All information about the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card has been collected independently by CardCritics™
Marriott Bonvoy Bold Review: Strong Perks for No Annual Fee
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Written by
Adam Frankel
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Edited by
Emily Gadd
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Reviewed by
Jasmin Baron
For an annual price tag of $0, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card offers a handful of elite status perks, high rewards on Marriott spending and a slew of valuable travel protections.
But those who lay their head on a Marriott-owned pillow more than a handful of times a year may be better served by one of the more robust Marriott co-branded card options.
Welcome Offer
Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months of account opening with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card!
Rewards
1x – 14x Earn up to 14X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Card. Earn 2X points for every $1 spent at grocery stores, rideshare, select food delivery, select streaming, and internet, cable, and phone services. 1X point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
Purchase and Balance Transfer APR
19.99% – 28.49% Variable
Recommended Credit Score
Good – Excellent
(670 – 850*)
Annual Fee
$0
CardCritics™ Opinion
As the entry-level card in Marriott’s product line, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold comes with impressive benefits and a strong welcome offer, all without an annual fee. It earns bonus points on Marriott purchases, as well as at grocery stores and on rideshares, select food delivery, select streaming, and internet, cable, and phone services. Cardholders also receive automatic Marriott Silver Elite status, five elite night credits each year toward the next level of status, and a solid range of travel and purchase protections. However, if you’re looking for more premium perks, such as a free night award each year after your account anniversary, you’ll want to consider a co-branded Marriott hotel credit card with an annual fee.
Our Critical Analysis:
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
- No annual fee
- Automatic Silver Elite status
- High rewards on Marriott stays
- Grants five elite night credits towards higher status each year
PROS
- Lacks a free night perk like many other hotel cards
- Silver Elite status is the chain’s lowest tier
- Rewards are best used toward future Marriott stays
- Frequent travelers may find better value and benefits with other Marriott Bonvoy cards
CONS
Marriott Bonvoy Bold Benefits
Welcome Bonus
New cardholders can earn a welcome bonus of 30,000 points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
That’s not a bad deal for a no-annual-fee travel credit card, and is enough points for a couple of nights at a budget-friendly Marriott Bonvoy hotel. Marriott no longer has a fixed award chart, so award prices fluctuate based on location, demand, season and other factors.
No Annual Fee
The Marriott Bonvoy Bold’s main appeal compared to other Marriott co-branded cards is the lack of an annual fee. Whether you use it once a year or once a day, you won’t have to worry about the carrying cost eating into the value of any rewards you earn.
I previously held a pricier version of a Marriott co-branded card but found I wasn’t staying often enough with the brand to justify paying an annual fee. This card hits the sweet spot for me, ensuring that I earn higher rewards on my Marriott stays then I would with one of my other travel credit cards.
Sky-High Rewards Rate
Although the Marriott Bonvoy Bold costs $0 annually, it packs impressive earning potential, particularly on stays within the Marriott portfolio. Technically, the card earns 3x on Marriott stays, but you’ll also earn 10x for being a Bonvoy member (you’ll enter your existing Bonvoy number when you apply for the card, otherwise one will be assigned to you) and 1 extra point per dollar for having Silver Elite status. That means you’ll earn 14x points for every dollar you spend at a Marriott.
The card also earns:
- 2x points at grocery stores
- 2x points on rideshare and select food delivery
- 2x points on select streaming
- 2x points on internet, cable and phone services
All other purchases earn 1 point per dollar.
Automatic Elite Status
The card grants automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. Typically, you’d have to stay 10 nights per year to earn this step up the status rung from basic membership in the program. Not only does Silver Elite status score you an extra point per dollar spent at Marriott properties, but it also comes with some nice extras during your stay.
These include free Wi-Fi when you book direct, priority late checkout and an Ultimate Reservation Guarantee which means if for some reason the property you booked cannot honor your reservation, Marriott Bonvoy will cover the cost of nearby accommodations and offer monetary compensation on top of that.
Elite Night Credits
Marriott Bonvoy Bold cardholders receive five elite night credits each year toward a higher tier of elite status. This feature is handy if you’re close to qualifying for the next level and need an extra boost.
Travel and Purchase Protections
The Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card also offers several types of insurance coverage, including baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip delay reimbursement and purchase protection. You might not think travel insurance matters when choosing a credit card, but if your checked luggage gets lost, you’ll be mighty appreciative of the money you’ll get reimbursed to replace your essentials.
Marriott Bonvoy Bold Drawbacks
Other Cards Offer Better Rewards and Perks
If your goal is to significantly pad your Marriott Bonvoy rewards pocket, you’d be better off with one of the Marriott card options that does charge an annual fee. Marriott offers four other personal co-branded credit cards:
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: $95 annual fee
- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card: $250 annual fee
- Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful® Credit Card: $250 annual fee
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: $650 annual fee
Each card has a higher welcome offer and rewards rates, comes with better elite status and includes more benefits, commensurate with their annual fees. Any one of those cards has more to offer when it comes to chasing rewards and status than the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card.
Rewards Are Best Used for Marriott Stays
As is the case with nearly all co-branded cards, you’ll get the best value from your rewards when you use them for award stays at hotels in the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. Although Bonvoy has a program where you can “pay yourself back” for eligible hotel and airfare purchases, the value is just 0.8 cents per Bonvoy point.
