United Gateway vs Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful: Which Is Better In 2025?

Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down the key reasons why we like the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card.

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• You can earn accelerated points on everyday spending categories like dining and groceries, plus an even higher rate at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
• Cardholders receive automatic Gold Elite status and 15 elite night credits each year, providing valuable perks during Marriott stays.
• While the card has an annual fee, spending $15,000 in a calendar year earns a free night award worth up to 50,000 points that can more than cover that cost (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Cardholders receive complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, which offers perks like room upgrades and late checkout.
• You get a yearly deposit of elite night credits to help you reach a higher status tier faster.
• Includes a suite of travel protections, such as trip delay reimbursement and lost luggage reimbursement.

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Cons

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• A common criticism is that the free night award is not an automatic annual benefit and requires significant spending to earn.
• There is no spending pathway to achieve higher tiers of elite status.
• The included Gold Elite status doesn't offer top-tier perks like suite upgrades or free breakfast.

Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful vs United Gateway

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Categories

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When considering which is better, the United Gateway or Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful, it's essential to look at where you'll earn the most rewards. Each card is designed to benefit different types of spending habits.

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• United Gateway℠ Card: This card is best for earning rewards on United Airlines purchases, at gas stations, and on local transit.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card: This card offers its highest rewards on stays at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, as well as on purchases at grocery stores and for dining.

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Redemption

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United Gateway℠ Card: Rewards are redeemed as United MileagePlus miles, which can be used for award flights with United and its extensive network of airline partners. Miles can also cover other travel expenses, such as seat upgrades or in-flight Wi-Fi.

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Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card: Points are redeemed through the Marriott Bonvoy program, primarily for free nights at thousands of participating hotels and resorts worldwide. You also have the flexibility to transfer points to numerous airline loyalty programs or use them for exclusive travel packages.

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Travel Perks

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• United Gateway℠ Card: This card is embedded in the United MileagePlus ecosystem. It includes a foreign transaction fee, making it less ideal for purchases outside the U.S. While it lacks airport lounge access, it does provide a 25% back as a statement credit on United inflight purchases, including Wi-Fi, food, and beverages.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card: This card leverages the extensive Marriott Bonvoy hotel network. A key benefit is that it has no foreign transaction fees, making it a strong choice for international travel. Cardholders automatically receive complimentary Gold Elite status, which offers benefits like room upgrades and late checkout. It also provides 1,000 bonus points for each qualifying stay but does not come with airport lounge access.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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If you're struggling to decide, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated credit cards by using your own spending data to give you personalized recommendations.

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• Personalized Recommendations: Instead of generic advice, Kudos analyzes your actual transaction history to match you with cards that best fit your spending habits.
• Test Drive a Card: Before you apply, you can test drive a card to see a projection of your potential annual rewards, calculated from your real spending data.
• Approval Odds Analysis: Understand your chances of getting approved for a card 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, they will match it.
• Extra Rewards: Through Kudos Boost, you can earn additional rewards on top of what your credit card offers when shopping with partner merchants.

Who Should Choose the United Gateway?

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The United Gateway℠ Card is an excellent choice for occasional United Airlines flyers and those new to travel rewards who want to earn miles without committing to an annual fee. Its lack of an annual fee makes it an accessible entry point, allowing budget-conscious travelers to accumulate MileagePlus miles on everyday spending. Additionally, it's a practical option for international travel, as it charges no foreign transaction fees, a key feature highlighted in a detailed card review.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card from Chase is tailored for frequent Marriott travelers who desire more than basic hotel perks but aren't ready for a luxury card's price tag. These cardholders typically value the complimentary Gold Elite status and the 1,000 bonus points earned on each paid stay. According to a card analysis, it's also an ideal fit for those who can meet the $15,000 annual spending requirement to earn a free night award valued at up to 50,000 points.

Alternatives to Consider

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If you've weighed the pros and cons in the United Gateway vs. Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful debate and still haven't found your match, don't fret. There are other excellent travel rewards cards out there, some of which offer more flexible rewards beyond a single airline or hotel chain.

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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 rewards cards require good to excellent credit for the best approval odds.
• Review application restrictions - Many issuers have rules that can affect your eligibility for a welcome bonus based on your card history.
• Plan your spending - Ensure you can meet any minimum spending requirements for a bonus organically.

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Application Strategy

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• Understand co-brand card rules - Some card families, like the Marriott Bonvoy cards, have complex bonus eligibility restrictions across different issuers.
• Time your application wisely - Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet any spending requirements naturally.
• Match the card to your habits - Choose an entry-level card for occasional use or a premium card if you can maximize its specific benefits.

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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Which card is better for international travel?

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The United Gateway℠ Card is a strong contender for international travel because it does not charge foreign transaction fees. The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card's value abroad hinges on Marriott's international presence and whether it also waives such fees.

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What kind of rewards do the United Gateway and Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful cards earn?

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The United Gateway℠ Card earns United MileagePlus miles, which can be redeemed for flights with United and its Star Alliance partners. Conversely, the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card accrues Marriott Bonvoy points, used for stays at Marriott's global portfolio of hotels.

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Are there annual fees for these cards?

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The United Gateway℠ Card is known for having no annual fee, making it an accessible choice for earning travel rewards. The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card, however, typically includes an annual fee to cover its more robust hotel-centric benefits.

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