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Marriott Bonvoy Boundless vs JetBlue Plus: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025

Editor's Picks
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: This card is ideal for travelers who frequent Marriott properties and want to earn bonus points on everyday purchases like groceries, gas, and dining.
- JetBlue Plus Card: This card is best for frequent JetBlue flyers looking to earn points on flights, restaurants, and groceries while enjoying perks like a free checked bag.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Breakdown
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Why We Like It
This section breaks down the key reasons why we think the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® is a valuable card.
- For a $95 annual fee, cardholders receive automatic Silver Elite status and 15 Elite Night Credits annually, providing a shortcut to higher tiers of the Bonvoy program.
- The card offers a solid earning rate of 3X points on the first $6,000 spent each year across combined purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants.
- Its anniversary free night award, redeemable for a stay valued up to 35,000 points, can provide more value than the card's annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- A generous welcome offer for new cardmembers and strong earning rates on everyday purchases like gas, groceries, and dining.
- Automatic Silver Elite status and annual elite night credits provide a shortcut to higher loyalty tiers and better on-property perks.
- An anniversary free night award that can offer significant value, plus no foreign transaction fees for international travel.
Cons
- An annual fee is charged, which is not waived in the first year.
- The card's rewards are less flexible, as points are most valuable within the Marriott ecosystem and the anniversary free night award excludes some high-end properties.
- Its overall value is limited for travelers who do not frequently stay at Marriott properties.
JetBlue Plus Breakdown
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Why We Like It
This section breaks down the key reasons why the JetBlue Plus Card stands out.
- The card offers strong rewards on JetBlue purchases, restaurants, and groceries, all for a modest annual fee.
- Cardholders receive valuable travel perks like a free first checked bag for themselves and up to three companions, plus 5,000 bonus points every anniversary.
- The annual fee can be easily offset, as just two round-trip flights can save you more than the fee in checked bag costs alone (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Receive a free first checked bag for yourself and up to three companions on the same reservation.
- Earn accelerated points on JetBlue purchases, plus bonus points at restaurants and eligible grocery stores.
- Enjoy valuable annual perks, including a statement credit for JetBlue Vacations packages and bonus points on your card anniversary.
Cons
- Lacks premium travel benefits like airport lounge access, priority boarding, or credits for expedited security screening programs.
- The annual travel credit is restricted to JetBlue Vacations packages, which may not be useful for all cardholders.
- Card perks are JetBlue-centric and do not apply when flying with other airlines.
JetBlue Plus vs Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®
Categories
Deciding which is better, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® or JetBlue Plus, comes down to your specific travel style and brand loyalty.
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: This card is ideal for travelers who frequently stay at Marriott properties and want to earn rewards on everyday spending like groceries, gas, and dining.
- JetBlue Plus Card: This card is best for casual to moderately frequent JetBlue flyers looking for valuable travel perks and rewards on restaurant and grocery spending.
Redemption
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®: Points earned with this card are primarily redeemed for free nights at hotels and resorts within the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. Cardholders can also transfer points to various airline partners or use them for exclusive travel packages and experiences.
JetBlue Plus Card: TrueBlue points can be used to book any available seat on any JetBlue-operated flight, with no blackout dates. Points can also be applied toward the cost of a JetBlue Vacations package, which combines flights with hotels and car rentals.
Travel Perks
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: This card comes with a Free Night Award every year after your account anniversary, redeemable for a stay at eligible properties. You also receive automatic Silver Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy, unlocking perks like bonus points on stays and priority late checkout.
- JetBlue Plus Card: JetBlue flyers will appreciate the free first checked bag for the primary cardmember and up to three companions on the same reservation. The card also offers 50% savings on eligible in-flight food and drinks and a path to elite Mosaic status through spending.
- International Travel: Both cards are solid companions for trips abroad, as neither charges foreign transaction fees on international purchases.
- Booking Flexibility: While the JetBlue Plus Card allows you to use points for JetBlue Vacations packages, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® card offers broader flexibility by allowing point transfers to a wide array of airline partners.
- Airport Lounges: If airport lounge access is a must-have perk for you, you'll need to look elsewhere, as neither of these cards includes it as a standard benefit.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
If you're still on the fence, a tool like Kudos can help you make a data-driven decision. The platform allows you to compare nearly 3,000 cards to see which ones best fit your personal spending habits.
- Test drive a credit card: Before you apply, you can simulate your potential earnings with a new card based on your real transaction history—all without a hard credit pull.
- Personalized recommendations: Connect your bank accounts securely to get matched with cards that will actually maximize your rewards based on how you spend.
- Approval odds analysis: Understand your chances of getting approved for different cards with a detailed analysis based on your credit report.
- Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, the platform will match it.
- Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your card's existing rewards when you shop at participating stores.
Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®?
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is ideally suited for frequent Marriott guests who want to earn rewards on their stays. It also caters to value-focused travelers looking to maximize the annual free night award and status seekers aiming for a higher tier in the Bonvoy program. For those who want to accumulate points on everyday spending like gas, groceries, and dining, understanding if this card is the right fit is key.
Who Should Choose the JetBlue Plus?
The JetBlue Plus Card is tailored for casual or moderately frequent JetBlue flyers who want valuable perks without a high annual fee, as detailed in a JetBlue card comparison. With a reasonable $99 annual fee, cardholders gain benefits like a free first checked bag, which can easily offset the cost after just a couple of round-trip flights each year. It's the ideal choice for travelers who want a straightforward way to earn points and enjoy practical savings without committing to a premium travel card.
Alternatives to Consider
If our Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® vs JetBlue Plus comparison has left you feeling like neither card is the perfect match, don't worry. There are plenty of other travel rewards cards out there that might be a better fit for your wallet and travel 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
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score – Most rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
- Review issuer application rules – Some issuers, like Chase, may limit approvals based on how many cards you've recently opened.
- Check product family restrictions – Issuers like Barclays may prevent you from earning a bonus on one card if you have or recently had a similar card in the same family.
Application Strategy
- Time your application strategically – Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the minimum spend requirement naturally.
- Align the card with your loyalty – Choose co-branded cards from brands you already frequent, like Marriott or JetBlue, to maximize value.
- Heed issuer-specific bonus rules – Be aware that some issuers may deny a bonus if you've recently opened too many cards or have a similar product.
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 earning free hotel nights?
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card is designed specifically for earning points within the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program, making it the superior choice for accumulating free hotel stays at Marriott properties.
Can I have both the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless and JetBlue Plus cards?
Yes, you can hold both cards simultaneously as they are issued by different banks and belong to different loyalty programs. This can be a good strategy if you frequently travel with JetBlue and stay at Marriott hotels.
How do I decide which card is right for me?
The best choice depends on your travel loyalty and spending habits. Consider which brand you use more—Marriott for hotels or JetBlue for flights—to determine which card will provide you with the most value.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.














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