luxury and can fully leverage a suite of premium benefits. This cardholder is someone who regularly takes advantage of extensive airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and a wide array of annual statement credits for entertainment, dining, and retail. Ultimately, the ideal user is one whose spending habits and travel patterns naturally align with the card's perks, allowing them to easily extract enough value to justify its substantial annual fee.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Marriott Bonvoy Boundless vs Amex Platinum comparison has left you feeling like neither card is the perfect match, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent travel rewards cards on the market that might be a better fit for your spending habits and travel goals.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score to ensure it aligns with the typical requirements for premium cards.
• Plan your spending to ensure you can naturally meet the welcome offer requirements without overspending.
• Review the benefits and have a plan to use the card’s rewards and credits effectively.

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Application Strategy

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• Search for the best available Welcome Offer as these can often vary across different channels and platforms.
• Evaluate issuer-specific rules as some banks may have restrictions on how many new cards you can open.
• Plan to activate your benefits since many premium card credits, like those on The Platinum Card® from American Express, require manual enrollment.

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 American Express Membership Rewards points to Marriott Bonvoy?

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Yes, you can transfer Membership Rewards points earned with the American Express® Platinum Card to the Marriott Bonvoy program. Transfer ratios can change, so it is best to confirm the current rate before you move your points.

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Which card has a higher annual fee?

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The American Express® Platinum Card has a significantly higher annual fee than the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. However, its cost is offset by numerous premium travel benefits and statement credits, for which terms apply.

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Does the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card offer airport lounge access?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card does not include complimentary airport lounge access. In contrast, the American Express® Platinum Card provides extensive access to the Global Lounge Collection for eligible cardholders; terms apply.

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