Kudos has partnered with CardRatings and Red Ventures for our coverage of credit card products. Kudos, CardRatings, and Red Ventures may receive a commission from card issuers. Kudos may receive commission from card issuers. Some of the card offers that appear on Kudos are from advertisers and may impact how and where card products appear on the site. Kudos tries to include as many card companies and offers as we are aware of, including offers from issuers that don't pay us, but we may not cover all card companies or all available card offers. You don't have to use our links, but we're grateful when you do!
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless vs Wyndham Earner Plus: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025

Editor's Picks
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: This card is ideal for frequent Marriott guests looking to earn points on travel and everyday purchases like gas, groceries, and dining.
- Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card: This card is best for Wyndham loyalists who want to maximize rewards on hotel stays, gas, dining, and groceries.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Breakdown
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "1188", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "Significant Welcome Bonus" } ]]
Why We Like It
This section breaks down the key reasons why we like the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® card.
- It comes with a generous welcome offer and provides automatic Silver Elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy program.
- While the card has an annual fee, it also includes an anniversary free night award each year that can provide significant value.
- The anniversary free night, redeemable for a stay at a property requiring up to 35,000 points, can easily outweigh the annual fee, making it a worthwhile investment for regular travelers (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Cardholders receive an anniversary free night award each year, which can provide significant value. The card also grants automatic Silver Elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy program, unlocking travel perks.
- The card rewards everyday spending in common categories, making it useful beyond just hotel stays. It also includes valuable travel protections and has no foreign transaction fees, enhancing the travel experience.
Cons
- The card includes an annual fee that isn't waived for the first year.
- Points offer limited flexibility, providing the most value when redeemed for Marriott stays rather than for airline transfers.
- The anniversary free night award comes with redemption restrictions that can exclude some luxury or high-demand properties.
Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Breakdown
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "7579", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Wyndham Loyalists"} ]]
Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why we think the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus is a compelling option for brand loyalists.
- The card offers accelerated rewards on common spending categories like gas, dining, and groceries, in addition to bonus points on Wyndham stays.
- While it comes with an annual fee, the card automatically grants you Wyndham Rewards PLATINUM status, which includes valuable travel perks.
- You can offset the annual fee with the 7,500 anniversary bonus points, which is enough for up to one free night, provided you redeem it for a stay worth $75 or more (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Cardholders automatically receive Wyndham Rewards Platinum status, unlocking travel perks like early check-in and rental car upgrades.
- Points are flexible and can be redeemed for more than just hotel stays, with options to transfer to airline partners or use for gift cards and local tours.
- There is no cap on the number of points you can earn, allowing for unlimited rewards potential.
Cons
- The rewards program is restrictive, offering the best value only when points are redeemed for stays at Wyndham properties.
- Unlike many competing hotel cards, it doesn’t offer a free anniversary night certificate, providing bonus points instead that may not be enough for a stay at mid- or high-tier hotels.
Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus vs Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®
Categories
When deciding which is better, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless or Wyndham Earner Plus, it's crucial to look at which type of traveler each card is designed for.
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: This card is best for frequent travelers who regularly stay at Marriott properties and want to maximize rewards and elite status benefits within the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program.
- Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card: This hotel credit card is ideal for frequent guests of Wyndham properties who want to earn accelerated rewards on everyday purchases like gas, dining, and groceries.
Redemption
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Points are redeemed within the Marriott Bonvoy program, primarily for free nights at their extensive portfolio of hotels. You can also transfer points to various airline partners or use them for unique travel experiences.
Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card: Rewards points are used for free or discounted stays at Wyndham properties, which include a wide range of hotels and vacation rentals. Points can also be redeemed for gift cards, merchandise, and other travel-related purchases.
Travel Perks
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card:
- Operates within the extensive Marriott Bonvoy travel portal, which can be used for booking flights and car rentals alongside hotel stays.
- This card does not have foreign transaction fees, making it a good option for international travel.
- Complimentary airport lounge access is not a feature of this card.
- Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card:
- Utilizes the Wyndham Rewards platform, where members can book stays or redeem points for tours, activities, and other travel purchases.
- This card includes a foreign transaction fee for purchases made abroad.
- Airport lounge access is not included as a cardholder benefit.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To make the best choice based on your own spending habits, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards with personalized data.
- Test drive a credit card: Before you apply, you can simulate how much you’d earn with a new card based on your actual transaction history, giving you a clear projection of its value.
- Personalized approval odds: Get a detailed analysis based on your credit report to better understand your chances of being approved for different cards.
- Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer for a card within three months of applying through Kudos, they will match it.
- Unlock extra rewards: Earn additional rewards through Kudos Boost when shopping at participating stores, which stack on top of your regular card rewards.
Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®?
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers who regularly stay at Marriott properties for business or leisure. It also appeals to value-conscious individuals who can maximize the annual free night award and those looking to fast-track their way to elite status within the Marriott Bonvoy program. Finally, everyday spenders can benefit by accumulating points on daily purchases like groceries, gas, and dining, making it a well-rounded travel card as detailed in this comprehensive review.
Who Should Choose the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus?
The Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card is designed for frequent guests of Wyndham properties, including its hotels, vacation rentals, and timeshares. It's best for brand loyalists who want to maximize their earnings on Wyndham stays, gas, dining, and groceries while enjoying automatic Platinum elite status perks. Ultimately, this card is a strong choice for those seeking a hotel card with a reasonable annual fee that rewards both travel and everyday spending, as detailed in NerdWallet's review.
Alternatives to Consider
If our Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® vs Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus comparison didn't seal the deal, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent travel rewards cards that might be a better fit for your wallet and wanderlust.
[[ 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 – Most rewards cards require a good to excellent credit profile for approval.
- Plan your spending – Make sure you can naturally meet the minimum spend for the welcome offer.
- Review the rewards program – Ensure the card’s hotel network and benefits align with your travel habits.
Application Strategy
- Be mindful of issuer-specific rules that can impact your eligibility for a new card and its welcome offer.
- Time your application strategically before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement.
- Research the best application channels, as welcome offers can sometimes vary between them.
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 offers a better path to elite status?
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card automatically grants you Silver Elite status. The Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card provides Platinum level membership, which is a higher tier within its respective loyalty program.
Can I use points from both cards for things other than hotel stays?
Yes, both Marriott Bonvoy and Wyndham Rewards allow you to transfer points to various airline partners. You can also redeem points for other options like gift cards and merchandise, though hotel stays typically offer the best value.
What are the annual fees for these cards?
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card has a $95 annual fee. The Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card comes with a slightly lower $75 annual fee.
Do these cards come with an annual free night certificate?
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card provides a Free Night Award each year after your account anniversary, valid for a stay up to 35,000 points. The Wyndham Earner Plus card does not offer a free night certificate but instead gives 7,500 bonus points each anniversary year.
Unlock your extra benefits when you become a Kudos member
Turn your online shopping into even more rewards
Join over 400,000 members simplifying their finances
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.














.webp)







.webp)

