Marriott Bonvoy Boundless vs Bank of America Premium Rewards: Which Is Better In 2025?

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down the key reasons we like the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite card.

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• The card offers a suite of annual statement credits for travel and lifestyle purchases that can help offset its annual fee.
• Perks like complimentary Priority Pass lounge access and a 20% discount on airfare booked with points add significant value for frequent flyers.
• Maximizing the up to $300 airline incidental credit, up to $150 lifestyle credit, and the up to $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit can offset the card's annual fee in the first year (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Generous annual statement credits for travel and lifestyle spending.
• Premium travel perks, including complimentary airport lounge access and a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees.
• Enhanced point value when redeeming for flights through the Bank of America Travel Center.

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Cons

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• Points cannot be transferred to airline or hotel partners, which limits redemption flexibility and potential value.
• The high annual fee can be difficult to justify unless you can maximize the card’s credits and are an existing Bank of America customer.

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite vs Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless or the Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite, depends entirely on your travel habits and brand loyalty. Each card is designed for a different type of traveler, offering distinct advantages in the travel rewards landscape.

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• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: This hotel and travel rewards card is best for frequent travelers who consistently stay at Marriott properties. It's built for those looking to maximize their benefits and earn rewards within the Marriott Bonvoy program.
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite credit card: As a premium travel card, this option is geared toward frequent travelers seeking luxury perks and who are established within the Bank of America financial ecosystem.

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Redemption

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Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Points are redeemed primarily within the Marriott Bonvoy ecosystem, which includes booking free nights at participating hotels and resorts or transferring points to various airline partners.

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Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite credit card: Rewards offer more flexibility, allowing you to redeem points for cash back, statement credits, or gift cards, as well as for booking travel through the Bank of America Travel Center.

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Travel Perks

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• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: This card's travel benefits are deeply integrated with the Marriott Bonvoy ecosystem. It has no foreign transaction fees, making it a good companion for international travel. While it doesn't offer airport lounge access, its primary perks are hotel-centric, including an annual Free Night Award and complimentary Silver Elite Status, enhancing your stays at Marriott properties.
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite credit card: This card provides a broader, more flexible travel experience. It also comes with no foreign transaction fees. A key differentiator is its inclusion of airport lounge access via a partner membership. Cardholders also receive annual airline incidental statement credits and a credit to cover the application fee for TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry, adding significant value for frequent flyers.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To help you decide, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare top-rated credit cards based on your own spending habits.

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• Test drive a credit card before you apply, using your real spending data to see personalized earnings projections without impacting your credit score.
• Receive personalized card recommendations from a database of nearly 3,000 credit cards based on your actual spending history.
• Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Take advantage of a welcome offer guarantee, which ensures that if a better offer is found within three months, Kudos will match it.
• Manage multiple cards, monitor your credit score, and track spending all in one platform.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is an excellent choice for travelers who frequently stay at Marriott properties, whether for business or leisure. It particularly benefits those looking to fast-track their way to elite status within the Bonvoy program and everyday spenders who want to earn points on groceries, gas, and dining. As our Boundless card review details, it's designed for value-focused individuals who can maximize perks like the annual free night award.

Who Should Choose the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite?

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The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite credit card is a premium travel card best suited for frequent travelers already embedded in the Bank of America ecosystem who prefer straightforward luxury perks over navigating complex point transfer systems. These cardholders will find significant value in benefits like complimentary Priority Pass lounge access, up to $450 in annual statement credits, and premium hotel upgrades. While the $550 annual fee is substantial, it's justifiable for those who can maximize the card's credits, especially for Preferred Rewards members who receive a 25%-75% bonus on all points earned.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the choice between the hotel-specific Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® card and the flexible Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite card doesn't quite meet your needs, there are other excellent travel cards to consider.

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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 – Most premium travel cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Review the rewards ecosystem – Some cards are best for brand loyalty while others lack flexible transfer partners.
• Understand issuer-specific rules – Check for any application restrictions or loyalty programs that could impact your eligibility or rewards.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application – Apply before a large purchase to help meet the spending requirement.
• Don't settle – Avoid accepting a subpar welcome offer if a better one is available.
• Plan your spending – Meet the spending threshold naturally without forcing unnecessary purchases.

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 Marriott Bonvoy and Bank of America?

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No, you cannot directly transfer points between the two programs. Points earned with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card are for use within the Marriott ecosystem, while Bank of America® Premium Rewards® points are part of the bank's own flexible rewards program.

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Which card is better if I don't travel frequently?

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The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card generally offers more value for non-travelers due to its flexible cash back redemption options and broader bonus categories. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card's benefits are heavily focused on Marriott stays and travel perks.

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Do the rewards from these cards expire?

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Marriott Bonvoy points can expire after 24 months of inactivity, but any qualifying activity on your account will reset the clock. Points from the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing.

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