Marriott Bonvoy Boundless vs Citi Double Cash: Which Is Better In 2025?

Citi Double Cash® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down the key reasons why we're fans of the Citi Double Cash® Card.

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• You earn a straightforward 2% cash back on all purchases—1% when you buy and another 1% as you pay.
• While there's no annual fee, the card does have other fees, such as those for balance transfers and foreign transactions.
• Spending $10,000 a year would net you $200 in cash back (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Its flat-rate rewards structure means you earn cash back on every purchase without needing to track or activate spending categories.
• A long introductory APR period for balance transfers gives you breathing room to pay down high-interest debt from other cards.
• Rewards are versatile—you can take them as cash back or convert them to points for travel and other redemptions.

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Cons

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• Its introductory 0% APR offer doesn't extend to new purchases, only to balance transfers.
• A foreign transaction fee makes it a less-than-ideal choice for spending abroad.
• You won't find any bonus categories for accelerated earnings on specific types of spending.

Citi Double Cash® vs Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless or Citi Double Cash, depends entirely on your spending habits and travel goals. One card is built for earning travel rewards, while the other focuses on straightforward cash back.

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• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is ideal for frequent travelers who prefer staying at Marriott properties and want to earn elite status and rewards on everyday spending categories.
• Citi Double Cash® Card is best for those seeking simple, high-earning cash back on all purchases or for individuals looking to consolidate debt with a balance transfer offer.

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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 within the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. You can also transfer points to various airline partners or use them for other travel experiences.

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Citi Double Cash® Card: This card offers straightforward cash back that can be redeemed as a statement credit or direct deposit. Cardholders also have the flexibility to convert their cash rewards into ThankYou® Points for travel and other redemptions.

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Travel Perks

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• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: This card is deeply integrated into the Marriott Bonvoy travel ecosystem. Key perks include an annual Free Night Award after your account anniversary, automatic Silver Elite Status, and 15 Elite Night Credits each year to help you reach higher status tiers. It does not charge foreign transaction fees, making it suitable for international use.
• Citi Double Cash® Card: As a cash-back card, it doesn't have a native travel ecosystem. However, it offers flexibility by allowing you to convert cash back rewards to Citi ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for travel through the Citi portal or transferred to airline partners. This card does have a foreign transaction fee on purchases made abroad.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make an informed decision, you can use a financial companion like Kudos to compare thousands of credit cards based on your actual spending habits.

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• Test Drive Cards: The “Test Drive” feature lets you simulate how much you could earn with a new card by analyzing your real spending data, showing you a personalized projection of annual rewards before you apply.
• Approval Odds: Get a detailed analysis of your approval chances for different cards based on your credit report.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of being approved for a card through Kudos, the platform will match it.
• Kudos Boost: Earn additional rewards on top of your regular credit card points when you shop at participating stores.
• Personalized Matching: Receive card recommendations tailored to your unique spending history to ensure you’re maximizing your earnings.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® card is an excellent choice for frequent Marriott guests looking to accelerate their rewards and elevate their status. It also appeals to value-conscious travelers who can easily offset the annual fee with the yearly free night award, as well as everyday spenders wanting to earn points on groceries, gas, and dining. As detailed in a comprehensive card review, this card is best suited for anyone who stays with Marriott even a few times a year and wants to maximize the loyalty program's perks.

Who Should Choose the Citi Double Cash®?

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The Citi Double Cash® Card is an excellent choice for consumers seeking a simple, high-earning cashback card for everyday spending without the hassle of tracking categories. It's also particularly well-suited for those looking to consolidate and pay down existing credit card debt, thanks to its industry-leading 18-month 0% intro APR on balance transfers. With no annual fee and a simple rewards structure, this straightforward card is perfect for anyone who prefers earning valuable rewards without complexity.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® vs Citi Double Cash® comparison has left you undecided, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent credit cards on the market that might be a better fit for your spending habits and financial goals.

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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: Make sure your credit history aligns with the card's typical approval requirements.
• Plan for the welcome offer: Ensure you can naturally meet the spending requirement for the welcome offer.
• Understand the rewards structure: Know how you will use the points or cash back to get the most value from the card.

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Application Strategy

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• Be mindful of issuer rules: Some issuers limit approvals based on your recent new accounts.
• Align with loyalty programs: Choose co-branded cards that match the brands you already use and love.
• Prepare for balance transfers: Have account details ready if you plan on moving debt to a new card.

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 have both a travel rewards card and a cash-back card?

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Absolutely. Many people use a cash-back card for everyday spending and a travel card for specific purchases like flights and hotels to maximize their rewards across different categories.

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How do I decide between a hotel card and a general cash-back card?

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Consider your travel habits and brand loyalty. If you frequently stay with a specific hotel chain like Marriott, a co-branded card can offer immense value, while a cash-back card provides more straightforward, flexible rewards for everyday spending.

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What's the main difference between earning points and earning cash back?

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Cash back offers direct, flexible value that can be used for anything, typically as a statement credit or direct deposit. Hotel points provide value through redemptions for free nights or other travel perks, with their value varying based on how you use them.

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