Marriott Bonvoy Boundless vs Delta SkyMiles Blue: Which Is Better In 2025?

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we recommend the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card.

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• This card is a great entry point into the Delta SkyMiles program since it has a $0 annual fee (See Rates & Fees) and no foreign transaction fees.
• You can earn 2x miles on Delta purchases and at restaurants worldwide, plus 1x miles on all other eligible purchases.
• Break-even math: Since there is no annual fee to offset, any rewards you earn represent a net gain (publisher-formulated estimate).

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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• Earn miles on Delta purchases and at restaurants worldwide without an annual fee.
• Enjoy no foreign transaction fees and receive a statement credit on eligible in-flight Delta purchases.

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Cons

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• Lacks premium travel benefits common with other travel cards, such as free checked bags, priority boarding, and lounge access.
• The rewards program has limited redemption options outside of the Delta SkyMiles ecosystem and offers a lower earning rate on general purchases.

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express vs Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless or Delta SkyMiles Blue, comes down to your specific travel habits and brand loyalty.

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• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card - This card is ideal for frequent travelers who regularly stay at Marriott properties and want to earn elite status benefits. It also suits value-focused travelers and those looking to earn points on everyday spending.
• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card - As an entry-level card, this is best for occasional Delta flyers and budget-conscious travelers looking to earn miles on flights and dining. It is also a solid choice for international travel.

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Redemption

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Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®: Points earned with this card are most valuable when redeemed for free nights at hotels within the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. Cardholders can also transfer points to various airline partners for award flights.

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Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express: Miles are redeemed through the Delta SkyMiles program, primarily for booking flights with Delta and its partner airlines. You can also use miles for other travel-related perks like seat upgrades or Delta Vacations packages.

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Travel Perks

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• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: This card operates within the extensive Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of hotels and resorts. It is well-suited for international travel as it does not have foreign transaction fees. The card does not include complimentary airport lounge access as a benefit.
• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: This card's ecosystem is centered on Delta Air Lines and its global SkyTeam partners. It is also a good choice for international travel as it has no foreign transaction fees (Terms Apply). Complimentary airport lounge access is not a feature of this card, but cardholders do get a 20% savings on eligible in-flight purchases.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the best choice, 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, you can simulate your potential earnings with a new card before you apply, giving you a personalized projection of its value.
• Detailed approval odds: Get a comprehensive analysis of your approval chances based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
• $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward: You can unlock $100 in rewards by adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® card is an excellent choice for frequent Marriott guests who want to maximize their rewards within the Bonvoy ecosystem. It also appeals to value-focused travelers who can offset the annual fee with the anniversary free night award and accumulate points on everyday spending categories like groceries, gas, and dining. As detailed in this comprehensive card review, status seekers will appreciate the automatic Silver Elite status and the 15 elite night credits that provide a clear path to higher tiers.

Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express?

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The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is a great fit for occasional Delta flyers who want to earn miles without committing to an annual fee. It also appeals to budget-conscious travelers and dining enthusiasts who can take advantage of the 2x miles at restaurants worldwide and the lack of foreign transaction fees. Essentially, it serves as a risk-free entry point into the Delta SkyMiles program for those who prefer a simple, no-cost rewards card, as detailed in a comprehensive review.

Alternatives to Consider

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After reviewing our Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card vs. Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card comparison, you might find that neither is the perfect fit. If so, let's explore a few alternative cards that could better align with your travel and spending style.

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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 travel rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Plan your spending - Ensure you can meet the welcome offer spending requirement through your normal purchases.
• Assess your travel habits - Choose a card that aligns with the airlines and hotels you use most often.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer’s rules - Be aware of application restrictions, such as Chase’s 5/24 rule, before you apply.
• Check Welcome Offer eligibility - Some issuers, like American Express, may limit welcome offers to once per lifetime for each card.
• Don’t get discouraged - If you are not approved, address any issues on your credit report and consider applying again later.

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 Delta SkyMiles?

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Yes, you can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to Delta SkyMiles, as Delta is one of Marriott's airline transfer partners. However, transferring points from Delta SkyMiles to Marriott Bonvoy is generally not possible.

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Which card is better for someone who doesn't travel often?

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The Delta SkyMiles Blue Card has no annual fee, making it a strong choice for infrequent travelers who still want to earn miles on everyday spending. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card's value is more closely tied to hotel stays, which may be less beneficial if you don't travel much.

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Do these cards offer travel insurance benefits?

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Both cards typically offer some form of travel protection, such as baggage delay insurance or purchase protection. It's important to review each card's guide to benefits for detailed information on coverage, as terms apply.

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