The same goes for the other redemption options, such using your rewards for flights, car rentals, gift cards and select experiences. If your goal is to earn rewards to pay yourself back for purchases, you’d be better off with a card that earns straight cash back where the value is clearer.
General Purpose Travel Cards Can Have Greater Utility
Although Marriott is the largest hotel chain in the world, if you’re looking to get a new travel card, chances are pretty good you occasionally may need to fly, rent a car or simply stay at a property that isn’t a Marriott. There are plenty of great travel credit cards with a range of annual fees that allow you to earn flexible rewards you can use across a variety of travel options, no brand loyalty required.
Who Is the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Best For?
The Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card is best for someone who wants to earn points to use for Marriott award stays but can’t stomach the idea of paying an annual fee for a credit card. Just keep in mind other cards from Marriott offer much stronger rewards and benefits, but they come with annual fees.
Is It the Right Card for You?
The Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card may be the right card for you if:
- You want to earn high rewards for your spending with Marriott
- You want some status perks and travel benefits
- You only plan to use your rewards for future stays with Marriott
- You want all of the above but without an annual fee
When you’re choosing a hotel credit card, consider how loyal you are to the brand, how often you travel, where you plan to stay, and how likely you are to maximize the card’s perks.
Alternatives to the Marriott Bonvoy Bold
Although the Marriott Bonvoy Bold is solid for a no-annual-fee hotel card, it’s not the only option. Here are other top cards to consider.
- IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: This no-annual-fee card also offers Silver Elite status, high earnings on stays within the brand and a raft of travel and purchase protections. The IHG portfolio is smaller than Marriott but its loyalty program comes with a perk that’s even better than what Marriott Bonvoy offers. If you stay three nights on a points redemption, you’ll get a fourth night free. Marriott has a similar benefit but requires you to pay for four nights on points to get a fifth free.
- Hilton Honors American Express Card: Hilton is just behind Marriott when it comes to the number of properties worldwide making it likely you’ll find one wherever you want to go. This card earns 7x points on Hilton stays and bonus points in several everyday spending categories, so if your primary goal is to earn rewards for free hotel nights, it can be an excellent daily driver.
Card Details From Chase
- Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after qualifying purchases.
- Pay no annual fee with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card from Chase®!
- Earn up to 14X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Card.
- Earn 2X points for every $1 spent at grocery stores, rideshare, select food delivery, select streaming, and internet, cable, and phone services.
- 1X point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
- Travel now, pay later – Break up purchases into equal monthly payments with no interest plus no plan fees on qualifying travel purchases. Terms apply.
- Pay Yourself Back® – Redeem Marriott Bonvoy® points for a statement credit to cover qualifying travel purchases made directly with airlines or at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, up to $750 total in redemptions per year.
- Member FDIC
How Does the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Stack Up Against Competitors?
Here’s how the Marriott Bonvoy Bold compares to similar no-annual-fee hotel credit cards.
| Chase Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card | Chase IHG Traveler Card | Amex Hilton Honors Card | |
| Welcome Offer | Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months of account opening with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card! | Earn 80,000 Bonus Points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. | Earn 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Honors American Express Card after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership. |
| Annual Fee | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Regular APR | 19.99% - 28.49% Variable | 19.99% - 28.49% Variable | 20.24%-29.24% Variable |
| Rewards Rate | Earn up to 14X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Card. Earn 2X points for every $1 spent at grocery stores, rideshare, select food delivery, select streaming, and internet, cable, and phone services. 1X point for every $1 spent on all other purchases. | Earn up to 17 points total per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on purchases on monthly bills, at gas stations, and restaurants. Earn 2 points per $1 spent on all other purchases. | Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio. Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations. Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card. |
| Standout Perk | Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status | Automatic IHG One Rewards Silver Elite status | Automatic Hilton Honors Silver Elite status |
**All information about the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful® Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, Hilton Honors American Express Card and IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card has been collected independently by CardCritics™ Please see issuer site for full details.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Marriott Bonvoy Bold
What credit score do you need for the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card?
As with most rewards credit cards, you’ll likely need a good credit score or better (670+ on FICO’s scale) for the best chance of being approved for the Marriott Bonvoy Bold. Keep in mind issuers look at a range of factors when evaluating your application, and there’s no one credit score that can guarantee you approval.
Is the Marriott Bonvoy Bold a good card?
If you’re looking for a no-annual-fee credit card that helps you earn high rewards on your hotel stays and offers some travel and purchase protections, then the Marriott Bonvoy Bold is a good choice.
What is the credit limit on the Marriott Bonvoy Bold?
Most card issuers won’t tell you in advance what credit limit you’re likely to receive and the Marriott Bonvoy Bold is no exception. However, in the terms and conditions, it says that if you are approved for the Visa Signature version of the card, your limit will be at least $5,000 and if you’re approved for the Visa Platinum version of the card your limit will be at least $2,000.
Can I transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to airline partners?
Yes, Marriott Bonvoy partners with over 40 airlines, allowing you to transfer your points at a 3:1 ratio in most cases. However, since you only get 1 airline mile for every 3 Bonvoy points with most partners, it’s typically not a great value to use your Bonvoy points this way.
Do my Marriott Bonvoy points expire?
Without qualifying activity in your Bonvoy account, such as redeeming points or other rewards earning, for 24 months, your Marriott points will expire. Using your Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card to earn rewards on your spending is an easy way to reset the expiration clock.
Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.
*CardCritics™ references a FICO® 8 score, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when evaluating your application.
