Marriott Bonvoy Boundless vs Wells Fargo Active Cash: Which Is Better In 2025?

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Breakdown

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2894", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Everyday Spenders", "headerHint": "2% Cash Back"} ]]

‍

Why We Like It

‍

Here’s a closer look at why we’re fans of the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card.

‍

• It offers a straightforward, unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, so you don't have to worry about tracking spending categories.
• This card is a cost-effective choice as it has no annual fee, but be aware that it does charge foreign transaction fees.
• With no annual fee to offset, you begin earning positive rewards from your very first purchase (publisher-formulated estimate).

‍

Pros

‍

• Earn a high, flat rate of cash back on every purchase, with no need to track bonus categories.
• Comes with cell phone protection against damage or theft when you use the card to pay your monthly bill.
• Features an introductory APR offer on both new purchases and qualifying balance transfers.

‍

Cons

‍

• It charges foreign transaction fees, making it a poor choice for international travel.
• Redemption options for cash rewards are less flexible than many competing cards.
• Applicants will need a good to excellent credit score for approval.

Wells Fargo Active Cash® vs Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®

‍

Categories

‍

Deciding which is better, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® or Wells Fargo Active Cash®, depends entirely on your spending habits and reward preferences. One card is built for travelers loyal to a specific hotel brand, while the other offers straightforward cash back on every purchase.

‍

• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card - This card is designed for frequent travelers, especially those who regularly stay at Marriott properties and want to maximize rewards and elite status benefits.
• Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card - This card is best for those seeking simple, flat-rate cash back rewards on all purchases without needing to track spending categories.

‍

Redemption

‍

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®: 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.

‍

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: This card offers simple cash rewards that can be redeemed for a statement credit to your account or deposited directly into an eligible Wells Fargo account.

‍

Travel Perks

‍

• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: This card is deeply integrated into the Marriott Bonvoy travel ecosystem. It carries no foreign transaction fees, making it a solid choice for international travel. Key perks include an annual Free Night Award after your account anniversary and automatic Silver Elite Status, which provides benefits within Marriott properties.
• Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: This card is not a dedicated travel card and lacks an extensive travel ecosystem. It does charge a foreign transaction fee on purchases made abroad. Its primary travel-related advantage is the flexibility of its cash rewards, which can be redeemed as a statement credit to cover any travel purchase, regardless of where it is booked.

‍

Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

‍

To find the best card for your wallet, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards with personalized data.

‍

• Test Drive Cards: The ‘Test Drive’ feature lets you see potential earnings with any card based on your actual spending history, without a hard credit pull.
• Personalized Matching: Get matched with cards that will earn you the most rewards based on your unique spending patterns.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of applying through Kudos, they will match it.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card rewards when shopping at participating stores.
• Detailed Approval Odds: Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report before you apply.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®?

‍

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is a strong contender for frequent Marriott guests, whether traveling for business or leisure, who can maximize benefits like the anniversary free night award. It also appeals to travelers looking to fast-track their way to elite status within the Bonvoy program and those who want to accumulate points on everyday purchases like groceries, gas, and dining. Ultimately, this card is designed for specific traveler profiles who can leverage its unique combination of perks, as detailed in our comprehensive review.

Who Should Choose the Wells Fargo Active Cash®?

‍

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is an excellent choice for small business owners who prioritize simple, flat-rate rewards over complicated travel perks. It's ideally suited for those with good to excellent credit who want a consistent 2% cash back on all domestic business purchases without tracking spending categories. Cardholders can also leverage a 0% intro APR period and cell phone protection, making it a top pick for straightforward rewards.

Alternatives to Consider

‍

If the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash® comparison didn't reveal a clear winner for your wallet, don't worry. We've rounded up a few other excellent cards that might better align with your financial goals.

‍

[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["509", "118"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Exceptional Value", "Generous Travel Rewards"]} ]]

‍

_{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 to ensure you meet the typical requirements for approval.
• Plan your spending to make sure you can naturally meet the minimum spend for the welcome offer.
• Know your rewards strategy to ensure you can maximize the value of your points or cash back.

‍

Application Strategy

‍

• Consider your recent card applications, as some issuers have strict approval rules.
• Leverage existing banking relationships, as some issuers consider this in their decision.
• Confirm your eligibility for the welcome offer, especially if you are a previous cardholder.

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

‍

What are the annual fees for the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless and Wells Fargo Active Cash cards?

‍

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card typically comes with an annual fee, whereas the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is known for having no annual fee.

‍

Is the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card worth it if I don't stay at Marriott hotels often?

‍

If you are not a frequent guest at Marriott properties, you may struggle to maximize the value from the card's hotel-centric benefits and rewards. A general cash-back card could be a more suitable option in that scenario.

‍

Can I use the rewards from the Wells Fargo Active Cash card for travel?

‍

Yes, the cash rewards earned with the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card are highly flexible. You can redeem them for a statement credit to help offset any purchase, including travel-related expenses.

‍